NORLAND WIND

The landscape and music of Donegal, Ireland (the most northwestern county), provide inspiration for the music of Germany´s leading exponant of the Celtic harp, Thomas Loefke. Haunting instrumentals, written by Loefke or by the Scottish guitarist Ian Melrose, alternate with songs shaped by the charismatic singer/guitarist Kerstin Blodig from Berlin.
Noel and Pádraig Duggan, founding members of the Irish cult group Clannad, lend a strong Celtic foundation to the group´s repertoire with songs in their native tongue. Together they create a uniquely evocative and emotionally powerful sound in both original compositions and new arrangements of traditional songs. Their CD Norland Wind“ (Celtic Heartbeat/Universal DU 53093) was released worldwide in 1996.
The group was joined by many well known Irish musicians including Ciarán Brennan, Máire Breatnach, Vinnie Kilduff and Cristina Crawley (she plays together with Kerstin in the duo Touchwood, which appeared on last year´s PROFOLK sampler CD It´s Only Kraut ... But I Like It“).
In December 1996 they reached number 3 in the American World Music Charts with the group´s latest composition The Snowy Birchtrees“ (on the sampler CD A Celtic Heartbeat Christmas“).

The Snowy Birchtrees 4:09
(Loefke/arr.: Melrose/voc.arr.: Blodig; copyright control)

Taken from the sampler CD A Celtic Heartbeat Christmas“ (Celtic Heartbeat/UniversalDU 53095)