Paysages Celtiques, Vol. 1

In the continuity of the Celtic Landscapes, this series of collections offers you, this time, in guitar duo, other journeys in Celtic countries. From traditional themes taken from songs, ballads or dance tunes to original pieces illustrating legends, stories and other childhood memories, these pages invite you on a musical journey, from Brittany to Galicia, from Cornwall to Scotland and from Wales to Ireland... Kanaouenn da luskellat This theme is actually that of Jan-Petit who dances, borrowed from an Occitan round (!) In 1643 Jan-Petit leads a revolt of the poor and ends up being beaten in the public square... Like many emigrants who left for California during the gold rush of 1848, the hero of this song returns in dreams to Spancill Hill, in Ireland, where he left his fiancée, parents, home and friends... I dreamt I held and kissed her as in the days of yore She said: Johnny you're only joking like many's the time before The cock he crew in the morning he crew both loud and shrill And I awoke in Calivornia, many miles from Spancill Hill... (I dreamed I was calling and kissing him like in the old days She said;: Johnny you're joking again, as usual! The rooster crows at dawn, he crows loud and clear and I wake up in California, miles from Spancill Hill...) Law ar lan y môr A boy meets a fair young maid down by the shore... I met a fair young maid, down by the seashore I asked for a little kiss, down by the seashore I got a little kiss, down by the seashore One day I shall marry her, down by the seashor... (I asked for a little kiss, down by the seashore I got a little kiss, down by the seashore One day I shall marry her, down by the seashore...) An Alar'ch Between 1341 and 1364, Brittany experienced a bloody period during the wars of succession. This popular song taken from the Barzaz-Breizh (a collection of Breton songs published in the 19th century by Théodore Hersart de La Villemarqué) tells of the triumphant arrival of Duke Jean de Monfort and the reconquest of the throne of Brittany... Eicho de dar queridiña In Galicia, the traditional band brings together gaïtas (bagpipes), zanfonas (hurdy-gurdies), pandeiras (a kind of large Basque drum) and bombos (bass drums). I was seduced by the original and mischievous character of this little popular piece in the form of a waltz... Marée noire Here is an evocation of the first oil slick that reached the Côtes d'Armor at the end of the 60s with the sinking of the "Torrey Canyon". I was 13 years old and we were throwing stones at the birds to prevent them from landing. Pen ar Stang (or "Penn ar stank" the end of the pond in Breton) This is the name of a street near the site of Brélévenez in Lannion, the street of the college, of friends and of bike rides... Les Sept Îles Located off the coast of Perros-Guirec, the seven islands represent the most important bird reserve on the French coast, a colony of grey seals has taken up residence there - with a little luck you can see them basking in the sun... The Pardon de Guingamp After the procession and the religious rites, here comes the traditional dance competition and the bagads: the music of the bombardes and the binious on the background of the funfair, struggles to cover the noise of the dance steps on the boards of the stage...