Fanrealm.com » Music

CDBaby ~~ There and Back Again

Jane Woods — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:29:31 +0000

Fanrealm's temporarily headless marketing maven with Marc Gunn's CD

On a recent trip to Portland, OR the intrepid Fanrealm staff was invited to take a tour of CDBaby, the center of the Universe in the Indie Music world. From the minute we walked in the door we were impressed with the atmosphere. That same fun feeling that goes into their famous emails was in the air. It was clear that the people who work at CDBaby love their jobs. They are all enthusiastic about music. This may be because so many of the employees are also musicians and have their own CD’s for sale at CDBaby.

During the course of the tour, the whole process of what happens to a CD when it arrives till it is placed on sale at the CDBaby website was explained. When a CD arrives the first stop is the digitizing dept. Here the digital copies of the songs are created. These are used as samples so the customer can hear a bit of the CD before purchasing it. Also, if the artist wishes to sell mp3 versions of his songs the files are created here. One copy of the CD is kept in this department to serve as a master copy. Next the info is sent to the web wizards so they can put all the info about the artist and the samples onto the CD’s page at the CDBaby website so we can purchase it.

The CD is then added to the collection where it can be “gently taken

This is where the CD's are gently removed from shelves to fill an order

from our CDBaby shelves with sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow” and delivered to you when you order it. As anyone who has ordered from CDBaby knows, the shipment notice emails are hysterically funny and one of the best things about ordering from CDBaby. Another great thing is the fact that CDBaby really supports the artist and wants each one of their artists to succeed. To that end they have entered into a corporate partnership with iTunes and give their artists the option of selling through that venue as well. CDBaby helps the independent artist level the playing field in terms of getting the artist’s CD’s into the hands of customers. They can offer the artist more exposure than most artists can afford on their own. It is a win-win situation both for artists and for music lovers looking for something other than the often over produced and carefully handled music the major labels are turning out. I know I, personally, prefer music the way the creator of it intended over the decisions made by some focus group.

More CD's ready for new homes

CDBaby had CD’s from 300,000 to 500,000 artists in stock and that number is steadily growing. Because they stock so many artists they can only ask for a small number of CD’s from each artist until they know how well the CD is going to sell. In order to know that, they need to understand the demand for each of the CD’s from each of the artists. If your favorite artist is out of stock be sure to contact CDBaby via their website and let them know that you want to order the CD but it is out of stock. Just click the contact us link in the footer at their website. This will take you to a page where there are several contact options including homing pigeon but that one might take a while. As demand picks up, CDBaby will ask for more CD’s at a time from the artist and be out of stock less often which will make everyone happy.

If you want to support independent artists and get some great music in the process, be sure and go to the CDBaby website http://www.cdbaby.com and jump right in.Â Itâ€™s likely you will find several must have CD’s, and if you order several at once, CDBaby will erect a statue in your likeness as you will find out when you get the email from them.

If you are an artist and would like to get your CD onto CDBaby you can get more info about the process at http://www.cdbaby.net

We toured the main facility. There are also two satellite warehouses in which more CDs are stored. We found the people at CDBaby to be both dedicated to the artists and a lot of fun to be with. I know I will continue to support Indie artists and CDBaby. If you have never been to their website it’s a great time to go. Music makes a great Christmas gift. I’m sure you will be able to find something for everyone on your list in their inventory. They are also a great source of Christmas music to get you into the mood. When I went to the site today I was happy to see Paul Byrom’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas CD on the front page. This is one I highly recommend.

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Peat & Barley ~ Bio

CelticFawn — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:26:54 +0000

Like a fine Scotch whisky, Peat & Barley’s music is complex, inviting and always goes down smooth. The interplay between Bill Mitchell’s hammered dulcimer and Becky Ross’s fiddle – trading melody, rhythm and harmony – draws the listener into the ebb and flow of the music in a centering and refreshing way.

