I would like to have a listen to music with sung airs, so I can develop a feeling for how these should play (flute).
Has someone nice suggestions for cd’s to listen to, preferably with some well known airs on them if possible.
warmest greetings
berti
There’s a slew of brilliant sean-nos recordings on the Clo-Iar Chonnachta label, but one really nice album with a mix of sean-nos singing and tunes is “Cumar,” recorded in Galway five years ago. Mostly younger singers and players, almost all of them in a solidly traditional style. The showstopper for me is Caitriona Ni Cheannabhain’s rendition of Amhrain Mhainse…what a voice. Some highlights on the tunes side include a couple of reels by Caomihin O’Raghallaigh, and a nice set by June McCormack and Michael Rooney.
Hi Bertie—Some time ago Peter L. recommended this set of CD’s called Setting Sail in English from GaelLinn records:
http://www.gael-linn.ie/musicstore/musicproductdetail.aspx?Lang=EN&PRODUCTID=CEFCD184&CATNAME=CD
They are traditional songs sung in the sean-nos style from recordings in the '50’s or so—the sound is fine, it doesn’t sound like a bad recording re-done or anything like that. Between each song are a couple of solo tunes played on various instruments by well-known musicians. I don’t know how well known the songs are, but the singers are very excellent. A wonderful booklet comes with the set giving a very literal translation of the Irish so you can tell pretty much what the words mean that are being sung, as well as information about all the musicians. The translations would be essential, I think, for a person to have some idea of how to phrase the music if you played it on an instrument.
At first, I did not like these songs—I had not heard this kind of singing before. They are very, very different to my ear. I have been listening to these CD’s almost every night after I have gone to bed, and I now love these songs and am trying to decide what to get next. They still seem different, I cannot just hum the tunes, but I look forward to them very much. I think listening to them when there are no distractions helps a lot when you are getting used to something new. And also I did not “try” to like them, I just decided to see if becoming familiar with them by just listening in a relaxed way would help. And it sure did. Other people might not find them as different sounding as I did.
there’s plenty more here! http://www.cic.ie/cgi-bin/music.asp
CIC can be pretty overwhelming, simply because of the sheer volume of music available that would meet the criteria described. If I may, I would suggest that you start with some of the older recordings, e.g. Seosamh Ó hÉanaí, Seán 'ac Dhonncha, Darach Ó Catháin, and then work your way forwards. CIC has lots of collections by region, as well. This list is by no means exhaustive.
We all have our favourites, I’m sure. Here are some of mine of the more modern singers: Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola, Susan McKeown.
djm
Oh, I was just going to ask about Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. I have been reading a bit about her and the book about singing in Ulster she has written. I have not searched really hard yet for a clip of her singing. Is it just plain singing in the old style, without added effects? I think it would be, but I just wondered. And has anyone read the book she wrote? I was thinking of ordering one of her CD’s and maybe the book. Just curious if anyone had any remarks.
I have one of her collections, “A Stór is a Stóirín”. It is in Irish, and fairly plain as far as production goes. The Ulster book is very interesting, but she has not, as far as I know, issued a recording of the songs in it - promised for the future.
djm
Thanks, djm, that answers my question. I think I might just get that book and one of her CD’s.