Ciaran Dorris

2009-08-03T09:15:00.001-07:00

OLD TIME WALTZ

I've posted a rough mix of 'Old Time Waltz', my tribute song to my Dad, Barney, who died in 2007 after a long illness, on my MySpace site. It was a really difficult song for me to write and record, but ultimately, catharctic for me, and I hope, a fitting tribute to a great man. I hope you like it. Now I just need to write one for Mum. She would never forgive me if Dad got one and she didn't!

2009-02-16T15:15:00.001-08:00

FEBRUARY 2009

Well, Spring has sprung here, for me anyway- I love it when the days get longer- and I'm coming out of hibernation at last.

Since my last post I've also been doing a lot of reflection and soul-searching after losing my mother in October (almost exactly a year after losing my dad)and I have not been doing much gigging, but the creative muse has certainly not let up, and I've almost finished writing the songs for the new album.

I've also continued to work in the studio, and although slow and often laborious, I'm really happy with the results so far. I've posted some more of the recordings, in various stages of production, on my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/ciarandorrismusic

I'm now dusting away the cobwebs and I'm gonna start searching for gigs again, and, indeed, have posted a few of them in the diary here. I hope to maybe catch up with some of you at one of them.

Meantime, my Celtic Music Radio show is still going strong, and is proving to be a lot of fun. Join us for music and crack every Sunday on 1530AM, Greater Glasgow, or online at www.celticmusicradio.net

See y'all soonest.

2008-09-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 2008 UPDATE

Hey all. It's been a busy time for me recently, with my regular Sunday show on Celtic Music Radio- www.celticmusicradio.net, and my recording sessions for the new album, tentatively entitled 'New Dawn Rising'. I've posted some rough mixes of the new songs on my MySpace site. I hope you enjoy them. I sent a copy of 'Killing Time (In The Garden of Eden)' to Rose Gentle, the mother of Gordon, the first Scottish soldier to be killed in the Iraq war. She really liked it, and wants me to help organise a benefit show for her campaign.

It's been a real pleasure working with Graeme Duffin (Wet, Wet, Wet) on the new recordings. He has a real sensitivity to my music, which really helps the recording process. Now, I just have to finish writing the last three songs which I want to include on the album, and it will be all systems go!!!!

If you check my gig dates, I've quite a few festival/club appearances lined up for September, so if you're free to come along to any of them, it would be lovely to see you there!!!

Slainte.

2008-05-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND- TWO FOR ONE OFFER !!!!!

As promised, the very popular two-for-one offer on 'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' is now re-instated. This has proved a great way of introducing people to my music, and, since the recording sessions for the new album are well underway, the tracks from CDDADR will be less common on websites like MySpace, so this is the ideal way to have these songs in your collection!!

For only £10.99 (UK) and £11.99 (rest of world) you can receive TWO copies of my debut solo album!!!! This offer is now permanently available from www.ciarandorris.com

Thanks again for you support!
Slainte

2008-02-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

THE RETURN OF DJ DORRIS

Just when you thought it was safe, Celtic Music Radio has asked me to reprise my role as DJ Dorris with a regular Sunday tea-time slot between 5-7pm GMT, commencing this coming Sunday 17th February.The station broadcasts throughout the Glasgow area on 1530 AM and will broadcast around the clock playing the best in Celtic/Folk/Roots music. It can also be heard online at: www.celticmusicradio.net It would be lovely if some of you can tune in, and maybe spread the word about this exciting new venture..or even email the show at: studio@celticmusicradio.net

I'll play the music that moves and inspires me, but I would also love your comments and suggestions. Let's create our very own interactive Sunday club!!!! I can't do it without you!!Look forward to hearing from you. Slainte

2008-01-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

SONGWRITER/ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS

A big, BIG thankyou to all of you who voted for me in the recent No Celtic Boundaries awards for songwriter and album of the year- I got 2nd and 4th places respectively !!! Considering I was only outpolled in the Songwriter category by the wonderful Cork man Mairtin de Cogain, star of the Ken Loach film The Wind that Shakes the Barley, I am truly humbled by the result!Your support means a lot to me, Slainte!

2008-01-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

NEW SONG- THE EMIGRANT'S DREAM

I've finally gotten around to start putting down the basic acoustic tracks for the next album. Just me and guitar really at this stage.I've posted one of them as a preview on my MySpace site. Just a rough demo of a new song, The Emigrant's Dream, about an Irish emigrant in America who spends his whole life dreaming of returning to the 'old country'. His images of Ireland are very inspired by the songs and stories he has heard. Hope you'll excuse the glitches at this stage!!!Slainte.

