Ceol an ghrá
Mar. 17th, 2008 07:06 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbcDespite any impressions one might garner from today, Irish culture more than The Drink, putting a beating on someone, or a lifetime being unable to buy men's trousers off the rack (the leprechaun cut is available only is Australia, as far as I can tell). And while the music of U2 is distinctly Irish, it's not uniquely Irish. Love them as we might. In fact, there's a breadth and depth to an ceol (music; pronounced kyole) in Ireland: its influence can be found 'round the world. Having effectively populated through charm and unplanned pregnancy over the 300 years.
So I offer ye's all the following songs (in m4a iTunes or mp3 format), which you can download as a zipped archive from here 16MB). Each represents a different thread of the fabric that is Irish music. You may or may not know the artists or songs...or you might know either but not this particular track. Are ya after givin' 'em a listen?
The lyrics to each are linked behind the song titles and artists.
Paul Brady -The Island
Although Dolores Keane's version sold more records, going back to the author's own version reveals much more. This is, for lack of a better term, a political seduction song. For those who view Ireland's sectarian issues through a myopic binary (Catholic v. Protestant), this biting critique of any ideology that posits the sending of one's sons to an early grave cannot be liberatory--or sane, really--is rather fooked. But as quickly as he works himself up about it, he switches gears (and sentiments), endeavouring to bring his lover to "the Island"--the one he knows and lovers--to make love. Bloody brilliant!
Tá mé mo shuí (I am sitting) - Clannad
Clannad begat Enya, to my mind one of the most innovative and influential contemporary Irish musical artists of the last 50 years. Ta mé is, like many of their songs as gaelige (in Irish), based on a traditional love song. If all roads lead to Dublin, traditional, jazz, rock and pop all lead to Clannad.
Carrickfergus - Brian Kennedy
Some might recognize the name of Ireland's 2006 Eurovision artist; many more recognize the original vocalist on Secret Garden's You raise me up. But Brian Kennedy has, since starting out as Van Morrison's background singer, established himself as one of Ireland's most respected singer-songwriters. Like many he cut his teeth in the trad world and his lilting version of this archetypal lament brought him to many people's attention--and, apparently, is the most "requested" song of pissed audience members at his concerts!
Irlande 12 points - Dustin the Turkey
I am not joking: this might win the 2008 Eurovision, giving Ireland its 8th win. But Dustin has had several #1 singles in Ireland over the last 2 decades-a claim few of his competitors in Belgrade will be able to make. The song is a parody--a very clever, infectious parody--of Ireland's record at the Contest...and maybe a bit of a snark at the Eastern Ascendancy in recent years. How can you not love a song that includes the lines "Drag acts and bad acts and Terry Wogan's wig, mad acts and sad acts, it was Johnny Logan's gig" and "do you like Irish stew, or goulash as it's known to you?"
Happy St Patrick's Day!
So I offer ye's all the following songs (in m4a iTunes or mp3 format), which you can download as a zipped archive from here 16MB). Each represents a different thread of the fabric that is Irish music. You may or may not know the artists or songs...or you might know either but not this particular track. Are ya after givin' 'em a listen?
The lyrics to each are linked behind the song titles and artists.
Paul Brady -The Island
Although Dolores Keane's version sold more records, going back to the author's own version reveals much more. This is, for lack of a better term, a political seduction song. For those who view Ireland's sectarian issues through a myopic binary (Catholic v. Protestant), this biting critique of any ideology that posits the sending of one's sons to an early grave cannot be liberatory--or sane, really--is rather fooked. But as quickly as he works himself up about it, he switches gears (and sentiments), endeavouring to bring his lover to "the Island"--the one he knows and lovers--to make love. Bloody brilliant!
Tá mé mo shuí (I am sitting) - Clannad
Clannad begat Enya, to my mind one of the most innovative and influential contemporary Irish musical artists of the last 50 years. Ta mé is, like many of their songs as gaelige (in Irish), based on a traditional love song. If all roads lead to Dublin, traditional, jazz, rock and pop all lead to Clannad.
Carrickfergus - Brian Kennedy
Some might recognize the name of Ireland's 2006 Eurovision artist; many more recognize the original vocalist on Secret Garden's You raise me up. But Brian Kennedy has, since starting out as Van Morrison's background singer, established himself as one of Ireland's most respected singer-songwriters. Like many he cut his teeth in the trad world and his lilting version of this archetypal lament brought him to many people's attention--and, apparently, is the most "requested" song of pissed audience members at his concerts!
Irlande 12 points - Dustin the Turkey
I am not joking: this might win the 2008 Eurovision, giving Ireland its 8th win. But Dustin has had several #1 singles in Ireland over the last 2 decades-a claim few of his competitors in Belgrade will be able to make. The song is a parody--a very clever, infectious parody--of Ireland's record at the Contest...and maybe a bit of a snark at the Eastern Ascendancy in recent years. How can you not love a song that includes the lines "Drag acts and bad acts and Terry Wogan's wig, mad acts and sad acts, it was Johnny Logan's gig" and "do you like Irish stew, or goulash as it's known to you?"
Happy St Patrick's Day!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-03-18 10:06 am (UTC)