Cynthia will be performing at Folk Alliance again in February '09. Why should a few broken bones stop an Irish granny, anyway? Her business, Cynthia's Music/Ceili Productions, will host another great private showcase there as well. The roster is already filled with fabulous traditional folk and world music acts. Musicians from nine countries will fill the room with wonderful sounds. If you're going to Memphis for Folk Alliance in February, visit us in room 1827. Here's the list of performers:
Wendy Colonna, Kraig Kenning, Katy Carr, Lorna Brooks, Christabel and the Jons, Deering and Down, Matt Brown, Seth Glier, Stonehoney, Emily White, Noelie Mc Donnell, Nancy Cassidy, Heron Reign, Blue Moose & The Unbuttoned Zippers, Spring Standards, Cloudstreet, Debra Cowan, Marco Calliari, Grannar, Ian Whitty & The Exchange, Rhythm Angels, Three Penny Acre, Chana Rothman, Emmet Scanlan & What the Good Thought, I See Hawks in LA, Blame Sally, Friends of Traditional Music, Vanessa Torres, Carol Anne & Curly, David Hyams, Boulder Acoustic Society, Karyn Oliver, The Creaking Tree String Quartet, Sisters 3, rj cowdery, Julie Christensen, Two Dollar Bash, Lucky Fonz III, Teresa Storch, and Shanneygannock . We're so excited to have all this talent in one room!
Can't make it to Memphis? Cynthia's beginning to take a few bookings again. You'll have a chance to see and hear her soon.Until then, all Cynthia's CDs are available at CDBaby and your favourite downloader.
BUY A CD, BUILD AN ANIMAL SHELTER
Cynthia has joined a dozen European musicians in raising funds for a much needed animal shelter in Sofia, Bulgaria. The compilation CD, You Must Be Barking: The Dog's Bollocks vol.1 is available on CDBaby, with all proceeds going to the Bulgarian Society for Animal Protection and Preservation. Order yours now at www.cdbaby.com/cd/youmustbebarking
Artist: Cynthia Bennett
Album: "Mother Ireland's Daughters"
Year produced: 2007
This CD is about post-1798 Ireland. It gives a solid nod to the women and talks about change. Cynthia Bennett has an unusual voice and it is captivating as she weaves through the familiar opening track, "Wearing Of The Green." It helps give the song a new dimension. I enjoy the depth of her voice, even if it does tend to take one by surprise a bit.
Bennett leaves me feeling like I've just spent time with an Irish lad's mother who told me some family history through song. Maternal is definitely a quality that comes through in her voice; caring and knowledgeable all at the same time.
The style of the CD is very much traditional, with a simple acoustic sound and feel to it. The focus here is on the stories that the songs tell about the life and times of those from Ireland who live on in song. There isn't exactly a dearth of material to choose from, but it can be done well, or it can be done poorly. Bennett puts the effort forth to make sure it connects; and indeed it does.
Cynthia grew up in a musical family but didn't
perform professionally until she was well into two careers, as a
mother and as a nurse. After being "dragged blinking onto a stage",
she has delighted audiences in Ireland, Canada, and the United
States with her pure vocals, whimsical humor, and spirit of adventure
and fun. In her music, Cynthia relates Celtic mythology, Irish history
and stories of everyday life, frequently with a humorous twist.
Cynthia, about herself:
I have often been asked if my mother sang Irish lullabies to me. There
was no toora-loora-loora in her at all. Her idea of a lullaby was either
The Rising of the Moon or Our Timmy's at the Fighting. My
grandmother had a ceili kitchen, where friends and neighbours would
gather for song and dance. When I'd be caught up and sent to bed,
I'd go to sleep listening to the voices, fiddles, and dancing feet. I
thought singing was something everyone did, rather like breathing.
Along the way I found that I could write songs from my own life or
from stories people have told me.
Whether I'm performing on stage or recording, I feel myself back in
those ceili nights. So, welcome to my kitchen.
About the songs and how they came to be:
Cauldron of Life--In Irish mythology life begins and ends in a
bottomless cauldron, tended by the triple goddess which is every
woman. This song is of a woman looking back at her changing role.
Nancy's Song--written for Cynthia's friend Nancy as a "fight song"
for her battle with cancer.
Annie's Knickers--A shy widow finds romance after her laundry is
stolen.
Out With the Rubbish--a woman finds an unusual way to rid herself
of an annoying husband.
I Am Still with You--Cynthia wrote this song in memory of her
mother. It reminds us that those we have loved are never far away.
Lisburn Reprise--about the Troubles and Long Kesh.
Bobby's Own Ballad--commemorating the death of Bobby Sands in
1981.
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.
