The Cottars

[Joe]

Hi all,

If you like Celtic or folk music...I have the group for you. Comprised of two brother-and-sister duos in their mid-teens; this Canadian quartet have signed with Irish Tenor John McDermott's record label.

Please take a minute and listen to some samples here and let me know what you think of them.

www.thecottars.com/music.htm

P.S. their version of Ballinderry is my favorite!

[Richard]

Hello Joe!

Many thanks for the link. I've just had a listen to some of the clips and I'm really impressed. One of the girls has a particularly attractive voice, and the harmonies are beautiful. They are also very accomplished musicians, and the CDs are very well produced.

They are another group of very talented teenagers, and I wish them every success for the future. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes from London,

Richard

[roger]

Hi Joe,

Many thanks for the link to the Cottars. I have listened to every clip and think they're brilliant. They remind me very much of another band from Cape Breton (or thereabouts) - The Rankin Family. Do you remember them?

Anyway, all tracks sounded very intersting but the one that particularly impressed me was track 10 from the "On Fire" CD. It says it is called 'Bodhran / Fiddle Medley' but it clearly isn't that. What you get is a beautiful love song which has persuaded me to put the CD on my wish list. I will check to see if HMV have it but, if necessary, will order it online.

It is interesting that they record with John MacDermott's label although I didn't know he was Irish. I thought he was Canadian. Assuming it is the same person - a fine singer song-writer - I saw him several times while he was touring in the UK a few years ago with Judith Durham and the Seekers. I met him a couple of times and, as I have said about so many people lately, he is a really nice chap.

Other familiar names appeared on the Cottars website too. For example I have CDs by Altan and Leahy. Two superb folk/Celtic bands.

Thanks again Joe and all the best.

Roger

[HWI]

This is a group I have liked ever since their first album was released back in 2002.

They are exceptionally talented in the performance of Celtic music forms. I am looking forward to their potential visit to Europe (hopefully including the UK) next year.

Keith.

[Joe]

Hi all,
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the above link!! The four talented young musicians are Fiona and Ciarán MacGillivray and Jimmy and Roseanne MacKenzie.

Richard, that lovely voice belongs to Fiona. The 'On Fire' CD has her playing the harp and Irish stepdancing. I love the bodhrán (a celtic drum) and the uillean pipes (similar to bagpipes).

Yes, Roger, the island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia is certainly a hotbed of musical talent as well as Irish and Scottish ancestry. I guess it's not called New Scotland for nothing! I am familiar with the Rankin family of musicians. Raylene Rankin sang with the MacGillivrays' mother. The Rankins are one of the world's most successful musical families. Oh, two of the On Fire clips are switched ('Bodhran / Fiddle Medley' and Reconciliation). But you knew that! John McDermott is Canadian; he was at one time part of the Irish Tenors. He's just reunited with fellow tenors Finbar Wright and Anthony Kearns. Ronan Tynan's doing well on his own. Either Cottars members Roseanne or Fiona was on McDermott's last PBS special. Altan are brilliant; as well as Anuna. I'm not familiar with Leahy.

Hello Keith, I hope the Cottars tour UK and the rest of Europe.

Thank you all.

[roger]

joe said:

I love the bodhrán (a celtic drum) and the uillean pipes (similar to bagpipes).

Hi Joe,

Are the uililean pipes heard on the Cottars' CDs? Such a hauntingly beautiful sound but they are rarely heard in the south of England!

Roger

[kcuteus1]

not bad I may get there cd sometime. Thanks for that link.

[Joe]

roger said:

joe said:

I love the bodhrán (a celtic drum) and the uillean pipes (similar to bagpipes).

Are the uililean pipes heard on the Cottars' CDs? Such a hauntingly beautiful sound but they are rarely heard in the south of England!

Roger

Yes, Roger. The Uillean (pronounced as "illyun") pipes are in the song 'Ballinderry'. It adds to the sadness of the song. I don't know if the teens play the pipes or not; but I wouldn't be surprised.

I know that the pipes were also in a song by Charlotte Church but I can't recall which song.

I found a lovely site here explaining the history of the uillean pipes and also at the end of the page is info on the bodhrán.

Take care
Joe

[HWI]

Hi folks,

I am in touch with the McGillivray family which, as some of you may know, is one half of the Cottars. Considering how long I have enjoyed their music, I am very pleased to have established contact in this way.

Watch this board for major development, coming very soon, in co-operation with them.

keith.

[Joe]

Hi Keith,

I think it is wonderful that you've contacted the MacG's; I saw a link under the 'affiliates' on the left of the forum.

I've only just learnt of the young group; I found out about them searching Aselin Debison-related and Cape Breton music sites. I'm happy that you've been keen on them for several years now.

I shall look forward to any news the family may share with you. Please let me know if I can assist.

Here's a nice photo of Ciarán Mac Gillivray and Roseann Mac Kenzie with Paddy Moloney of The Chieftans.
www.thecottars.com/photos/misc/16.jpg

[Joe]

Hello Keith,

I've a few additions for The Cottars' 2005 Diary:

Aug 2...Kennett Square, PA...Longwood Gardens...Celtic & World Concert (opening for Baka Beyond) Tickets: 610-388-1000, Ext. 456...
link... www.longwoodgardens.org/PerformingArts/FestofFountains/05FOF/2005bakabeyond.htm

Nov 5...Newburyport, MA...Concert series

Nov 6...Saratoga Springs, NY...Caffe Lena...Tickets: 518-583-0022
...link... www.caffelena.com/index.html

[HWI]

Hi Joe,

The date you gave for August 2nd is now confirmed. So, I have added that one to the Diary for 2005.

Many thanks for bringing these to my attention. I will keep an eye on the remaining two items and will add them as soon as I get confirmation.

I would appreciate you continuing to keep an eye on things for The Cottars from the USA side.

Keith.

[Joe]

The Cottars Availability

Nov 23 - Dec 4, 2005 Western Canada
Apr 7 - 15, 2006 Ontario

I do have an event for April 7th taking place in Saint Catherine's in Ontario

Thanks to Jensen Music International...Canada's Folk and Blues Agency

www.jproductions.com/

[Joe]

THE COTTARS TO PERFORM WITH CHIEFTAINS JULY 17 IN NOVA SCOTIA


(l-r) Roseanne McKenzie, Paddy Maloney, Fiona McGillivray

When the legendary Chieftains take to the stage in downtown Charlottetown, NS on July 17th, fans of Celtic music will be in for a big treat - this is The Chieftains' only Canadian date this summer. Back in May of last year, The Cottars were asked to perform with The Chieftains in Halifax as part of a major CBC Television special, which first aired in September. At that time, Paddy Maloney was quoted as saying, "It's only a matter of time before The Cottars take the world by storm." The Cottars will support The Chieftains in an opening set at the Charlottetown show, and rumour has it that they will also be asked to perform with the group again during the finale.

[Joe]

THE COTTARS WITH THE CHIEFTAINS IN CHARLOTTETOWN

(July 21) Cape Breton's The Cottars have shared the stage again with Ireland's and legendary traditional group, The Chieftains. On July 17th, several blocks of downtown Charlottetown were closed off to traffic, and a large stage was set on the street just outside the City's Confederation Centre for a three hour concert. The Cottars kicked off the show with a half-hour set that left the large crowd on their feet and shouting for more. The Cottars came back later to perform an instrumental set with The Chieftains, and were also part of the grand finale.