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The Irish Times - Friday, January 22, 2010
Coscán
SIOBHÁN LONG
Dinnseanchas (Lore of Places) Claddagh Records ***
Who says that the spirit of adventure in traditional music is dampened by convention? Not by Coscán, an all-male foursome whose original tunes run the gamut of Irish, Asturian and Galician traditions, with a cap doffed in the direction of eastern Europe.
Harry Long’s whistles are a signature of this sprightly collection, as is David Nevin’s cosmopolitan percussion, and the pair’s subtle yet driving Caballo could just as easily have been brewed in the plains of Asturia as in the rolling hills of Meath. Their choice of title, Dinnsheanchas (Lore of Places) , reflects the foursome’s appetite for foraging deep beneath the surface for the character of a tune.
- Siobhan Long
"COSCÁN have a name for their place" - John Brophy - Irish Music Magazine - August '09
"They got together around the Millenium, playing sessions in noted venues - That apprenticeship shows through in the fund of tunes they have, and their instinctive togetherness" - John Brophy - Irish Music Magazine - August '09
"On Paper, a line-up of fiddle, low whistle, guitar and percussion might seem a bit limp. But wait till you've heard the energy and power they put into a set! - John Brophy - Irish Music Magazine - August '09
"The passion and energy that marks Coscán's live performances has been powerfully captured on this studio recording which cannot be compared to anything else in contemporary Irish music" - Irish Music Magazine - July '09
COSCAN – ‘Dinnseanchas (Lore of Places) album review Irish Music Magazine November 2009
COSCÁN – Dinnseanchas (Lore of Places)
If Lord Henry Mountcharles is ever looking for a group to get the toes tapping at the castle for one of those festivals he need look no further than ‘down the road’ for Coscán. The local foursome can conjure up a storm based on this CD with the sub-title ‘Lore of Places’.
In a wonderful mixture of instrumental and vocal offerings they give a full-bodied introduction to Irish music at its best. From their local Tara Jig, the opening track, their expertise and love of the music is apparent and lives right on through to the thirteenth track.
The harmonious opening of Siúil a Rúin will have the hairs on your neck standing on end. They continue with a beautiful rendition of this song that is so often ‘murdered. Their version allows us hear the lyrics in all their glory but retain the wonderful tune.
Moving on to the track Caballo, we conjure up visions of Clint Eastwood, deserts and guns. It evokes the wild Hispanic Rio Grande border country of the old west with an eerie power. This is music reminiscent of the Andes and brings to mind the tracks cut by Mike Taylor (Belfast) and Tony Hinnigan (Glasgow) back in the 1970’s when working with the Ballet Rambert shortly after they formed Incantation and the world woke up to Peruvian-music.
But to get back to the future; Coscán are on home turf and Gaelic mysticism at its best on the haunting Lament for Paul Byrne. My favourite track is the opening section of the wonderfully titled The Stuck Stone Set. Here is a beautifully gentle tune that will stay in your mind for days and evoke visions of wonderful sunny summer days in the countryside. This is followed by the marathon Still Waiting, a song that demands your attention.
Overall this is a wonderful album that will keep your toes tapping and your mind working with its combination of jaunty tunes and thoughtful lyrics.
Nicky Rossiter - Irish Music Magazine (November '09)
- Nicky Rossiter - Irish Music Magazine (November '09)
“Band in Demand – The traditional group played a great show in The Cobblestone, Smithfield, Dublin” -
- The Weekender
"When the Celtic musicians of Western Europe gather in Brittany the August for one the biggest annual festivals in the world, Meath-based band Coscán will be amongst them” - August ‘07
- Drogheda Independent
“After a successful Fleadh in Navan over the October Bank Holiday weekend, Coscán are back to perform their energetic set of both Irish Traditional music and ballads” –
- Meath Chronicle
“Exiting blends of traditional music, ballads and songs have created a large following of all ages…Coscán have brought their energetic style of trad and ballads to a wide audience…….”
“Their last appearance at this popular venue (McPhail’s, Drogheda) in June was well received with band wooing the audience with a highly charged and energetic performance which included their own material…”
- Drogheda Independent
Discography
1st Album: released in 2005 titled COSCÁN contains 13 tracks.
2nd Album: Released June 2009 - Dinseannchas (the Lore of Places) 13 tracks
Website: www.coscan.net
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Bio
COSCÁN, our band name comes from the ancient Irish book from 951AD called the Annals of the Four Masters: 'Maelpadraig, son of Coscán, lector of Ard-Macha'.
Our music is both timeless and evocative, but very rythmic and with audience participation makes for good fun on stage.
Gerry, Harry, David and John have been together as COSCÁN since 2000. All 4 have previously played with various bands in Ireland and Europe. While both David and Harry are the band's composers Harry also teaches in Ireland's famous Walton School of Music and is the author of 'The Waltons Guide to Irish Music' as well as several whistle tutorials with accompaning CD's.
We have played at some great venues throughout Ireland, most notably The Fiddler's Green Festival, The Hill of Tara and the National Concert Hall.
Our biggest festival achievement was to be 1 of 3 Irish groups invited to perform a series of 5 concerts at Europe's largest Celtic festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient '07 in France, supporting international acts such as The Dubliners, Cappercaille, Sharon Shannon and Tejedor. Truly a memorable experience.
We have also performed live on the Irish national TV Station RTÉ and several Irish Radio Stations as well as some well known European stations.
Our gigs are lively and interesting as stated above, we write our own music which is very much influenced by the local countyside where we live. We share the stories behind the songs and tunes with our audiences which make our shows more interesting.
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