Thursday 2 May 2013

Fleadh - Finest Irish Folk from Germany



No bouzouki with this band, but nevertheless worth a look at. Fleadh, in it's present line-up was formed in 2007. Now with their second CD out they have found their own way in Irish Folk.

With the recruitment of vocalist Saoirse Mhór and fiddle player Marcus Eichenlaub they received the needed 'breath of fresh air' to move the band forward.
The two Franks and Marcus are avid sessionists, regularly playing in the many Irish Pubs around the Pfalz area. Regular visits to Ireland keep them constantly in superb playing form.

Fleadh seek to combine this section of the band with the vocalist/singer approach of Saoirse. Saoirse gets around Germany too - busking on the streets and at Street Artist Festivals in major German cities.
Tommy is the heartbeating drive on guitar in Fleadh. Intricate detailed arrangements and pulsating rhythm weaving through jigs, reels and songs.

Working as an Irish Folk Band Fleadh do not wish to leave the path for Middle Age Music or the all too eminent Acid / Punk / Neo Folk. Fleadh want to retain the respect for Irish music and yet seek to mix styles and ryhthm but still stay within the boundaries of Folk. Singing and playing. That’s Fleadh!

Look at: http://www.fleadh.de and listen to their cds.

And finally, if you look at the tunebook section on their website you will be presented with a large numer of well known session tunes, often with chords for accompanyment.
Here's the direct link:

http://www.fleadh.de/tunebook/trad/index.html


Members of the band are (stolen from their website ;-):
Saoirse Mhór: Gesang, Gitarre und Percussion
other projects: www.saoirsemhor.com
contact: saoirse@fleadh.de


Thomas Gorny: Gesang und Gitarren
other projects: Space Debris
contact: tommy@fleadh.de

Frank Weber: Uilleann Pipes, Whistles und Bodhrán
other projects: Rhine Valley Céilí Band, Wizard's Walk
contact: frank@fleadh.de

Frank McDürschner: Gesang, Mandoline, Banjo, Harmonica
other projects: Divin' Duck, Dissetied
contact: frankd@fleadh.de

Marcus 'Mr. Oakleaf' Eichenlaub: Fiddle
contact: marcus@fleadh.de
 

Andy Clarke

Andy's father was a folk singer way back in the 1960s. He took his son to many folk song clubs in his native Devon. Soon Andy discovered a passion for traditional song. Later he became involved in folk bands in and around Torbay.
In recent years Andy performs as a solo artist in clubs and on festivals all around the country. In addition to his solo work he collaborated with Jackie Oates & Steve Turner (The Eelgrinders) as the trio Wistmans Wood and he plays in the Mooncoin Ceilidh Band. He also plays as a Duo with Hurdy Gurdy player Steve Tyler.
Look at: http://www.myspace.com/stevetylerandyclarke
and http://www.myspace.com/andyclarke382 
and: http://www.flaxey-green.co.uk/AndyClarke.html 

I really love the way he plays his bouzouki.
article on his bouzouki: http://www.andymanson.co.uk/news/bouzouki_for_andy_clarke/

Here's a video together with Steve Tyler


Wreck off Scilly

Andy solo: Hunting the hare

Ruth & Andy Clarke - Da slocket light

John Doyle - The Arabic!

While looking for John Doyle I found  another video where he plays his irish bouzouki.

This songs called The Arabic



And another song: Bound for Botany Bay


John Doyle on WTJU - 12 December 2012



John Doyle is usually known as guitarist with Solas. Here's a longer interview and a song he plays on his irish bouzouki made by Kevin Muiderman (pronounced like “Spiderman”)
http://www.muidermanguitars.com/guizouki.htm

He plays I know my love on bouzouki and Cold haily windy night and Silky on guitar

GDAD Chord Chart by Michael Eskin

Michael Eskin has made a list of Bouzouki Chord Patterns in the keys of  D, G, D Dorian (E Dorian with Capo 2) and G Dorian (A Dorian with Capo 2). This could be of great help for beginners.

Michael is the producer of many iPhone/iPad virtual instruments like bagpipes, flutes and accordions. I haven't tried them, because these are not my kind of instruments but they may be worth a try.
You can find information at: www.tradlessons.com




The chordchart is to be found at:

http://www.tradlessons.com/GDAD.pdf