Celtic/British Guitar Favourite

Subject: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 03:25 PM

Recently, I was listening to a cd by classical guitarist David Russell (recognised as one of the greats in his field) where he plays British/Celtic folk tunes, and I was disappointed. The tunes were beautifully played of course, but somehow I was unmoved. For me, he didn't capture the spirit of the music. For a start, most of my favourite folk guitarists use some form of altered tuning in an attempt to better capture the essence of these melodies. Which guitarists/recordings do Mudcatters feel best captures the folk spirit on the guitar?

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 03:35 PM

John Renbourn always impressed me...

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Effsee
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 03:37 PM

Tony McManus,..... to borrow from another site....."Conjuring a unique but universal language from that most ubiquitous of instruments, the acoustic guitar, Paisley born Tony McManus has both extended and transcended the parameters of contemporary Celtic music. Ranked by peers and predecessors alike alongside the guitar world's all-time greats, his fiendishly dexterous, dazzlingly original playing draws on traditions from the entire Celtic diaspora - Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Galicia, Asturias, Cape Breton, Quebec - along with still further-ranging flavours, such as jazz and east European music."

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 03:39 PM

Bert Jansch.
Daithi Sproule
Dick Gaughan
Give J.P. Cormier a listen too.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 03:40 PM

Dan Ar Bras. Pierre Bensusan. Arty McGlynn.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 03:48 PM

Martin Carthy, Nic Jones

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Effsee
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 04:18 PM

Dave(t.a.m.), from the same site as before...."John Renbourn has called Tony McManus the best Celtic guitarist in the world"

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: michaelr
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 05:35 PM

Classical players usually don't "get" it -- "it" being the lilt and lift and ornamentation that makes Irish tunes, in particular, so wonderful. The same is true for violinists playing fiddle music (generally speaking; I'm sure there are exceptions).

On guitar, Tony McManus is definitely the 500-pound gorilla these days. Check out also Martin Simpson, Chris Newman, Americans El McMeen and William Coulter.
That's if you're talking about Scots and Irish dance tunes played solo on guitar -- which doesn't really do it for me, brilliant as these players are.

I prefer the tunes played on fiddle, flute, box, pipes etc, with guitar accompaniment. Malinky's Steve Byrne is great in that department; so is Donogh Hennessy, former Lunasa guitarist; Americans Matt Heaton and Ray Frank (Mutcatter DADGBE); John Doyle, Ged Foley... the list goes on.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: van lingle
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 07:09 AM

Also Davey Graham who was a big influence on a lot of these guys and adapted a number of Irish tunes for fingerstyle guitar in DADGAD. And Dave Evans, I don't know if he records anymore and American fingerstylists El McMeen (who has done some gorgeous arrangements of Irish tunes) and Steve Baughman who is truly awesome.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: van lingle
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 07:15 AM

You might consider getting a Celtic fingerstyle sampler from Stefan Grossmans Guitar Workshop. He has at least two choice ones out called Ramble to Cashel and Blarney Pilgrim which feature some of the guys mentioned above. vl

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 11:36 AM

I'll second Arty, Daithi, El and Martin Carthy. For some reason, I prefer them to Tony, but that's really a matter of style and taste. Tony is a fantastic player as well.

My personal favorite Celtic OR British guitarist though, is Breton guitar master Soig Siberil, of Kornog and Gwerz fame.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 11:52 AM

I agree that Soig Siberil is very interesting, but I feel that the sound of his guitar lets him down. i.e. in sounds " plugged in" the way it's recorded.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 03:52 PM

for economy of means Christy Moore, Lightnin Hopkins
for those for fuck! that was good! moments....Paul Downes, Ken Nicol
for educating us....Ralph McTell, Stefan Grossman, Pete Seeger
Derek Brimstone for showing us how to tell a story while retuning.

and all the others plus Martin Carthy for being brave and clever in trying difficult songs, and his unique style, which half of his fans don't realise is totally unique

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 04:24 PM

Dave MacIsaac from Nova Scotia...wow! Check him out.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: mooman
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 05:45 PM

And definitely not forgetting Ed Boyd... master of rhythm guitar.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Folkiedave
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 05:54 PM

Jean-Charles Guichen. And his brother Fred is a top-class melodeon player.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 05:57 PM

Tony McManus, also Clive Carroll, Richard Thompson and Barney O'Leary if they qualify as 'Celtic/British' guitarists

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 07:16 PM

Another subjective thread but the three best Celtic guitarists all reside in Canada:
   #1 JP Cormier
   #2 Tony McManus
   #3 Dave MacIsaac
Note: If anyone questions my selections it should only apply to the order of my choices. :-}
             Slainte,
                   Obie

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: harpmolly
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 07:20 PM

I've been listening to a lot of Graham Dunne lately--he's on Niamh Parsons' last few albums (including her brand spanking new one, which I am enjoying thoroughly!). He does a few solo instrumentals on "Heart's Desire" and the new one, "That Old Simplicity", and they're quite deftly played. I'm looking forward to seeing him and Niamh in March (yes, I know, I'm obsessed).

Molly

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Scotus
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 08:34 PM

Hard to find - but Sandy Stanage, who came out of the same school as piper Dougie Pincock and multi instrumentalist Brian McNeil is worth a listen. He's currently doing interesting work with Margaret Bennett.

Jack

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Grab
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:37 AM

Not Martin Carthy, sorry.

Davey Graham, definitely.

