Barrule is a new trio featuring gifted 19 year-old fiddle-player Tomas Callister, accordion wizard Jamie Smith (Mabon) and Adam Rhodes (Mabon, King Chiaullee) on bouzouki.
Together, this versatile acoustic unit creates a powerful and wholly distinctive sound, elevating the island’s native music to a new level of performance and musicianship. With bold but sensitive arrangements, Barrule's fresh take on traditional and contemporary Manx music evokes an atmosphere that speaks of the natural beauty of the island and the lives of its inhabitants.
“The Isle of Man has an extremely rich and diverse musical heritage, yet when compared to its Celtic cousins, Manx music is often not given the recognition it deserves” says Jamie, “We’re hoping to change that and put Manx music in front of as many people as possible, both on the island and most especially off it."
In early August Barrule are performing at the internationally renowned ‘Festival Interceltique de Lorient’, where they will be representing the island at various concerts throughout the ten-day festival, before returning to the Isle of Man to launch their debut album, self-titled ‘Barrule’.
The album will be available for the first time at a special album launch concert at the Peel Centenary Centre on Saturday 18th August. The album showcases a diverse collection of material from rousing marches, jigs and reels, to sorrowful slow airs and beautiful songs sung in both Manx and English. “We wanted to create an album of Manx music that has something for everyone to enjoy, not just for die hard folkies!” says Adam, “I think we’ve accomplished that with an album that really shows off the wide variety of music that the Isle of Man has to offer."
The boys will be performing the entire album live at the concert, with support from Welsh virtuoso guitarist Dylan Fowler.
Dylan, who enginered and played on Barrule’s album at his studio in Abergavenny, is an internationally renowned solo guitarist who’s musical palette draws on his experiences in contemporary European jazz, traditional music from the Celtic diaspora - particularly his Welsh heritage and his extensive experience as a collaborator with musicians from countries such as India, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Finland, Norway, Canada, Germany and Italy.
Also joining Barrule at the concert will be several guest artists who were involved in the making of the CD, including local legend Greg Joughin (Mollag Band), pianist Dave Kilgallon (King Chiaullee) and guitarist Malcolm Stitt (Boys of the Lough, Deaf Shepherd).
“Being professional musicians, we spend most of our time playing gigs off-island, so I’m really looking forward to launching the album, back at home, on the Isle of Man” says Tom. The album will be available for purchase during the launch at a special price."
Tickets are available in advance for only ?7.50 from Celtic Gold in Peel, Shakti Man in Ramsey, Mostly Manx in Douglas, Thompson Travel in Port Erin, or ?10 on the door.
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Photo courtesy of Phil Kneen
