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Quando si ha in mano un disco come questo si ha in mano una pietra miliare della musica. E non sono queste, parole buttate a caso, tanto per acclamare un disco che mi piace, che mi ha dato e continua a darmi emozioni sempre profonde, ma è la realtà che si percepisce dopo averlo ascoltato, intensamente ascoltato.
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Van, oltre ad essere uno dei più grandi autori dell’era rock, è anche uno dei pochi autori che ha cercato di esplorare nuove aree musicali e testuali.
L’album in questione è comunque qualcosa di diverso rispetto alle precedenti incisioni di Morrison: l’uomo ha già avvicinato la musica celtica, ha già suonato con gruppi irlandesi (vedi Moving Hearts), ma è la prima volta in assoluto, che divide la leadership di un suo lavoro con qualcun altro.
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Il disco contiene dieci canzoni superbe, due originali di The Man, cioè “Irish Heartbeat” (da Inarticolate speech of the heart) e Celtic Ray (da Beautiful Vision), mentre le restanti otto canzoni sono dei tradizionali: “Star of the country down” “To mo chleamhnas decanta” “Raglan road” “She moved through the fair” “I’ll tell me ma” “Carrickfergus” “My lagan love” “Marie’s wedding”.
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La capacità di far rivivere ricordi e sensazioni attraverso la melodia popolare è la straordinaria potenza dell’opera. Le ballate riescono a dipingere i paesaggi, e quindi le atmosfere, i sentimenti ed i ricordi, tanto cari all’irlandese. E se in età giovanile aveva più volte confermato il suo rifiuto verso le tradizioni del suo paese, con il volgere dell’età e della maturità, il richiamo della propria terra si è fatto molto più forte.
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La scelta dei Chieftains per dar suono a queste sue esigenze musicali non è avvenuta a caso. I Chieftains rappresentano la vera tradizione irlandese e anche loro come Morrison non sono mai scesi a compromessi artistici e si sono mantenuti fedeli per anni ad un loro preciso credo musicale.
Capitanati dal piccolo grande Paddy Moloney, virtuoso delle cornamuse, proprio quest’anno (1988) celebrano il loro 25° anniversario. Sono i più longevi portavoci di una musica che è espressione autentica dei suoni e dei colori della loro terra.
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Accostarsi ad un’opera come questa suscita un gran senso di sollievo. Perché è la prova che in una società in cui i valori di riferimento vanno sempre più impoverendosi (vedi l’imporsi di ciò che è effimero, passeggero, superficiale, senza anima né spessore) c’è ancora spazio per le certezze.
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Il disco è suonato come meglio non si può, Morrison non si limita a donare la propria voce a queste composizioni ma le arricchisce di emozioni e sentimenti, canta questi motivi tradizionali irlandesi con stupefacente intensità e pathos.
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Ascoltate il disco, lasciatevi andare, lasciatevi cullare dalle onde sonore e apritevi ai sentimenti, The Man conosce la strada per arrivare al cuore.
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Marie's Wedding
The Chieftains; Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Over hillways, up and down
Myrtle green and bracken brown
Past the sheilings through the town
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Red her cheeks as rowan's are
Bright her eyes as any star
Fairest of them all by far
Is our darlin' marie
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty peat to fill her kreel
Plenty bonnie bairns as well
That's the toast for Marie
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel And toe for toe
Arm and arm And row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Na-na-na-na-na
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Na-na-na-na-na
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
"Marie's Wedding" is a traditional Irish and Scottish folk song that tells the story of a joyous wedding celebration. The song describes a group of people traveling to the wedding of Marie, a beautiful and beloved bride. As they make their way over hills and through towns, they sing and dance, with arms linked and toes tapping, in honor of the bride-to-be.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the festivities, with plenty of food, drink, and dancing to go around. They describe Marie as the fairest of them all, with rosy cheeks and bright eyes. The chorus is a lively refrain that urges everyone to keep moving and celebrating, cheering for Marie and her groom.
The song is notable for its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, as well as its ability to evoke a sense of community and camaraderie. It is often played at Celtic weddings and other celebrations, and has become a widely popular folk song in the UK and abroad.
Line by Line Meaning
Step we gaily on we go
Let us merrily proceed on our journey
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Let us walk in perfect unison
Arm and arm and row and row
Let us march forward together
All for Marie's wedding
In celebration of Marie's marriage
Over hillways, up and down
Across hills and valleys
Myrtle green and bracken brown
Amidst verdant forests and rugged countryside
Past the sheilings through the town
Past small rural dwelling places and through the town
All for the sake of marie
All to celebrate and honor Marie
Red her cheeks as rowan's are
Her cheeks are as red as the berries of the rowan tree
Bright her eyes as any star
Her eyes are as bright as the stars in the sky
Fairest of them all by far
She is the most beautiful of them all
Is our darlin' marie
Marie is our beloved one
Plenty herring, plenty meal
There is an abundance of fish and food
Plenty peat to fill her kreel
There is an ample supply of peat to heat her home
Plenty bonnie bairns as well
There are also plenty of beautiful children
That's the toast for Marie
That is the celebratory drink raised in honor of Marie
Na-na-na-na-na
N/A
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: VAN MORRISON, PADDY MALONEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Morgan
This is so cute. All of these beautiful people having fun and enjoying life singing together! They really look like they had a good time! They seemed so cheerful and happy!
sarsfieldabu
Some of the greatest traditional Irish musicians alive in their day. Most are multi instrumental and virtuosos on their own whether harp or uillen pipes or any traditional instrument. To see so many greats of Irish music together is fantastic.
Peter Dolan
Absolutely love this song. Van does a great version of it. The video is really well orchestrated too. He's a great performer. 👍
Madeline Schultz
R.I.P., Derek Bell! I was entranced the first time I saw you playing a neoceltic harp. So haunting. And here you are, having a blast playing a mean awesome ragtime piano. I know you were a classically trained musician! What a wonderful clip of you with your buddies. God bless you, Derek! All for the love of the music..
Sro, Esq.
Well done OP, first time I've seen Van smile and you got it on the thumb. Vans voice is just the best.
Boat Man
Some incredible musicians and singers with Van, no wonder he was happy
remus
What a great bunch of lovely people enjoying themselves.....
John Woods
Great to hear Derek Bell playing some ragtime piano at the start. R.I.P. Derek Bell and Paddy Moloney. Even Van Morrison managed a smile.
David Smythe
Such a talent sorely missed. Legend
sirvidia
Van?