From Shetland to Syria mix3

Doug Somers

Genre: Celtic

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Description

This is an update to the mix based on the feedback received in reviewers' comments (thanks Sloparts and Diviner!).

This is fun little study which looks at some of the eastern influences of Celtic music, and then throws in other snippets of world influences and a dance beat to round it out. The piece is made entirely out of loops which was a new creative process for me.

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Song Stats

Hits: 1047
Comments: 25
Fans: 12
Plays: 156
Downloads: 82
Votes: 3
Uploaded: Sep 26, 2007 - 10:03:17 PM
Last Updated: Sep 28, 2007 - 09:34:59 PM Last Played: Oct 22, 2009 - 02:04:30 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

celtic (89), middle eastern (22), dance (609), fusion (121)

Hardware:

MacBook Pro

Software:

Comments

Rebsie	Rebsie said 791 days ago (September 27th, 2007)
	Superbly done Somewhere in the dim and distant past Celtic and Eastern cultures shared a common source and you've fused them beautifully here. A nice mix of cultural strands, with a very creative and different treatment. Sounds brilliant. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 791 days ago (September 27th, 2007)
	So kind of you to say so Rebsie. I appreciate you taking the time to comment, and I'm glad that you liked the piece. I have other Celtic-themed music underway that I hope to release soon. Best wishes, Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

*itiswotitis*	*itiswotitis* said 790 days ago (September 28th, 2007)
	nicely done this is great Check out my latest song called WALKING BASS IN THE CLOUDS

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 790 days ago (September 28th, 2007)
	So glad you stopped by for a listen. Thanks for the compliment! Be well, and let your music continue to flow..... Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

Feter

Feter said 790 days ago (September 28th, 2007)

From Shetland to Syria
this is a charmin progressive Celtic song
not sure about middleeast sound.but to read
syria as where I am now it speaks to me some
how .brilliant singing and harmonies for sure !
the idea that Rebsie mentioned ,stirrin on my head
for a long time .just great work my friend very
creative ..!!

wish you can visit my song which s part of the
CD me and Ian beardsley made as holding the same
Idea with wider variations .
Silver_Dagger(by The Rain Troubadours)
http://www.macjams.com/song/32551

Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

Doug Somers

Doug Somers said 790 days ago (September 28th, 2007)

Welcome
and thanks for listening and taking the time to post your kind remarks. I'm so glad you like this work.

I noticed that when I copied the description of this song from the previous version that I missed the line which indicated that it is entirely made out of loops - so thank you for the vocal compliment but I cannot claim any credit other than selecting and mixing those tracks. :) I have fixed the description so as not to mislead anyone else.

BTW, I chose the name Syria as a country also starting with "S" following Shetland so the song title sounded better - and since I thought some of the loops sounded middle eastern, although I claim no expertise in Syrian music at all!

Although I did not intend at the outset to have the other influences in this piece, they kind of crept in and I realised toward the end that it was a bit like Loreena McKennit's work but minus the dance beat.

I listened to your piece Silver Dagger and quite liked it! I agree about the Celtic feel of the piece. I left a comment for you there.

Thanks again, and keep well friend! May you continue to be a prolific composer and performer.

Doug

Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

vbluesky	vbluesky said 790 days ago (September 29th, 2007)
	cool vibe I like to dance and this keeps me hopping around, aren't loops fun to create with.Is that you singing? Good production/mix of sounds..BlueSky Check out my latest song called SMILE ( onesweetworld Remix )

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 789 days ago (September 29th, 2007)
	Loops certainly are fun in the creative process, especially in numbers that have a strong dance beat. In this case the vocals are loops too. Glad you got some dancing out of the piece! Thanks for stopping by and for the positive comments. Be well! Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

Peter Bauckham	Peter Bauckham said 789 days ago (September 29th, 2007)
	Nicely done Very creative - hard to believe that they're all loops - very impressive stuff. I like the fusing of Celtic and Eastern sounds - it works really well. Peter Check out my latest song called All The Same (CBGB) (Last Chance Challenge)

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 788 days ago (September 30th, 2007)
	Welcome back! Thanks for your kind words Peter. I'm so glad you liked the piece. I was pleasantly surprised that the loops could work out sounding like they had reasonable fidelity. I must admit that this fusion of styles was a lot of fun to put together. Cheers mate, Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

	said 788 days ago (September 30th, 2007)
	! riverdance comes to mind You have got a flare for composition keeps the listener invovled thanks for sharing!

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 787 days ago (October 1st, 2007)
	So nice of you to say so. Riverdance has some very interesting composition involved and I like it very much. Thanks for your support and for the positive comments. Be well! Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

Komrade K

Komrade K said 786 days ago (October 2nd, 2007)

Impressed
I share the surprise of many who've commented on this track in that it's hard to believe it's all loops. This is an excellently constructed track and wouldn't be out of place on compilations such as Future Sound of Gaeldom. My only crit (minor one) is that the wind sound seems too up front for much of the time - nevertheless I really enjoyed this.

