First solo album entitled 'Hey Hey Hippy Witch' is available from end October 09 on Floating World Records. It is a record of collaborations and some co-writes with the likes of Dave Colohan of Agitated Radio Pilot, Gavin Prior of United Bible Studies (improv gigs with them too, which are a load of creative fun), Michael Tyack of Circulus, Kevin Scott of Mr. Pine, Richard Moult, Margaret Ayre of Fern Knight (gorgeous harmonium and cello), Steven Collins, Graeme Lockett, and long-time co-conspirator, Isabel.
2007/8 brought collaborations with Dave Colohan of Agitated Radio Pilot ('World Winding Down' double album) and Steven Collins of The Owl Service (EP entitled 'The Fabric of Folk' on Static Caravan). An album of songs is written and being arranged by Greg Weeks of Espers for recording sometime in 2010. A track for the new Mr Pine album, 'Rewilding', entitled 'Sleep of Ondine' is out and about. This was recorded with Kevin Scott of this Canadian band. He co-wrote a song with Alison for her solo project. Australian rock homage (Aztec Energy) for the writer, Colin Harper's album is in the can ('Freedom & The Dream Penguin' by The Fieldmouse Conspiracy). Listen out for vox contribution on the United Bible Studies album 'The Jonah' on the Camera Obscura label. More UBS recordings will follow and some tracks with Dutch lute player Jozef Van Wissem. Alison is also doing some work-in-progress tracks with the young fella in Dublin, Jonny Tennant. Jonny & Isabel have performed on two tracks for the solo album. Collaborations abound, mostly with Steven Collins for his forthcoming album, 7" and EP, and a bunch of original and traditional songs with Graeme Lockett of Head South By Weaving for his debut album. Graeme and Alison worked on a vinyl Double A-Side single for the wee indie prog psych folk label, Fruits de Mer, which was released in November last year. Oh, yeah, and some vox for American musician Michael Riddick and three tracks on the ninth album from British doom metal group Cathedral. Alison recently spent a pleasant two hours chatting with Jeanette Leech, who is writing a book entitled 'Shifting Sands' on acid folk, to be published by Jawbone Press in 2010.
Co-founder of the legendary MELLOW CANDLE, Alison met Isabel Ní Chuireáin in the summer of 2002 and forged a friendship and musical partnership that bore fruit in 2006 with the release on Osmosys Records of their album, Mise agus Ise (myself and herself). Isabel is a multi-instrumentalist and tunesmith, who was born under the Capricorn sign and raised in the Gaeltacht area of An Fálcarrach in Donegal. Her influences are all things astrological and meteorological. Together the pair wrote, arranged and produced this personal body of work, with the help of musician friends, near and far, and their engineer and co-producer Al Cowan. The songs are a collection covering seminal events in Alison's life from her childhood to the many formative years spent outside Ireland, and her eventual return to her homeland in 2001. Isabel's tunes are similarly autobiographical, including two dedicated to her parents. London-based photographer and friend Ken Garland captured them on film during a flying visit to Dublin.
Kathleen Ferrier, Helen Shapiro, The Beatles, Dusty Springfield, The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Nina Leigh, Clodagh Simonds, Dave Williams, Fairport Convention, The Incredible String Band, Joni Mitchell the painter and musician, Sandy Denny, Yes, Mervyn Peake, Nico, Frank Zappa, Richard & Linda Thompson, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Paul Brady, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, John Oakley-Smith, Colin Shamley, Roger Lucey, The Eagles, Weather Report, Philip Glass, Flora Purim, FLC, Garbage, Eels, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day, Linda Ronstadt, Manhattan Transfer, PJ Harvey, Bjork, La Bottine Souriante, Rosie Stewart, Rufus Wainright, and others who don't spring to mind right now.
