Cowboy Celtic

Subject: Cowboy Celtic
From: MikeOQuinn
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 10:23 PM

Given the quantity of Celtic and Western folk performers I've seen on here, I thought some of ye might be interested in the CDs I found at Barnes and Noble this evening. It's called "Cowboy Celtic" by David Wilkie and Co. They've got another called "Cowboy Ceilidh"

Here's link to a track listing:
Track listing for Cowboy Celtic
Track listing for Cowboy Ceilidh

I was intrigued to find such compilations available, having performed in a Cowboy (not country, not western, but cowboy) band for many years, and now pursuing music of a more Irish nature. I picked up "Cowboy Ceilidh", and found that I knew almost all of the songs already, and that they were - to my ear - rather well done and combined! (The set of Buffalo Gals/Old Chisolm Trail/Blacksmith's Reel is rivalled only by the set of Cowboy's Lament(with extra verse referring to the Bard of Armagh)/Kean O'Hara)

All I have to say is: Yippee! Something that makes sense (since a ton of actual cowboy music has its roots across the pond) and is well done. Something I had thought about, but couldn't find enough people to cross genres to do. Something I'll have to do in the future! I highly recommend the CDs.

Best wishes!
-J

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 10:27 PM

David Wilkie certainly has his fans in Alberta and elsewhere in western Canada.

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: Strupag
Date: 05 Jan 03 - 07:21 PM

Not only in Westers Canada,Q but here in the North West of Scotland the "Cowboys" are heros.
They have new album out called Drovers Road. Although I don't normally go spouting off about my own songs, I'm absolutely delighted that they featured one of my songs, "Indiana", on it. It features the dream voice of Denise Wittnal. See their website at www.cowboyceltic.com. (I've not got the hang of the blue clickie yet!)
If you happen to see this Dave, I've arranged PA's Mike's Speakers etc. for your summer tour over here.
OK then MikeOQuinn good luck but dont forget about the other celts on this side of the pond
Slainte

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Jan 03 - 07:33 PM

They are pretty damn good CDs. I have them both. Might disappoint some hard core Celt-trads, but I think it's a pretty nice meld.

The Cowboy Ceilidh one has some special guests on it, including Phil Cunningham, Matt Cranitch, and Michael Martin Murphey.

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: MikeOQuinn
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 03:06 AM

Yeah, I remember opening for MMM at the Cowboy's Christmas Ball in Anson, TX one year. That was fun. (My dad was running a really high fever, so I got to learn how to play the bass in about 24 hrs before I went on stage. *Then* they told me who we were opening for... I nearly passed out.) I loved that gathering... won best youth (like 15 at the time) costume at the actual ball, got lots of kudos from my solo bit during open mic... Fond memories.

I wish I could do more cowboy stuff over here... just not a lot of demand for it. Would be nice to get the old band back together and work some of it back up, but there's just too much going on to arrange schedules. Ah, well.

Any cowboy/celtic musicians in the Austin, TX, USA area looking to jam? ;)

And, to Strupag, I'm hoping to make a trip within the next year or so to take in the music of all you 'other celts on that side of the pond.' Itenerary: "Sit in pub, sip cider, listen to music, join in if possibility of not embarrasing self exists."

Picked up 'Cowboy Celtic' today. Expected more vocals, but was not by far disappointed in CD. Gathering old set lists from cowboy band and putting in same binder as celtic music. Hoping the two will breed.

Best wishes to all!
-J

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: Alice
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 08:02 PM

Hi, Mike, my band in Montana has started with the Irish immigrant roots of tunes and songs that are traditional but well appreciated here and is influenced with a sprinkling of cowboy, miner, homesteader (not bluegrass, not western, not country) songs.
We are at
www.themeadowlark.com

Alice Flynn

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 08:12 PM

It's amazing to me how many "cowboy" songs have Irish tunes. Fascinating genre.

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: Cluin
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 08:14 PM

By the way, Mr. Mitchell, Indiana is a great song. I first heard it by Andy Irvine (with Patrick Street) years ago and later by Bobby Watt. Was blown away every time. Thanks. I love homesick songs. That one and Dougie's Caledonia inspired one of my own, Algoma.

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: Alice
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 08:20 PM

I didn't know about Cowboy Celtic until you started this thread, but I just went to their web site and listened to some sound clips. I'm surprised I had not heard them before as they are in the province north of us. I'm glad they are well received as it has been my plan for the several years to meld the early songs of Montana with our Irish/Scottish repertoire. As the audiences in Great Falls loved our music when we performed there last week, I think people are just waiting to hear more of it.

Alice

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 08:27 PM

Website mentioned by Alice, Cowboy Celtic: Cowboy Celtic

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: MikeOQuinn
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 04:55 AM

Just found the website meself last night...

Alice: I guess me work here is done, then, if someone read the thread and checked them out. *polishes knuckles on vest*

Sorcha: It amazed me, too, at first, even after performing both genres, I'm discovering new associations. The crossover has something to do with the fact that working as a drover allowed a man his freedom and allowed him to enjoy life, while still doing good, honest work. Also something about the choices at the time when people were coming to the countries- make low pay working as a miner or on a rail line, where you're identified by your nationality, not your personality, or go South and work on the range, making low pay still, but being judged on who - not what - you were. There's a group called "The Sons of the San Joaquin," who do a song called "Just Can't Be Seen from the Road," about how the cowboy way of life still exists, but it's not something you can really see. I think it was some of those unseen qualities that drew a lot of Scots/Irish immigrants to the ranches and drives.

I'm just hoping Wilkie & Co. decide to make it down to TX at some point in time. I'd love to see them, but don't have the time to go to the big gatherings like the one in Elko (though a friend of mine goes... I may ask him to pick up Drover Road for me whilst he's there. Hrmm... ideas)

Since I've gotten this CD, I've been listening to a mix of the folk music from both genres on mix on my computer almost nonstop. For some reason, I had the sudden urge yesterday to play "Oh, Bury Me Not (On the Lone Prarie)" on the bagpipes. (Along with a set of Flower of Scotland/Scotland the Brave/Dixie) Also realized that I have lost the words and tunes for most of my cowboy stuff. Greatly disturbed, but I had to type up my music again, anyhoo, since most of it bit the silicon dust when I reformatted. (Thank God for the DT!) Now, if I can just find a way to work the Kerobushka (Horobushko, Korobushka, Kerabushke, etc) in to a set with a cowboy tune, I'll be ecstatic.

Any ideas?
-J

Subject: RE: Cowboy Celtic
From: Cluin
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 12:49 PM

I used to do "Texas Rangers" all the time, a capella. Grew up with Ian & Sylvia records around the house. It sure sounded Irish to me and when I did it, I played up the vocal ornaments even more. It was always an attention getter. Gonna record that one some day and overdub myself some harmonies and hope I don't go blind from it.