Celtic Music Travels The Earth.
Instrumental, rhythmic traditional Celtic traditional music with world music influences. and original music evoking the Celts travelling across Europe to their homelands and the spread of the music around the world.
background
Celtic music feels connected to the earth and landscapes that helped form it. Rural music, a hint of the wild countryside, and a touch of the rocky coasts facing the sea.
Not so long ago Celtic music was mostly only heard in the Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Isle Of Man, and Galicia. Celtic music is now global, as interest has spread with the rise of international stars like The Chieftans, Dubliners, Pogues, Alan Stivell, The Moving Hearts and shows like Riverdance, Dan Ar Braz's Heritage Of the Celts and, of course, films. Many countries now have their own Celtic music bands. Celtic music has also formed the basis of other folk musics, such as American country and bluegrass.
Celtic music has in turn soaked up other influences from other genres and cultures. This keeps it a fresh, living and evolving music. However, the Celtic roots can still clearly be heard and seems completely at home in so many settings.
Most of the music on Celtic Earth is traditional and taken from Govannen concert and ceilidhs sets, but arranged to reflect many influences. There is original music here too that evokes the Celtic tribes and their music travelling from their origins across Europe, settling in the Celtic lands, before travelling all over the Earth.
influences
Alan
Stivell, Donal Lunny, Davey Spillane, Moving Hearts, Planxty, Denez Prigent, Dan Ar Braz, Gwerz, Martin Hayes,
trivia
Winner of the COVR Award for best World Music album 2013
King Of The Faeries awarded track of the year award by Celtic Radio
Chris played the bombarde on this album for the first time in over 15 years.
Chris first recorded The Lilting Banshee on his 1997 Flying Home songs album
Mo Coulson can also be heard on CC's Celtic Dreamer album.
Bridget recorded The Rocks Of Bourne with lyrics on her Avalon Moon album.
Govannen opened their live set with The New World at almost every concert in 2011.
Celtic Tribal Gathering is dedicated to Breton musician Alan Stivell
Farewell - Celtic Tribes Disperse is dedicated to Breton singer Denez Prigent
Reviews
Four-member Celtic fusion band Govannen are back with the follow-up to their 2008 album CELTIC FIRE. Titled CELTIC EARTH, the music offers a lush assortment of songs that pair the structure and sound of Celtic jigs, reels and airs with relaxed new age instrumentation. The band features Chris Conway, whose warm instrumental sound adds color to these songs, along with percussionist Dan Britton, fiddler Adele McMahon and guitarist Neil Rabjohn.
The music consists of both traditional and Irish-influenced original compositions, mixing upbeat rhythms with laid-back instrumentation. Imagine jigs and reels with a softer, smoother edge and you'll have an idea of what to expect. Sparks fly with the high energy song "The Knotted Cord," which makes strong use of McMahon's fiddle, while shuffling percussion gives a light tribal edge to "The Foggy Dew." Includes guests Bridget McMahon, Mo Coulson and Carl Peberdy. musicdesign
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Award winning band Govannen, are one of the greatest Celtic music bands in the UK, and this recent album release is a most welcome addition to their vast discography. Celtic Earth is a narrative album that draws upon traditional Celtic music and world music influences, evoking images of the Celts travels across Europe to their homelands. The rich sounds produced by Irish whistles, banjos, sitars, and other traditional instruments, create a truly beautiful setting that reminds us why Celtic music has been enjoyed for centuries. Their use of Celtic Harp is particularly inspiring, and is played with a poignancy that draws the music to its rural routes.
