Orthodox Celts
Encyclopedia
Orthodox Celts is a Serbia
n band
which plays Irish folk music
combined with rock
elements. Despite their unusual sound the band is one of the top acts of the Serbian rock scene
and has influenced several younger bands, most notably Tir na n'Og
and Irish Stew of Sindidun
.
The band started their career performing traditional Irish songs
and, gradually, introduced more and more of their own material (lyrics mostly written by the band's frontman Aleksandar "Aca Celtic" Petrović, music mostly written by band's violin
ist Ana Đokić). All their songs are in English
, but the group has composed some purely instrumental songs as well. The band traditionally celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a large concert in Belgrade
. The band also traditionally performs on the Belgrade Beer Fest
, and is the only act that has appeared on every Belgrade Beer Fest so far (except Belgrade Beer Fest 2004, when a part of the program was cancelled due to technical problems).
, Dušan Živanović wanted to form a band which would perform the cover versions of Irish folk songs. Even though he had partially managed to fulfill this idea in Roze Poze, in 1992, Živanović took up playing the accordion
and, with Ana Đokić (violin
) and Dejan Lalić (mandolin
, banjo
, tin whistle
s), formed a band which performed occasionally at clubs. The band had the first official public appearance on Saint Patrick
's day at the British
Council in 1992. The following year, vocalist Aleksandar Petrović, also known as Aca Celtic, joined the band and they started performing more often. The rest of the lineup featured Vladan Jovković on guitar
and Dejan Jevtović on bass
.
The band released their first self-titled album
in 1994, featuring cover versions of twelve Irish folk songs. Among the covers appeared the songs "Nancy Whiskey", soccer anthem "A Grand Old Team", "The Wild Rover
", "The Irish Rover
" and others. The band presented the album live, mainly in Belgrade
's KST. The band also had acoustic sets in chamber arrangement. At the time, the band started writing their own songs, keeping up with the existing musical style. The recording of their performance held at Synagogue in Novi Sad
on September 15, 1995, with the Latin American music
band Pachamama, was released on a split live album Muzičke paralele
(Musical Parallels) in 1996.
For the next album, The Celts Strike Again
, the band, beside the cover versions of traditional songs, included two of their own songs, "Drinking Song" and "Blue". As guests on the album appeared actress Ana Sofrenović who did vocals on the track "Lock Lommond", Vampiri
vocalist Aleksandar Eraković did backing vocals, Stočari member Branko Vitas played banjo, Pachamama member Miljan Mihaljčić played the traditional instruments and Renesansa member Žorž Grujić played zurla
and Serbian bagpipes. Three promotional videos were recorded for the album, for "Drinking Song", "Star Of The County Down
" and the title track. The later also appeared on the Radio Index various artists compilation Nas slušaju svi, mi ne slušamo nikoga!.
In 1997, the band, with Madame Piano, performed at the Budva music festival
with the song "Galija". The song appeared on the official festival release. At the time, the band presented their new member, Dejan Popin (tin whistles), and started working on their new release. Green Roses
, released in 1999, featured sixteen songs, half of which were traditional covers and the other half, their original songs. The album was produced by Aleksandar Radosavljević, and as guests appeared Dragoljub Marković (keyboards), Aleksandar Eraković and Goran Stojković (backing vocals). Promotional videos were recorded for the tracks "Rocky Road to Dublin
/ Down The River", "Merry Sisters", "Far Away", and the title track.
rereleased Orthodox Celts debut album on CD, and as bonus tracks appeared the songs from the live album Muzičke paralele. The following year, the band released the fourth album, A Moment Like The Longest Day
. The album featured the songs written by Đokić (lead vocals on "Can You Get Me Out"), Petrović, new bass guitarist Dejan Grujić and Colette Ioanniduoi. The album featured only one traditional cover, "Humors Of Scariff". Block Out
member Nikola Vranjković produced the album, and the band moved to a more rock-oriented sound than on the previous releases. Promotional video was recorded only for the title track. In 2002, Orthodox Celts performed on the Exit festival alongside Shane MacGowan
, and Petrović appeared on the stage with MacGowan performing "The Irish Rover" with him.
