10 July 2010

Theatre Stage

//   22:30

Orion & Guests ft. Philip Catherine

(Belgium -Brittany-Ireland)

Orion: Raquel Gigot (accordion), Rudy Velghe (harp, fiddle), John Faulkner (vocals, bouzouki, guitar, fiddle), Erwan Berenguer (guitar), Gwenaël Micault (piano, harmonium, keyboards)

Guests: Philip Catherine (guitar) Jean Philippe Poncin (bass clarinet), Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh (bodhrán, bones) & Oxalys: Shirly Laub (violin), Toon Fret (flute), Tony Nys (viola)

The Celtic band Orion has been a going concern since 1987. Its music testifies to a wholly personal approach of the Celtic tradition. Powerfully swinging dance tunes alternate with haunting slow airs, graceful melodies and beautifully crafted traditional songs . On their first three albums, Orion also guided the listener through less known music by Turlough O’Carolan, the blind Irish harpist from the 18th century. Today the band plays almost exclusively its own compositions, combining a multitude of musical influences. Orion has played an impressive number of concerts and festivals, touring from Galway in the west of Ireland down to the Gaza strip in the Middle East. The group has appeared in many radio and television shows and was highly praised on Radio France, BBC, the Irish radio, and the Belgian VRT-RTBF. Their second album “Blue Room” was released at the end of 1993, featuring several prominent artists: Johnny Mc Donagh, Céline T’ Hooft , Youenn Le Bihan, Wiet Van De Leest and Mike Butcher. The “Blue Room” album has received the accolades of the international musical press (United States, Ireland, England, Wales, Brittany, The Netherlands, ...) and 32.000 copies have so far been pressed. “Restless Home”, Orion ‘s third album (featuring Donal Lunny, Philip Catherine, Soïg Siberil, Nicolas Quemener, Alain Genty and others), was during several months the n°1 album in the Breton playlists of Radio France and was elected "folk album of the year 1998" by several Breton radio stations and critics in Ireland, Brittany and the USA. In September 2009 Strawberry Town, their long-expected new album was released. Didier Mèlon reviewed it on the Belgian National Radio: "The wait was long, but definitely worth it. When listening to Strawberry Town, one cannot but agree that Orion's music is sophisticated, full of surprises and unexpected turns. A truely varied album, a onc- in-a-lifetime masterpiece."

Oxalys, was founded in 1993 by a group of ambitious young students from the Brussels Conservatoire of Music. Since then the ensemble has developed into one of the most esteemed professional chamber music groups in Flanders. The group also likes to make its concerts visually attractive and special and to this end regularly makes use of the creative talent of fashion designers. Oxalys performs on some of the world's finest platforms and plays at the most prestigious festivals (USA, Russia, United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, ...). Its concerts are broadcasted on a regular base over the most important European radio stations. The ensemble also participates in various educational projects.
www.oxalys.be

Philip Catherine has been at the forefront of the European jazz scene since the sixties. He has worked with great artists like Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Stéphane Grappelli, Dexter Gordon, Larry Coryell, Toots Thielemans,... His unique approach and sound, his dedication to music and, above all, the highly emotional lyricism of expression in his guitar playing and in his music, have been important and influential. To move forever on a musical journey, seems to be his only wish. We could be part of that journey, because we have the immense pleasure to welcome him this year in a totaly different music style: Philip will play pure Celtic folk this time...
www.philipcatherine.com

www.orionceltic.com

Press Quotes:

Le Télégramme: “Orion played us to heaven, interpreting extracts from their new album "Strawberry Town". One of the very best concerts, leaving the large crowd in exaltation."
Ouest France: "Orion enchanting the Festival in Bénodet. Haunting tunes,in a wonderful blend from different musical cultures ... The heart gets carried away on this Night of Celtic Stars. Orion was brilliant..."
Irish Music Magazine: "Over the years, Orion has delivered the goods and honed a style that is uniquely theirs. The strong point in this band: the ability to produce a personal sound from the very start and to be in constant evolution without losing that personal touch."
De Standaard: "On the mainstage of Dranouter, Orion proved with their refined approach that they surely are one of the best non-Irish bands playing Irish Music."
Cork Folk Festival: "Orion make their second visit to Cork after their stunning performance here in 1996 when they dazzled the Cork audience with their brilliance and quality of musicianship and they won many fans at the time. Do not miss!"
De Morgen: "Orion was standing out with an ironstrong set."
New Folksounds: "A magistral stage act."
FolkWorld: "Orion has built up a reputation as one of Europe's finest Celtic bands."
The Living Tradition: "The very splendid Orion. They have got that something special that differentiates the great groups from the rest of the pack. A few better known but tired old warhorses would do well to listen to them and learn."
The Bulletin: "Some of the liveliest Irish music this side of Donegal."
Le Soir: "If the sound of Celtic music makes you feel melancholy, then the Belgian band Orion will come as a pleasant surprise to you."