C Duncan

Season 1, november 2011 – may 2012:

• 18th Nov. 2011 – Capercaillie. This episode is dedicated to the scottish band which became famous beyond the world of celtic music in 1995, when they recorded the soundtrack for the film “Rob Roy”. Karen Matheson, the band leader, is described by Sean Connery as having “a throat surely touched by the hand of God” and she is considered “the finest Gaelic singer alive today” by Billboard magazine. Enjoy a selection of the best Capercaillie song: from “Ailein Duinn” to “Nuair a chi thu caileag bhoidheach”, from “Heart of the Highland” to “Breisleach”.

• 25th Nov. 2011 – The instruments of celtic music. When we think about celtic music, the first instruments which come to our minds are harp, fiddle, tin whistle and bagpipe. And we don’t have to forget a large number of percussions, among which bodhran is the most known. Let’s discover the most commonly played instruments of celtic music.
• 2nd Dec. 2011 – Wolfstone. This scottish band plays Highland music often combined with rock. Live performances are the main feature of this breathtaking band. With traditional music, the band is also a source of original tunes and songs. Unique is the blend of electric and acoustic guitars, fiddle, pipes and pulsating percussions, all combined with a dynamic stage presence. Instrumental songs’ harmonies are fast and upbeat, and move listeners to start dancing.
• 9th Dec. 2011 – Irish pubs and celtic drinking songs. Irish pub is a place where music, passion, love and fun merge, a place full of irish life. It’s a place like home fireside. Most pubs offer a vast range of beers, among which Guinness is the most known worldwide, but also whiskey has a leading role. The name whiskey comes from latin “acqua vitae”, in gaelic “uisge beatha”, meaning “water of life”, and in Ireland it has a lot of different names – stuff, craythur, poteen – everyone celebrated by a great number of drinking songs.
• 16th Dec. 2011 – Mary Black. For the last 25 years, Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. “San Francisco Chronicle” has described her as “One of the best interpretative singers around”. Mary Black is well known for mixing genres, for combining traditional as well as contemporary material. She also appeared on the cover of the US music trade Bible “Billboard”, which described her as “a firm favorite to join the heavy-hitting ranks of such Irish artists as Enya, Sinéad O’Connor and Clannad’s Máire Brennan in the international marketplace.” They were right.
• 23rd Dec. 2011 – Irish Christmas Traditions. Irish Christmas traditions. Ireland, like most countries, has a number of Christmas traditions that are all of its own. Let’s discover Irish Christmas traditions, with the accompaniment of typical Christmas songs. “Nollaig math duibh” from “Rici’s Corner”!
• 6th Jan. 2012 – Album of the Month: Mary Black – Stories from the Steeples. The monthly appointment with “Album of the month” is dedicated to the latest release from Mary Black: “Stories from the Steeples”, which is, according to The Sunday Times, “a collection of elegant folk tales”. A little taste of a new album that demonstrates an artist in full command of her bewitching vocal prowess. “Stories From The Steeples” contains three duets and two stand-out tracks written by Mary’s son, Danny O’Reilly.
• 13th Jan. 2012 – Loreena McKennitt. If we ask for the name of a celtic singer, the first one who comes to our minds is the canadian singer and composer Loreena Mc Kennitt. She’s without any doubt the icon of celtic music all over the world. In a recording career spanning nearly two decades, McKennitt’s “eclectic Celtic” music has won critical acclaim worldwide and gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in fifteen countries across four continents. She has sold more than 14 million records all over the world.
• 20th Jan. 2012 – The legend of Una Bhan and Tomàs Laidir. This is a typical Irish love legend: the sweet story of the bitter outraged love between Una Bhan and Tomàs Laidir, a story about great love, honour and pride.