Somewhere in the dim and distant past Celtic and Eastern cultures shared a common source and you've fused them beautifully here. A nice mix of cultural strands, with a very creative and different treatment. Sounds brilliant.

[ Reply to This ]

of you to say so Rebsie. I appreciate you taking the time to comment, and I'm glad that you liked the piece. I have other Celtic-themed music underway that I hope to release soon.
Best wishes,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

this is great

[ Reply to This ]

you stopped by for a listen. Thanks for the compliment!
Be well, and let your music continue to flow.....
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

this is a charmin progressive Celtic song
not sure about middleeast sound.but to read
syria as where I am now it speaks to me some
how .brilliant singing and harmonies for sure !
the idea that Rebsie mentioned ,stirrin on my head
for a long time .just great work my friend very
creative ..!!

wish you can visit my song which s part of the
CD me and Ian beardsley made as holding the same
Idea with wider variations .
Silver_Dagger(by The Rain Troubadours)
http://www.macjams.com/song/32551

[ Reply to This ]

and thanks for listening and taking the time to post your kind remarks. I'm so glad you like this work.

I noticed that when I copied the description of this song from the previous version that I missed the line which indicated that it is entirely made out of loops - so thank you for the vocal compliment but I cannot claim any credit other than selecting and mixing those tracks. :) I have fixed the description so as not to mislead anyone else.

BTW, I chose the name Syria as a country also starting with "S" following Shetland so the song title sounded better - and since I thought some of the loops sounded middle eastern, although I claim no expertise in Syrian music at all!

Although I did not intend at the outset to have the other influences in this piece, they kind of crept in and I realised toward the end that it was a bit like Loreena McKennit's work but minus the dance beat.

I listened to your piece Silver Dagger and quite liked it! I agree about the Celtic feel of the piece. I left a comment for you there.

Thanks again, and keep well friend! May you continue to be a prolific composer and performer.

Doug






[ Reply to This ]

I like to dance and this keeps me hopping around, aren't loops fun to create with.Is that you singing? Good production/mix of sounds..BlueSky

[ Reply to This ]

fun in the creative process, especially in numbers that have a strong dance beat. In this case the vocals are loops too. Glad you got some dancing out of the piece! Thanks for stopping by and for the positive comments.

Be well!
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

Very creative - hard to believe that they're all loops - very impressive stuff. I like the fusing of Celtic and Eastern sounds - it works really well.

Peter

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks for your kind words Peter. I'm so glad you liked the piece. I was pleasantly surprised that the loops could work out sounding like they had reasonable fidelity. I must admit that this fusion of styles was a lot of fun to put together.

Cheers mate,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

riverdance comes to mind You have got a flare for composition keeps the listener invovled thanks for sharing!

[ Reply to This ]

of you to say so. Riverdance has some very interesting composition involved and I like it very much. Thanks for your support and for the positive comments. Be well!
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

I share the surprise of many who've commented on this track in that it's hard to believe it's all loops. This is an excellently constructed track and wouldn't be out of place on compilations such as Future Sound of Gaeldom. My only crit (minor one) is that the wind sound seems too up front for much of the time - nevertheless I really enjoyed this.

KK

[ Reply to This ]

thanks for stopping by for a listen. I really appreciate your comments, particularly considering your familiarity and mastery with the style. Should I remix this will attend to the wind. Cheers!

Be well,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

There are gorgeous similarities, due to similar roots, as Rebsie (and the amazing Loreena McKennitt point out). Being able to weave loops together is itself an art, and you've done a superb job here, the whole thing flows really well. I must admit that the percussion you used kept it from sounding too middle-eastern, maybe try a little more Syriasly next time (smirk)... but that doesn't detract from the very enjoyable aspect of this piece. I'm very impressed with the things I've heard of yours, and I look forward to hearing some of your upcoming Celtic live recordings and other works. Off to fave you now :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis

[ Reply to This ]

Draconis. Didn't know you were such a MkPunster. Really appreciate the feedback and the kind words. The choice of percussion is a good indicator of how the piece came to life. At the time I added the drums I had no idea of what else I would add (in fact I was just playing around with the Jampacks and soundtrack for the first time, so I wasn't aware of the wealth of sounds that were in that software). Anyway, once the drums were in they stayed until the piece was finished.

I did use more middle-eastern sounding rhythm instruments in Desert Dance, but it is not so much of a fusion piece.

Thanks again, and I'm glad you liked it!
Be well,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

Just can't keep my head from nodding and my foot from tapping. I was a little surprised to hear something like a Imam singing. Syria should have clued me in. Thank you. A very bright piece.

[ Reply to This ]

to have you stop by and leave your kind remarks. It is interesting what can be put together and have it work in new and interesting ways - in this case an east meets west style synthesis. Thanks again, and welcome to MacJams!

All the best,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

Doug,
I've told some musician friends about this site. I hope they find it as inviting as I have. I will keep listening.
Best regards,
Char


[ Reply to This ]

i love bag pipes and this one made me grin. reminds me of a vacation to canada once..was a festival in the town and this bag pipe corps woke us one morning practicing across the way...was magicial...as is this. very cool

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks for your kind remarks! I do have an influence for the pipes being born in Nova Scotia (New Scotland) but also like taking the music in non-traditional directions as well.

I would liken the creation of this piece to visiting a new buffet restaurant. I used my son's computer and, hearing about what loops were, started picking out ones that seemed to sound interesting. For each loop that fell into place, there seemed to be a calling for another complimentary bit, and then another, and another, until it felt done (not unlike eating just the right amount at the buffet!).

Thanks again, and keep well!
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

This is very well done. I have always been entranced by both and wondered if there was a connection bey9ond what I felt intuitively. Someone here on MJ says his Indian music teacher also drew connections to A scale used in Indian muisc and Celtic muisc. the other interesting connection is more well known, that of Flamenco. But i know next to nothing and want to learn more.


Did you so the singing?
Are the lyrics actual celtic




[ Reply to This ]

I hate to disappoint you but nothing in this tune was performed live - it is all loops from Apple I believe. It was my first attempt at doing anything with loops and I didn't feel the inclination to jam along with this one. I don't know if the vocals are in Irish Gaelic or not but I suspect so. I'm not sure about the connection to middle eastern music other than from an interview I heard on the CBC with Loreena McKennitt several years ago where she said she was tracing the origins of celtic music back to the countries of the eastern Mediterranean. As you said, it seems to intuitively make sense, and I have seen other web sites mention a link as well, but never with any depth to the explanations.

Thanks for your remarks and for taking the time to stop by!

Take care,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]

Wildes says:The facts of art are divine,but the essence of artistic effect is unity.....Greate:):):):)

[ Reply to This ]

Strong stuff! Glad you stopped by for a listen. Thanks for your comments and smiles - hope this tune brightened part of your day. And welcome to MacJams!!

Keep well,
Doug

[ Reply to This ]