Dugan the dog and I were out for a chilly run this morning. The first song that came up on our shuffling iPod (we have matching headphones, Dugan and I, connected to the same player) was Thin Lizzy's immortal 1972 version of "Whiskey In The Jar." Which got me thinking that there has never been and probably never will be a better "Celtic rock" song. Which then got me thinking about both the term and genre "Celtic Rock."
Is there such a thing? Some people, like noted Irish music critic and unrepentant tradhead Bill Margeson, don't think so. There's rock music, they'll say, period and the nationality, instrumentation and influences of the players is irrelevant. If Celtic rock exists and is worthy of a separate sub-heading in the pop music pantheon, how do you define it? If my band has a guy in a skirt playing highland pipes, are we Celtic Rockers? If we're strictly a guitarbassdrums outfit but we do an awesome cover of the Young Dubs cover of Follow Me Up To Carlow, do we qualify? If we're classically trained Ukrainian Americans, say, can we by any reasonable stretch call ourselves "Celtic" anythings? Is "Celtic" when paired with "rock" strictly a marketing term? Do bloodlines matter? Is Van Morrison a Celtic Rocker? Are U2? Okay, then how about KCIF Friday night headliners 2U? Or ultimately, does it matter what we call it as long it moves the feet or the heart?
Let's assume that yes, Virginia, there is Celtic Rock. Is it a moribund genre? Arguably some of the most exciting and innovative music in our area is coming from bands who play what I call (as long as we're talking hard-to-pin-down labels) neo-trad. Bands like Beoga, Kila and Millish. Are the best days of the kind of music played by bands like 7 Nations, Great Big Sea and The Young Dubs behind them?
I'm interested to know what you think. Switchboards are open.
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8 comments:
"moribund genre"? aren't we mr. fancytalkingpants?!
Yes. Yes, we are.
Watched In The Name Of The Father yesterday afternoon. Thin Lizzy's Whiskey in the Jar is in the sound track. I had not heard it in months. With out of doubt it is at the top. Saw Doctors can be added to that list. Had it not been for the Saw Doctors the likes of the Elders would not exist. For that matter most of the "Celtic Rockers" got their moribund genre from the Doctors. Where does Christy Moore fall in the beginnings of "Celtic Rock", surely this discussion cannot be had without a tip of the hat to Christy. As far as who gets to use the term Celtic Rock Band. I can say that I'm a Chef, but the proof is what ends up on the table. Is it a nice plate with a good presentation of spagetti and meat balls, yep dinner will be fine. Does that make me an Italian chef? I don't think so, all ya gotta do is look at my red hair and freckles and say that feller is not Italian he's Irish. If I cook a great plate of shepherd pie and soda bread, does that make me an Irish Chef. Hell no! I was born in the midwest. Call yourselves an Celtic Band if you wish. But if your blood is Polish, Italian, or Mexican. You are no more a Celtic band than I'm an Italian Chef. And I make Tremendous Meat Balls and sauce.
Just a thought from a Wanna Be Italian to the Wanna be Celtes from eastern Europe. Nice try.
Bloodlines mean nothing and it's ridiculous to think they should. Gabriel Reyes is a fantastic Irish musician right here in Kansas City, and as far as I know he doesn't have a drop of Celtic or Irish blood in him. Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy was born in England and had a Brazilian father. Exactly one of the Elders is Irish. You can feel and play and love the music no matter where you're from. Labelling in general is a bad and divisive idea. And not that it has anything to do with muisc, of course you can be an Italian chef and be of Irish descent. Was Julia Child a French chef? Yes. Was she French? No.
I like the term "Irish Folk Rock"
What an interesting conversation. I think the question lies in the insinuation of the Irish or Celtic term. When we call someone a Celtic Rocker, are we saying THEY are Celtic or that their MUSIC is Celtic? Because of the popularity of that style of music (Irish/Celtic anything for that matter) I would say it really is a reflection of the type of music being played....the sound, instruments being used etc...not the musician playing it. As noted above there is some really great Irish music played by non-Irish people... (Young Dubliners - only Brenden is Irish, Gaelic Storm - Only Patrick is Irish, Seven Nations, the Elders - Ian is the only Irishman, the Kelihans....the list is endless)
Horslips would fit the term "Celtic Rock".
Sunshine: For what it's worth, according to their website both Keith and Brenden from the Young Dub's are from Ireland.
I don't think there is anything wrong with labels for genre's. Especially if it is a label you want your band associated with. I would describe Celtic "Rock" (vs. Trad) with the obvious distinction of a "rock" drum kit and electric instruments. But then there is Gaelic Storm with the African drums. Heck, it may be easier to simply say electric and non-electric. That may settle it.
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