Bohinta Mystic Time

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The first time I heard Bohinta was back in 1996 when their self
titles album was launched at Queens University during November of that
year . The driving force behind the sound is undoubtedly Martin and
Aine Furey who have a cery famous Father by the name of Finbar .
Martin is determined to make a name for himself but he says it is hard
when you have a such a famous Dad in the business . Often when people
first hear whoMartin and Aines Dad is they expect top hear songs like
When You Were Sweet Sixteen or The Lonesome Boatman but in fact what
they do hear is as brand new sensation from this generation of the
Furey family . Bordering between mainstream folk and celtic rock the
well crafted songs and lyrics are original and powerful . Within the
music you find a deep emotional well that you can draw upon to water
the very corners of your soul . Inside you a sense of the mystic
envelopes you with a youthful vision of where we are today .
Martin Furey who is the main songwriter played in Boston in 1989 and
although he loves the acoustic guitar he is highly skilled on the Elbow
Pipes and also with the Irish Whistle . Martin also likes to keep
himself in shape with strict fitness programs . A good set of lungs is
always a great asset when you are pushing furious wind through the
reeds of chanters and drones . Martin's playing on uillean-pipes and
whistles, featured recently in the BBC TV production "Rennoch The Red
Deer" and also on a production of "Macbeth" which won the silver-screen
award for the best sound-track. Martin Furey, a fine piper in his own
right is carrying on the family tradition as a multi instrumentalist.
With his sister Aine as vocalist they often play with their father on
tour . After two solo albums Finbar proudly returns for the release of
his new album "Chasing Moonlight". Accompanied by Martin his son and
daughter Aine, they have an accomplished sound together as a family
.
Bohinta as a band continue this bond with Aine Furey who provides most
of the vocals and her depth of feeling is translated through each song
Bohinta play . When you hear Martin and Aine singing together you
realise that there is a special blood bond in the mix . The brother and
sister relationship reflects a healthy quality that makes the listening
both harmonious and happy . Bohinta and their music have a new
direction that resonates of a modern day mystic asking questions of
what used to be known as Celtic Spirituality .
For a number of years Aine Furey attended Cork University during which
time she did Celtic studies . It was there that Aine found a fulfilment
and joyful experience. What proceeded after was a rare Celtic product
that she could translate into Bohintas sound .
The name Bohinta is taken from Celtic Mythology . In the Irish language
the word Badhbh Chaointe, is the name of a supernatural Celtic Mother
Goddess who inspired Poets to write . She also transformed herself into
a crow that hunted the battlefields where she would create wailing
cried for the banshee to lament for those who had been killed in battle
. Bohinta is as close in pronunciation in English to the name Badhbh
Chaointe .
When Bohinta were forming as a band they frequently went through
changes within the line up . Martin first linked up with Robin Hurt in
1990 and then Greig Stewart and Dave McCleod . Then in 1992 Roy
Marchbank joined in . In 1994 when Martin and Aine met Padhrig
O'Faraichtain, Gill Hunter Nigel Walker and Carlene Anglim Bohinta
began to gain strength in their direction. Travelling together through
England Scotland and Wales brought inspirations for the songs that
appeared on their first album . With tracks like Bonnie Winds and the
Fort Song one senses Martins determination to make Bohinta a band that
will make its mark on the world . He pushes through this clearly within
the melodic structure and the movement of Aine vocals in songs like
Home and Heaven project Martins lyrical strength . Both brother and
sister are as one with Bohinta and no more is this evident than in the
track entitled Gypsy . This songs is if you like a hallmark that
reflects some of the passion behind the Furey family . Nora who was
Martins Grandmother was a full blooded Romanian Gypsy . The Furey
Family have always been proud of their gypsy heritage .
Bohinta have the ability to fuse together both traditional and
contemporary styles making this unique mystical sound .The whispers of
another world come echoing through and that in essence is the creative
juice that flows in the blood of all the members of Bohinta . There is
an energy which is progressing in the band and with touring and doing
their live gigs a tightness within the band has now developed . So
there have been many years of hard work put behind the sound and by no
means are they an overnight success . The band have toured worldwide
sharing their stories and songs daring to explore and brave enough to
experiment with musical boundaries .
Aine has also been on another musical journey with the release of her
first solo album entitled Sweetest Summer Rain . On the album she
recorded one of her Dads songs entitled Life Is Just That Way . Aine
has also been included on various tracks within a Celtic Compilation
that was released on the Putamayo World label . The Celtic Women series
were very popular and Aine was able to launch two of her songs "Hand in
Hand" and "13 Wishes " into a large market place .
Bohinta now have several albums and each one is a work of art in its
own right .
With Bohinta you sense somehow that there has been a lot of soul
searching and personal suffering behind their projects . I believe that
is why their product will stand the test of time . Like gold has to go
through a furnace before it is pure . Like the testing of steel to make
it strong . It is true that only through suffering can we appreciate
something that will survive the test of time .
Discover Bohinta and you will find like I did pure Irish gold .

TRhe End

By Paul McCann