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Debbie
Posts: 432
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Posted:
12 Aug 2004 at 16:30 |
Lyra Celtica are appearing at Knaresborough Festival (FEVA) just up the road from me in a week or so. All I know is that they're a newish band from the West Coast of Scotland and play a range of acoustic instruments. Sounds good enough to me, but I would appreciate any information people might have. I saw they were at Common Ground Festival a few days back.
(We have to make the most of forays by Scots musicians into this 'wilderness' called England!)
That isn't strictly true. I'm going to see Emily Smith Band tonight, and KT Tunstall was in town the other week!
Thanks. |
Simon T
Posts: 6053
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Posted:
12 Aug 2004 at 17:14 |
I've heard about this band. The consist of Lynn Tocker - accordion (1988 Young Tradition Award winner), Frankie McGuire - percussion / vocals, Chuck Fleming - fiddle (Famous JSD Band), Mark Canning - guitar / vocals, Derrick McCoy - flute.
They were playing at Stirling Folk Club the other week and they were saying that they were fantastic. It is good to see Lynn playing and I haven't heard of Chuck for a wee while so that's great as well. |
Debbie
Posts: 432
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Posted:
13 Aug 2004 at 08:40 |
Thanks Simon - I couldn't have wished for a more detailed reply. I'll be going along to see the band without a doubt.
Incidentally I saw Emily & Band last night in York (at a tiny venue in a 500-year old pub) and they were just excellent. Emily has a bad cold at the moment but this didn't affect her too much.
Fabulous to see her playing piano accordion which I didn't get to see at the recent North Cregg gig where she depped for Fiona. was immensely impressed by the backing band of Jamie McClennan (he's a VERY lively lad, his own tunes were very impressive!), Malinky's excellent Steve Byrne, and Grada's Alan Docherty (very fluid style on flutes/whistles). Both instrumentals and vocals made a big impact, but some of the instrumental sets nearly blew the roof off!
Seems that Emily's back in the recording studio again in a month or so which is very good news!
Debbie |
caz
Posts: 1
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Posted:
22 Aug 2004 at 12:02 |
| found a website for lyra celtica but it doesnt appear to be complete???? try http://www.lyra-celtica.co.uk there's not actually any gigs etc listed but hope this is of some help?! |
Simon T
Posts: 6053
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Posted:
22 Aug 2004 at 20:54 |
| Excellent band photos!! |
alana
Posts: 1
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Posted:
19 Sep 2004 at 19:51 |
Hello!! Lyra Celtica's webmaster here (and Lynne's auntie!)
Sorry there's not much on the site at the minute. The band have been really busy with gigs/rehersals and are currently on tour in Russia. I will nag them when they return for gig dates and I'll try my best to keep the site up to date - keep checking back. |
Debbie
Posts: 432
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Posted:
20 Sep 2004 at 12:05 |
Thanks Alana - I'll keep a look out for future gigs. Unfortunately I missed the band (after all that enquiring) because we went on an impromptu holiday!
Look forward to seeing them one day.
Debbie |
Siobhan
Posts: 2
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Posted:
22 Sep 2004 at 23:26 |
| Hi! Just found this site. Compliments to those involved. Re Lyre Celtica, I saw them in Orkney. I was there with a friend I know from the place, and what a great time I had. Plenty of drink was drank. I saw the band playing support to Shooglenifty (hope I spelled that right, we don't know them too well in Ireland). Lyra Celtica began the night with some great music. The guitar player was great to hear, but the flute player was something else, and looked pretty dishy. There was also some brilliant accordion playing (my friend Shona appreciated this more than me as she is an accordion player). Then Shooglenity came on, and were absolutely fantastic (made all the more better as everyone was merry with the drink). But back to Lyra Celtica, we saw them again at the Festvial Club the next night. The sound was, to be honest, not well done, and you always feel for a band when that happens. It showed in their playing, and they looked a bit jaded. They did do a lovely song though, a slow one about the jacobites. I enjoyed that. And the flute player was looking good again. I didn't see any fiddle players either (?). Anyway, I would definitely recommend seeing them. We also saw some other great acts. Anna Massie was phenomenal. What a player. And Session 8 were kicking around. We saw a couple of brilliant sessions. Orkney rocks! |
bowthruster
Posts: 275
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Posted:
23 Sep 2004 at 16:50 |
Cheers Siobhan, that seems a while ago now. I was the van driver that took them through from Stromness to Kirkwall. It gave me a chance to go home and change my socks while they sound-checked.
bob |
Siobhan
Posts: 2
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Posted:
23 Sep 2004 at 18:44 |
| Cool. What did you think of them? Are they a new band then? |
bowthruster
Posts: 275
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Posted:
24 Sep 2004 at 09:05 |
I think they're a newish band made up of a variety of ex band people. The flautist was quite classical styled, the man singer was very glaaswegian, lynn tocker was possibly from newcastle. We spoke for a bit about the cumberland arms in byker, home of some 'splendid' tunes.
As a band they were good, but not brilliant. Lots of sessiony tunes spruced up a bit. Very competent players though. We had really good session in the still room in stromness hotel with lynn and some of session A9, Anna Massie, Iain macfarlane (on accordion) and some of north cregg. |
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