In the albums last track 'Farewell,' Govannen use the chant from the opening track with the addiction of vocals, bringing the album to a symbolic close. By beginning and ending with this atmospheric chant, the album presents the evolving journey of Celtic music. It travels far and wide, soaks up influences from other genres and cultures, and yet always remains true to its own traditions. DG Music
videos
The making of Celtic Earth
track
by track
1. Celtic Tribal Gathering - (Chris Conway)
This catchy march tune was written by Chris who was inspired by the migration of the Celtic tribes westwards from central Europe to the Celtic lands where we think of them today. It is dedicated to Breton musician Alan Stivell.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, bombarde, keyboards, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar, bodhran, vocals
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, percussion, vocals
Mo Coulson - vocals
2. The Knotted Cord – Corney Is Coming - (trad. Ireland)
This pair of traditional reels from west County Clare, Ireland have been a firm favourite at Govannen concerts. The first is sometimes known as Junior Crehan's Favourite after the fiddle player of that name. The second is sometimes called The Honeymoon Reel. Govannen introduce elements of ska and Latin rhythms in this arrangement, and at the very end, an Indian “Om”.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar, bodhran, vocals
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, vocals
Bridget McMahon - vocals
3. Celtic Earth - (Chris Conway)
In this epic piece goes through many twists and turns. Drones and chanting lead to a beautiful lilting Celtic melody, then middle-eastern sounding Breton bombardes (a reed instrument) lead to a Breton march, then Irish whistles bring in a reel, then a Latin styled guitar solo. Brief Indian, and African chanting follows.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, acoustic 9 string guitar, zithers, bombarde, keyboards, theremin, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – bodhran, percussion,vocals
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, vocals
Bridget McMahon - vocals
Carl Peberdy – sitar, tabla, vocals
4. Wiccan Chicken Goat – (Chris Conway - trad. Ireland)
Two pieces Wiccan Chicken and Devanney's Goat – the first is Chris's Irish whistles feature, where he even plays two at once. The second is a reel from Galway, Ireland and features Adele's violin and Dan & Neil's percussion, and Chris's African kalimba. This piece always goes down a storm at Govannen concerts.
Chris Conway – tin, twin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, kalimba, percussion
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – bodhran
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, frame drum, percussion
5. Renewal – (Chris Conway, Mo Coulson)
Chris and guest Celtic harper Mo Coulson came up with this reverie – a spontaneous sound picture of a rain shower - rain not being uncommon in many of Celtic lands.
Chris Conway - kalimba, theremin, bamboo chimes, sound effects
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, wind chimes
6. The Rocks Of Bawn – The Lilting Banshee – (trad. Ireland)
The Rocks Of Bawn is a popular Irish song though some think the melody might have a Scottish origin. Bridget McMahon recorded the song on her Avalon Moon album but sings without words here with some atmospheric vocals. The Lilting Banshee, a double jig, gets things moving at the end.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, acoustic & electric 9 string guitars, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – bodhran, vocals
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, vocals
Bridget McMahon – vocals
7. The Braes Of Moneymore (trad. Ireland)
This is the melody of a traditional Irish emigration song that Dan brought to the band upon hearing a version by Irish band Patrick Street. Bridget's vocals and Mo's Celtic harp go together so well here on this delicate tune.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, zither, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar, bodhran
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum
Bridget McMahon – vocals
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp
8. The New World – (trad Ireland – Canada - USA)
Three tunes - Teetotallers, St Anne's Reel, Cotton Eyed Joe - demonstrate how Celtic music emigrated to the Americas. The first tune is known in Ireland and New England, the second hails from Quebec, while the third is a well known American tune. Govannen often opens it's concerts with this to break the ice.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar, banjo, bodhran
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum
9. The Foggy Dew / Hurry Scurry – (trad Ireland - Chris Conway)
The melody of this traditional Irish song is given a tribal treatment here with chanting section and percussion. Chris added Hurry Scurry, a new reel of his own.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar, bodhran, vocals
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, percussion, vocals
Bridget McMahon – vocals
10. King Of The Fairies - (trad Ireland)
It is said to be a summoning tune, and if played three times in a row at a celebration, the King of the Fairies must appear. If the gathering is to his liking he may join in - if not, he may cause great mischief. At concerts Govannen love to play this tune faster and faster.
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, acoustic & electric 9 string guitars, keyboards, percussion
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – bodhran, percussion
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp
11. Blarney Pilgrim – Merrily Kissed The Quaker – (trad. Ireland)
Govannen play this set of tunes at ceilidh dances and weddings. On this recording is added a touch of African feel to it with the addition of the kalimba (African thumb piano).
Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, kalimba, percussion, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar, bodhran, vocals
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, percussion
12. Farewell / Celtic Tribes Disperse – (Chris Conway)
Chris dedicates this beautiful air to Breton singer Denez Prigent, who inspired it. Out of it rises the chant of the opening track – the Celtic tribes that gathered in the Celtic lands now disperse all over the Earth.
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Chris Conway – tin & low Irish whistles, keyboards, bombarde, percussion, whistling, vocals
Adele McMahon – violin
Dan Britton – acoustic guitar, bodhran, percussion, vocals
Neil Rabjohn – cajon drum, vocals
Mo Coulson – Celtic harp, vocals
Produced by Chris Conway
Winner of the COVR Award for best World Music album 2013
