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Though associations with pop musicians such as Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, and many others have established The Chieftains as one of the premier traditional ensembles in Ireland, it's their dedication to exploring the depths of the Celtic culture that best proves their musical worth and skill. The focus in Celtic Wedding is on Breton wedding traditions.
Highlights of this 1986 release include "Dans Mod Koh A Vaod", an old fashioned dance that was known only in the smalltown of Baud, France, and which has not been performed since around 1950. The pivotal 20-minute title track is a medleyof processional and recessional marches, hymns, and variouscelebratory dances.
Brittany, in western France, is an ancient Celtic homeland whose language and music are closely related to those of Wales and Cornwall. And although Breton folklorist Polig Monjarret only jokingly suggested that the Chieftains do a Breton album, they did just that, and Celtic Wedding remains one of their finest outings. Breton music is subtle when compared to Irish, Scottish and Welsh music, with complex rhythms, rich harmonies, and spin-on-a-dime call-and-response refrains. The venerable Irish sextet seems refreshed and exhilarated by the cross-pollination. Local musicians sit in, playing the bombarde (a notoriously bad-tempered oboe) and biniou (Breton bagpipes), and singing in the Breton language, which is making a strong comeback after long years of repression.
A thorough and well-researched album, Celtic Wedding is as insightful as it is enjoyable.
Track listing:
1. Dans Mod Koh a Vaod (Old fashioned Dance)
2. A Breton Carol
3. Dans Tro Fisel (Dance from the Fisel Country)
4. Marches (From the Vannes Country)
5. Dans Bro-Leon (Dance and Song from the Leon Country)
6. Heuliadenn Tonioł Breizh-Izel (A Medley in which each member of the Band plays a Tune of his own Choice)
7. Ev Chistr 'Ta, Laou! (Cider Drinking Song)
8. Jabadaw (Dance from Breton Cornwall)
9. Celtic Wedding (A Medley of Song and Dance describing the Famous Ancient Breton Ceremony)
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