In order to fully appreciate this dynamic musical group, one must first have an understanding of what a shaman is. The word, shaman, comes from Tungusic, a central Asian language group, and can be literally translated as, "one who is raised and excited"; The shaman's traditional role in many world cultures is to serve as a mediator between mankind and the spiritual forces of the natural world. He or she is, in a sense, a performer who utilizes rhythms, sounds, sights and words in active rituals to heal, teach and reinforce society.
Shaman, the musical group, is headed by brother/sister duo, Brahm and Deirdre Stuart, multi-instrumentalists, singer/songwriters who command a vast repertoire of traditional music and original songs. Their music is the blend of many influences - including Celtic, Native American, Blues, and Middle Eastern - that when woven together create their own unique sound which they call, "Earth Music". Indeed the Earth, and the critical importance of humanity's relationship with the ecosphere and all living creatures provide the central themes around which many of Shaman's original lyrics are based.
Shaman clearly established their "Hey, let's care about and love our Mother Earth!" attitude with the release of their first recording, Ode to Mother Earth. This one tape full of original songs by Brahm and Deirdre has caused quite a stir amongst many noted environmentalists, neo-pagan leaders, and journalists - read some of their quotes here:"Earth Music Quotes"; or take the time to listen to some of our downloadable song samples in the Sound Bytes Section.
With clear voices, fiddle, guitars, mandolin, hand drums, and flutes; Shaman gives highly charged performances that hold audiences spellbound. "The Earth is our Mother, she raised us up from the dust..." is the first line of one of their songs; and that same dust is still being kicked up by many dancing feet to the sounds of Shaman.
To discuss having Shaman perform at your event call Brahm Stuart at (518) 329-5390 or email us here:shaman-inquiries@solstar.org
"Ode to Mother Earth is a remarkable work . . . links the eternal impulses of the spirit to the rhythmic pulse of the Earth,"
The Very Reverend James Parks Morton, the former dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
"Ode to Mother Earth is a delightful collection of songs which are filled with a sense of spiritual wonder. Most of the compositions evoke the majesty and splendor of our Mother Earth. . ."
Thoth, reviewer for the Neo-Pagan Journal,
Tides, Samhain/Yule issue 1992 issue.
"The songs generally have themes of reverence for the earth, environmental concerns, and similar ideological ground. While the lyrics to the songs show awareness of modern problems, they have sort of a neo-medieval feel. . .some of the best I've heard in this genre."
Steve Winick, reviewer for the World music magazine Dirty Linen , April/May 1991 issue.
Combine some ancient/mysterious strains of traditional Celtic melodies and rhythms with a modern drum set, electric bass guitar, electric/accoustic instruments and what do you have? Celtic Rock, of course!
Shaman is a band who has mastered such a sound. In the tradition of Fairport Convention a la Van Morrison a la 10,000 Maniacs, Shaman have made a very definitive and pronounced stance in the combining of traditional Celtic music with the modern folk-rock idiom.
Led by multi-instrumentalists Brahm and Deirdre Stuart (vocals, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and wind instruments) Shaman jams! With a tight rhythm section consisting of John Heney on electric bass and Terry Kestel on drumkit, and various other dynamic instrumentalists; Shaman has left their mark both in their recordings and the minds, hearts, and pens of others. Read here what some journalists have written:"Celtic Rock Quotes"
From their riveting renditions of rocked-up driving Irish and Scottish reels to the spell binding vocal deliveries of the old or new ballads, Shaman is a band to be reckoned with.
Shaman, as a musical group, was first concieved in 1990 and has performed at clubs, theatres and festivals across the U.S. They have made three recordings that include Celtic rock selections, The Green Man, Live! Hobbit Day "92, and Feels So Good, Live!; all are available from Solstar Communications.
To discuss having Shaman perform at your event call Brahm Stuart at (518) 329-5390 or email us here:shaman-inquiries@solstar.org
"The Club advertises the show as 'Celtic Hippie Dancing', and that's exactly what goes on. Shaman's music is spirited traditional jigs and reels . . .this is certainly a good time."
Brian Rowan, in his Off the Record column of the
Irish Voice Newspaper, New York City, Jan. 14, 1992.