In 2007, the band released their fifth album, One, Two... Five
, through Automatik records. The album, produced by Nikola Vranjković, brought eleven songs, two of which are covers of traditional songs, and one of them being a cover of the Thin Lizzy
song "Sarah
".
In 2009, Ana Đokić left Orthodox Celts.
for bringing the band to the United States. The band is currently working on their sixth studio album.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
which plays Irish folk music
Folk music of Ireland
The folk music of Ireland is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Ireland.-History:...
combined with rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
elements. Despite their unusual sound the band is one of the top acts of the Serbian rock scene
Serbian rock
Serbian rock is the rock music scene of Serbia. During the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s, while Serbia was a constituent republic of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbian rock scene was a part of the SFR Yugoslav rock scene....
and has influenced several younger bands, most notably Tir na n'Og
Tir na n'Og
Alfapop is is a Serbian power pop band from Belgrade.The band was formed in 2000 under the name Tir na n'Og . Initially, the band performed Irish folk and Celtic rock, and released one Celtic rock-oriented album...
and Irish Stew of Sindidun
Irish Stew of Sindidun
Irish Stew of Sindidun is a Celtic rock band from Belgrade, Serbia. While initially playing Irish folk music, the band later made a shift towards light punk rock, inspired by Irish folk music and other genres...
.
The band started their career performing traditional Irish songs
Folk music of Ireland
The folk music of Ireland is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Ireland.-History:...
and, gradually, introduced more and more of their own material (lyrics mostly written by the band's frontman Aleksandar "Aca Celtic" Petrović, music mostly written by band's violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist Ana Đokić). All their songs are in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, but the group has composed some purely instrumental songs as well. The band traditionally celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a large concert in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
. The band also traditionally performs on the Belgrade Beer Fest
Belgrade Beer Fest
Belgrade Beer Fest is an annual festival of beer in Belgrade, Serbia. Started in 2003, the festival is held annually over 4 to 5 days as a showcase event for various beer producers. In addition to domestic and foreign brews, the festival features live music performances each evening...
, and is the only act that has appeared on every Belgrade Beer Fest so far (except Belgrade Beer Fest 2004, when a part of the program was cancelled due to technical problems).
1990s
During the mid-eighties, Roze Poze drummerDrum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, Dušan Živanović wanted to form a band which would perform the cover versions of Irish folk songs. Even though he had partially managed to fulfill this idea in Roze Poze, in 1992, Živanović took up playing the accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
and, with Ana Đokić (violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
) and Dejan Lalić (mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, tin whistle
Tin whistle
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
s), formed a band which performed occasionally at clubs. The band had the first official public appearance on Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
's day at the British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
Council in 1992. The following year, vocalist Aleksandar Petrović, also known as Aca Celtic, joined the band and they started performing more often. The rest of the lineup featured Vladan Jovković on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and Dejan Jevtović on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
.
The band released their first self-titled album
Orthodox Celts (album)
Orthodox Celts is the debut album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1994. It is the only Orthodox Celts album which features only covers of Irish traditional songs.The album was reissued in 1999.- Tracklist :...
in 1994, featuring cover versions of twelve Irish folk songs. Among the covers appeared the songs "Nancy Whiskey", soccer anthem "A Grand Old Team", "The Wild Rover
The Wild Rover
The Wild Rover is a popular folk song whose origins are contested.According to Professor T. M. Devine in his book The Scottish Nation 1700 - 2000 the song was written as a temperance song. The song is found printed in a book, The American Songster, printed in the USA by W.A...
", "The Irish Rover
The Irish Rover
"The Irish Rover" is a traditional Irish song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship that reaches an unfortunate end. It has been recorded by numerous artists, some of whom have made changes to the lyrics....