Sounds Like
ALISON O’DONNELL with HEAD SOUTH BY WEAVING – Day Is Done / Frozen Warnings (Fruits De Mer) - You really can’t go wrong with a Nick Drake song can you? Well yes actually, these things are very precious, the bird has flown and you have to have something very very special to really live up to the magic of the original. Same with Nico, two beautifully tragic people, two exquisite music makers, two precious songs that require careful handling, loving care and attention to detail... Second part of this Fruits De Mer series of limited edition coloured vinyl seven inch singles where the label invites a singer, band or such to record two classic covers. Alison O’Donnell has such a rich dark full voice, she sings her choices of Nick Drake’s Day Is Done and Nico’s dark moody Frozen Warnings in such a beautifully transient way. So full of space and warmth, I must confess I was a little worried about listening to the Nick Drake cover - nothing to worry about here, these versions are wonderful. Really must go and explore what else she has, these versions are magical - the organ magazine
But the world is an amazing place, and this week I found Mise agus Ise ("Myself & Herself"), featuring the beautiful voice of Alison O'Donnell, along with Isabel Ni Chuireain. Alison was the 15-year-old sweet voice of the aforementioned Mellow Candle, and she has lost none of the magic -- in fact, I think she probably sounds even better... Although she is no longer a teenager, there is a strange youthful quality to her voice and renditions ... The lush and powerful playing of Isabel complements Alison's vocals. It is only when we listen to an album like this that we realize the essential ingredients of a magic performance. We need the lyrics and voice, but it is the arrangement and accompaniment that adds that indefinable spark to turn good into great. (Nicky Rossiter for Rambles)
Hey Hey Hippy Witch is an articulate, thoughtful collection of songs that features O’Donnell’s mature and powerful voice framed in a varied and melodic set of musical frameworks that are both contemporary and classic. The songs avoid lyrical cliché and, like the best albums, Hey Hey Hippy Witch creates a vivid and real alternative landscape that is engaging and informed by an ethereal atmosphere that is of its own. Just as the songs are lyrically original, musically the album draws on a variety of unusual textures – touches of sitar, deft tonal colourings of Hammond organ, elements of funk guitar – all bleed into the patina to add atmosphere and grain to O’Donnell’s unusual lyrical forays.
The story of this release goes back to a brief exchange between Owl Service main man Steven Collins and Alison O'Donnell (of the legendary Irish prog-folk group Mellow Candle) on a social networking website in the Spring of 2007. "The Fabric of Folk" is a collision between two ages of folk-rock; Alison was intrigued by the sound of The Owl Service, Steven had been in awe of "Swaddling Songs" for many years and so a collaboration seemed inevitable. "Fabric..." contains two original Collins/O'Donnell compositions (one with lyrics penned by Dominic Cooper of the Straw Bear Band), a short instrumental interlude, and two traditional reworkings. The original songs bookend the EP in perfect fashion and Alison's treatment of the traditional material in between is masterful. From the ominous opening track "The Wooden Coat" to the epic finale "The Fabric of Life", the listener is taken on a journey through themes of life and death, all handled with a pathos and poignancy so rarely heard in modern folk music. "A Fabric of Folk" will be released on CD on September 15th by Static Caravan and on vinyl in February 2009 by Midwich Records.
O'Donnell's naturally otherworldly delivery allows her to pick up Drake’s haunting and sentimental 'Day Is Done' and make it her own;
…the almost inimitable Nico's 'Frozen Warnings' is positively dripping with icy darkness that fills the grim but somehow mellow depths of the piece with more superb vocalisation set against the drone of Cale-esque tones and timings.
O'Donnell can hold her head high in the knowledge that she did herself and Drake and Nico proud with her scintillating versions of their songs. Pete Brown aka Toxic Pete
…a brace of remarkable re-appraisals, whose intention it seems is to have you all a swoon…a caressing ghostly hue woven from the subtle dash of softly shimmering and hauntingly hushed psyche intonations
…captures perfectly the fragile almost chilling monochrome appeal of the original and frames it within a darkly hollowing ethereal soft psyche folk mantra like bewitchment that's both statuesque in deliverance and enchantingly epic in appearance. Indescribably essential.
Mark at Losing Today
…a more powerful rendition of the original without losing any of the feel lyrically that does no harm at all to Nick Drake's, or for that matter, Alison O'Donnell's continuing legacy…
…takes Nico's stark message and drops the temperature further with an intense and hypnotic performance…Quite harrowing…Nico would have loved this! Nick Leese at Heyday Mail Order, London
…adds an extra darkness and starkness to the already tragic originals…if you think Alison O'Donnell's best work is behind her - think again. Rough Trade, London
…genuine, black, shimmering and positively medieval in its menace. Winter bleak...Drake is generally pure class and this is a cover that adds lustre…the fractured oscillations wrapped by sneaky percussion makes it all something that a sinister Syd Barrett would be doing for his dominatrix
Unpeeled
It's The Garden's wonderful Midwinter Wassail, Friday 18th ..the Blue Room @ PJ McGintys, Ipswich.
