Lyra Celtica
Having steadily built up a reputation for fantastic live performances, their album was also hailed as a great success, and has seen the band go from strength to strength. 'Excellent music' Living Tradition Issue 65.
Touring the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland Lyra Celtica were winners of the Anne O'Brien tribute stage at Gig in the Bann 2005. They have achieved a solid reputation while working independently, both in concert bookings and tour scheduling, as well as the production of their first album.
The combination of the unique sound of Frankie McGuire's percussion with Mark's rhythmic guitar playing provides the musical backdrop which allows Lynn, undoubtedly one of the world's finest accordion players, to perform at a level which some believe to be the finest to date in her career, combining to create the unique sound by which the band have come to be recognized.
The band are currently recording their follow-up album due for release in Autumn 2007, while also fitting in a tour of the USA in July 2007 and a return to Russia in the late Autumn of 2007.
"....excellent live. Tipped for an exciting future." ........ All Celtic Music
"Lyra Celtica....good fun and quality music." .......... The Living Tradition (Issue 65)
"....get yourself along to a Lyra Celtica concert. You won't be disappointed!..."
....... Cramlington Folk Club
Lynn TockerLynn has been playing accordion since childhood, and achieved worldwide recognition for her ability not only to play but to compose by the time she was 14 yrs old when she was playing at renowned festivals such as Shetland, Shady Lady, Whitby and was the first ever BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year.
Her compositions can be heard in sessions throughout the country, notably her haunting slow air 'Floating from Skerry' which was first recorded on Kathryn Tickells' first album.
At the age of seventeen, she represented Great Britain at the European broadcasting convention in Yugoslavia, along with Katherine Tickell and former 'Folk on Two' presenter Jim Lloyd. This was broadcast live throughout Europe.
Lynn also appeared on the Aly Bain show, Tom O'Connor show, Children to Knock Knock, What's That Noise, and various other radio programmes, including Folk on Two, Radio Scotland and Belgian radio.
She played with guitar maestro Ian Carr and Geoff Lincoln as part of the Katherine Tickell band for five years.
Her illustrious career has seen her play alongside such musicians such as Mick Jagger, Donovan, De Danaan, Altan, Elvis Costello, Ralph McTell, Danny Thompson, Sinead Oconnor, The Whisky Priests, The men they couldn't hang, the red hot pokers, Tony Cockrane, John Dooman, Alistair Anderson, Bob Fox, Chuck Flemming, Tommy Gilfinnan and MANY others!
Lynn has appeared at many of the biggest festivals in the UK, including Cambridge, Broadstairs, Sidmouth, Whitby, Glastonbury and Fylde to name but a few.
Much of Lynn's inspiration is drawn from her Northumbrian roots and heritage. She was fortunate when she was younger to have musical role models giving her guidance, such as the eternal Willy Taylor, Will Atkinson, Joe Hutton and local accordion hero Tommy Edmundson
Her compositions range from reels and jigs to her famously haunting slow airs, inspired by her native landscape and history. Her unique style of playing has earned her a reputation as an unrivalled exponent of the accordion and she is regarded as one of the finest players on the scene.
She has also built up a reputation as a teacher, teaching all over the world and she is currently working on a project involving schools throughout Northumberland making music and the accordion accessible to children and adults alike. She has taught at places such as Common Ground Scotland, Folk Festivals and workshops.
Lynn brings her passion enthusiasm and unique style of playing to Lyra Celtica.
Lynne is from Rothbury in Northumberland
Frank McGuireFrankie has been playing music from an early age, coming from a musical background, his grandfather and father both being accomplished musicians in the tradition. He has also gained a reputation in the Pipe Band scene within various bands before returning to traditional music.
Since those early days Frank has toured extensively all over the world playing in France Norway, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Ireland, and several visits to Russia where he started the first Bodhran school in Moscow, also broadcasting the first ever programme for Radio Nan Gael from Russia and appearing in many Russian TV programmes. His travels also took him to Canada where he was teaching and playing with the Grand Prairie Pipes and Drums .
More recently Frankie has appeared on various TV programmes playing alongside Karen Mathieson, Marie MacInnes, Kathleen MacInnes, Alyth McCormack, Julie Fowlis, Maggie MacInnes, Flora McNeil, Brian McAlpine, Findlay McDonald, Anna Massie, Findlay Napier and Fraser Fiefield.
Other musicians Frank has played with include highly acclaimed blues singer Tam White and harmonica player Fraser Spiers, the late Sean McGuire, Seamus Tansey, Brian Bowers, Bob Lucas, Noel McQuade, Scott McDonald, Martin Stephenson, and banjo maestro Alison Brown amongst others.
Frank also has a great reputation for teaching. He has taught in places such as Moscow School of Music, the University of Newcastle upon Tyne's Traditional Folk Degree course at The Sage in Gateshead, Common Ground summer school Ayrshire, McDaniel College Common Ground USA, various festivals, schools and workshops.
He has played on numerous recordings, including O'ram Na Mna (A Woman's Song), Lyra Celtica, Scot McDonald (New Heart), Dysart and Dun Donald Pipe Band, and Songs of Fyfe with Michael Phillip.
Frankie originally formed Lyra Celtica with Sean O'Rourke and Chuck Fleming, former members of the highly acclaimed JSD band. He has worked tirelessly building up a reputation for Lyra Celtica, finally arriving at the present long standing formation of Lynn, Mark and Frankie.
Frankie adds his own unique style of percussion to music, he is held in high regard amongst fellow musicians and has gained a reputation as a world class performer. He is also an accomplished whistle player and vocalist.
Frankie is from Cambusland in Lanarkshire.
Mark CanningMark has been playing guitar for twenty years, having originally toured with several rock and pop bands touring Germany.
After taking a break from music he returned to play traditional music, cutting his teeth in the ceilidh band circuit before being recognized as someone with a real flair for accompaniment with a unique rhythmical style of guitar playing.
He then went on to play with several successful traditional bands including Parable Jones and the Strayaways.
He has performed with numerous artists including Sean O'Rourke, Jim Daley, Chuck Fleming, Fraser Spiers, Laura McGhee, Conor O'Malley, Ian Pearson, and gives regular workshops on guitar.
Lynne Barnes
at
AmandaLynne Music
68 The Beeches,
Nantwich,
CW5 5YP
Tel 01270 628041 Mobile 077 900 82523
E-mail: Lynne
AmandaLynne's MySpace Page
