May 25, 2013
The Celtic Music Radio Album of the Week commencing Saturday 25 May is the debut CD from Isle of Man trio Barrule.
The unique sound of traditional Manx music is the Celtic World’s best kept secret.
This is set to change with the introduction of Barrule, an exciting new trio hellbent on taking the Isle of Man’s music to a much wider audience.
Named after the famous Manx summit (as pictured below) where legend says the ancient Celtic God Manannan MacLir stalked his mighty fortress, Barrule fuses three distinct musical forces – gifted 19 year-old fiddle-player Tomas Callister, accordion wizard Jamie Smith (of Mabon) and Adam Rhodes (Mabon and Manx band King Chiaullee) on bouzouki.
Together this versatile acoustic unit creates a powerful and wholly distinctive sound.
With bold but sensitive arrangements, the trio presents a fresh take on traditional and contemporary Manx music. While sharing common ground with its Celtic cousins, as well as the English tradition, Manx music has retained its own particular and inherent Manxness: an atmosphere evoked by the music that speaks of the natural beauty of the island and the lives of its inhabitants.
The trio’s debut album, self-titled Barrule, showcases a diverse collection of material from rousing marches, jigs and reels to sorrowful slow airs and beautiful songs sung in the Manx Gaelic language.
The trio is off to a flying start in their first year with festival appearances this summer including Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Brittany, Yn Chruinnaght festival in the Isle of Man (supporting Scottish group Blazin’ Fiddles) and Lowender Peran Festival, Cornwall.
Danny Matheson talks to the trio about their music, the Isle of Man and their new CD.
Album of the Week, Saturday 25 May 5.00pm and 12 midnight and Monday 27 May at 6.00pm.
