To those removed from it, the Celtic culture and its music invariably conjure up predictable images of lush green Irish landscapes, highland bagpipes, and the like. Scotland and Ireland are but two countries influenced profoundly by the Celts. The
Celtic Brittany
compilation is a reminder of the rich Celtic heritage found in that region of France. Some uniquely French instruments like the biniou (small panpipe) and bombarde (oboe-like) differ vastly from those most common in the neighboring U.K. Celtic tradition, while others like the harp, fiddle, accordion, pipes, and whistles are essential to both regions. A full range of music is represented here, such as the
Andreas Vollenweider
-meets-
Alan Holdsworth
sound of
Bleizi Ruz
, the pipes and military snares of
La Bagad du Moulin Vert
, and the folk songs of the great French maritime tradition by
Tonnerre de Brest
and
Y. Etienne
.
Gwendal
, one of the oldest of the Celtic-based French rock bands, delivers a sound similar to
Capercaillie
. The most familiar name here is that of
Dan Ar Bras
(who has
Fairport Convention
ties) of the grandiose
"l'Heritage des Celtes"
fame. His romantic
"Quand la ville dort"
appropriately concludes this album. Any fan of the variety of Celtic music styles is almost certain to find a few songs from this collection that will appeal to them. ~ Dave Sleger