October 24th, 2012
The breakthrough album from the band now considered to be the premier group in Irish traditional music. Joined by Dublin fiddler Paul O’Shaughnessy, Altan with this album have augmented their fiddles to two, creating a myriad of possibilities and reinforcing an already unequaled drive. With the virtuosity of Frankie Kennedy’s flute, Mark Kelly’s guitar, Ciaran Curran’s bouzouki, the pure heaven of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh’s vocals, and Phil Cunningham’s production, it is no wonder that this album has been hailed as one of the great classic albums of this genre.
October 24th, 2012
Riveting music that reaffirms and enlarges the international stature of the traditional band recognized as Ireland’s best. Never complacent, Altan experiments with harmony and choral singing on such stirring songs in Irish as Donal Agus Morag, led by Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh.
October 24th, 2012
Within the last year, Altan has confirmed its status as one of Ireland’s most critically acclaimed and commercially successful traditional bands. Individually, Altan are masters of their respective instruments.
October 24th, 2012
Packaged together with an exclusive, Limited Edition Bonus CD (Altan recorded live in Germany in January, 1989), “The Best of Altan” provides a brilliant companion compilation to the previously released Altan: The First Ten Years
October 24th, 2012
This album marks the beginning of Altan and is a forerunner of “Horse With A Heart” and “The Red Crow”. It is music from the North of Ireland at its most incandescent. Donegal fiddler Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh and Belfast-born Frankie Kennedy blaze through highlands, reels and slip jigs with the superb accompaniment of bouzouki virtuouso Ciaran Curran and guitarist Mark Kelly. Produced by Donal Lunny.
October 24th, 2012
The 8 Track Favourites, who have been together for the last two years, have had a major buzz around them. Wherever they play, they are playing to packed houses.
The 8 Track Favourites is a ‘supergroup’ made up of some of the finest musicians in Newfoundland today. The band includes Larry Foley and Patrick Moran (The Punters), Chris LeDrew (Brothers In Stereo), Sandy Morris, Barry Hillier and George Morgan.
The 8 Track Favourites cover the old time country hits in their own style and dress on stage in hats and country attire reminiscent of the style of the older country performers.
Walking away from a performance of the 8 Track Favourites you will feel thoroughly satisfied. Surprisingly, the audience is somewhat younger than you would think with many in the audience not having been born when these songs were hits, but nevertheless, younger fans have embraced and sing along to all the hits.
“One Track Mind” is a live recording which captures the band at their best and helps you relive the experience of their shows.
HE..HAW!!
October 24th, 2012
In seemingly little time, Hey Rosetta! have cemented their place as one of the most critically acclaimed and vital bands on Canada’s musical landscape. “Seeds”, the band’s third release, gave them their second Polaris Music Prize shortlist nomination and major tours with City and Colour, The Jeezebels, Hot Hot Heat and another with Gomez on the way, make them one of the country’s busiest and hard-working bands. They have literally traveled the globe from China, Australia, Europe to multiple trips across Canada and State-side. The new record is lush and incredibly thoughtful with regards to arrangement and musical scope. One pictures the band meticulously plotting out each note to the point of mental and physical implosion. The result is an anthemic, robust and daring album that stretches the bands ability into a new territory of calibre. Their growth since “Plan Your Escape” has been exponential.
October 24th, 2012
“Blues on the Ceiling” is a lesson in how to play the blues. It is unique and special in a number of ways. It blends some of the most revered blues tunes in the canon with clever and crafty originals and dares you to make the distinction between the two. Peter Narvaez is THAT good! His attention to authenticity is acute, his playing is masterful and the guests on his record are among St. John’s blues elite. Appearances by Sandy Morris, Glen Collins, Steve Hussey, Brad Power and Dave Rowe create an atmosphere and dynamic that serves to strengthen the truthfulness and honesty that has become synonymous with Peter’s work. These guys bleed the blues. For those who don’t know, it is Peter’s final recording and you can sense that he knew it would be his last. He sings with wisdom, clarity and understanding that comes when nearing the end of a life. He defiantly plays the meanest harmonica you’ll hear and picks some of the fastest, grooviest and meaningful guitar on any record regardless of genre. Peter was a pioneer in Newfoundland music and folklore. We are confident that his music will endure like the blues pioneers that preceded him.
October 24th, 2012
“Safe Upon the Shore” is the 11th release from arguably Newfoundland and Labrador’s most successful musical group. True ambassadors for the music and culture of the island, they have been representing our province all over the world for 20 years. Recording for the latest album was split between the now retired Great Big Studio in St. John’s and The Music Shed in New Orleans. This lends itself to a distinct merging of the traditional sound that has become the GBS trademark and a rowdy, southern flare that is characteristically Louisiana. The album also boasts a pretty impressive list of co-writers including Joel Plaskett, Randy Bachman, Russell Crowe, Jeremy Fisher and Paul Lamb. This southern element proves that Great Big Sea are unafraid to venture into uncharted musical territory. If the listener is of the same mind, they will thoroughly enjoy this record.
