h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I hear what you are saying...and the sad thing is that is true for so many types of music. It gets dressed up and packaged to see to the mass markets.

Perhaps you could enlighten the rest of us by giving some examples of the music you speak about. I have often found that the best music is by the lesser known artists. The sad thing being that once they attain stardom...their music suffers..they allow the big studios to package and sell the music. I love discovering a rather unknown singer or band..enjoying their live performances. But as happens so often, once they hit the "big time", their music changes, loses the "raw" edge. And they no longer play at smaller intimate venues..where they can truly interact with their audiences.

First I should apologise for the delay in replying. I actually wrote that message a while back (not long after H2G2 opened) just to see if it would work - I never thought that anyone would take notice but I am pleased that you have.

People have an idea about what Scotland is like, how the people are and what the music is like (the same can be said for any country) so they tend to come here looking to find that image. During the holidays I work in a shop that specialises in Scottish Traditional music so I get may people looking for music by people like Andy Stewart, Moira Anderson, Harry Lauder, etc etc because somehow they have come to believe that these are a good representation of the music of Scotland. This music actually originates fro earlier this century in the Music Halls and the songs are mostly written so that the audience can feel that they are being very Scottish. There is also a trend for using the word “Celtic” to mean etherial whooshing noises which would sound better as music in a lift rather that in your or my CD player.

You are also right about people getting “picked up” and marketed ones someone discovers they are good. This has happened (I think) to the Coors who may otherwise have been a good, Irish, folk/rock band rather than the poppy mass media stuff that they produce now.

Sorry for the long winded reply, I tend to get carried away but if you are really are interested in the real Scottish Traditional music I can point you in the right direction.

Paul Murray

P.S. Flower of Scotland is NOT my national anthem!

I certainly would love you to point the way. Names..or web sites would be great. It's always hit and miss if you buy something blind..with out hearing it or having a recommendation from some one.

One group I just discovered this past summer.. Kilt...are a Canadian Celtic band. They only have 2 Cd's out..not hit the big time yet..but I really enjoy their music. Their web site is

http://www.kilt.ca/start.html

unfortunately no sound clips.

There was an American Celtic band...Seven Nations whose music I did enjoy..unfortunately they recently change half of the band..and their music just isn't as good anymore. Their earlier CD's are good..especially Big Dog... you can listen to a couple of sound clips of it at their site.

http://www.sevennations.com/

Thanks for the websites - I've not heard of either of those bands, they probably haven't hit this country yet but I'll check out the sites and keep my eyes peeled! As for folk artists in this country I would recommend:

The Poozies (Scottish/ English Band): www.cutting-tweed.demon.co.uk
The Battlefield Band (Scottish Band): www.battlefieldband,co,uk
Alasdair Fraser (Scottish Fiddle Player): www.culburnie.com
Natalie MacMaster (Cape Breton Fiddle Player): www.macmastermusic.com
Kate Rusby (English singer): www.purerecords.co.uk
Brian Mcneil: (Scottish singer/ songwriter/ fiddle player): www.b-mcneill.demon.co.uk
Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson (English - Solo individually but also play together as Waterson: Carthy): http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/sjsheldon/
La Bottine Sourante (French Canadian Band): www.millepattes.com

These are only some and there are many more. I could go on for long enough but this will probably do!

Good luck!

Paul

I enjoy Natalie's music..see her frequently on Canadian TV, although I haven't had the pleasure of seeing her live yet.

She has a cousin..Ashley MacIsaac who is a little more well known. His music is quite different. Although I enjoy his music..he is a bit much, likes to tell people about the private details of his sex life..which most people have no interest in.
Here's one URL... http://www.capebretonet.com/Music/MacIsaac/ sure there are others...

Thanks for the other sites...will definitely check them out.

after reading your response..I naturally visited the various sites..looking for sound clips. I downloaded some for Brian McNeill..and really loved the No Gods and Precious Few Hero's so naturally explored his site. What a pleasant surprise to find he is on tour and in Toronto tonight. Talk about good timing. So of course I looked for the web site of the club he will be at..and plan to go see him this evening.

Thanks again for your post.

I have to confess to not being much of a Ashley McIssac, his music is a bit much to me and as a fiddle player myself, I don't think he is actually a good player. I am a big Cape Breton fiddle fan - I presume you know about the Scottish fiddle/ Cape Breton fiddle connection (I was also born in Canada which tends to help!)

Paul

Being a fiddle player yourself, you probably have a much better appreciation of good fiddle music when you hear it.
Do you play in public or just for personal enjoyment?

I guess then there's not much point in telling you about other Canadian Celtic musician..as you probably are already familiar with the Rankins, Leahy etc.

I went to see Brian McNeill last night. Really enjoyed his show. He's quite the character. The stories he tells, make the music more interesting. I bought two of his Cd's and am listening to one now. Waterson:Carty are going to be in Toronto on November 20th, so I think I might go see their show as well.

I play in a Ceilidh band (Scottish dancing) and I also play with my family - my dad on guitar/vocals, my mum on vocals, and my sister and me on fiddle/vocals. There are plenty of good fiddlers around from all over the place. In a few weeks there is a HUGE fiddle festival here in Edinburgh - I wouldn't miss it for the world!

I like plenty of Canadian and Cape Breton Musicians - you'll probably know about the links between Scottish and Cape Breton fiddle music.

I'm glad you enjoyed Brian McNeill - I haven't heard him for years but I love his last album (No Gods) - especially the title track - it says all I want to say!

Paul

Hi cosmic.

If you've got any imput, I could use your help on Scottish entries/researchers etc at http://www.h2g2.com/A198614