" and others. The band presented the album live, mainly in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
's KST. The band also had acoustic sets in chamber arrangement. At the time, the band started writing their own songs, keeping up with the existing musical style. The recording of their performance held at Synagogue in Novi Sad
Novi Sad
Novi Sad is the capital of the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina, and the administrative centre of the South Bačka District. The city is located in the southern part of Pannonian Plain on the Danube river....
on September 15, 1995, with the Latin American music
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
band Pachamama, was released on a split live album Muzičke paralele
Muzičke paralele
Muzičke paralele is the live album released by Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts and Serbian Latin American music band Pachamama. The album was recorded on the bands' concert in Novi Sad Sinagoga held on September 15, 1995, and self-released by the bands in 1996...
(Musical Parallels) in 1996.
For the next album, The Celts Strike Again
The Celts Strike Again
The Celts Strike Again is the second studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1997. Besides covers of traditional Irish songs, the album features two songs written by the members of the band, "Drinking Song" and "Blue"....
, the band, beside the cover versions of traditional songs, included two of their own songs, "Drinking Song" and "Blue". As guests on the album appeared actress Ana Sofrenović who did vocals on the track "Lock Lommond", Vampiri
Vampiri
Vampiri were a Serbian and former Yugoslav rock band from Belgrade. The band was formed in 1988, and performed music influenced by the 1950s doo-wop and rockabilly. After releasing two studio albums, they disbanded in 1993...
vocalist Aleksandar Eraković did backing vocals, Stočari member Branko Vitas played banjo, Pachamama member Miljan Mihaljčić played the traditional instruments and Renesansa member Žorž Grujić played zurla
Zurla
Zurla may refer to:*the zurla, an oboe-like woodwind instrument similar to the Turkish zurna, used in the Balkan countries* Giacinto Placido Zurla , an Italian cardinal and a historian of mediaeval geography...
and Serbian bagpipes. Three promotional videos were recorded for the album, for "Drinking Song", "Star Of The County Down
Star of the County Down
"Star of the County Down" is an old Irish ballad set near Banbridge in County Down, in Ireland. The words are by Cathal McGarvey, 1866-1927, from Ramelton, County Donegal...
" and the title track. The later also appeared on the Radio Index various artists compilation Nas slušaju svi, mi ne slušamo nikoga!.
In 1997, the band, with Madame Piano, performed at the Budva music festival
Pjesma Mediterana
Pjesma Mediterana is a pop music festival held every summer in Budva, Montenegro.The festival began in 1992 There have been various sponsors of the festival, including:Komuna Belgrade, Music Star Production and the Municipality of Budva. From 2008, the Municipality of Budva, together with HTP...
with the song "Galija". The song appeared on the official festival release. At the time, the band presented their new member, Dejan Popin (tin whistles), and started working on their new release. Green Roses
Green Roses
Green Roses is the third studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1999.- Tracklist :# "St. Patrick Was A Gentleman" - 02:19# "Sindidun" - 03:42# "Green Roses" Green Roses is the third studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts...
, released in 1999, featured sixteen songs, half of which were traditional covers and the other half, their original songs. The album was produced by Aleksandar Radosavljević, and as guests appeared Dragoljub Marković (keyboards), Aleksandar Eraković and Goran Stojković (backing vocals). Promotional videos were recorded for the tracks "Rocky Road to Dublin
Rocky Road To Dublin
"Rocky Road to Dublin" is a fast-paced 19th century song about a man's experiences as he travels to Liverpool, England from his home in Tuam. The tune has a typical Irish rhythm, classified as a slip jig in 9/8 timing, and is often performed instrumentally.- Origin :The words were written by D.K...
/ Down The River", "Merry Sisters", "Far Away", and the title track.
2000s
In 2001, Metropolis RecordsMetropolis Records (Serbia)
Metropolis Records is a record label based in Belgrade, Serbia.Formed in 1994, the label is mainly oriented towards rock music, and has released albums by a numerous notable acts of the Serbian rock scene.- Artists :...
rereleased Orthodox Celts debut album on CD, and as bonus tracks appeared the songs from the live album Muzičke paralele. The following year, the band released the fourth album, A Moment Like The Longest Day
A Moment Like the Longest Day
A Moment Like The Longest Day is the fourth studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 2002. Produced by Block Out member Nikola Vranjković and featuring only one cover of a traditional Irish song, "Humors Of Scariff", A Moment Like The Longest Day is more...
