This live album represents a first for Celtic Colours, and something the festival has wanted to do for a long time. The compilation CDs that have been available each year have been very popular. They consisted primarily of existing tracks of artists who were appearing that year.
“The live album is a very different product. It takes the audience directly to the concert to experience it as they remember it, or as if they were there,” said Executive Director Joella Foulds. “Technology has advanced to the point where we can do this for the first time and the results are very exciting!”
Celtic Colours Live 2013 is an excellent reflection of the recent festival. The 15 tracks on the CD include a variety of visitors, Cape Breton artists, tunes, songs and collaborations. The Nordic theme for 2013 is represented, as is the wide range of concert styles and venues. An additional 9 bonus tracks were mixed and will be available online.
Artist in Residence for 2013, Kimberley Fraser was delighted that a track from her project was chosen for the album. “Only at the String Crossings event would anyone have seen and heard that combination of stellar string players and music on one stage. I’m so happy that some of these moments have been captured on the live album.”
Celtic Colours Live 2013 was produced by Declan O’Doherty. O’Doherty has worked for Celtic Colours on a seasonal basis since the festival began, in recent years as the Head Stage Manager. But his career has been as a record producer. He has worked across many genres, engineering, arranging and/or producing such talents as Paul McCartney & Wings, Cat Stevens, Rush, Stan Rogers, Rita MacNeil, Gordie Sampson, and The Barra MacNeils. He has twice been nominated for a Juno Award for best producer. The project was engineered, mixed and mastered by Jamie Foulds. Foulds is a multiple East Coast Music Award winning recording engineer/music producer based in Sydney. He owns and operates Soundpark Studios.
Celtic Colours Live 2013 will be available on the Celtic Colours International Festival website, celtic-colours.com, and leading up to Christmas at a booth at the Mayflower Mall. It will also be for sale at the Gaelic College Gift Shop in St. Ann’s, the Cape Breton Curiosity Shop on Charlotte Street in Sydney, Mac’s Celtic Gift Shop in St. Peters, The Highland Village in Iona, the Bear Paw in Inverness and the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique.