John Renbourn's more laidback recordings. Some of his more seriously technical pieces sound rushed, so what should be fluid is staccato and doesn't hold a rhythm, like he recorded it before he'd got it fully up to performance standard.

Not entirely folk, but Thomas Leeb is an unfeasibly brilliant fingerstyle guitarist. Technique via Eric Roche, but that technique is all going into making *music* instead of just being for the technique's sake. If you ever see him advertised near you, don't miss him.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: songs2play
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 10:04 AM

Davy Graham the tops.

John James - Welsh Wizard
Ralph Mctell - Very under rated guitarist.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 10:09 AM

Ritchie Blackmore.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 10:18 AM

ok then.. Jimmy Page


but shame he didn't follow Albert Lees forays
into folk/country session work

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 10:29 AM

Listen to Blackmores Night on thier live DVD, he has changed style somewhat dramatically.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:15 PM

reading the title again - I think maybe you wanted to know who plays best that sort fidgetting about in DADGAD, which isn't quite rhythm guitar, sort of counterpoint to the fiddle. ain't got a clue - don't like it much. I can see it has its adherents, scuse my worthless contribution though. in my defence I can see that other people have misinterpreted as well.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:13 AM

Well, I for one didn't.

I agreed that Arty, Daithi and El were brilliant at accompanying Irish (I wouldn't call it Celtic) and Scots music, Soig at accompanying Breton music, and Martin at English.

And I'd say all the artists I mentioned have done a bit more musically for changing the sound of the music than just 'fidgetting about in DADGAD'.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Ernest
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:58 AM

Another one worth mentioning is Ian Melrose. Highly recommendable is his CD / book of arrangements of scottish fiddle tunes for guitar. He is guesting with Clannad and playing with Norland Wind, Kelpie, Talking Water and a few other bands.
Regards
Ernest

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:05 AM

The late Tony Cuffe. Can I also mention Dave McIsaac again?

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:21 AM

..and I wasn't joking either

its fair to argue that on the evidence of the first 4 or 5 Led Zep LPs,
its folks loss that Jimmy Page didn't take a more active interest
in our kind of music

.. now what sublime kind of band Renbourn Jansch & Page could have been ??!!

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:22 AM

hmmm.. its still not too late guys.. [hint]

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: greg stephens
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:39 AM

I nominate wee little drummer's "fidgetting about in DADGAD" phrase as the best bit of musical criticism in years. Very funny, and a very accurate description of a whole school of music which has arisen from nowhere in a very short space of time, and now threatens to dominate the civilised world. As they used to say in 1968, nothing is more irritating than an idea whose time has come.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:59 AM

I'd also add in Duncan McFarlane (Hipflask Andy on the 'Cat) - he says his influences are Nic Jones and Martin Carthy.

He also mainly plays a guitar in C model (with drop D or some such - I'm not a guitarist), which maybe is what the original post was referring to regarding altered tunings?.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 11:07 AM

When great players use DADGAD, it really is a wonderous thing! Great players? Bert Jansch, Soig Siberil and Al Petteway, for example.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 03:21 AM

I avoid DADGAD like the plague! You all tend to end up sounding the same. There's nothing like playing a slow aire with a guitarist giving it rock all in DADGAD in 9/8 time in your lughole.

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 05:29 AM

Pierre Bensusan! Don't forget, the limitations are with the players not the tuning!!

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 05:53 AM

Don't be daft BBPaul!
Those getting mentions above are Premier League 'masters'.
I'm snug enough down in the Conference.
(Actually, huge apologies for the 'footy' references - I'm not a football fan at all!).
Most of those mentioned are 'names' I look up to...
It's good that you like what I do tho' - thanks!
HFA - Duncan McFarlane

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 06:21 AM

HFA - stop hiding your light under any old bushel - or sporran!. Premier League "masters" had to start somewhere, and the Conference players can still be favourites for us poor plebs!

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 07:50 AM

What about Martin Simpson ? I like his stuff, William Akerman as well, though is can be a bit Bland at times. Dave MacIsaac for sure, great player .

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:22 AM

Aye Ok then Paul - I submit....
But will always look up to
Nic Jones, Martin Carthy and so many already mentioned
....even Richie Blackmore!!
I'll add even more personal faves of mine...
....for accompanying others on the tunes - Ian Carr, Denny Bartley
....for fingerpicking Celtic music - Sheffield's Keith Hinchliffe (check out his CDs 'Carolan's Dream' and 'Islands')
..oh and soooo many more!
Cheers - Duncan (who remembered to log back in this time)

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Plucker
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 10:43 PM

Barney O'Leary. Genius.

Why isn't he better known south of Achiltibuie?

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 06:44 AM

I know the mention of Ritchie Blackmore has thrown a few of you, but check out his current duo with his wife, they play together as 'Blackmore's Night'

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: Larkin
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 03:49 PM

John Doyle is one of my favourite at the Mo. His wayward son album is pretty fantastic and the work he did with Solas contributed much to their sound- Fidgiting about in DADGAD -- Bollox

Martin

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: number 6
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 07:39 PM

Guest @ 19 Feb 06 - 04:24 PM

Thanks for mentioning Dave MacIsaac from Nova Scotia ... he certainly does deserve some accolades here in this thread.

sIx

Subject: RE: Celtic/British Guitar Favourite
From: GUEST,Topper
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 08:49 PM

Have Tony Mcmanus and Barney O'Leary ever recorded together?