Reviews
Kapunda Celtic Festival, S.A. 4-6 May 2007
Joanne Hughes
Presenter, Radio PBA/FM
Salisbury SA
Fine autumn weather, good food and wonderful music – that sums up the Kapunda Folk Festival over a recent May weekend in 2007.
And “Braemar”, with their mostly Scottish and Irish music, were a top class group from Melbourne who drew large crowds whenever they performed.
Lead singer Eddie Lewis, of Scottish descent, had just enough accent in his excellent singing voice, and ... Marc blended beautifully with ... harmonies.
They kept the beat well with the bodhran, and, combined with the guitars ..., and what looked like a lute or gittern in Marc’s capable hands, the backing sound was excellent and not overpowering to the voices.
Altogether a relaxed and very skilful performance from “Braemar”, who gave their audience much joy and pleasure. We hope they return to Kapunda next year.
and feedback from some of the wonderful folks we met...
Hi Guys
Just a quick note to say thanks for your sets at the weekend at Kapunda.
They were great. Also the CD has been on the car stereo all the way home
today.Thanks again
Ian (Don't laugh at the dancers) McLaren
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hello Braemar,
My wife and I would like to say how very much we enjoyed your
performance at the Kapunda Celtic Festival, it was one of the outstanding events of the day.
We hope that you return again next year and if we come over to Melbourne before then we will
endeavour to come and see one of your shows.
All best wishes for a successful year.
Regards John and Edith D'Arcy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wyreena Community Arts Centre 27th April 2007
by Krissy Scherlies, Program Office, Wyreena Community Centre
On a beautiful autumn night with the fairy lights twinkling, the Music Cafe in the Conservatory at Wyreena, presented with pleasure "Braemar". After a successful gig in 2006 the men in kilts were invited to perform again in 2007. Playing to a full house, "Braemar" delighted their audience once again. Singing beautiful harmonies and playing a selection of instruments, ... Marc De Rijk and Eddie Lewis inspired the audience to sing, shout, clap and even cry. An extremely professional performance with the crowd encouraging two encores from the guys, before they retired for the night under a barrage of cries: "When are you coming back?". Wyreena Community Arts Centre, 13-23 Hull Road Croydon will be more than happy to host another performance by "Braemar". If you love the classic Irish and Scottish sing-alongs don't miss them.
Eire & Alba CD Review: Trad&Now #20 Feb - Mar 2007
by Ian Dearden
Braemar is a duo consisting of Eddie Lewis and Marc de Rijk.
Originating from the Victorian pipe band community (although there's not a hint of pipes on this CD), these lads sing songs in the Irish and Scottish celtic tradition.
This is their first album, released in 2004, and their style is unashamedly inspired by the likes of the Corries and the Dubliners.
The arrangements are minimalist - primarily strummed (occasionally picked) acoustic guitars (plus a touch of harmonica on an otherwise accapella "Auld Triangle"), with the voices (lots of duo harmonies) up front and centre.
There's nothing delicate about these lads - they sing these songs with passion and commitment and you (the listener) can truly believe that they truly believe!
There's a swag of my favourites (and yours too, I'm guessing) on this CD - "Rose of Allendale", "Jock of Hazeldean", "Leezy Lindsay" "Massacre of Glencoe", "Wild Mountain Thyme", "Flower of Scotland" - to mention just some of the 16 songs in total on the album.
The celtic diaspora tradition continues in the safe hands of Braemar, and long may it flourish. You can purchase the CD (and their most recent CD Eire Alba) via their website www.braemar.info.
Eire & Alba CD Review: Trad&Now #18 Oct - Nov 2006
by Ian Dearden
Braemar are a duo based in Melbourne who have, in a few short years (they formed in 2003) built up an impressive performance resume delivering their particular brand of Irish and Scottish vocal music.
This has seen them perform everywhere from the Australian Celtic Festival at Glen Innes to the pre-match entertainment slot at a Wallabies v Scotland rugby union test.
This is the second album by Eddie Lewis and Marc de Rijk as Braemar, and they draw both their repertoire and their vocal performance style unashamedly from the big, bluff singing styles of The Corries, the Wolfetones, the Dubliners, the Clancy Brothers and the Fureys.
This album was recorded live at Sub Studio, La Trobe University, and the instrumentation is sparse - mainly guitar, but occasional bodhran and some beautiful bagpipe playing on "Highland Cathedral" (courtesy of David MacNamara).
The repertoire is substantially traditional, or "in the tradition" and includes songs such as "Belfast Mill", "Loch Tay Boat Song", "Nancy Whiskey", "Danny Boy", "Scots Wha Hae", "Whiskey in the Jar" and Wild Rover" (a rousing version recorded very live!)
The material draws equally from the Scottish and Irish branches of the Gaelic tradition, and this album is a stirring and enjoyable introduction to the tradition from this pari of Australian gaelophiles!
Both of them look great in kilts to boot!
You can buy this album, and their previous release Beirt Leaids, via the Trad&Now website www.tradandnow.com.
You can also find out more about Braemar, including their gig guide, on their own website at www.braemar.info.
Wyreena Community Arts Centre 25th August 2006
by Krissy Scherlies, Program Office, Wyreena Community Centre
"Braemar", Eddie Lewis and Marc de Rijk, performed to a near full house at the Wyreena Conservatory Cafe on Friday 25 August. Looking the part, dressed in their kilts, "Braemar" entertained the crowd with their selection of Irish and Scottish music. Celtic and Gaelic stories in song that whisked you away to the highlands. The mesmerised audience sang and clapped in chors as "Braemar" regaled them with well known tunes from their CD, "Eire and Alba: Songs of the Gael". It was a delightful evening with calls for encores at the end of the night. Wyreena has rebooked the duo for 2007 and expect another sold out evening.