Celtic Consciousness

Greetings!  A couple of years ago Shannan and I attended the Scottish Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park. This was a lovely nostalgic event as I used to go there as a boy. In middle school I competed in the caber toss a couple of years and did quite well. This year there were no competitions for us. We were shopping, eating and appreciating the proud display of Scottish heritage. 

Playing on a small stage in the back was a band we had not heard of and honestly, found their name hard to pronounce on first sight, Rathkeltair. This group mixed high energy rock with Celtic influence and a bag pipe to compliment the smoking guitar player. Shannan and I sat down and listened until the band completed their set, at which point I promptly bought a CD, Durty Wullie. I’ve listened to their music regularly since that time.

Last spring we were in North Carolina at a Highlands Festival. The band that was playing was great.  As we sat down to eat, I realized I recognized the music and began to sing along. “I know that band, I announced excitedly. We listed through the set and again, I promptly purchased a CD, Everybody in the Big White Van, a double album.

Early this month while in Ireland on numerous occasion we heard Celtic tunes that I had learned thanks to Rathkeltair. It was a fun connection. Better yet, I had Rathkeltair music on my mp3 player. Most of their material is great listening while running. The morning of our last day in Dublin, and my final morning run ended with Kennedy Street March, a tune that made me want to progressively run faster.  I did.  The band is really work a listen. Check them out at http://rathkeltair.com/home

Appreciate Music. Run.

Tom