Mag's Music Picks
One of the most important things in my life is music. I listen to it constantly and always have some tune or another stuck in my head (right now its Moorlough Shore by Caroline Lavelle, in case you're wondering). I wanted to share with you some of my favourite songs and the bands that play them, except unfortunately, as of yet, I am still in the dark about how to include Midi files in my pages. Soooo, the tour of my musical tastes must be made with words, not sound. I have included some links here that can also be found on my Links page, too. Please remember, though, that this list is not in order of favourites, so if you happen to hate Great Big Sea, and wonder how on earth they could possibly be my favourite band, dont panic, this is simply the order I thought of them in. :0)
This is a terrific traditional/rock band from Newfoundland, and I have 2 of their 3 albums, Play and Up. Their style is happy and upbeat (like myself) and listening to their music always cheers me up. I saw them in concert when they were in town, and boy, can they put on a show!! Their three best songs, in my opinion, are When I'm Up (I Cant Get Down), Ordinary Day, and Mari-Mac. Check them out, if your ready to be happy, cuz its all your state of mind!
Great Big Sea's Official Homepage
Leahy is an energetic Celtic group of brothers and sisters (4 and 5, respectively) from Ontario Canada. They currently have only one album out, self-titled, but all of us are looking forward to many more! Their style is traditional, sometimes jazzed up to be rock. The family is so talented -- they all play some sort of instrument, stepdance, and I hear they can sing, also! My favourite songs off their album are Mcbrides, The Call to Dance, and B Minor. i had the good fortune to see them in concert at the western fair this september, and they rocked! even tho it was raining cats and dogs, everyone enjoyed their concert!
Prydwen
Prydwen is an absolutely fantastic Celtic/rock band from Vancouver, BC, Canada. I dont know as much about them, as they are only just starting out, but i have a demo cd of theirs put together for distribution to local bars and such. I found out about them through my art teacher, who is related to the vocalist, Jenny Bice. Their best songs include Rakish Patty, Foggy Dew, and Bally Desmond. If you're interested and happen to be in Vancouver, check them out!
*NEW* i have just heard that prydwen is working on a new album! i was lucky enough to see them at the Celtic Gathering this summer, and to meet Jenny Bice herself! they were wonderful! they played so many new songs that id never heard, i cant wait for the new album that i hope will include some of the ones they played at the gathering! they apparently had some troubles while on tour this summer - their tour bus got stolen! - and i heard there was some unrest in the group concerning one of the members leaving. I HOPE NOT! well, everyone, look forward to their second cd soon!
She is a wonderful new-age-ish singer/cello player, with flare. I first heard her on a various-artists album, Escapes. I loved her song Moorlough Shore, so much, I rushed out to buy her album. It was hard to find, but i dug it up. Spirit includes many great songs like A Case of You, Dream of Picasso, and of course, the famed Moorlough Shore.
Ashley MacIsaac is an incredible fiddler from east coast canada, Cape Breton, i believe. He is the most energetic fiddler i have ever seen perform!! He plays so fast and furious that sometimes you wonder if his fiddle wil burst! He is not your average folk musician either! He sports anything from dark sunglasses and a knitted tuke, to a traditional kilt and leather jacket at once! He has i think four albums - i only have one meself - "hi how are you today?" but im looking forward to getting the sequel "fine, thank you very much" -- gotta love those titles!
Ashley MacIsaac's official homepage
Loreena McKennitt is a unique new age musician, whos style of music ranges from celtic to spanish. She has been around for a good while, but she is only beginning to be noticed by the general public - epecially after the release of her latest album The Book of Secrets, and the popularity of the song The Mummers Dance. She plays many instruments, and her favourite of them is the harp - she is a wonderful harpist! She is a native of Stratford Ontario, but has travelled all over the world gathering inspiration for her music. I highly recommend her music!
Enya
Enya is another new age musician, similar to Loreena McKennitt, but unique in her own way. Her inspirations also come from many corners of the world - from her homeland Ireland to China to Spain. She sings in different languages, Gaelic, Latin and Japanese, to name a few. And remember that hit song from the 80's - Orinoco Flow (better known as "Sail Away)? That was by Enya! her most recent album is The Memory of Trees, and her others are The Celts, Shepherds Moon, and.... ummm, k, Heidi, help me out on this - i cant remember! oh, well, itll come to me, and when it does, ill update this page! anyway - i again highly recommend her (would she be on this page if i didnt?)
Mary Jane Lamond is a great Gaelic singer, from Cape Breton, Canada. She has one album of her own, and she frequently accompanies Ashley MacIsaac on his albums. Their most famous collaboration is a song called Sleepy Maggie ( I LOVE this song!) I saw Mary Jane Lamond in concert, opening for Natalie McMaster (Next on the list) in March, and she was great!! i love her music, and guess what? i highly recommend her!
Natalie McMaster is another great fiddler, who happens to be Ashley MacIssac's cousin! (it must run in the family, eh?) She is a bit more traditional that Ashley, and plays mostly jigs and reels. I have one of her albums, No Boundaries, which i bought at her concert in March - she was amazing!! my fav song off of that album is Catharsis, and i cant wait for her next album out - My Roots are Showing, a celtic compilation. And you know what? i highly recommend her (you knew that).
Solas is a great celtic/traditional band that i just learned about from a fellow Tir friend (Thanks Trav!) they have a really great sound, and i was pleasantly surprised when i bought their album Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers. i am waiting with baited breath for the first album, self titled, to be mailed to me!!! once again, check them out!
*NEW* i recieved their first album, and it is wonderful!! now, they even have a third one out, entitled "the words that remain" (i think) i have that one too, (thanks again, traveller!) and it is just as good as the others!
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is a really good singer that i just discovered -- or rather was introduced to by my friend Wisp (she always seems to discover the best music!) she could be classified as soft rock, but not really.. she is so different from other stuff ive heard, i hardly know what to call her! i love her lyrics! they make absolutely no sense, yet at the same time seem to make all the sense in the world! things like "....but what if im a mermaid, in these jeans of his with her name still on it...." or "greg, he writes letter, and burns his cds, they say it was something in those formative years..." . (see my lyrics page for some full song lyrics) i think Little Earthquakes is her best album, and some of my fav songs are Winter, Silent All These Years, The Wrong Band, and Cornflake Girl. check her out, cuz (you knew it was coming!) i highly recommend her!
Kimby Campbell's Tori Amos Queen of all Faeries
Ears With Feet - an interactive Tori Tribute
The Paperboys
well, here is a new band i recently found out about. they are from Vancouver, BC, and are classified as celtic/rock. they have a brand of music that is quite unique, and they call it Celtic Stomp! i love it! i have only their second album so far, Molinos (spanish for Windmills) and I LOVE IT. my fav songs are Molinos, Salvation, Ive just seen a face (originally by the Beatles) and Drunken wagoneer. i HAVE to get their first album soon! I HIGHLY RECOMEND THEM (had to say that)
Now playing: Imagine by John Lennon
Updated January 30 99
Music lovers have listened to this page since July 1998