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For crocotiger, some harp history
First, a link to a video of Irish harpists for a cause ( Read more... ) -
Rocking out on a shamisen
The musician's name is Agatsuma Hiromitsu. I just heard his piece "Fun" on pagan radio and had to look him up. I like this sample better because it's just him and he's awesome:
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the original Celt-rock band
So I herd you liek Great Big Sea. Or Ashley MacIsaac. Or dare I say it, Squeeze of Scotch. Well then, doff your fisherman's cap before their ancestor, Figgy Duff! I saw this video exactly ONCE on MuchMusic in the late 80s and spent years and years trying to track them down via this one song. I eventually did and have two CDs by them. This is ( Read more... ) -
Just one more before I head to bed
"Amoroso", played on a gothic harp ( Read more... ) -
More on Corvus Corax
They actually study medieval non-religious music and try to reproduce it based largely on the bitching of ecclesiastics about it. For example, if a cleric complained about horrible bray strings, they add bray strings. Their web site also describes the instruments they use and gives sound clips ( Read more... ) -
Now this is my idea of a protest song!
As some of you many know, the Irish government plans to build a motorway right across the hill of Tara. This is a largely unrehearsed demonstration against this archaeological and historical outrage, 30 harpers playing "Brian Boru's March". (Off topic, I am enchanted by the bright blue pedal harp.)
URLs are posted at the end of the video. Save -
And now for something different and fascinating
A selection from a recitation of Gilgamesh, accompanied by a reproduction of the beautiful bulls-head "Lyre of Ur". As everyone knows, I'm obsessed with antique musical instruments and this is the great-grandmama of them all.
Click to view