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Chiff and FippleThis CD knocked me on the floor. I'm still there. Buy it! I have a very large website devoted to the Irish tinwhistle, Chiff & Fipple. I have lots of subscribers and, frankly, have become fairly influential in Celtic music circles. So, I get some free stuff and I listen to loads and loads of Celtic music. Craig Markley, who I do not know, sent me this CD for my review. I have not stopped listening to this drop-dead gorgeous CD. Featuring Mr. Markley on whistles, accordions, keyboards, and other stuff; and featuring a large grouping of extraordinarily gifted musician, this CD includes a mix of original tunes and traditional pieces, all influenced by Celtic music. Happily, this CD lacks a lot of the somber pseudo-mysticism that characterizes a lot of the new music filed under "Celtic." It's great listening, honest, and devoid of flashiness and gimmicks. Just great songs, lovingly and skillfully played. There's also a cool CD-ROM thingy. |
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This recording has heart. I could go on. I love this CD and I highly, highly recommend it! - Dale Wisely, Chiff & Fipple: The Ultimate Tinwhistle WebsiteCeltic HeritageSince founding the Celtic group Stark Raven in 1993, Craig Markley has been at the forefront of a small but vocal (and of course musical) Celtic music scene in Ohio. His solo offering, The Lone Raven, is the culmination of the last seven or so years spent working within the Celtic idiom. The Lone Raven is, for the most part, a plaintive and lilting collection of Markley's original songs and tunes with a couple of traditional tracks thrown in for good measure. It is happily missing so many of the trappings of the whole new age Celtic scene, which has become so en vogue in recent years, yet retains some of the better qualities associated with contemporary Celtic music. While Markley wears a variety of musical influences on his sleeve, they are kept well in check through some stellar production and complimentary arrangements. A total of twenty musicians, including Markley, grace the project and while technically billed as a solo outing, even Markley states that "this certainly is no longer a solo project." Uillean piper Kirk Lynch, fiddler Deborah Colon, guitarist extra-ordinare John Sherman and a host of vocalists, including Markley's daughter, all help provide the CD with a wide variety of textures. On the instrumental numbers it is Markley's soaring whistle playing which often takes center stage. Inspired by a trip to Nova Scotia, "The Breeze on Lake Ainslie" is a wonderful original tune which captures the beauty of Cape Breton and utilizes the tin whistle to the fullest. After listening to The Lone Raven I was reminded of the Susanna Clark song which states "its gotta come from the heart if you want it to work". Markley's recording has heart and, as far as contemporary Celtic music goes, works better than most. - Cliff McGann, Celtic Heritage/Boston Irish ReporterFolk RootsCraig Markley founder member of Ohio based Celtic band Stark Raven is a man of many parts. A singer/songwriter/multi instrumentalist and producer of some repute among others. The Lone Raven is a solo hiatus from his regular band Stark Raven and for it's realization he has called up the services of a varied cast including his fellow band members David Reddick, Sue Mogan-Mattison, Beckie Boger and Sid Omasta with ex Scartaglen piper Kirk Lynch and Deborah and Karl Colon and Eddie Cotter Jr. from The Gabriel Hounds and his daughter Kara among others. The Lone Raven is a collection of original tunes and songs with the odd traditional exception, covering a slew of includences from Celtic, Classical, Baroque, and American folk music. His talents lie within the compositional range, with his instrumentals recalling aspects of both Shaun Davey and Phil Cunningham's styles. His self penned tunes, including the title track and “The Breeze on Lake Ainslee” are both evocative and musically sensual. His songwriting is more obviously Americanized in approach, sound and delivery, “Maud” crosses Deborah Colon's Irish traditional fiddle breaks with a backwoods-sounding narrative delivered in a manner not dissimilar to Tim O'Brien. “Boba's Bounty”, a set of Breton tunes, emerges with an exotic, almost Eastern aura, and songs like “Mother Beware” and “Our Father's Garden” display a sensitivity of touch, and thoughtful sentiments expressed with a quiet eloquence. The vocal performances of Sue Mogan-Mattison, Kay Harris and Kara Markley create their own tranquil presence. Though predominantly music for quieter moments The Lone Raven is certainly not somnambulant- it is highly articulate and expertly crafted. - John O'Regan, Folk RootsThe Green Man ReviewCraig Markley comes from a rather eclectic background of folk, blues, jazz, and rock. Along with this, he is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, composer, engineer and arranger. He's also one of the original founders of the group Stark Raven, for which he still writes and performs. This is a popular Celtic group which has been on the scene since 1994. According to sources at his web site, Markley has been avidly pursuing his Celtic interests for roughly seven years. The CD itself is a mix of original and traditional material, all of which is based in Celtic traditions, naturally. The CD has three traditional tracks and nine original tracks, three of which were co-written, with help from Deborah Colon, B. Staines, and Kirk Lynch. As a bonus, there is also a special CD-ROM track included on the CD, for any of you who are interested in expanding and stimulating your senses. I did and found it to be worth the effort. The first track is also the title track on the CD and is a lovely original instrumental piece; a