"Besides contrastingly intense, blow-you-away voices, this Celtic folk rock group strums haunting high energy music which begs your feet to jig with guitars, mandolin, and fiddle."
Dee Dee Finney, reviewer for the
New York Review of Records, Dec. 1991 issue.
"Their eclectic blend of traditional Irish and Scottish ballads, original lyrics and compositions are reminiscent of early Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention. . .favorites include a lively (celtic rock) version of the traditional Scottish ballad, 'Raggle Taggle Gypsies', on The Green Man, featuring Brahm's impassioned fiddle."
RS & ABr, reviewers for the World music magazine Dirty Linen , April/May 1994 issue.
Shaman is a unique folk-rock ensemble which combines the talents and songwriting abilities of multi-instrumentalists Brahm and Deirdre Stuart (vocals, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and wind instruments) with a tight rhythm section consisting of John Heney on electric bass and Terry Kestel on drumkit. Depending on the size, nature, and budget of the show and personnel availability, various other dynamic instrumentalists also join the stage with Shaman.
Shaman perform a vast repertoire of traditional music and original songs. Although much of their repertoire is Celtic influenced, there is a lot of material which shows remarkable fluidity in other ethnic idioms. Some of Shaman's originals masterfully blend the folk music of these other traditions (i.e. Cajun, Native American, Gypsy, Greek and Middle Eastern) with blues and rock underpinnings to create the distinctive sound which has been lauded by audiences and critics wherever they've played. Scroll ahead to: "World Fusion Quotes"
Shaman, as a musical group was formed in 1990 and have since recorded six music cassettes with the indie label, Solstar Communications. From the first, Ode to Mother Earth, Shaman explored other non-Celtic World music flavours with the belly-dance-like sound of "I am the Ocean's Daughter" and the medieval Italian melodies in "The King Came Down". Then there is Dans Mediterraneo, an accoustic album cassette of strictly folk music from countries that surround the Mediterranean sea (i.e. France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Israel). The last cut on their album, The Green Man, there's the masterpiece World-fusion-folk-rock song, "Ancient Laws, Tribal Ways" with poignant lyrics proclaiming Brahm's sentiments on the underlying causes of the Jewish/Arab dilemma written to a rousing Turkish melody in 7/8ths time. Also check out "The Ababian Elf" on Deirdre Stuart's CD, Welcome to the World.
If your looking for a band that has something unique. Not just another Celtic rock band, not just another rock band, not just another outdated world folk music group - then look no further. . .Shaman has the music you want. Either as a live act for your festival or venue, or for cassettes and CD's that you'll be playing over and over again, Shaman won't let you down.
To discuss having Shaman perform at your event call Brahm Stuart at (518) 329-5390 or email us here:shaman-inquiries@solstar.org
"It's not strictly Irish however as the string section cooks up a nice blend of Middle Eastern and European gypsy music. 'We play all kinds of world folk music,' they announced from the stage that night."
Brian Rowan, in his Off the Record column of the
Irish Voice Newspaper, New York City, Jan. 14, 1992.
"Their hippie Celtic/rock vibrations emanate from as far back as 1066 A.D., and when coupled with their driving modern folk rock, produce a chillingly ageless sound."
Ross A. Levy, reviewer for the New Voice , Feb.1992 issue.
"Shaman's tapesty of sound weaves together an astounding variety of styles combining Celtic instrumentals, Mediterranean Gypsy songs, otherworldly ballads, and passionate pagan pixie music. . ."
RS & ABr, reviewers for the World music magazine Dirty Linen , April/May 1994 issue.
Led by Brahm Stuart on violin, guitar and voice, along with various musicians and performers that specialize in stylistic, traditional music and dance from around the world, Shaman's Unique Minstrels Ensembles can provide music and specialty skills tailored to the specific needs of any event.
Instrumentation varies but can include bowed string ensembles, mandolins, harp, hammer dulcimer, flutes, bagpipes, and drums; our accomplished singers have a repertoire of many songs from different countries. The number of musicians can range from a wandering solo minstrel to an eight-piece music ensemble and additional visual performers. The repertoire of the Shaman's Unique Minstrels Ensembles include: Medieval and Renaissance music; traditional Irish and Scottish music; ballads from the British Isles; Italian and Greek folksongs and dances; Slavic, Balkan, and Middle Eastern music; Sephardic and Israeli music; American music, including Cajun, Bluegrass, Country & Western, contemporary folk-rock and originally composed music.