Widely-regarded for their stylish arrangements of traditional Celtic tunes, the duo have performed at various Celtic and Scottish festivals, and community concerts, as well as Mt. Vernon and the Smithsonian. They frequently are hired for weddings and private parties and also play at restaurants and wineries. They continue to delight listenersÂ with their new CD release, Silver Lining, an engaging mix of traditional Scottish and Irish tunes.

Bill is a self-taught player and was inspired to play after his first experience of hearing a hammered dulcimer. He is particularly noted for his strong accompaniment skills that incorporate the full range of his hammered dulcimer from the shimmering sparkle of the highest treble notes to the depth and power of the lowest bass notes. He is also a composer of tunes in the Celtic style. Several of his pieces are included on each of Peat & Barley’s CD recordings.

Becky was classically trained on violin as a child and began playing again after discovering Celtic fiddle music. She is known for the rich tone of her playing and her sensitive emotional connection to the music, whether that is a sorrowful Scottish lament, a majestic march or a driving reel. She is a long-time Board Member and Treasurer of Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club, a nonprofit group promoting Scottish fiddle music. Becky also plays regularly for Scottish and English country dancing and teaches Scottish fiddle lessons.

For more information on Peat & Barley, visit their website here :Â http://www.peatandbarley.com/

For a sample of their music, their CD’s are available at CDBaby.

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Steve Reel ~ Bio

CelticFawn — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:01:32 +0000

Steve Reel is a composer, musician and audio engineer. Originally from Chesapeake, VA, he hit the road as a musician at age 20. Steve is now considerably older than that, and resides in central FL. He performs with several music groups, including Steve Reel and the Reels, which has been performing Celtic music since 1997.

Steve served as Senior Instructor for the
Audio Recording Technology Institute in Orlando, FL; as Chief Engineer for Rave Productions Recording Studios, Orlando FL and as Director of Audio for VNN Television. As a live audio engineer, Steve has mixed “front of house” sound for hundreds of live shows in Florida including acts such as Lee Greenwood and Lou Rawls.

Recordings
Wheel of the Year – Steve Reel (1997) Gaia’s Light Records
Seeing Your True Inner Being – Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Contacting Your Spirit Guide – Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Grounding and Clearing- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Self Guided Tour Of The Mind- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Nurtured By Mother Earth- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Energy Awakening- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
NeuroHarmonic Music- Healing Harmonics (1993) Gaia’s Light Records
Harcourt Educational Media Series – Various authors – 1995 -Harcourt Brace

Video & Film Scores
The Big “E”: The U.S.S. Eisenhower (1987) Image Productions
Designing the Hard Rock Cafe, Orlando (1991)Mitchell Media
Power Meditation – GrandMaster Y.K. Kim (1995) – Y.K. Kim Prod.
Power Breathing – GrandMaster Y.K. Kim (1995) – Y.K. Kim Prod.

You can visit Steve’s website at http://www.reelsmusic.com/

You can buy his music here:

Buy Here

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Sephira by Sephira

Jane Woods — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:51:40 +0000

Sephira is an Irish act comprised of two sisters, Ruth and Joyce O’Leary. Their self titled cd is the second from these talented sisters combining some of the songs from their critically acclaimed cd Believe and an EP also entitled Sephira. The years of musical study they have done is obvious from the first crystal clear note. While this is more classical than I generally go for, the girls won me over right away. There is a magical quality about the songs and they could serve as a soundtrack for every girl’s life or the life they dream of having. There is a little Jane Austen meets Cyndy Lauper feel to the cd that will speak to every woman. This songs music will touch the romantic in anyone. I especially loved Love of My Life and My World. Time was hauntingly beautiful. All of the above mentioned were written by the sisters. They also do a wonderful job on David Gates’ If. Three of the cuts are live performances. This one is perfect to pop in the cd player and mellow out even the toughest commute. Seriously, the idiots will actually drive better when you’re listening to this cd.

I could find very little to be critical of here. I think I would have liked a little more emphases on the lovely voices when the cd was mixed and slightly less on the music which does seem to overpower them in a few places. I can’t wait to see what they do next time. I am hoping they bring even more passion to the next one and take us deeper into their magical, musical world.

