Podunkian Music Club

Van Morrison & The Chieftains--Star of the County Down

We'll turn our Music Club attention to Ireland for the month of March, as we feature the minstrels of the emerald isle.

We start off the month, with a combination that defines the fine art of the Irish traditional ballad, Van Morrison a legend in his own right, teamed up with the globe trotting ambassadors of Celtic creativity the Chieftains.

Both sounds work well together, Morrison's long held love affair with the ballad and the Chieftain's magical reprise of the music of Celtic Kings and Queens. The two have appeared together many times, including a masterpiece of a recording dating back to the 1988 called Irish heartbeat. It's the definitive word in collaborations, each artist bringing something extremely special to the recording session, the voices and instruments meshing together to create an amazing experience.

For anyone looking for an introduction to the Celtic sound, this is as good as a primer as one could get. It's a wonderful recording and our video from a Belfast concert in 1999, recreates that intimate feeling reflected on the album oh those years ago.

The Chieftain's were and to a degree still are regular visitors to Canada, over the years they've played many a Canadian city sharing their amazing talents from the ghosts of ancient Eire. They've helped reward young Canadian musicians who dwell in music Celtic with tour dates and television exposure on their trips to Canada as well.

Their touring dates slowing down as the band ages and some pass on to their great reward. However, they can still be found on a stage somewhere in Canada on fairly regular basis. Morrison's appearances are more rare, but still command a lively audience when he arrives to weave his words and music.

Put the two together on the same stage and music doesn't get any better.

Artist-- Van Morrison and The Chieftains
Recording--Irish Heartbeat