RONAN LE BARS GROUP
strink Mor
Philippe Cousin
The uilleann pipe is a typically Irish instrument which is played all over the world and particularly in Brittany where it is meeting more and more adepts and amateurs.
Among all, Ronan Le Bars is certainly the Breton virtuoso most recognized for the practice of this instrument. Very quickly noticed, he participated during the 90's in all the great musical adventures: L'Héritage des Celtes with Dan Ar Braz, the Celtic Procession with Jacques Pellen, Tour Tan with Didier Squiban. And the number of bands he has been a member of is also commensurate: Glaz, Pennoù Skoulm, the Celtic Social Club... And Ronan has accompanied many musicians and singers: the Boclé brothers, Gilles Servat, Alan Stivell and Denez Prigent. And even French variety singers have called on him on some of their albums.
For eight years now, he has also been performing under his own name with the Ronan Le Bars Group, exploring new horizons of Breton music and different world cultures. A first album (Lammdour) in 2013. A second one (An Erc'h Kentañ) in 2016. And finally in 2020 Strink Mor(Les embruns).
This album is a small jewel of sensitivity that is anchored around ten tracks, seven of which are compositions by Ronan himself. Among them, the superb jazzy Breton Man in New-York, a kind of dedication to all the Breton emigrants. Or Dewezhioù Goañvinspired by the dark days of the black months. Let's also mention Aldona, one of Ronan's first compositions, which came to life during a tour in Poland with the Bagad Guingamp.
Three traditional Breton dances are also present, three dance suites, Suite Loudéac, Toñ Plinnand Toñ Bale ha Laridés. Let us also mention Tapas Nocturnes, a tribute to Galicia, a set of three tunes in which we recognizeCosta del Galicialearned from Carlos Núñez.
The album ends with Tonkañ, a tune composed by Ronan, on which he is joined on a traditional song by Annie Ebrel. Finally, let's mention the four musicians of the band, Nicolas Quemener on guitar, Aymeric Le Martelod on keyboards, Pierre Stephan on violin, Julien Stevenin on double bass as well as the four guests Keyvan Chemirani on percussion, Annie Ebrel on vocals, Bernard Le Dréau on sax and Gwenaël Péron on drums.
The album of a virtuoso who never ceases to amaze and dazzle us with his talent.
Paker Prod 030 – www.pakerprod.bzh