2007-11-20T04:48:00.000-08:00

ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2007

ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2007
The 'No Celtic Boundaries' Album of the Year 2007 Awards have arrived and it was a lovely surprise for me to see 'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' listed as one of the nominees!!!I've reprinted the original communication below, and if any of you are feeling charitable during the season of goodwill, then a vote would be very much appreciated- it's a simple, free procedure.....Slainte!

To nominate a band / artist, go to www.nocelticboundaries.com and only then to the contacts page. Fill in your details. Leave the Phone number box blank. On the drop down menu use General Message or Awards (if it is there) Type in your nomination. Click on the Send Button and that is it. During the course of 2007 on No Celtic Boundaries, we have received numerous requests for particular tracks off the albums as listed above. These requests form the basis of the awards. It is now down to you and your voting public to nominate the best album of 2007. Some albums were produced out of 2007 but have featured regularily on the show during the course of this year and that is what this award is relevant to.

2007-06-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

AMERICANA UK - CHASING DREAMS... REVIEW

'Songs about people, places, and events. In essence, folk music that you don't need a tankard to like'.

A Belfast-born, Glasgow based songwriter Dorris made a name for himself on that cities burgeoning folk scene with the band Arran Bede and latterly with the singer Heather Innis. Taking a slightly broader approach for his debut solo record Dorris has nonetheless kept at least one foot in the tradition. In the same way as say Boo Hewerdine exudes sincerity in his songs without ever (well, nearly) falling into that pit of sickly seriousness so too does Dorris. Delivered in an instantly likeable tone these are songs of returning home only to find 'home' isn't exactly how you remembered it ("The Prodigal's Return"), the world's reluctance to really come to terms (or even acknowledge) global warming ("Halcyon Highway), and, best of all, a song penned especially to tell the tale of how Dorris gave a young Josh Ritter a few words of encouragement on the very funny "Amy Rigby's Shoe." - Yes, I know, its a long story. This is folk music played and performed with all the gusto and guile of more traditional fare yet there isn't an Arun jumper in sight and, as far as I can tell, there is not a finger anywhere near an aural orifice. Like the best 'folk' music this is good whole-hearted story telling that touches upon all aspects of everyday life and leaves you genuinely interested (and in some cases moved) by the peoples, places, and events.. Yes, liked this one.

Del Day

2007-06-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

BALLAD OF TONY BLAIR

To commemorate the departure of British PM Tony Blair in June 2007, I composed a little farewell song just for him. It can be heard exclusively on my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/ciarandorrismusic

2007-04-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

ALBUM REVIEW- 'IRISH MUSIC' MAGAZINE

There is a review of 'Chasing Dreams Down A Dirt Road' in the May edition of the Dublin-based 'Irish Music' magazine, which calls itself 'the definitive voice of Irish music worldwide'. The review is by John O'Regan and I reprint it here in full:

One time member of Irish/Scots/American folk band Arran Bede, and more recently found in a duet with Scottish singer Heather Innes, Belfast-born Ciaran Dorris has been based in Scotland for some years. His debut solo album Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road inhabits the singer/songwriter terrain equally influenced by American forms as well as his Irish roots.

An impressive writer and impassioned vocalist, Dorris' style of delivery is perfectly suited to the timbre of his material. The Prodigals Return captures the dislocation felt by emigrants on returning home while Amy Rigbys Shoe describes the hero worship felt on meeting the off-kilter American singer/songwriter, and The Ballad of Maisie Madden outlines his prowess with a mock traditional ballad. An impassioned take on Raglan Road displays his balladic strength.

Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road is a welcome debut album from a very impressive talent.

2007-02-08T17:54:00.000-08:00

RADIO AIRPLAY

'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' has been picking up quite a bit of airplay recently. I haven't been able to promote it as much as I would have liked due to an ongoing family crisis, but early feedback has been very encouraging.

It has been featured several times on the Iain Anderson Show on BBC Radio Scotland, which pleases me greatly as Iain is a well-respected, popular broadcaster, and his show has a wide listenership.

BBC Radio Ulster has also been very supportive and I've had airplay on the Late Show with Cherrie MacIlwaine ('beautiful musicianship throughout'), and the Saturday Late Show with Karen Kirby. Colm Sands also featured the album on his popular Folk Club show ('great songs, great sounds').

In England, I've been played on Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk Show on Radio Shropshire, and BBC Wales' Frank Hennessey included the album on his Celtic Heartbeat show.