slow haunting Celtic air with the delicate strands of whistles floating throughout. You can easily envision "The Lone Raven" circling the skies and feel the strong beating of his wings in the music. "The Breeze on Lake Ainslee" was inspired by a trip Craig took to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in the summer of 1996. The fiddle work on this piece is extremely relaxing and well accompanied by the piano. "Bonnie and The Quick Cure" is an interesting arrangement. "Bonnie Jean Cameron" is a traditional Scottish song, to which Craig has added "The Quick Cure," an original composition. This CD is a work of art, a blending and harmonizing of talents as well as instruments and voices. On top of all of his other skills, Craig Markley is also a genius. - Naomi de Bruyn, Green Man ReviewLimerick.comOhio based multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Craig Markley co-founded the popular Celtic band Stark Raven. Now he releases his debut solo album 'The Lone Raven'. Like many US Celtic players before him he came from a rock background originally but was won over to traditional sounds from Ireland Scotland and Brittany and the other Celtic nations. Now his music moves in a different direction penning songs, airs and tunes within the more pensive but equally emotional language of traditionally based folk music. Markley's talents extend to playing keyboards, uillean pipes, accordion, whistles and percussion. Joined by at least nineteen guest musicians and singers drawn from the American Celtic scenes the music is richly imbued with roots in the Irish and Breton traditions yet played with a typical New World sense of style, technical flair and enthusiasm. Names such as Eddie Cotter Jr., Deborah and Karl Colon from The Gabriel Hounds and Steve and Cindy Matyi from Cincinnati based band Silver Arm and members of Stark Raven all lend their support. Listening to songs like 'Maud' with its contemporary singer/songwriter like delivery and strong Irish traditional elements display an exciting crossover experiment in progress. The more melodic airs like the title track and 'Breeze on Lake Ainslee' capture the melodic nuances of Irish and Scottish slow airs in both form and structure. The Breton set 'Boba's Bounty' featuring three well-known dance tunes in the 'Pach Pi' and 'Andro' time signatures, uncannily captures the melodic nuances of Breton dance music. Much of the music on 'The Lone Raven' has a quiet reflective theme to it and, on the way Markley pens some exquisite songs including 'Our Father's Garden' featuring Sue Mogan-Matheson's sweet, supple voice and 'Mother Beware' these particularly stand out, coming complete with evocative melodies and articulately expressed lyrics. Markley's 13-year old daughter Kara takes the vocal lead on 'River', as popularized by Frances Black during her Arcady days 10 years ago. Craig Markley has seamlessly woven his American
backgrounds with Celtic traditional music to create something that is fresh,
timeless and above all honest. 'The Lone Raven' is an album fuelled by a deep love of Celtic music but
also an original musical mind, sharp and adventurous and highly creative,
Craig Markley's talents are important ones -listen and be amazed. - Jae Taylor, Limerick.comColumbus Alive"Central Ohio is probably an unlikely front of contemporary Celtic music, but the rolling hills of Ireland and the plains of Delaware county may not be that far apart after all. Delaware rock/jazz/blues musician, turned Celtic enthusiast, Craig Markley, has released a fine solo album of old-world music titled The Lone Raven. Through the wonders of modern technology, Markley plays many roles on The Lone Raven. For the album's title track, he handles seven different musical assignments. But it proves far from an individual effort. What started with a little help from friends became, over time, something bigger. The infusion of so many musicians gives the album a feel different from that afforded by many Celtic music discs. Varied backgrounds is the very nature of Celtic music. Among the Celtic nations, there are shared traditions and histories, but in language and music their paths diverge. Similarities remain, but the differences are distinct. Markley has quite consciously endeavored to gather them together and give voice to each. The traditional instrumentals include tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. In Boba's Bounty, a set of tunes from Brittany, a stronger Gypsy influence can be heard. The Welsh tune, David and the White Rock, is typically slow and lamenting, while the Irish tune, The Hot Ash Pelt, demonstrates the liveliness commonly associated with Irish music. Alternating with the traditional instrumentals and making up half the album, are Markley's own compositions Markley still performs around the central Ohio area with the group Stark Raven. The other members are co-founder David Reddick, Beckie Boger, Sue Mogan-Mattison, and Sid Omasta. - Excerpts from the full-page feature article by
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"...I originally requested a copy of "The Lone Raven" for airplay on my show, "Music from the Stone Circle". It was marvelous and I play it often! I particularly play such cuts as "The Lone Raven", "Boba's Bounty" (as in Boba Fett perhaps? I don't even want to know how this set of Breton tunes achieved such a perverted title.), "Trip to Toboso", etc. As a consciences young host aimed at making the world a better place, full of peace and prosperity for everyone, blah, blah, blah, I just wanted to let you know that it has been played and will continue to be played (as long as I work here). I'm looking forward to any new release from your illustrious self (hint, hint)." - Zac Leger, WETS 89.5 FM
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