News & Views

News: The Banquet

The Banquet

The Banquet is the latest Album by The Dolmen. The 14 Track album is a sincere blend of Medieval Celtic Rock, unique to the Dolmen spirit. The band purposely composed 'Banquet' as a forerunner to "Nuada" a second album release due for this year (2014) in May. It was decided after they had finished their 2013 Euro Tour, that there were to many songs for Nuada, and more in production, so decided that Nuada should be split and Banquet should introduce an exciting yet bizarre theme of which the band are presently enchanted, hence laying a musical foundation for 2014 the "Nuada, God of the Sun Tour" and the adventure of musical discovery. You can buy Banquet on The Dolmen website.

News: The Four-Cornered Castle (Songbook)

by Damh the Bard

The Four-Cornered Castle (Songbook)

"This chord book contains the chords from my last three studio albums, The Cauldron Born, Tales from the Crow Man and Antlered Crown and Standing Stone". As with Songbook 1 there is no musical notation in the book - Damh doesn't read music himself - but the chord shapes and locations within the lyrics will show you more about his writing process, and how to play the songs as he does. He says: "As with my last songbook, I hope you enjoy singing these songs around your camp fires, in your covens and groves, or simply on your own or with friends." Get strumming! Order now on Damh's website.

News: Edge of Dreams 2

by Phil Thornton

Edge of Dreams 2

Phil Thornton's first album for New World back in 1986, Edge of Dreams, developed from a 5 minute demo at the 'Enid' studio which at that time was based a few miles from Halesworth in Suffolk. The Enid's lead guitarist Stephen Stewart had by that time developed into a brilliant producer, so when New World gave me a budget to record an album for them it was a dream come true. Phil has let us know that he is currently working on a follow-up to this album. Keep your eyes on his website or Facebook page for further news! Good luck Phil!

500 Tub Thumps

by Pandora Celtica

Faerie Revel

Pandora Celtica is a Dark Celtic Faerie a cappella band local to Denver. Their combination of powerful harmonies and tragic subject matter have been thrilling audiences for the last nine years. Whether they're singing ancient tunes or original songs, their style has been described as dark and tribal - something that gets right into your heart and spirit. They are unique and distinctive. They are passionate. They are Pandora Celtica.

This complex and beautiful medley, 500 Tub Thumps, comes from their fifth album, Faerie Revel. You can find out more about Pandora Celtica on their website on our Contributor Page on this website.

Interview with Philip Shallcrass, aka Greywolf Head of the British Druid Order

PArt 1 of our Interview

Greywolf, the Chief 'Wolfsbody' of the British Druid Order (the BDO) created the Order from his realisation he was a Druid in 1974 and his simultaneous realisation that Druids were the shamanic folk of ancient Britain and Europe. He has been chief of the BDO since 1979, sharing the role with Bobcat (aka Emma Restall Orr) between 1995 and 2002. He is a writer, musician, singer-songwriter, artist, roundhouse builder and thatcher. He currently lives in Wiltshire with two of his three sons, not far from his beloved Avebury. He writes regular blogs on Greywolf’s Lair.

You can find his books and music on the BDO Website. You can find out more details about Greywolf on his Contributor Page on this website.

The Green Man

by Jonathan Kershaw

Bizarre Tales

Jonathan is a guitarist/songwriter originally from Yorkshire in northern England but now based on the south coast. Although known in various areas for his rock playing, he has quietly been applying his talents to an altogether different sound. In his early 20s, Jonathan relocated for a number of years to Somerset in the Southwest of the UK. This was quite a rural area and provided his first insight into folk and Celtic style music.

Listen out for the incredible and powerful sounds of The Green Man, from Jonathan's brilliant album, Bizarre Tales in this show! You can find out more about Jonathan's incredible music on his Contributor Page or find out more on his website.

Philip Shallcrass

Part 2 of our Interview

First ceremony with the World Drum, on Dragon Hill in 2008 by John Whittlestone

In this part of the Interview Philip talks about the World Drum and many other things.

The World Drum in front of Philip's Altar, pic by Philip

The Prayer for Mother Earth

We are all human beings,
all people, you, me, our neighbours.
No matter where you live in this world,
if it is in Africa or South-America,
if it is in Asia, Europe or U.S.A,
we are all sisters and brothers in humanity.
All people of the world.
Whether rich or poor,
whatever colour, religion or political thinking,
we are all residents of this one planet, Mother Earth.

The time has come to answer the questions.
Do we really want to destroy our home?
Do we really want war, hunger or disasters?
Do we really want to give our next generations
a planet in such a condition that there will not be any hope for survival?
Mother Earth is crying.

She is shivering in fear of losing all her entrails,
as we dig and drill to get hold of what we think is our right
towards a better wealth.

Mother Earth is crying.
Soon she will not have any tears left,
and then it will be too late.
The time has come to unite and stand together.
Please, I ask you,
take each other’s hands,
lift them high and make a prayer
while The World Drum sings her song
and we feel her heartbeat.
It is the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
It is our heartbeat,
from each and one all over the world.
It is the heartbeat of life itself.

Let us join together as one that this heartbeat may continue.

Morten Wolf Storeide, Norway 2006

Philip mentions the Screaming Blue Messiahs - they disbanded in 1990, but you can fnd them on YouTube or more details on their wiki page. You can find detaills about Philip's books and music on the BDO Website. You can find out more details about Greywolf on his Contributor Page on this website.

The Lament of Miach

by The Bards of FoDLA

Sacred Oaks

The Lament of Miach is a wonderful harp piece by Eva Gordon of the Bards of FoDLA, inspired by the story of the Diancehct and his son Miach. Check out the tragic story in Episode 3, The Rule of Bres the Beautiful. This beautiful piece coems from their astounding album, Sacred Oaks.

