IRISH CREAM Is One Exotic Celtic Brew!

by Les Pearson

Guinness and the best single malt whiskeys are the usual and renowned Irish brews. But "Irish Cream"? And from Israel?

Discovering this Celtic group was intoxicating and as surprising as new, prize wines out of the Okanagan. What can one say? "Unexpectedly authentic! Refreshingly traditional! Ah, and perhaps there's that lingering spicy hint of the Middle East."

"Irish Cream" is an Israeli quintet formed in 1996. Its one and only CD is of the same name. The surprise is that this group is one of five Celtic performing groups in Israel. One of these, "The Black Velvet Band," has performed there for more than twenty years.

At the apex of its musical career, "Irish Cream" was a highlight of the Jacob's Ladder Festival on the shores of Lake Galilee. The CD illustrates the international scope of Celtic music and features a guest performance by John McSherry, renowned player of the Uilleann Pipes. Now, sadly, the group continues without two of its star performers.

Fortunately for Medicine Hat, these stars have recently re-joined our constellation! Patricia Swan, who spent ages six to eighteen as a youth in our city, met Ezra Atzmon at Kibbutz Gezer in 1987. This tract of land was given to Solomon by one of the pharaohs. The Kibbutz experience was a special gift to the couple. They met in a vineyard and were introduced by a mutual friend who recognized their unique talents and shared fondness for music. Since that time their lives and music have intertwined.

Ezra is a gifted and classically trained fiddler who is equally at home with Bach and ballad. He studied violin from age seven. Patricia has the voice of an Irish angel and plays the concertina. She completed an Opera Diploma at Wilfred Laurier, a B. Ed. in Music and Drama at the U. of T. and a Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance at the U. of A. Both musicians contribute prominently to the high quality music found on the CD.

During their years in Israel, in moments of homesickness, Patricia turned to the Irish music that has always been part of her life. Her mother taught Irish dance in Medicine Hat and Celtic tunes prevailed at home. "In Israel," Patricia notes, "music culture is extremely important." Live music is a great tradition and much in evidence at house parties and social gatherings. Music is even more important than sports. (Imagine!) It was in this milieu that the couple met two other young people who love Irish music. A third was Patricia's voice student. Together they began to play for social occasions, then to tour in Israel.

Ezra was drawn to the "sad melodies" and heroic tragedy that is inherent in most Celtic songs. He believes that landscapes influence traditional music. Life in Israel and Ireland is connected to a more primitive, older, time. Both nations seem caught between their history and the modern age. He sees strong parallels between Celtic and Middle Eastern music traditions. Both are permeated with modal minor keys. Both are a reflection of suffering over generations.

Even as a classical concert violinist, Ezra infused musical scores with a folk musician's soul, passion and rhythm. While Patricia excels in singing the lilting, modal, quarter tone trills, Ezra's fiddle provides the emotional impetus and driving rhythms for their Celtic songs. Patricia's special talents are best evidenced in the traditional song, William Taylor and in the memorable, She Moved Through the Fair. Don't try to sing along with her Irish scat ditties, friends! You're doomed to fail. Ezra figures large in all the jigs and reels that are the frosting on each cut of this delicious CD cake.

Watch for Patricia and Ezra at future Folk Music Club house concerts. Ezra has already wowed one crowd at the Farmers' Market on September 7. The "Irish Cream" CD will be available at these functions. If you like Celtic, you'll love this one. By the by, these musicians are open to contract for social functions and special events!

It's universal that everyone loves the Irish. Everyone wants to be Irish, especially on St. Patrick's Day. And it is arguably apparent that--apart from Guinness and certain single malts--traditional Celtic music is the main thread of this world-wide Irish tapestry. Certainly this music endears other nations and peoples to the Irish culture.

Canadians have been introduced to popular Irish music by the likes of the Irish Rovers. But the Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, The Abbey Tavern Singers, and a host of real "Sons o' the Sod" were singing rebel songs and traditional ditties long before green alligators and long-necked geese devolved. Not that I have anything against Unicorns, the Orange or the Green, but the best Irish songs are the old ones. That's the starting point for most Celtic groups. And "Irish Cream's CD is proof that the best in any music or culture is what survives. And, even more to the point, this kind of quality music thrives wherever it is found. (Welcome to Medicine Hat, Patricia, Ezra and boys!)