Irish traditional music, songs and stories, my parents and family, Pete Seeger, Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, Ian Campbell, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bothy Band, Planxty, Tom Paxton, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Leonard Cohen, Iain MacKintosh, Hamish Imlach, Sean McGuire, Joe Burke, Beatles, Paul Simon, John Gorka ....
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......... ALL BEN TRACKS NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM iTUNES.CO.UK
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..... Ben Sands lives in Newry, County Down, close to the mountains and the sea and not far from the small farm where he and his six siblings grew up in the 1950s and 1960s.
He sings songs - mostly his own. He writes songs - about life and love and the ways of the world. Some are whimsical, some are sad and some are very humorous indeed.
He plays quite a few instruments as well - guitar, banjo, mandolin, whistles, keyboards, and fiddle - he has even been known to wrestle a tune from the uilleann pipes.
Ben has been touring and recording with his sister Anne and brothers Tommy and Colum since the late 1960s. “The Sands Family” have recorded over twenty albums to date; made countless television appearances; performed extensively in Ireland, UK, Europe, Canada and USA (including Carnegie Hall); shared microphones with such “folk luminaries” as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Tom Paxton, Harry Belafonte and Arlo Guthrie ….
These days the members of the “Family” still greatly enjoy getting together for special tours and festival appearances but are more likely to be found scattered far and wide, pursuing very successful solo careers. Like brothers Tommy and Colum, Ben has taken to the song writing with a natural ease and his songs are finding their way into many repertoires and recording studios.
Homepage: www.bensands.com E-mail: ben@bensands.com
“BETTER ALREADY” (Spring Records SCD 1050)
“…. Ben’s third solo album features eleven self-composed tracks, nine songs and two instrumentals. Producer/guitarist Johnny Scott (ex-Van Morrison) manages to broaden the appeal of Ben’s folksy lyrics and melodies with some sparkling arrangements and the support of an exceptional team of musicians ……..”
Belfast Telegraph
Ben Sands, my dear: Your country music is beautiful, a true delight to my sensible ears, mind and heart. "Hug" is a lovely special song as it also works out as therapy. "Farewell to the town" is a far-out instrumental song, a masterpiece, by far my best-loved number.... however I understand that "The Japanese Hornpipe" can enliven any slow-going dancing bash. Dear God, what on earth must I do to get an original copy of your CD for my private files? If you think my simple provincial songs are of any interest, please check it out and leave any desirable comments. Happiness to you and your family, good luck in all your musical undertakings and please receive an embrace from your admirer down here in Minas Gerais, heart of Brazil,
Hi Ben, we heard you last week in Eisenach - you were marvelous. Thank you very much for this great concert. We hope to see you and Manfred soon again. A big hug from Silvia & Maik
Adam R Sweet's Fiddler's Bow is on sale this month. Visit this page: http://adamrsweet.com/mybow.html to order through PayPal or direct from Emily's Website
Every order comes with a free cake of green Irish rosin!
I've got a full weekend planned here...lots of horsin' around and horse power...lol. Sales and such, as usual, tomorrow and then an antique motorcycle show on Sunday. I'm so thankful that the weather is going to cooperate. It rained most of the week but, the weekend is looking warm and sunny...Yeeee Haaaa!!! You have a fab weekend yourself and I'll see you on Monday...
“Our whole life is an attempt to discover when our spontaneity is whimsical, sentimental irresponsibility and when it is a valid expression of our deepest desires and values.” ~Helen Merell Lynd~
Since some people in poor countries cannot read without prescription or reading glasses, for every song of ours you download, you will be supplying a pair of glasses to someone that needs them and will appreciate the gift of sight. Please consider downloading from here, two of our songs, and with your help, we can provide more people with the gift of sight. Thank you.
I was outside having breakfast with the birds already this morning enjoying what might be the nicest weather we'll be having for the next couple of days. Looks like the rain is heading this way so I will be out on the deck as much as possible until it gets here. I hope it's sunny and warm in your corner of the world...but not too hot...I wouldn't want you overheating on me..haha ;) Have a fabutastic day and don't forget...Big Balls (Wipeout) tonight! Much love...'fritter'
Do you like fiddle music? Are you a fiddler? Then join us in the Fiddle World - sometimes called the Facebook for Fiddlers!
http://fiddleworld.ning.com
It's free to join and we're always looking for new members...see you there
Here's wishing you a "TItantic Tuesday"...in the sense that it's spectacular and that you take on whatever the day throws at you with an unsinkable spirit! Full steam ahead...LOL