Finally, for now (as I intend to update this blog when neccessary), I've been 'adopted' as an artist of the month by KHBW Country Radio, an internet station based in Norfolk. I always said I was a cowboy at heart!

All these shows can be heard on the internet, and are recommended if you like good folk/acoustic music. If you get a chance you could even email them to let them know you enjoy their choice of music (if you do!). I'm sure they'd be delighted to know they've got listeners all over the world!

2007-01-30T05:13:00.000-08:00

IRISH EVENING HERALD- REVIEW OF ALBUM

There was a nice review of Chasing Dreams Down A Dirt Road in the Irish Evening Herald which I've reprinted here:

A Belfast native who's been based in Glasgow since 1988, Ciaran Dorris has recorded previously with the band Arran Bede and as a duo with Heather Innes.

Now he's made his debut solo album, featuring nine originals plus a lovely cover of Raglan Road that actually brings something new to the song. There's a definite Joni Mitchell influence in the unexpected chords and major-minor shifts of tracks like the pensive Not A London Girl and Calvary Circus, a daring attempt to tackle the pitfall-strewn topic of the Good Friday Agreement.

Fellow musos will appreciate Amy Rigby's Shoe, an accurate and candid description of what it feels like to submit oneself to the soul-destroying cattle mart that the world calls a music industry convention.

Thankfully, the experience didn't discourage him from releasing this fine, literate collection.

Review by Sarah McQuaid

2006-12-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

ALBUM NOW AVAILABLE !!!

'Chasing Dreams Down A Dirt Road', my debut solo album, is now available. It comes in a glossy gatefold sleeve and the lavish CD booklet includes full lyrics and background notes to the songs. I'm sorry the wait for it was so prolonged, but I AM happy with the product and hope others will be too!! The album can be obtained from the 'order now' section of this website.

2006-12-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

HALCYON HIGHWAY- FREE DOWNLOAD NOW AVAILABLE

My song about global warming, 'Halcyon Highway', is now available for free download exclusively at www.marklynas.org/books

I highly recommend Mark's site, and his book 'High Tide', to anyone who is interested in the subject of climate change- one of the most serious issues facing us today.

2006-11-17T15:11:00.000-08:00

PATIENCE IS A .....

Although I had hoped to have the new album available in October it was not to be. Due to unforseen hold-ups at the printers it now looks as though it will be late November/early December before it is ready. I'm really sorry to keep people waiting like this but hopefully it will be worth it in the end!!! Thanks for your patience.

2006-10-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

ALBUM SHOWCASE GIG:

I'll be doing a live preview of the new album on Thursday 23rd November at Tchai Ovna Tea House, Otago lane, Kelvinbridge, Glasgow, 7.30pm. All are welcome! Come early to avoid disappointment- venue is small and intimate!

2006-10-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Good news received today. Top climate change expert Mark Lynas, author of the best-selling book 'High Tide' has indicated that he would like to adopt my song 'Halcyon Highway' as the book's theme-song. I am delighted by this, as it was 'High Tide' that inspired me to write the song in the first place, and which made me so shamefully aware of just how complacent we are regarding global warming. Mark hopes to use the song on his website and at presentations etc. and it is really pleasing for me to know that my music is being used for such a worthwhile cause.

PS. The track samples should now be running in the correct order! And hopefully not blasting your eardrums in the process!

2006-10-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that the album track samples are still VERY MUCH in haphazard running order but will be tidied up ASAP! By the way, I called into one of those BT Internet phoneboxes today to check that the tracks were playing OK and I must say it was a very surreal, sobering experience to hear my voice BELLOWING at me from somewhere in cyberspace! This was compounded when I realised I couldn't adjust the volume and I was starting to get strange stares from passers-by who were doubtless wondering who the NED was who was blasting out music loud enough to drown out the traffic noise!!!(no mean feat in Glasgow!) Mortification! I made a quick getaway and sped home to order a personal computer from Dell!

Ah well, the life of a recording star!!!!!!!

2006-10-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome!!!

Well here it is- my very first blog on my very first website to promote my very first solo album!!! Too cool!!

The album has been sent off for pressing so I can do no more with it now- which is difficult for a control freak like me! But I've put sample snippets of the songs on the site to give a flavour of what's to come. And when the album is available then the full lyrics will also be posted! I'll also post some background information about the songs on the blogsite ASAP.

Please feel free to contribute to the blog- I DO love audience precipitation! Hopefully this will be fun ......