"Is maith liom Afro Celt Sound System, ach b'fhearr liom Iarla Ó Lionáird." - I like ACSS, but I'd prefer Iarla.
I was never one who's into vocals. Give me a good bass line and I'm happy.
However, ever since I went to Ireland and found out about sean-nós singing, I've had a new appreciation for vocal works. Sean-nós literally means "old style" or traditional. It's generally without any instruments other than the singer's voice. It's all "as Gaeilge" (in Irish; and no, that doesn't mean English with an Irish accent).
A small group of us from Monday night Irish language class went over to Ireland to take a week-long Irish language class in An Ceathrú Rua (Carraroe). I can't sing to save my life, so I considered worming my way out of one of our classes, which was dedicated to sean-nós singing. We were surprised and honored when Meaiti Jo Sheamuis (music director at Raidió na Gaeltachta) sang sean-nós live for our little Irish language class, and I was blown away by his singing. What a huge amount of emotion and nuance put into the singing. I was hooked.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a copy of his CD in the US. In the meantime, I was surprised to find out that the Afro Celt's lead singer actually has a sean-nós singing background.
Iarla Ó Lionáird is the lead vocalist of Afro Celt Sound System. I first heard them (and him) in a duet with Sinéad O'Connor while listening to the Celtic Melt radio station at Live365.com. It just seemed different at first. But after a few listenings, I felt compelled to buy the album. Best thing I ever did. Of course, I now own all their albums, up through Anatomic (Vol. 5) which is truly their crowning glory. Their compositions and execution have really matured over the last few albums.
So after really getting into ACSS, I heard about Iarla's solo albums. They got rather mixed reviews on amazon.com. So I went to his web site (link in sidebar at right), and listened to "Aobhinn Crónán (The Humming of the Bees)" and over the course of week decided it was definitely worth trying out the album. His solo stuff is nothing like ACSS--except the outstanding voice, of course. The great thing is that his solo work really accentuates his great voice in a way that most ACSS songs don't.
To see a free video with one of his songs (that does have some musical accompaniment), click on the "Iarla Ó Lionáird" link on the sidebar at right, then click the "Audio & Video" link on Iarla's web site. Then click on one of the video downloads for "Aoibhinn Cronan (The Humming Of The Bees) Live".
It's a song that, while seemingly simple at first, will grow on you.
I can't play it enough. Enjoy.
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4 comments:
A Phóil,
Go raibh maith agat, ach níl mé ábalta a fheicean é. (I'm not able to find it--the Cló Iar Chonachta web site). Googling doesn't turn up much.
An bhfuil an "web site" agat?
Can you tell me more about this workshop you went to? I am eager to attend one and the fact that there was a singing portion is especially appealing.... please email me or post some more about the workshop.
:-) Slán,
Abby
Hi, Abby!
It's always fun to hear from other students.
I had a great time in An Ceathrú Rua, which is where that workshop was:
http://www.acadamh.ie/ionaid/ceathru_rua.html
I have tons of photos, but I need to organize them (in Aperture) on my Mac before I put them on the web.
It was a one-week course organized specifically for us students from Gaeltacht Minnesota. I can't tell you how much I learned there. I was a little early in my Irish studies, but it was definitely still worthwhile. We also got a tour of the RnaG studio. After a week there, I spent a week toodling around western Ireland, staying in B&Bs. It was great fun.
I also go to Gaeltacht Minnesota's Weekend in Winona every year. That's another (much cheaper!) way to get intensive studies in a really fun atmosphere.
Have you been to any workshops?
Take care,
Lou.
I have not been to any workshops. We have a weekly class that I like to call a support group for Irish addicts, but no actual workshop. I want a little more study under my belt before I commit to seeking out too much travel, but late 2007 or definitely by 2008... definitely! I just signed up for Gaeltacht Minn's newsletter. I'm in the Duluth area every year in June for a fair where I met a woman and her husband who own a food booth. She's learning Irish and told me about Gaeltacht Minn... can't wait to practice my Irish with her next year!
Thanks for telling me about that! Hopefully if a bunch of you guys do something like that again, I'll find out :-) and join ya.
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