Art & Music

Tuesday Tunes – Celtic Woman

Celtic WomanFor anybody writing fantasy (or anything, really) with a Celtic flavour, this is great stuff. Some great fast-fiddling dance tunes for when you’re writing an inn, a party, a wedding. Nice slow love songs, ranging from hopeful to mournful to joyful. Songs of mysticism and nature. They’ve got it all, while directed by the truly awesome David Downes and backed by a full Celtic band.

I’ve included some of my favourites below (bonus: you can find the live concerts as well as the soundtracks on YouTube), but you can also search Celtic Woman playlists or pick up an album to get some nice continuous play for your writing enrichment.

Enjoy!

The Sky & the Dawn & the Sun

Haunting (albeit slow) start to this one, but it introduces you to the group and showcases the eerie . Plus, hello!, they’re performing in a CASTLE!

 

Níl Sé’n Lá

I love the Gaelic blend, and the costumes, and the torchlight, and…

 

Granuaile’s Dance

Check out Mairead in this one. She’s like a fae creature herself.

P.S. For those of you not yet over the holidays, the Celtic Woman Christmas concert features some of my favourite holiday music!

Tuesday Tunes – Ode to the Hammered Dulcimer

hammered dulcimerI am a sucker for the dulcimer. I have declared it to be my next musical project (though, honestly, if anyone’s heard my fiddle playing lately, you’ll know there’s a long way to go before the dulcimer at last gets its rightful shot).

If you’re a fantasy writer, you might already know that the dulcimer just has that perfect ancient sound. It even looks like an ancient fantasy instrument.

Anyhoo, I’ve included two samples below for your listening pleasure. If you run a quick YouTube search, you can find entire playlists of dulcimer music. It makes for WICKED writing music. Something in the resonance, I think. Anyway, give it a shot and let me know what you think.

(And Happy New Year’s Eve, incidentally 😉 )

“Midwinter Etude,” played by Timothy Seaman

“Scarborough Fair,” played by Tim Simek

Tuesday Tunes – Baldur’s Gate soundtrack

Baldur's Gate map

One of the many cities to explore in Baldur’s Gate.

Today’s tunes hail from the classic RPG Baldur’s Gate.

Incidentally, want a masterclass in fantasy worldbuilding? Check this game (and its sequel and cousins) out. The hundreds of characters, the diverse races and faiths, the intricate maps and complex cityscapes… (You’ll hear more from me on the subject on a later date, I shouldn’t doubt…I mean, you can actually read the books on the bookshelves you find on your adventures…)

Anyhoo, one of the other brilliant facets of the Baldur’s Gate franchise is its music. I’ve shared a few favourites below. You can also find the entire soundtrack on YouTube and set it to play on a loop. Terrific music for getting in the mood of a scene, whether charming pub revels or epic battle of doom!

Friendly Arms Inn Theme

Romance (BG2)

Taverns (BG2)