Another season of Highland Games and Celtic Music Festivals has come and gone. It was grand seeing old friends and hopefully making new ones.
We are now busily getting ready to help serve you this Holiday Season with new titles, both in CD format and DVD.
For the first time ever, the 2005 World Pipe Band Championships was released in a 2 CD set, as well as the DVD version
Alison Kinnaird has released a new harp project, The Silver String. Included is a DVD of her highly regarded glass work as well as the CD recording of her music.
Alex Beaton has released a compilation DVD, Scotland, of his three previous video projects, Going Home, I Belong to Glasgow, and On the Castle Trail. The DVD also adds some new material.
Another gem is the DVD Journey of the Psalms, which explores the possibility of a link between Gaelic Psalm singing and African American Gospel music, culminating with choirs from the Isle of Lewis and Alabama singing together. Produced by Mary Ann Kennedy and Yale University. A must for any collection
These and many more offerings are ready for you this season.
We now have in stock copies of Fiona Ritchie's book The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Celtic Music. If you like this music, you want this book. Here's more information
Lots of new recordings just waiting for you! Here's some of our favorites (in no particular order):
For a photo and write-up of The Cheiftains and some of our local folks, see here.
Scottish master fiddler Johnny Cunningham passed away Dec.
15, 2003. He died at home in Trisha's arms from a heart attack.
A viewing for Johnny was held on
Thursday, December 18th 4-8pm
at St. Marks Church, Parish Hall
131 East 10th Street
between 2nd and 3rd Avenue
New York City
After the viewing, there was Music and Drinks to celebrate Johnny's Life
11th Street Bar
510 East 11th Street
between Avenues A and B
Cards:
can be sent to:
Johnny Cunningham
c/o 11th Street Bar
510 East 11th Street
New York NY 10009
Donations are being accepted to bring Johnny and his music back to Scotland.
for any other questions call: 212-982-3929
Johnny was 46 years old and had played fiddle since the age of 7. He was known for his lightning-fast reels and hauntingly beautiful Scottish airs. He also delighted audiences worldwide with his wry humor and stories.
Born in Portobello, Scotland in 1957, Johnny was a founding member of Silly Wizard, the group that spearheaded the Scots side of the Celtic revival in the 70's and 80's. He had toured with his brother, Phil Cunningham, both as a duo and with the Celtic "supergroup" Relativity, which also featured Micheal O'Domhnaill and Triona Ni Dhomhnaill of The Bothy Band.
Johnny not only enjoyed a succcessful career as a solo performer but was greatly in demand as an award-winning record producer. Among other ventures, he toured with contemporary singer-songwriter and author Bill Morrissey, and crossed over into the world of rock & roll, appearing with Hall & Oates. His own alternative band, Raindogs, made two successful CD's for Atlantic/Atco Records, and toured with artists such as Bob Dylan, Don Henley, and Warren Zevon. Collaborations also included projects with Cherish the Ladies and Solas, and led to four CD's and three National American Independent Music Awards (NAIRD) for Best Album.
After completing a four-year stint with the international Windham Hill/BMG act Nightnoise, Johnny started working with the acclaimed New York-based theater company Mabou Mines on their theatrical production of "Peter & Wendy." He composed the music and lyrics for this adaptation of J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan," which enjoyed numerous sold out engagements.
The response by audience and critics alike was overwhelmingly positive. Already the winner of two OBIE Awards, "Peter & Wendy" moved to Berkeley, CA, in 1999 for a run at the renowned Berkeley Repertory Theater, and later to the Dublin Theatre Festival. The soundtrack album from this innovative production was released in 1997.
Johnny devoted the summer of 1997 to a collaboration with Thomas Moore, best-selling author of "Care Of The Soul." The result was a double CD set, "The Soul Of Christmas," released by Tommy Boy/Upaya. Through the heart of Celtic culture and Moore's writings, "The Soul of Christmas" explores a spiritual interpretation of traditional Christmas music and thought. A live concert version of this celebration was filmed for a PBS television special which aired throughout the 1997 holiday season.
In Fall 1997, Johnny toured throughout Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales with The Celtic Fiddle Festival, joined by fellow fiddlers Kevin Burke (Ireland) and Christian Le maitre (Brittany). This tour was recorded and produced by Johnny for the Green Linnet label, and released in February 1998.
A collaboration with Seamus Egan, (Solas), Jeanne Butler Colin Dunn, (Riverdance) and Harvey Goldsmith/Radio CIty Music Hall Enterprises, led to Johnny writing the text and lyrics for the show "Dancing on Dangerous Ground." Johnny then worked with producer-director Renee McCormick on a documentary feature entitled "A Life Outside Convention," about women who decide not to be mothers. Johnny drew from Jazz and other American musical traditions for its soundtrack.
Since Nov. 1, 2003, Johnny had been touring with Irish singer Susan McKeown and guitarist Aidan Brennan on the third edition of the Winter Talisman Tour. The show had been recorded and released on Sheila-na-Gig Music/Caledonian Musicworks in 2001.
For the most up to date details, visit
Johnny's website.
This is hard, sad news for all of us who ever had the pleasure to hear Johnny perform. He was the
heart and soul of Celtic music in America. Johnny's fiddling was unique, magical.
Raise a glass tonight, in memory of our good friend.
God Speed, Johnny.
Our good friend Ed Miller does a radio show, roughly every other Saturday afternoon, on KUT-FM from University of Texas, Austin. And it's on the internet. Click on "Listen" and enjoy.
Moved the pictures of the grandbaby to her own page.
The National Endowment For The Arts has announced their 2002 National Heritage Fellowship Recipients, and some names well known to us are among the thirteen recipients: Kevin Burke, Jean Ritchie and Ralph Blizzard. Irish Fiddler Kevin Burke has performed with The Bothy Band and The House Band. Jean Ritchie was largely responsible for the revival of the Appalachian dulcimer during the sixties. Ralph Blizzard has been playing and teaching old-time fiddle for decades, including teaching at the Swannanoa Gathering with his band Ralph Blizzard and the New Southern Ramblers. They will receive a one time award of $10,000 at a ceremony in September. The NAE's site has more information.
Rick Abercrombie's Pimento Cheese recipe is here.
We've got a CD from Atlanta native Richard Huff, which has several tracks written to celebrate the Stone Mountain Games . Find out more.