Winter tunes and madness with the truly amazing OWL SERVICE, NANCY WALLACE, THE NORWICH HARP SOCIETY and as ever, The Garden DJ's bruising your minds eye. 8pm, £4.
This will celebrate the end of a great psychedelic year, big love and thanks to all the fellow Gardeners!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hola Part of the idea is to enable small-scale producers, copyright owners of digital works (songs,tunes,videos,data) to publish and charge for downloading. Music and tune wise we have sorted, still working on video. As well as 'Raremusez Basement' (all tunes free or 55p) the download area, there is a Members site allowing registered users to upload mp3 files which can then be published at the basement. Can you pass on details to whoever you think might be interested. Charges/costs and how to are available to registered members. The site is built on the Joomla open source framework so large scope for development and hosting. Cheers Coopz new tunes
Well what do ya know :) thanks for giving us a shot hope you enjoy the music..what is up how have you been? write back for sure if you can if not totally cool but then we will feel a tad alone :(
BALLO DELLE CASTAGNE - 108 10" vinyl 45rpm - HR!SPQR
108 are the diabolical passions that beset us and we must battle to become Buddha. 108 is a magic and exoteric number in many mystic religions and cultures. All you need to discover about the real nature of this world: pure fiction! Two cover songs about the diabolic passions from great Italian artists of the 70’s like Biglietto per l’Inferno and Franco Battiato.
Make your pre-order now and you get free shipping!
As the lotus grows in mud without showing any traces that might betray its origins, its leaves and its stem, while floating in water not wet, so it `s also the wise man who lives in the world, but is not of the world...
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Alien Hand's debut release serves up seven salubrious slices of Celtic mashcore mayhem guaranteed to enchant young and old alike! Available now from Digital Vomit Records.
The second part of the trilogy "The
Empty
Circle" by The Joy of Nature, entitled «Rastos de Sangue e fragmentos da
Tradição», has been now released by Ahnstern and it is available at The Joy of Nature's store.
In this second part a lot more instruments were used and more
musicians collaborated, like R. Coutinho, B. Ardo (Sangre Cavallum), Rui
Almeida (Massa Última), Triarca, Mara Neves and M.J.
Not only a reaction against the modern world, but
an alternative to this post-modern world.
If You Would Like To Be A Part Of The 4 Day World Music And Art Fair Please Let Me Know By Sending The Information In To My Comments Or EMAIL. It Does Not Madder Were In The World You May Live If We Want You To Be A Part Of The Show We Will Get You There. Please Read My Page From The Top To The Bottom My Blogs As Well, Join My Blogs For Up Dates On The Event. You will Find All Information On My Page Just Take The Time To Read It. Take A Look At This Video To See What Needs To Be Done.
Hey Hey Hippy Witch is an articulate, thoughtful collection of songs that features O’Donnell’s mature and powerful voice framed in a varied and melodic set of musical frameworks that are both contemporary and classic. The songs avoid lyrical cliché and, like the best albums, Hey Hey Hippy Witch creates a vivid and real alternative landscape that is engaging and informed by an ethereal atmosphere that is of its own. Just as the songs are lyrically original, musically the album draws on a variety of unusual textures – touches of sitar, deft tonal colourings of Hammond organ, elements of funk guitar – all bleed into the patina to add atmosphere and grain to O’Donnell’s unusual lyrical forays.
The story of this release goes back to a brief exchange between Owl Service main man Steven Collins and Alison O'Donnell (of the legendary Irish prog-folk group Mellow Candle) on a social networking website in the Spring of 2007. "The Fabric of Folk" is a collision between two ages of folk-rock; Alison was intrigued by the sound of The Owl Service, Steven had been in awe of "Swaddling Songs" for many years and so a collaboration seemed inevitable. "Fabric..." contains two original Collins/O'Donnell compositions (one with lyrics penned by Dominic Cooper of the Straw Bear Band), a short instrumental interlude, and two traditional reworkings. The original songs bookend the EP in perfect fashion and Alison's treatment of the traditional material in between is masterful. From the ominous opening track "The Wooden Coat" to the epic finale "The Fabric of Life", the listener is taken on a journey through themes of life and death, all handled with a pathos and poignancy so rarely heard in modern folk music. "A Fabric of Folk" will be released on CD on September 15th by 
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