Nolwenn Leroy, the Celtic Keiko?

[Daiima]

Brittany is a land in western France, facing Great Britain, which kept a strong cultural identity with its own traditions, language and of course music. It's one of the major part of the Celtic world, with Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Nolwenn Leroy was born in this region (her first name is traditional from there). She won the second season of Real-TV show Star Academy in France, she tried to succeed with her own songs (which are still vocally impressive) but her own career really began when she started to cover Breton folk tunes. Even if her first songs went more easily hit than her covers, these latter ones now allow her to enjoy an high popularity among audiences from all ages.

Why do I think that she may be seen as a Celtic counterpart for Keiko?
- Her physical appearance: brown long hair with bangs, and an high charisma with a phantasmagorical aura;
- Her abilities to sing: her vocal range covers from alto to mezzo-soprano;
- Her stage performances: needless to say that she's never lip-synching, she has an high consistency, and a powerful voice;
- Celtic music, whose influences are often found into Yuki Kajiura-sama's songs!

You can watch a full concert footage here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zlGmkRs8lQ

"Tri Martelod", Breton folk song in Breton language, live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPrU982aCUE
"La jument de Michao", Breton folk song in French, live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctqb11z8VbA (jump to 2:45)
"Ohio", cover from Neil Young, studio live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYOV7L4w03s
"Bro Gozh ma Zadoù", Brittany's anthem, a Capella live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzckoZ3v_gQ
"Whiskey In The Jar", Irish folk song, live in NYC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-FYqlXiKDg

and to conclude, one of her most known (and impressive) own songs from the Star Academy era, "Cassé", DVD live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL0od3ex-kM

 

[wat11]

wow thanks!

i think i've heard Tri Martelod before but i can't be sure...

love the music, it's so uplifting. her version of "Whiskey in the Jar" was also really good.

keep it up! :)

 

[Martin]

Oh, my...her voice is great. And she plays violin too! I like her already.

In all seriousness though, can see a resemblance: the hairdo, the husky and resonant voice, the charisma and stage presence...she's cool. I kinda want to go out and buy all her records now!

I actually didn't realise how much I appreciate celtic style folk music. Getting past the 'uncool' image I've been exposed to in the past, it's really soulful and catchy. Loads of interesting and pleasant instrumentation too (I've wanted to buy a mandolin for a while now...)

Anyway. Those songs are brilliant. I prefer her folk-y stuff like the Whiskey in a Jar cover and that concert, but yeah. I think I'll become quite a fan of hers from now on. Thank you so much for sharing it!

 

[Daiima]

If you are interested, a live footage is broadcast on TV at 10.50 CEST tonight (at the time I'm writing this post, it's 9.30). Streaming is available here: http://www.france3.fr/direct