Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Emerald Sounds: The Chieftains, Celtic Thunder, Clannad

Is St. Patrick's Day only a month away? Here is an update on all things Irish (music, that is...). I've gathered several of the latest media updates to land in my inbox and posted them here.

THE CHIEFTAINS CELEBRATE 50th ANNIVERSARY WITH VOICE OF AGES


Hardly a day goes by without The Chieftains gathering more (well-deserved, I might add) acclaim as they proceed to celebrate their 50th anniversary as a musical troupe. The band's highly-anticipated Voice of Ages arrives on Feb. 21, 2012.

Did you see the New York Times Arts & Leisure cover story on The Chieftains, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and El Gran Combo on Sunday, Feb. 5th? Ben Ratliff says they have much more than a 50th anniversary year in common. Check out the entire piece here: http://nyti.ms/A4YWPL

The Chieftains 'Voice of Ages,' out Feb. 21, features collaborations with Bon Iver, The Civil Wars, Carolina Chocolate Drops and others. Check out The Decemberists and The Chieftains take on Bob Dylan's "When the Ship Comes In" via Rolling Stone here: http://bit.ly/wBB1c6

Here is a link to purchase the deluxe edition of Voice of Ages from Amazon.com.


GET READY TO CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH IRISH MUSIC PHENOMENON CELTIC THUNDER
WITH THEIR NEW CD AND DVD, VOYAGE

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE FEBRUARY 28th ON DECCA
PUBLIC TELEVISION SPECIAL PREMIERES LATE FEBRUARY

**CELTIC THUNDER HAILED AS BILLBOARD’S TOP WORLD MUSIC ARTIST, WORLD ALBUM AND WORLD MUSIC IMPRINT OF 2011; DECCA TOP WORLD LABEL FOR 2011**



Surpassing sales of one million units combined, the musical phenomenon that is Celtic Thunder have just been hailed as BILLBOARD’s Top World Music Artist, along with Top World Music Imprint and Top World Album of 2011 for their most current disc, Heritage. Celtic Thunder rings in 2012 with a new CD and DVD concert special, VOYAGE just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. VOYAGE the concert special will be broadcast across the U.S. on Public Television stations during the March 2012 pledge period, with an estimated one thousand airings beginning in late February (check local listings). Both the new CD and DVD will be available February 28th on Decca.

VOYAGE continues to pay homage to the musical culture of Ireland, while exploring the musical journey each soloist has undertaken since the beginning of Celtic Thunder four years ago. Former members Damian McGinty and Paul Byrom have moved on - McGinty’s star continues to rise after securing a reoccurring role on FOX’s hit show GLEE (a result of winning last year’s “The GLEE Project”), while Paul Byrom launches his own solo career as well. Keith Harkin is also working on a solo project while maintaining his integral role in Celtic Thunder. He is the first artist signed to the newly helmed David Foster Verve Music Group, and is readying his forthcoming solo debut wildly anticipated by “Thunder Heads” everywhere. The rest of the ensemble including Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Neil Byrne, George Donaldson and Emmet Cahill welcome 13-year-old Daniel Furlong to the fold as a guest artist on this recording. The group performances highlight the diversity of Irish music and song; from the powerful rendition of “Dulaman” to the love song “Maid of Culmore,” the collection also features a rousing performance of “Galway Girl” and beloved Irish party song “My Irish Molly-O.” To view highlights of VOYAGE please click here: http://bcove.me/11tep1gm

In addition to their impressive sales statics, their official YouTube channel, “Thunder Tube” has received over twenty five million views since its inception in 2008. Celtic Thunder’s successful resume includes performing for President Obama at The White House’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration in 2009, opening New York City’s famed St. Patrick’s Day Parade two consecutive years in a row (2008 & 2009), and most notably six hit Public Television specials and numerous sold out concerts all across America.

Celtic Thunder’s three-week US promotion for VOYAGE will end with the group appearing once again on QVC March 17th. Celtic Thunder have appeared on multiple national TV programs including The Today Show, CBS Early Show’s Saturday Second Cup CafĂ©, Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends, as well as numerous regional shows in major cities.