Many of the musicians that are associated with Unique Minstrels are really from different parts of the world, playing the music they've known since childhood, so we might have an African with his djembe, a middle easterner with his dumbek, an Irish musician, or a real Italian gypsy. Other specialty skills include dancers, stilt-walkers, musicians on stilts, juggling, fire-eating, unicycles, puppet shows, and more!!!
Shaman's Unique Minstrels perform fully costumed, either acoustically or with their own sound system, and can add a colorful atmosphere and special charm to any event.
To discuss having Shaman's Unique Minstrels at your event call Brahm Stuart at (518) 329-5390 or email us here:shaman-inquiries@solstar.org
Shaman, that folk rock band so well known on the New York Celtic rock scene, is led by native New Orleanians, brother and sister - Brahm and Deirdre Stuart (Ourso). The Ourso side of their family has it's roots in Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, Louisiana (Cajun country), and Brahm and Deirdre excel in performing the music of their roots - be they the Scottish roots or the Cajun roots.
Indeed Shaman perform some unbeatable arrangements of Celtic music, rock covers, and original songs; but in the realm of Cajun/Zydeco music, Shaman sticks you with a whole 'nother ball of wax. Deirdre's vocal interpretations of Cajun classics-Jai Passe, or O'Guillori, are so authentic sounding! Oh, that's right, she was raised in Lousiana. And Brahm's fiddle. . .it don't mean a thing without that real Cajun swing. Listen for yourself.
Shaman are so into performing Cajun music, that they have an alias, Boudreaux Couvillion, an alter ego so to speak who perform exclusively Cajun/Zydeco and spicy original rhythm'n'bluesy songs. If you might be interested in having a bona fide cajun band check out Boudreaux Couvillion's Homepage.
In every Shaman show there is that Cajun / Celtic charge that's sure to turn music lovers of all ages into instant and avid fans. From the way that Brahm can switch from playing the most complicated Irish reel to a driving Cajun rhythm all the while holding his fiddle at chest level just like the old Cajun guys, to the ease of delivery as Deirdre sweetly croons an old Scottish air and then a robust Queen Ida Zydeco song, it all adds up to make Shaman a band with lots of promise - we deliver excitement.
To discuss having Shaman perform at your event call Brahm Stuart at (518) 329-5390 or email us here:shaman-inquiries@solstar.org
Shaman is a band with an edge as well as some great original contemporary songs. The edge, of course, are the sounds of traditional World music such as Celtic, Cajun, or Middle Eastern. But Shaman's lead members, Brahm and Deirdre Stuart are Americans born in New Orleans who grew up on standard FM radio rhythm'n'blues/folk/pop/rock music. So when you put it all together, the song writing talents, the New Orleans roots, and the love of traditional music and the adeptness at violin, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, flutes, and singing that the Stuarts possess; you get Shaman, a great contemporary band with meaningful, good songs and tasteful arrangements.
On Brahm Stuart's first album, Flight to the Crossroads, featuring Columbia Recording Artist, Mason Rufner on electric guitar, it is apparent that Brahm's vocal style, and song writing ability in the blues/rock idiom are top notch and deeply soulful. Brahm has never abandoned his blues/rock/groove musings; even after becoming so enthralled with Celtic music and other World musics, he recorded with Shaman songs like "Sinner" on The Green Man, as well as the title song for Feels so Good, Live!, both songs teeming with blues power. But the Celtic folk connection is so refreshing in other Brahm originals, like "Anita Macbeth"(Feels so Good, Live!) and "Ask a Child"(Flight to the Crossroads).
Deirdre has her own CD with ten original songs and one traditional song, all in the folk rock idiom - Welcome to the World - (of course Shaman is the backup band). Many of the songs featured on this fine recording are also part of the standard repertoire of a Shaman concert in any venue.
Shaman is a phenomenal band that will raise the energy in any situation, keep audiences spellbound, and give anyone a refreshing break from today's onslaught of mediocrity.
To discuss having Shaman perform at your event call (518) 329-5390
or email:shaman-inquiries@solstar.org