Song List

Dreams
If
Angel
Love Of My Life
Time
Reflections
My World
Don’t Trust Tango
Come Home To Me
Sunrise
El Tango De Roxanne/Libertango

Visit them at their myspace page http://www.myspace.com/sephira or at their website http://www.sephira.ie/

This cd is available at or at cd baby

Their first album is also available at cdbaby

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Songs For My Mother by Ronan Keating

Stacey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:44:50 +0000

By Stacey P.

I discovered Ronan Keating last year, after listening to Phil Coulter’s Songs I Loved So Well. After hearing his voice on the last song, Town I Loved So Well, with Phil, I felt I needed to hear more from this man. While he isn’t well known on this side of the pond, he is known around Europe and Australia.

I have several of his CDs. I prefer the more recently made ones compared to the older ones, but there is something worth listening to on every disc.

Now, normally, I would be skeptical about a CD that is almost all cover songs, but this one is very good. It starts out with a rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time. While I still prefer Lauper singing this, I do think Keating’s version is worth a listen or two. Make You Feel My Love is absolutely beautiful.

I am not really a big fan of Both Sides Now, or Vincent, I do think this artist has improved upon them. I even find myself singing along to them, when I least suspect it. Momma’s Arms is so touching.

The traditional songs on this album blow me away. Carrickfergus, and Wild Mountain Time are 2 of my favorites on this disc. I never thought that I’d like anybody besides Elvis Presley singing Suspicious Minds, but Keating does a wonderful cover.The last song on the disc, This Is Your Song, quickly rose to be one of my favorites. If you have a good mom, had a good mom, or know a good mom, you can picture her with this song. It is a song about what mothers inspire in their children, and how it sticks with us as we grow into adulthood and beyond.

The complete song list

Time After Time
Make You Feel My Love
Both Sides Now
Vincent
Carrickfergus
I Believe I Can Fly
Mama’s Arms
The Wild Mountain Time
Suspicious Minds
This Is Your Song.

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Irish Drinking Songs For Cat Lovers by Marc Gunn

Jane Woods — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:44:08 +0000

Marc Gunn is a singer/songwriter/musican/creative genius from Austin, Texas. I have been a fan of his for many years and have several of his cds. They are all in the line up for reviews but somehow this one bumped its way to the top. You don’t have to be the possession of any cats to enjoy this cd, but it does have a deeper meaning if you are. Marc has cleverly taken many of the most beloved Irish drinking songs and given them a special feline twist that is at once hysterical and deeply disturbing when you can visualize your cats doing these things all too clearly. Once you stop laughing be sure to listen again. In spite of the lyrics these songs are beautifully performed like all of Marc’s are. It’s hard to pick a favorite here but the Demented Cat Game would probably win out by a cat’s whisker. All I can say is, Andrew Lloyd Weber, eat your heart out.

Song List

Wild Kitty (parody Wild Rover)
A Cat Named Rover (parody Gypsy Rover)
The Mining Ship the Red Dwarf (parody Bonnie Ship the Diamond)
When Kitty Eyes Are Smiling (parody When Irish Eyes Are Smiling)
Lord of the Pounce (parody Lord of the Dance)
I’ll Tell My Cat (parody I’ll Tell My Ma)
The Cat Came Back… The Cat’s Perspective
Black Is the Color (of My Cat’s Fur)
Cats Chasing Butterflies
The Demented Cat Game (parody Patriot Game)
Black Kitty Paw (parody Black Velvet Band)
Catnipping Green (parody Fiddler’s Green)
The Old Grey Cat
Furagone’s Wake (parody Finnegan’s Wake)
Jasper Tabby Kitty Cat-y (parody The Barnyards of Delgaty)

This cd would be a perfect Christmas gift for that hard to please cat lover on your list.

This cd is available at cdbaby along with many more of Marc’s cds.