. The album featured the songs written by Đokić (lead vocals on "Can You Get Me Out"), Petrović, new bass guitarist Dejan Grujić and Colette Ioanniduoi. The album featured only one traditional cover, "Humors Of Scariff". Block Out
Block Out
Blockout is a puzzle video game, published in 1989 by California Dreams, developed in Poland by Aleksander Ustaszewski and Mirosław Zabłocki....
member Nikola Vranjković produced the album, and the band moved to a more rock-oriented sound than on the previous releases. Promotional video was recorded only for the title track. In 2002, Orthodox Celts performed on the Exit festival alongside Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
, and Petrović appeared on the stage with MacGowan performing "The Irish Rover" with him.
In 2007, the band released their fifth album, One, Two... Five
One, Two... Five
One, Two... Five is the fifth studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 2007. Like the band's previous album, A Moment Like The Longest Day, One, Two.....
, through Automatik records. The album, produced by Nikola Vranjković, brought eleven songs, two of which are covers of traditional songs, and one of them being a cover of the Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
song "Sarah
Sarah (Thin Lizzy song)
Sarah is a pop song released in 1979 by Irish rock group Thin Lizzy, included on their album, Black Rose: A Rock Legend. The song was written by the band's frontman Phil Lynott and guitarist Gary Moore about Lynott's newborn daughter...
".
In 2009, Ana Đokić left Orthodox Celts.
2010s
In June 2011, American entertainment promotion agency Bounce the Cat Productions started an internet petitionInternet petition
An Internet petition is a form of petition posted on a website. Visitors to the website in question can add their email addresses or names, and after enough "signatures" have been collected, the resulting letter may be delivered to the subject of the petition, usually via e-mail.-Pros and cons:The...
for bringing the band to the United States. The band is currently working on their sixth studio album.
Studio albums
| Title | Released |
|---|---|
| Orthodox Celts (album) Orthodox Celts is the debut album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1994. It is the only Orthodox Celts album which features only covers of Irish traditional songs.The album was reissued in 1999.- Tracklist :... |
|
| The Celts Strike Again The Celts Strike Again is the second studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1997. Besides covers of traditional Irish songs, the album features two songs written by the members of the band, "Drinking Song" and "Blue".... |
|
| Green Roses Green Roses is the third studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1999.- Tracklist :# "St. Patrick Was A Gentleman" - 02:19# "Sindidun" - 03:42# "Green Roses" Green Roses is the third studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts... |
|
| A Moment Like the Longest Day A Moment Like The Longest Day is the fourth studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 2002. Produced by Block Out member Nikola Vranjković and featuring only one cover of a traditional Irish song, "Humors Of Scariff", A Moment Like The Longest Day is more... |
|
| One, Two... Five One, Two... Five is the fifth studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 2007. Like the band's previous album, A Moment Like The Longest Day, One, Two..... |
|
Live albums
| Title | Released |
|---|---|
| Muzičke paralele Muzičke paralele is the live album released by Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts and Serbian Latin American music band Pachamama. The album was recorded on the bands' concert in Novi Sad Sinagoga held on September 15, 1995, and self-released by the bands in 1996... (split live album, with Pachamama) |
|
Singles
| Title | Released |
|---|---|
| |
|
| |
|
External links
See also
- Tir na n'OgTir na n'OgAlfapop is is a Serbian power pop band from Belgrade.The band was formed in 2000 under the name Tir na n'Og . Initially, the band performed Irish folk and Celtic rock, and released one Celtic rock-oriented album...
- Irish Stew of SindidunIrish Stew of SindidunIrish Stew of Sindidun is a Celtic rock band from Belgrade, Serbia. While initially playing Irish folk music, the band later made a shift towards light punk rock, inspired by Irish folk music and other genres...