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New Celtic CD Aligns Major Performers from Ireland, Scotland and Canada in Groundbreaking Collaborative Recording

Despite a market formerly dominated by major recording companies, traditional musicians worldwide are rocketing to the top of the Celtic charts with self-produced albums of the highest standard. On "THE INDEPENDENCE SUITE: TRADITIONAL MUSIC from IRELAND, SCOTLAND AND CAPE BRETON", eighteen of todays top performing traditional Celtic artists come together on the latest release by Celtic Crossings of San Francisco. Participating 'luminaries of the Celtic tradition' include Tommy Peoples, Alasdair Fraser, Robbie O'Connell, Daithi Sproule, Gearoid O hAllmhurain, Maeve Donnelly, to name a few.

October 19, 2004 -- The Independence Suite: Traditional Music from Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton (Celtic Crossings, SF, CC2004)

Despite a market formerly dominated by major recording companies, traditional musicians worldwide are rocketing to the top of the Celtic charts with self-produced albums of the highest standard. On The Independence Suite: Traditional Music from Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton, eighteen of todays top performing traditional Celtic artists come together on the latest release by Celtic Crossings of San Francisco.

Signature performances are provided by:
Former Bothy Band fiddler Tommy Peoples, former Moving Cloud fiddler Maeve Donnelly, award-winning Dublin piper Mick O'Brien with fiddler CaoimhRaghallaigh, Cape Breton pianist Barbara MacDonald Magone & master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, Kilfenora Cands Aidan McMahon and Anthony Quigney, Randal Bays with Altan guitarist Dhproule, Cape Breton fiddler Dougie MacDonald with pianist Allan Dewar (of Cape Breton's Natalie MacMaster band), Irelands First Lady of Irish piano Geraldine Cotter, slow aire flute virtuoso MehAlmhain, singer Robbie OConnell (formerly of The Clancy Brothers & Robbie O'Connell), Clare concertina master GearhAllmhur with fiddler Patrick Ourceau, the beautiful Celtic-language quartet Navan and finally, a rare preview recording from Connemaras beloved sean ninger ne Meenaghan.

"Most compilations promote the work of a single labels stable of artists; or have an impressive collection, but still include tracks from commercial labels like Green Linnet, Shanachie; or are collections of live performances" says Celtic Crossings' producer Cecilia McDonnell. "By teaming together to share their music on a broader scope, these individual self-produced artists have themselves contributed, rather than compiled selections from their individual recordings. An enormous undertaking by 18 artists spread across the world!"

With hundreds of new albums appearing annually, music fans want to experience the broadest range in the most affordable way possible. Many of the artists featured on the Independence Suite have made critic Earle Hitchners Top 10 List in recent years (Irish Echo, NY), as well as most other Celtic charts. In fact, the Number 1 CD for 2003 is represented on The Independence Suite, in the concluding track by piper Mick O'Brien & fiddler CaoimhRaghallaigh.

The Independence Suite: Traditional Music from Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton gathers some of the finest performers and instructors of traditional music today. Together, they have likely created the first ever compilation of its kind. Pipers, fiddlers, dancers, singers and, many names who form the backbone of Irelands legendary Willie Clancy school, the prestigious Milwaukee Festival, New York's Catskills, Valley of the Moon and other popular summer music schools. Other participants are treasures whose music has been loved but never broadly available until today.

If you could dream of the ideal Celtic collection for true listeners, this might be it. The Independence Suite has something for everyone. With its rich variety, this is a perfect introduction to the depth and breadth of traditional music. From haunting slow aires, to heart wrenching ballads, to vibrant reels and jigs, the Independence Suite pulls you along on a musical adventure. As a multiple All-Ireland champion concertina master, piper and the only Irish musician to hold a Chair of Irish Studies in North America, Dr. GearhAllmhur, PhD provides beautifully crafted liner notes. hAllmhur is the author of 'A Pocket History of Irish Traditional Music' (OBrien Press, Dublin, 1998). (http://www.gearoid.us)

With deep roots in the 'pure drop' tradition, the participating musicians share several key traits. Their collective devotion and conscientious commitment to traditional music distinguishes them among the finest performers and instructors. Each is enriching and extending the Celtic musical tradition by performing, composing, and teaching. They share a collective commitment to the source, conscientiously acknowledging and often learning from the anonymous folk composers, and memorizing tune names. They share a commitment to perpetuating the tradition; all are teachers, individually and as part of schools/workshops worldwide. And finally, nearly all were either raised in the tradition (musical families, siblings).

Why This? Why Now?
The last 20 years has seen an upsurge in collaboration between Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton musicians. Until the 1980s, the genres were primarily kept separate, substantially due to lack of opportunity to meet and play together. While separation from commercial labels is a relatively new event in Irish and Scottish music, Cape Breton artists have self-produced their recordings for decades.

Over the last 10 years, traditional music fans have rallied in support of independently recorded traditional artists. According to music reviewer Earle Hitchner (Irish Echo, NY), the number of self-issued CDs grew enormously in 2003, and with the increase in quantity came an increase in quality.

According to most Celtic music reviewers and retailers, the majority of recordings received today are self-released. 50% of Hitchners 2002 Top 10 and 60% of his 2003 Top 10 were self-issued, including the Top 3.

DISTRIBUTION:
The Independence Suite is distributed in Ireland by Custys Music (Ennis, Co. Clare) and Claddagh Records (Dublin). Sidestreet Distributing (MI) distributes it throughout North America. Retail outlets include: Amazon.com, Celtic Crossings, Ossian USA, Elderly Music and independent retailers nationwide.

BACKGROUND: Celtic Crossings, San Francisco
Among the first to pursue the independent route, Celtic Crossings is also the producer of:

1. "Traditional Music from Clare & Beyond"     Critically acclaimed recording by Clare concertina master GearO hAllmhur (1996, with Clare fiddle legends Martin Hayes, Paddy Canny, Peter O'Loughlin and other noted guests) One of the best concertina recordings of all time Irish Voice (NY)

2. "Tracin' - Traditional Music from the West of Ireland" (1999, duet album with GearO hAllmhur and fiddler Patrick Ourceau). In a recent survey, fiddle sensation Martin Hayes chose this album 'one of the Top 10 Essential Albums of Irish Music'.

MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE:
Review copies: please email Cecilia McDonnell
http://celticcrossings.com/store/cd4.html
Interviews with participating artists can be arranged by emailing: Cecilia McDonnell

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