Ireland's Clannad Ushers in St. Patrick's Day With Career-Spanning 2-CD Set, TIMELESS


Brand new 30-song collection celebrates the band's 40-year career, with liner notes written by Larry Kirwan of Black 47; Available everywhere starting March 6, 2012 through RCA/Legacy

March 17th, St. Patrick's Day: "Clannad - Live from Christchurch Cathedral" premieres on NY-area PBS stations, recorded at 2011 Tradfest event in Dublin
Prelude to September 2012 tour, first North American shows in 20 years


Grammy Award®-winning Irish family band Clannad – the original Celtic artists who introduced their native Gaelic tongue into contemporary pop as far back as 1970 – will be the focus of attention on St. Patrick's Day this year, as PBS stations across the north­east broadcast Clannad – Live from Christchurch Cathedral. In advance of the PBS broadcast, a new 30-song, double-CD collection has been compiled, spanning the past three decades of Clannad's recording career. TIMELESS will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting March 6th through RCA/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

The PBS special, produced and directed by Cathal Watters, premieres on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17th. Airings will continue through­out the month (please check local listings). The concert was recorded at the ancient Irish cathedral on January 29, 2011, as part of the annual Temple Bar Tradfest.

The release of TIMELESS and the broadcast of "Live from Christchurch Cathedral" set the stage for Clannad's first North American tour in almost 20 years, to commence in September. Dates will be announced in the months ahead via their website, www.clannad.ie.

Clannad's rich heritage is as deep as their own roots in rugged, secluded Donegal, the most northwestern county in Ireland, and their hometown of Gaoth Dobhar (pronounced 'Gweedore'). They were originally known as An Clann as Dobhar, 'the family from the townland of Dore,' which was compacted to Clannad (pronounced clan-ehd).

With worldwide sales of more than 10 million records, Clannad has maintained a presence on the concert and festival circuit. After 14 years they are finally back in the studio working on a brand new Clannad album for release in September. It is fascinating to consider that what today is so widely regarded as Celtic music was first called "Clannad music." There is perhaps no greater testament to the impact of this groundbreaking group than that simple fact. It all begins with Clannad.

TIMELESS by CLANNAD
(RCA/Legacy 88691 95775 2)

CD One:

1. I Will Find You [Theme from The Last Of The Mohicans] (from Banba, 1993)
2. In A Lifetime - Duet with Bono (from Macalla, 1985)
3. You're The One (from Anam, 1990)
4. Something To Believe In – Guest vocal, piano and accordion: Bruce Hornsby (from Sirius, 1988)
5. Robin (The Hooded Man) [Theme from Robin Of Sherwood] (from Legend, 1984)
6. Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn) (from Macalla, 1985)
7. Broken Pieces (from Lore, 1996)
8. Closer To Your Heart (from Macalla, 1985)
9. Why Worry? (from Anam, 1990)
10. Mystery Game (from Banba, 1993)
11. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over) (from Lore, 1996)
12. The Hunter (from PastPresent, 1989)
13. White Fool - Guest vocal by Steve Perry (from Sirius, 1988)
14. There For You (from Banba, 1993)
15. Let Me See (from Landmarks, 1998)

CD Two:

1. Ri na Cruinne (from Anam, 1990)
2. Theme From Harry's Game (from Magical Ring, 1983)
3. Caislean oir (from Macalla, 1985)
4. Newgrange (from Magical Ring, 1983)
5. Buachaill on Eirne (from Macalla, 1985)
6. Fado (from Landmarks, 1998)
7. Anam (from Anam, 1990)
8. Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair (from Magical Ring, 1983)
9. Na Laethe Bhi (from Banba, 1993)
10. Of This Land (from Landmarks, 1998)
11. Ta' Me Mo Shui (from Magical Ring, 1983)
12. Poison Glen (from Anam, 1990)
13. Uirchill an Chreagain (from Anam, 1990)
14. The Bridge of Tears (from Landmarks, 1998)
15. Banba Oir (from Banba, 1993)

Visit www.clannad.ie and www.legacyrecordings.com.

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