Fusion
It is really only in the last 50 years or so that there has been an explosion in the popularity of mixing styles (fusion). Advances in recording, transport and technology as well as urbanisation and globalisation have made the world a smaller place. Nowhere in Ireland is remote any more and it is possible to hear music from anywhere via Cd, mp3, video, internet etc. Migration to Ireland from many parts of the globe has also been responsible for music form other cultures being mixed with Irish traditional music.
A great place to start with fusion is with Seán O’Riada. In his middle transition phase, O’Riada combined Irish song with the classical tradition. Mise Éire (1959), Saoirse? (1960 ) The Playboy of the Western World (1963.) are examples of his Irish flavoured Classical music, i.e. Irish folk tunes arranged for orchestra, as Vaughan Williams had done in England and other nationalist composers has done in Europe towards the end of the previous century. Although O’Riada moved away from this mixture of style in his later work, his influence on later musicians would be profound Below is a short excerpt from Mise Éire. Irish features incude - modal, ornamentation,free metre.
Classical features - Orchestra, Harmony (accompaniment), Dynamics
Classical features - Orchestra, Harmony (accompaniment), Dynamics
Bands like Planxty and the Chieftains (see dance tunes page) took this model of fusion in another direction, traditional music mixed with contemporary folk, although the Chieftains were more expansive, blending with many genres. The Chieftains (see Dance Tunes page) for many years have brought their brand of Irish music all around the world, often mixing with the music of other countries, such as China, and Nashville, Tennessee. They have recorded many Cds and have collaborated with artists from world music, and pop and rock world, such as Elvis Costello, Kate Bush, and Van Morrisson.They have also recorded film music. The leader of the group is Uilleann Piper and whistler Paddy Moloney. Matt Molloy is their flute player. They usually have 2 fiddle players, Martin Fay and Seán Keane, and until his death 5 years ago Derek Bell played Harp and Piano.
Planxty was formed in the 60s’ and at that time they brought something new and refreshing to Irish music. Dónal Lunny(Bouzouki, guitar, and keyboard) is the musical brain behind Planxty and he went on to produce recordings for most of the top Irish acts. Andy Irvine plays mandolin, mandola and harmonica. Liam óg Ó Floinn plays pipes and whistle while the most famous is Christy Moore (Vocals and guitar and bódhrán). Their interesting arrangements featured intricate counter melodies, unusual instrumental combinations, and driving rhythms which complimented the ancient songs. Songs like “Three Drunken Maidens”, “The Cliffs of Dooneen” and “The Blacksmith” are examples of their best known songs.
Planxty was formed in the 60s’ and at that time they brought something new and refreshing to Irish music. Dónal Lunny(Bouzouki, guitar, and keyboard) is the musical brain behind Planxty and he went on to produce recordings for most of the top Irish acts. Andy Irvine plays mandolin, mandola and harmonica. Liam óg Ó Floinn plays pipes and whistle while the most famous is Christy Moore (Vocals and guitar and bódhrán). Their interesting arrangements featured intricate counter melodies, unusual instrumental combinations, and driving rhythms which complimented the ancient songs. Songs like “Three Drunken Maidens”, “The Cliffs of Dooneen” and “The Blacksmith” are examples of their best known songs.
This video features Planxty performing "The Blacksmith" at a reunion gig in 2004
The Horslips “Sword of light” and “Trouble with a Capital T” from their Book of Invasions album), and Thin Lizzy (“Whiskey in the Jar” and Róisín Dubh”) mixed trad with Rock. Lizzy used standard rock instruments, guitars and drums and the Horslips added fiddle, flute and mandolin to this Rock set up. The audio below features some Horslips excerpts.
Celtic punk was essentially invented by The Pogues in the early 1980s and immediately gained popularity following the release of their first album in 1985.They included drums, bass, guitar, and fiddle, sometimes with tin whistle, bodhran, or accordion. The sound is typically fast with aggressive lyrics, rock beats, and melodies. Bands in this genre includeFlogging Molly and The Molly Magures.
In the 1980’s, Moving Hearts (“McBrides” and “Category”) driven by Dónal Lunny, developed this idea further. They combined Pipes (Davey Spillane) Low Whistle and dance music with Drums, Guitars, Keyboards, Bouzouki, Soprano Saxophone (Keith Donald), and an extensive array of Percussion instruments, to create an exciting mix of Rock, Jazz and Trad.
Shaun Davey (“The Brendan Voyage”) Micháel O’Suilleabháin ( “The Dolphin’s way” and Oilean) combine the Orchestra, Piano, Saxophone, Classical textures and dynamics, syncopation from Jazz and Popular music, with traditional tunes and instruments such as Uilleann Pipes. Bill Whelan ( See Dance tunes page for “Riverdance”) continued this development adding Eastern European Folk Rhythms and building dance rhythms into larger scales exciting works. By the end of the 20th Century, the development of Fusion was in full flow. Zoe Conway (see Dance tunes page for "The Contradiction") is an example of an musician who combines styles not only in the overall style of music but in her individual style of playing. She uses a mixture of Classical and traditional techniques to create her own individual style.
The Afro Celtic Sound System brought ethnic African music and instruments, electronic music together with stunning effect. Listen to the audio of some Afro Celt excerpts below.
Shaun Davey (“The Brendan Voyage”) Micháel O’Suilleabháin ( “The Dolphin’s way” and Oilean) combine the Orchestra, Piano, Saxophone, Classical textures and dynamics, syncopation from Jazz and Popular music, with traditional tunes and instruments such as Uilleann Pipes. Bill Whelan ( See Dance tunes page for “Riverdance”) continued this development adding Eastern European Folk Rhythms and building dance rhythms into larger scales exciting works. By the end of the 20th Century, the development of Fusion was in full flow. Zoe Conway (see Dance tunes page for "The Contradiction") is an example of an musician who combines styles not only in the overall style of music but in her individual style of playing. She uses a mixture of Classical and traditional techniques to create her own individual style.
The Afro Celtic Sound System brought ethnic African music and instruments, electronic music together with stunning effect. Listen to the audio of some Afro Celt excerpts below.
Clannad use a very modern electronic sound in their music. Pop bands like The Corrs produce a strong Irish flavour in their
songs. Seoirse Bodley is a contemporary “Classical” composer who uses Irish folk music and many others like Eric Sweeney
and Gerald Barry have continued this trend synthesizing post minimalism and other contemporary
techniques with traditional Irish music..
songs. Seoirse Bodley is a contemporary “Classical” composer who uses Irish folk music and many others like Eric Sweeney
and Gerald Barry have continued this trend synthesizing post minimalism and other contemporary
techniques with traditional Irish music..