Here's to Shanachie, Weavers of Rhythm and Rhyme

Growing up I was told, "Listen to the Story tellers, the weavers of dreams and history, legends and traditions. The Seanchaí will take you places you may only touch or see through the magic of their words."  I listened and absorbed. I became a loom on which they built each warp and weft, word, rhythm, rhyme. Music was a form of storytelling that took me even deeper, farther, into a vast realm of colour and texture that I am still, 45 years later exploring. On my 16th birthday, I received a package in the mail , within it a card, unsigned, that simply said "Enjoy the music of the Seanchaí" and four record albums: Caledonia's Hardy Sons, Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy, The Wheels of the World, and The Noah's Ark Trap.

That was my introduction to Shanachie Records and their amazing, eclectic artists. The next birthday, another box, another four albums -- Planxty, De Dannan, The Chieftains and Clannad -- all found a home in my growing collection. The accompanying note, "Find your strength in the dance of the Seanchaí,” was still unsigned and ever cryptic. On my 18th birthday, another box, another set of albums and the message, "Now you will become the Seanchaí."

It wasn't until many years later, in going through the personal belongings of my late mother-in-law, that I learned who had sent my mystery packages. She understood my love of music, all kinds of music, better than most.

Shanachie fed that love, nourished my soul like rain on a parched field, with their ever-growing discography and cadre of singers, songwriters and musicians. Each artist in a wide range of genres, were indeed following in the footsteps of the Seanchaí. I often drank from the Shanachie well, and my collection has grown as rapidly and as variedly. Shanachie Records introduced me to reggae artists, blues artists, jazz artists and with each addition my soul soared to new heights.

I always returned though to the music that spoke to my core and roots. Celtic. When I took on that mantle and became a Seanchaí, it was these albums and later CDs to which I would turn for inspiration, for reassurance and for the warp and weft to flesh out my repertoire.

Shanachie Records was always the well to which I returned. As the flavours of that well spring blended and grew from fiddle and Celtic to funk, blues and reggae, so too did rhythms and beats of my own life tapestry brighten ... becoming more vivid and rich.

Shanachie gave me Makem, Clancy, Clannad and Planxty. Through them, I found Silly Wizard and because of Silly Wizard, Andy M. Stewart joined the rest in enlightening my life with music. They also gave me an avenue into some Celtic artists who were lesser known here in the States: Dolores Keane, Seamus Egan, and the Silly Sisters (Maggie Prior and June Tabor) among them.

Listen to the storytellers, the Seanchaí, for they will bring colour into your life that you couldn't begin to imagine. How glad I am that I have heeded that advise all of my days. Indeed, I seek out the storytellers, the Seanchaí, where ever my journey takes me. For storytellers are found in every corner of the world, in back streets, forest lanes, desert trails and city streets. Each one adds their texture and tone, rhythm and rhyme to the tapestry that is my life.

Views: 413

Tags: Music, Shanachie, Storytellers, Traditional Music


Heritage Partner
Comment by That's Just How It Was on March 28, 2015 at 12:15pm

Good story tellers are the life and soul of Ireland ; my grandmother would tell us stories that we had heard over/over again ; but each time her tone of voice and nuances would evoke different thoughts and themes  

Comment by Bit Devine on March 31, 2015 at 12:45pm

Yes, I was always enthralled by the Seanchai.. Each one might tell the same story...but they painted their own picture...

In much the same way, the music that Shanachie produces carries you off on journeys that although similar in theme evoke different feelings

Comment by Claire Fullerton on March 31, 2015 at 1:14pm

And similarly are the sean nos singers in the west coast of Ireland. The way they lend individual ornamentation to the ancient, yet ageless ballads sends chills through my Celtic soul...And the uillean pipes... They really do it for me as well...

Comment by Bit Devine on April 9, 2015 at 12:31pm

Claire, I have several good friends who are Sean-nós singers. It is always a pleasure when they bring their voices to the mix... uillean pipes... there is a story in and of itself...

Comment by Claire Fullerton on April 9, 2015 at 1:26pm

Yes indeed, Bit. I've always thought that if the sea had a voice, it'd sound just like the uillean pipes. They sound like the wind on the water, to me. Something so wise and yet somehow lamenting; something haunting and soul-stirring in the instrument's ability to bend notes. And the sean nos singers! I think they know how to reach through the veil of time! 

Comment

You need to be a member of The Wild Geese to add comments!

Join The Wild Geese

The Wild Geese Shop

Get your Wild Geese merch here ... shirts, hats, sweatshirts, mugs, and more at The Wild Geese Shop.

Irish Heritage Partnership

ZenBusiness:
Start a Business Today!

Adobe Express:
What will you create today?


Adverts

Extend your reach with The Wild Geese Irish Heritage Partnership.

Congrats to Our Winners

© 2024   Created by Gerry Regan.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service