KK

Check out my latest song called Ye Mariners All

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 786 days ago (October 3rd, 2007)
	Many thanks for stopping by for a listen. I really appreciate your comments, particularly considering your familiarity and mastery with the style. Should I remix this will attend to the wind. Cheers! Be well, Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

drakonis

drakonis said 786 days ago (October 2nd, 2007)

The Loreena MkConnection
There are gorgeous similarities, due to similar roots, as Rebsie (and the amazing Loreena McKennitt point out). Being able to weave loops together is itself an art, and you've done a superb job here, the whole thing flows really well. I must admit that the percussion you used kept it from sounding too middle-eastern, maybe try a little more Syriasly next time (smirk)... but that doesn't detract from the very enjoyable aspect of this piece. I'm very impressed with the things I've heard of yours, and I look forward to hearing some of your upcoming Celtic live recordings and other works. Off to fave you now :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

Doug Somers

Doug Somers said 786 days ago (October 3rd, 2007)

MkThanks
Draconis. Didn't know you were such a MkPunster. Really appreciate the feedback and the kind words. The choice of percussion is a good indicator of how the piece came to life. At the time I added the drums I had no idea of what else I would add (in fact I was just playing around with the Jampacks and soundtrack for the first time, so I wasn't aware of the wealth of sounds that were in that software). Anyway, once the drums were in they stayed until the piece was finished.

I did use more middle-eastern sounding rhythm instruments in Desert Dance, but it is not so much of a fusion piece.

Thanks again, and I'm glad you liked it!
Be well,
Doug

Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

Char	Char said 753 days ago (November 4th, 2007)
	Shetland to Syria Just can't keep my head from nodding and my foot from tapping. I was a little surprised to hear something like a Imam singing. Syria should have clued me in. Thank you. A very bright piece. Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 752 days ago (November 5th, 2007)
	Nice to have you stop by and leave your kind remarks. It is interesting what can be put together and have it work in new and interesting ways - in this case an east meets west style synthesis. Thanks again, and welcome to MacJams! All the best, Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

Char	Char said 752 days ago (November 5th, 2007)
	Thank You, Doug, I've told some musician friends about this site. I hope they find it as inviting as I have. I will keep listening. Best regards, Char Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)

davisamerica	davisamerica said 719 days ago (December 8th, 2007)
	wow and right then i love bag pipes and this one made me grin. reminds me of a vacation to canada once..was a festival in the town and this bag pipe corps woke us one morning practicing across the way...was magicial...as is this. very cool Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

Doug Somers

Doug Somers said 713 days ago (December 14th, 2007)

Ahhh, the charm o' the pipes
Thanks for your kind remarks! I do have an influence for the pipes being born in Nova Scotia (New Scotland) but also like taking the music in non-traditional directions as well.

I would liken the creation of this piece to visiting a new buffet restaurant. I used my son's computer and, hearing about what loops were, started picking out ones that seemed to sound interesting. For each loop that fell into place, there seemed to be a calling for another complimentary bit, and then another, and another, until it felt done (not unlike eating just the right amount at the buffet!).

Thanks again, and keep well!
Doug

Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

paularenson

paularenson said 669 days ago (January 27th, 2008)

I want to hear more about the Easter-Celtic connect
This is very well done. I have always been entranced by both and wondered if there was a connection bey9ond what I felt intuitively. Someone here on MJ says his Indian music teacher also drew connections to A scale used in Indian muisc and Celtic muisc. the other interesting connection is more well known, that of Flamenco. But i know next to nothing and want to learn more.

Did you so the singing?
Are the lyrics actual celtic

Check out my latest song called Kyoko's song

Doug Somers

Doug Somers said 668 days ago (January 29th, 2008)

Hi Paul, and welcome to my site!
I hate to disappoint you but nothing in this tune was performed live - it is all loops from Apple I believe. It was my first attempt at doing anything with loops and I didn't feel the inclination to jam along with this one. I don't know if the vocals are in Irish Gaelic or not but I suspect so. I'm not sure about the connection to middle eastern music other than from an interview I heard on the CBC with Loreena McKennitt several years ago where she said she was tracing the origins of celtic music back to the countries of the eastern Mediterranean. As you said, it seems to intuitively make sense, and I have seen other web sites mention a link as well, but never with any depth to the explanations.

Thanks for your remarks and for taking the time to stop by!

Take care,
Doug

Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

	AlexBornaz said 660 days ago (February 5th, 2008)
	From my:) Wildes says:The facts of art are divine,but the essence of artistic effect is unity.....Greate:):):):)

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 660 days ago (February 5th, 2008)
	Wow Strong stuff! Glad you stopped by for a listen. Thanks for your comments and smiles - hope this tune brightened part of your day. And welcome to MacJams!! Keep well, Doug Check out my latest song called Desiree (MJ Space Race 2009)

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Artist Info

Name: Doug Somers

I make music for pleasure, usually on my own. I do sometimes jam with a local celtic group, playing bodhran and 12 string guitar. In my 4th year of university I had a project with some friends to make a synthesizer which produced chords by detecti... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Celtic music is a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic peoples of Western Europe. The term Celtic music may refer to both orally-transmitted traditional music and recorded popular music with o

More songs in Celtic:

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