The Bards of FoDLA are American balladeers inspired by the ancient Druids, the Bards of FoDLA celebrate the spirit of the sacred oaks with Celtic harps, guitar & voices. Traditional and original folk music join in a deeply mystical and joyful fusion of past and present. Check out the FoDLA Druid Order. You can find out more about the beautiful music of the Bards of FoDLA on their Contributor Page or find out more on their website.

Philip Shallcrass

Part 3 of our Interview

Greywolf with Ogham Cards

In this part of the Interview Philip talks about the Ogham Tree Oracle Cards that the BDO have designed. You can find more details out about the cards and where to buy them on the BDO Website.

Willow

by PerKelt

Dowry of a Troll Woman

The band PerKelt was founded in 2008 in the Czech Republic, consisting of friends from the local Conservatory. After they found the shapes of their musical expressions, they started gigging, built connections in the industry, a fanbase, recorded two albums (PerKelt 2008 and Musica Mardania 2011) ... and then found another challenge, to move to UK and do the same once again.

The beautiful and yet rousing track, Willow, comes from their album Dowry of a Troll Woman. You can find out more details about PerKelt on their website or on our Contributor Page on this website.

Philip Shallcrass

Part 4 of our Interview

The BDO Roundhouse with visiting Norwegian shamans, picture by Morten Wolf Storeide

The British Druid Order, rekindling the sacred fires of Druidry as a living, breathing, Earth-honouring, life-affirming spirituality for the 21st century, drawing inspiration from the threefold stream of Awen’s flow from its source, the Cauldron of the goddess Ceridwen. They offer Distance Learning Courses as well as many Retreats and Workshops at the Spiritual Centre of Wildways on the Borle.

You can find his books and music on the BDO Website. You can find out more details about Greywolf on his Contributor Page on this website.

Philip, Joe & Us, pic by Mike

My Sons for Evermore

by Philip Shallcrass

Lord of the Wildwood

My Sons for Evermore is a soulful tribute to the love a father carries for his sons, and the feelings that Philip experiences as he contemplates their venturing forth into manhood.

"Sitting at home one misty morning, gazing from my window at a grey, cloudy day, it struck me that soon my sons would be making their own ways in the world and I'd be rattling around at home alone much of the time.

"The words and tune of this song came into my head all in a rush and this draft version was recorded soon after via a Skype headset plugged into my computer. I'll re-record it 'properly' for my next CD (which will probably be called 'Lord of the Wildwood'), but I kinda like this rough and ready first take. It has a quality that the Welsh call hiraeth, a sort of melancholy yearning after times and things past."

Greywolf and his “Cubs”

Listener Feedback

David

We play some super Listener Feedback from David from California, who suggests The Secret of Kells as an additional to our Celtic/Fey films reference!

Under a Beltane Sun

by Damh the Bard

Antlered Crown & Standing Stone

This beautiful track, Under a Beltane Sun, comes from Damh's latest CD - Antlered Crown & Standing Stone; a superb album that captures the feel of the land in every chord. You can get hold of Damh's new album Antlered Crown & Standing Stone from iTunes, CD Baby or his website at Pagan Music. You can find out more details about Damh on his Contributor page on this website.

Big Thanks

Big, big thanks for listening to our first Druid Special and we hope you enjoyed the show and we look forward to more of these wonderfuil interviews in the future! We'd like to wish you many, many blessings!

(And an extra, extra special thanks to Amielia - our Grand-daughter - for saying Hi!)

 Extra Special Thanks for Unrestricted Access to Wonderful Music

(in Alphabetic order)

Anne Roos

Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of her masterful music to Anne Roos. You can find out more about Anne on her website or on her Contributor page.

Caera

Extra Special thanks go for permission to any of her evocative harping and Gaelic singing to Caera. You can find out more about Caera on her website or on her Contributor Page.

Celia

Extra Special Thanks go for permission to use any of her wonderful music to Celia Farran. You can find out more about Celia on her website or on her Contributor Page.

Damh the Bard

Extra Special thanks go to Damh the Bard for his permission to use any of his music on the Show. You can find out more about Damh (Dave) on his website or on his Contributor page.

The Dolmen

Extra Special thanks also go to The Dolmen, for their permission to use any of their fantastic Celtic Folk/Rock music on the Show. You can find out more about The Dolmen on their website or on our Contributor page.

Keltoria

Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of their inspired music to Keltoria. You can find out more about Keltoria on their website or on their Contributor page.

Kevin Skinner

Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of his superb music to Kevin Skinner. You can find out more about Kevin on his website or on his Contributor page.

Phil Thornton

Extra Special Thanks go for permisssion to use any of his astounding ambient music to the Sonic Sorcerer himself, Phil Thornton. You can find out more about Phil on his website or on his Contributor Page.

S. J. Tucker

Extra Special thanks go to Sooj for her permission to use any of her superb music. You can find out more about Sooj on her website or on her Contributor page.

Spiral Dance

Extra Special thanks go for permission to use Adrienne and the band to use any of their music in the show. You can find out more about Spiral Dance on their website or on their Contributor page.

For Incidental Music

Gwilym Morus, for his specially composed pieces for our interviews. See his website at welshmythology.com for more details.

Diane Arkenstone The Secret Garden. See her Contributor page for details.

Kim Robertson The Hangman's Noose. See her Contributor page for details.

Jigger Time Ticks Away. See her Contributor page for details.

For our Theme Music

The Skylark and Haghole, the brilliant Culann's Hounds. See their Contributor page for details.

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