Cetlic Christmas Music

Everyone seems to release a Christmas Music CD this time of year. So it is no big surprise that there is also a lot of great Celtic Christmas music out there as well.

The idea of Celtic Christmas music is actually kinda funny since Christmas is not a typical Celtic holiday, except outside of Wales. Nevertheless, there are a lot of Celtic artists who celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice. So Celtic Christmas music is Christmas or Yule music by Celtic artists. It might not entirely sound Celtic, but in America, that's such a generic term as it is.

But that's a discourse for another blog. Meantime, I've compiled a few webpages that feature Cetlic Christmas music. Check 'em out!

• Celtic Christmas Music CDs
• Celtic Christmas at the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
• CELTIC MP3s.com: Celtic Christmas Music & Winter Solstice Music

And if you want to hear some of the Celtic Christmas music I've released check out our CD, Christmas in Brobdingnag, Vol. 1.

Rediscovering My Folk Music Heritage

I was not raised on Celtic music. I heard a little bit of bagpipes growing up when my dad took me to some Highland Games like those at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. But that was about it.

When I was a kid, my dad's recreation involved playing folk music in the folk scene of Maryland. It involved a little bit of bluegrass and a lot of folk. He played the autoharp, mountain dulcimer, and other folk instruments, but the banjo is what I remember him playing the most. There were a lot of great songs from the 60s, 70s, and much, much older. I still have one of the song books he compiled.

I mention it, because yesterday, I was supposed to be working on my Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Instead, I fumbled around on the net, and at the end of the day, I went for a walk with my autoharp. I started writing.

It's kinda funny how I write sometimes. I start strumming. And then just let words flow from my mouth. Then I grab my recorder and start recording. But yesterday, something special emerged.

Yesterday, a chorus came to me inspired by Lil' Bit, a cat who lives at the Haeuser Hotel. I spurted lyrics. And inspired by the hostess of the house, I put a bluesy twist to the song. And the lyrics exploded forth. Voila'! A new song!

After making a rough recording to remember the song for later recording, I started looking at other music in a similar vein, and my folk heritage re-emerged. I think that's what I will record when I get to Germany.

Which is kinda funny now that I think about. Heidelberg, Germany was the first place I every busked. And what did I play when I was there? American folk songs.

It's like I've been rediscovering my musical heritage. And it makes me happy. Maybe eventually, I'll talk my dad into recording on an album with me.

"Darkness Reveals the Beauty of Truth" by Aries9

I listened to "Darkness Reveals the Beauty of Truth" by Aries9 and again, WOW! What an amazing album.

Aries9 is Ari Koinuma, a Japanese rock artist, who creates sophisticated modern rock that combines grunge, metal and prog elements with evocative lyrics. If you're not familiar with Ari Koinuma, check the liner notes to my CD, Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. He produced that album.

No. It sounds nothing like my cat CD, but it just goes to show that this man has an incredible talent for producing. "Darkness Reveals the Beauty of Truth" is fantastic. It has a great edge to it. The first songs in particular have a very contemporary sound. I was having trouble placing influences on those. They were reminiscent of early 90s Alt Rock, ala STP, Soundgarden, or Alice in Chains. If you like those bands or you just like to rock, this is a great CD for doing just that.

Pick up your copy of "Darkness Reveals the Beauty of Truth" from CD Baby. You'll be glad you did.