|
|
Music Group 2024-07-18Scottish Music |
Celtic Music — "Kid ar an Sliabh"
Features Harp Twins & Máiréad Nesbitt. "Kid ar an Sliabh" (Kid of the Mountain) is a traditional
Celtic slip jig.
This adaptation was done for the PBS special "Celtic Heart" in 2020. The performers are Irish, as Celtic music is common to the two regions.
"Gaol ise Goal i"
"Gaol ise Gaol i" is a waulking song. Waulking songs are Scottish folk songs, traditionally sung in the Gaelic language by women while waulking cloth. This practice involved a group of people beating newly woven tweed rhythmically against a table or similar surface to soften it. The chorus to many waulking songs consists of meaningless vocables.
"Ebudae" — Enya
Enya based this song, featured in the series Outlander, on Gaelic waulking songs. This is sung in Irish Gaelic — I have no idea if that's any different from Scottish Gaelic, or if Gaelic is Gaelic, or if anyone can tell the difference...
Puirt a Beul
Puirt a Beul, Gaelic music from the Scottish Highlands, means "tunes from the mouth". It is thought that this "mouth music" was used to accompany dancing when instruments were not available. The rhythm and sound typically take precedence over the lyrics. The accompaniment here is by a bodhram drum (see below).
Bodhran drum
The bodhran drum is probably Irish in origin, but it is commonly heard in Scottish music. Depending on who you believe, is either an ancient instrument or from the 19th century, and it is cited as both Celtic and Gaelic. Choose your own adventure, there was a lot of back and forth on these islands. It is thought that it was used in rural ritual practices and became more widespread in the 1850s. It may have started life as a means of carrying grain, then evolved into a drum. In any event, this is a freaking cool solo played on it.
Strathspeys
The Scottish fiddle is often played in a style known as “strathspey,” characterized by its quick tempo and syncopated rhythms. A strathspey is a type of dance tune in 4/4 time, featuring dotted rhythms (both long-short and short-long "Scotch snaps"), which in traditional playing are generally somewhat exaggerated rhythmically. They are often played very fast, often at 108 beats per minute. This performance took place in Takoma Park, MD (!). The fun starts around 2:40; listen for as long as you like.
Jigs and Reels
The Scottish Lowlands are more known for Ceilidh jigs and reels. These lively pieces are often front and center at social gatherings, such as weddings! Listen from about 3:12 to the end to hear all of the instrument solos (and notice that we made it this far and are just hearing our first bagpipe - the smallpipe).
"Strip the Willow"
A more modern spin on Ceilidh music, and finally a full bagpipe! This is a Scottish "function" band, meaning they play weddings and presumably Bat Mitzvahs. This is NOT the band that will be at Morgan's wedding - that one is Cassini. They also play Ceilidh dance music (in addition to Mamma Mia and Proud Mary), but they don't have any readily available recordings to link to. "Strip the Willow" is a dance with a particular form, where gentlemen and lady partners face each other in long rows and, through a lot of arm linking, swinging, and turning about, they 'strip' up and down the line, moving from partner to partner or as a couple. Fun to watch.
Clanadonia
No words needed, just watch. I really hope I can catch these guys on the streets at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next month if they're there.