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Craig Markley 'The Lone Raven'
Lone Raven Music LRM 0501 CD

Ohio based multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Craig Markely has founded the popular Celtic band Stark Raven. Now he releases his debut solo album 'The Lone Raven'.

Like many US Celtic players before him he came from a rock background originally but was won over to traditional sounds from Ireland Scotland and Brittany and the other Celtic nations. Now his music moves in a different direction penning songs, airs and tunes within the more pensive but equally emotional language of traditionally based folk music.

Markley's talents extend to playing keyboards, uilleann pipes, accordion, whistles and percussion. Joined by at least nineteen guest musicians and singers drawn from the American Celtic scenes the music is richly imbued with roots in the Irish and Breton traditions yet played with a typical New World sense of style, technical flair and enthusiasm.

Names such as Eddie Cotter Jr, Deborah and Karl Colon from The Gabriel Hounds and Steve and Cindy Matyi from Cincinatti based band Silver Arm and members of Stark Raven all lend their support.

Listening to songs like 'Maud' with its contemporary singer /songwriter like delivery and strong Irish traditional elements display an exciting crossover experiment in progress.The more melodic airs like the title track and 'Breeze on Lake Ainslee' capture the melodic nuances of Irish and Scottish slow airs in both form and structure. The Breton set 'Booba's Bounty' featuring three well-known dance tunes in the 'Pach Pi' and 'Andro' time signatures uncannily captures the melodic nuances of Breton dance music.

Much of the music on 'The Lone Raven' has a quiet reflective theme to it and on the way Markley pens some exquisite songs including 'Our Father's Garden' featuring Sue Mogan-Matheson's sweet, supple voice and 'Mother Beware' these particularly stand out coming complete with evocative melodies and articulately expressed lyrics.

Markley's 13-year old daughter Kara takes the vocal lead on 'River' as popularized by Frances Black during her Arcady days 10 years ago. Craig Markley has seamlessly woven his American backgrounds with Celtic traditional music to create something that is fresh, timeless and above all honest.

'The Lone Raven' is an album fuelled by a deep love of Celtic music but also an original musical mind, sharp and adventurous and highly creative, Craig Markley's talents are important ones -listen and be amazed.

Correspondence; www.starkraven.com/ cem@loneraven.com/www.loneraven.com Snail mail: Edge Enterprises 2731 Hills-Miller Road Delaware Ohio OH 43015 USA.