For more info on Marc check out his website http://www.marcgunn.com/ and his myspace page www.myspace.com/marcgunn And be sure to catch his celtic music podcasts www.celticmusicpodcast.com/

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What’s the Rumpus? by Gaelic Storm

Jane Woods — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:35:07 +0000

Now that one of my all time favorite bands is back in the studio working on the next cd, I though it was more than time to review their last one. Like all the previous cds, this one is great music and great fun. Lots of original tunes here, many based on the real life adventures of members of the band. I know that Patrick Murphy had a run in with a famous movie star while working at a bar because I heard him say so with my own ears and I have certainly never known an Irishman to be less than truthful. Although this cd does contain a song called Don’t Let The Truth Get In The Way (Of A Good Story) so I guess you can never be sure.

We are also introduced to Darcy’s Donkey here (another absolutely true story, sure as you’re born) who went on to become the group’s mascot and tours with them now. The beast even tweets! He is one smart ass! Short of losing a limb or two, your day could never have been bad enough to not have your mood delightfully improved by this cd. This and a Guinness or two will change your whole outlook for the better. If you have never heard this cd, you have been sadly deprived so click though to Amazon and give it a listen. And buy if for Pete’s sake. Do you have any idea how expensive donkey chow is? To say nothing of sharing a tour bus with livestock. How did Noah ever manage?

I do have a favorite song on this cd. Bet you can’t guess which one it is, being completely truthful and of Irish descent myself.

Song List

What’s The Rumpus?
Lover’s Wreck
Darcy’s Donkey
The Mechanical Bull
Human To A God
Slim Jim And The Seven Eleven Girl
Don’t Let The Truth Get In The Way (Of A Good Story)
The Samurai Set
Beidh Aonach AmÃ¡rach
Death Ride To Durango
Faithful Land
If Good Times Were Dollars
Floating The Flambeau
The Night I Punched Russell Crowe

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Mickey Coleman on the radio

Diane Splon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:32:02 +0000

Mickey recently posted that he “Will be appearing on Malachi Cush radio show mid 106 on Sunday at 12.00 along with Plunkett McGartland! We might even get a song from Malachi TUNE IN!”

Malachi is another incredibly talented NI singer and local radio personality. His show originates in Cookstown, County Tyrone. Give the lads a listen if you’re up that early.

http://www.sixfm.co.uk/portal/

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If I Could Cry by Paul Byrom

Jane Woods — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:50:05 +0000

Singles! I can’t tell you how happy I am to see the return of singles. I hated it when the record companies decided that they could force you to buy a whole album to get the song you liked. I was thrilled when mp3s came along and you got that power back again. Okay, I know they had those cute little cds too but I don’t always jump at the latest technology that comes down the pike. Learned my lesson with 8 tracks. Yep, I am that old.

But, as usual, I digress. I am here to talk about Paul Byrom’s new single If I Could Cry This song is from the play Sleeping Beauty, in which Paul appeared. Paul is a tenor and the drama he delivers in the song drags you right in to it. It is a powerful and romantic song and Paul does it perfectly. If you are into things in the vein of Phantom of the Opera, this song is your cup of tea.

This song is available in all the usual outlets including Amazon. Click through here to have a listen and if you decide to buy it please use this link and Amazon will toss a few coins our way too which we will use to pay the cyber landlord.

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The Devlins

Jane Woods — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:07:35 +0000

I was stumbling around on myspace and I discovered this great Irish Indie band. Now in full why am I always the last one to know type of disclosure I have to admit they are hardly undiscovered. Their music has been featured in Six Feet Under and the Closer but since I am not much of a television watcher I never heard of them before.

They call themselves Rock / Alternative / Acoustic I just call them great music. If you, too, have been in the dark about them check out their my space page http://www.myspace.com/thedevlins They also have a website http://www.thedevlins.com with all kinds of fun stuff to explore. I intend to go back and play around some more after I finish adding songlists to the album review posts. Some one suggested that and I think it’s a good idea.

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