Music Review: Saor Patrol (available in the library's Contemporary World Music database)

Saor Patrol
by Saor Patrol (digital resource: Contemporary World Music database)

Despite my Nordic surname, I actually have more Celtic than Scandinavian ancestors in my family tree, so perhaps it’s no surprise that I have an affinity for Celtic music. And being a guitarist with a daughter who is a percussionist, it made sense that I would be intrigued when I came across recordings by the band Saor Patrol ( https://search-alexanderstreet-com.webpac.lincolnlibraries.org/womu/search?searchstring=saor%20patrol ) in the Library’s “Contemporary World Music” streaming resource.

 

Saor Patrol (pronounced “shore patrol”) is a Scottish folk band, though hardly a traditional one – no “Loch Lomond” or “Wild Mountain Thyme” here! Their website describes them as a “medieval rockband from Scotland.” Combining Great Highland Bagpipes, drums, and electric guitars with a look that brings to mind ZZ Top in kilts, the band plays mainly high-energy original instrumentals with a unique sound. The band’s members are all volunteers for the Clanranald Trust for Scotland, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Scottish culture and heritage, and funds raised by the band help support the organization’s projects, including the construction of a replica of a medieval Scottish fortified village.

 

Warning: it seems that some people have a low tolerance for bagpipe music played at high volume levels, so you may want to choose your time carefully for listening to this group!

 

Here’s how to access the Contemporary World Music resource or the other music resources in our Music Online collection:

 

1.      At lincolnlibraries.org, under the “Resources” menu, choose “Online Resources (Databases)” and then “Access from outside the library”.

2. Enter your library card number (all 14 digits – no spaces) and PIN, and click “Login.”

3. Scroll down to “Arts, Music & Entertainment Resources” and click “Show resources” to expand that section.

4. Click on “Contemporary World Music” – or on “Music Online” to search all six of these music resources at the same time.

 

( official Saor Patrol web site ) | ( official Saor Patrol YouTube channel )

Recommended by Peter J.
Virtual Services Department

Have you read or listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Celtic Garden by David Arkenstone

Celtic Garden: A Celtic Tribute to the Music of Sarah Brightman, Enya, Celtic Woman, Secret Garden and More
by David Arkenstone [Hoopla Music]

Perfect music to study or read to, and well worth listening to over again. It’s all Celtic music as the title implies and contains some songs by Enya and some from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, which I quite enjoyed. There are instrumental and vocal tracks included. This would appeal to those looking for relaxing world music. I don’t have any negative feedback on this, other than I wish it were longer.

This album is available on Hoopla to download or stream, either via the app or their website hoopladigital.com.

[ official Celtic Garden on Allmusic.com ]

Recommended by Kristen A.
Gere Branch Library

Have you listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Celtic Heartbeat (on CD)

Celtic Heartbeat
by various [Compact Disc 781.62 IreYc]

This album is performed by various artists. The back cover of the CD says that there is an element of surprise on these tracks. It was pretty good but there were two songs that didn't sound very Celtic, and that's the surprise I think. I'd suggest it if you like world music. -- recommended by Kristen A. - Gere Branch Library [ see Kristen's Reviewer Profile and more of her reviews ]

[ Celtic Heartbeat on BBC Radio Wales ]

Have you listened to this? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Heart of the Gaels (on CD)

Heart of the Gaels
by various [Compact Disc 781.62 Ire]

This is a really pleasant CD. It's Scottish and Irish music performed by various artists. Some of the tracks have vocals and some don't. Some songs are rather upbeat with quick pace and others are slower and more subdued. It leaves you feeling both calm and uplifted. Listeners who like Celtic or world music would enjoy this one. -- recommended by Kristen A. - Gere Branch Library [ see Kristen's Reviewer Profile and more of her reviews ]

Have you listened to this? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Landmarks by Clannad (on CD)

Landmarks
by Clannad [Compact Disc 781.62 IreYc]

This is a nice album of Irish Celtic music. It has an overall traditional feel but some occasional modern hints. While I was listening to it, it reminded me of Enya's music. I did a bit of reading about the Clannad family group and it turns out that Enya is actually a younger sister of the members and she performed with them on tours and two of their albums. So if you like Enya's music then you'll probably like this album too. This calming Celtic music is perfect for reading or studying to. -- recommended by Kristen A. - Gere Branch Library [ see Kristen's Reviewer Profile and more of her reviews ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try other albums by Clannad in the library's collection and Enya's albums too. You may also like The Cheftians' music.]

[ official Clannad web site ]

Have you listened to this? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

King's Court and Celtic Fair by The Empire Brass (on CD)

King's Court and Celtic Fair
by The Empire Brass [Compact Disc 781.62 ScoE]

I wasn't really sure what kind of music this was or the meaning of the title when I checked it out. After listening to it, I found the title is very accurate. It's kind of Celtic, but very upbeat and has a different variety of instruments than I'm used to hearing in the genre. It sounds like what you'd hear at a fair or in a king's court. You may try playing it on shuffle with the Monty Python's Spamalot CD; I think that would be a good mix. I'd recommend it to those who just want to listen to something different. -- recommended by Kristen A. - Gere Branch Library  [ see Kristen's Reviewer Profile and more of her reviews ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Monty Python's Spamalot on CD.]

[ official The Empire Brass web site ]

Have you listened to this? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!