The Celtic Social Club

The Celtic Social Club, from Brittany Northwestern France, play adventurous Celtic music adding rock, reggae, dub, pop and hip-hop to their repertoire. They are made up of 7 musicians. Manu Masko - drums/ keyboards/samples and voice. He has been and is the main focus of the band being the “groove machine” of Red Cardell since 2001. He produces, composes and arranges his creativity. He is the founder of the Celtic Social Club. Jimme O’Neill – vocals and guitars born in Scotland with Irish descent was the former of the band the Silencers in 1984. Jean-Pierre Riou - guitars/ mandolin/ vocal and banjo is the lead singer of the band Red Cardell. Ronan Le Bars – uillean pipes and flute is a sought after musician playing on many other artists albums. Mathieau Pequeriau – harmonica/washboard/dub psychedelia and vocals has been a member of Red Cardell since 2011. He has played and corroborated on many projects on stage and in the studio. Pierre Stephan – violin, both acoustic and electric, keeps his main focus on traditional Breton music. Richard Puaud plays bass and is also a voice in the band. He is known for his versatility and his charisma. He has played on stage or in the studio amongst other artists.

Red Cardell, The Celtic Social Club’s parallel band, is a Breton rock group who mixes Breton music with rock, folk, blues and world music. The band was formed in 1992 by Jean-Pierre Riou (vocals, guitars), Jean-Michel Moal (accordion) and Ian Proërer (drums).

Red Cardell has an extensive blog which may give insight to the makings and the influences which brought the band together called ‘The Celtic Social Club’. There is more there than I can translate. Here is the blog: http://soleils-blancs.over-blog.com/.

Here is a recent 2014 video teaser:

Some of the songs are:

‘Celtic Social Club Feat Winston McAnuff and IC Will’ is reggae style with Celtic music blended in. A lively violin is played and the phrase “The Celtic Social Club” is mentioned within the song which then flows into reggae rap.

‘Rose in the Heather’ is an upbeat compilation of violins and a Jews harp mixing the beat giving it a Celtic country jug handle chug a lug as you fancy sound. I heard a short stream of mouth harp. By all means, please dance.

‘Kroas Hent’ slows it down with the Celtic violins and is sung in Breton. It gives you the feel of wanting to twist and bring it in another direction as you move with the music. Get your jive on. Ohhh! Those violins are such a pleasure to hear but as with the songs, they end too soon.

‘A Song of the Islands’ seems such a forlorn sound like it is someplace that is missed. The music brings to mind seagulls calling in the distance and then a flute plays bringing the substance back to the heart.

‘Carolan’s Party’ brings you to the Caribbean it seems but it may be of a more festive place. There are joyous times being had. The more the merrier and through the heat of it all may set the town on fire. Carolan loves to dance. All join in because the Scottish pipes will make your feet move to its beat.

I know you will have fun listening to their music. There is so much more. Go to each one and hear the creativeness of this ingenious band. You’ll be glad you did. For more information about this band go to:

http://www.celticsocialclub.com/

Denise L. @DL7855