Celtic Music Net

A great many (if not most) threads in the German-Irish cooperation (partly also officially) are located in Moers at the left Lower Rhine side. How did it come into being?

This kind of “Celtic Love” began more or less on a private scale but in public it evolved actually not until 25 years ago with the Travel Office Gaeltacht Ireland Travels in the year 1983 (which since a a little more than one year additionally plays the role of the Travel Centers/Travel Offices in the grand internet portal www.irish-net.de). Quickly there was added the meeting place and educational institution-Ireland. The in the year 1990 we invented here the Magazine Ireland Journal and the appropriate publishing company. I myself was allowed 1998 as publisher the synthesis out of folk michel and Folkblatt 'to take over and continue operation: Folker, the Magazine for Folk, Song and World Music. A guest performance as second chairman of PROFOLK, the association for Song, Folk and Wordmusic registered society came into being rather coincidentally. This too rendered fun but involved also a lot of work. Activator and creative director, that’s how many see me – and probably they have a point with this opinion. Because I initiated the appointment portal www.folk-lied-weltmusik.de as well as the new one www.celtic-music-net.com... But one can never accomplish all projects alone (as insinuated herein) One has to have partners and friends – and specialists. I am proud of the team introduced herein and what has come up in such a short time as Beta Project with a lot of love for details with immense efforts. And I trust to obtain an extensive cooperation of Irish/Celtic Music Lovers. Without you it won’t works. We have endless plans..…

Christian Ludwig

57 Years old, married, 2 daughters. Another evidence for our at least small competence: As early as 1989 we had oganized quickly our first two weeks “Workshop on Traditional Irish Music”, the first one in County Clare, the second one ending with the Ballyshannon Folk Festival in Donegal…. Shouldn’t we repeat this really or not?

Born as child to a family, where while playing a violin was trampled down or the diatonic button accordion of dad was taken apart. During the usual recorder class my place was most of the time empty because I lacked discipline or did misbehave and was kicked out.

Hence at first orientation towards technics, apprenticeship as machine fitter, study of mechanical engineering, at that time there existed no information technology, thence I obtained my diploma at a ZUSE-Z23 in order not to be addicted to the conventional standards.

But the music did catch up with me after many years, when my youngest son at 3 o’clock in the night played Jomi Hendrix on the electric guitar and practised. In order to be able to counterattack I had to have for myself a banjo. Our neighbours love us.

First vacation in Ireland during 1975, many more visits there followed, going there once for angling or during another time to explore caves. Enthralling was the control of my carbide lamp at the Belfast airport, and having a banjo with me I aroused suspicion......

Hibernophil? Yes,, as a Franconian this was laid into my cradle, the patron saint for Franconian winegrowers is after all an Irish saint. The sons, Kilian and Kevin go on with this tradition – more you can read under www.baslers.de

May 1951: born in Berlin-Schöneberg

1965: the first two long players I bought: 'Eve of Destruction' by Barry McGuire and 'Highway 61 Revisited' by Bob Dylan

1967: thanks to The Dubliners and the UK label Transatlantic Records: I discover Irish and English folk music!

September 1968: visit to the IEST ('International Days of Song' in Essen) - what an experience!

1972: my record collection has increased considerably (see below) *

since 1973: several jobs as a journalist; focus on folk and folk-rock from England, Scottland, Ireland and the USA

1973: they play Planxty's first album at 'Kays Irish Music' in Camden Town - a must have! Still THE Irish folk album par excellence.

since 1974: many visits to Ireland

1974 - 1978: dedicated follower of the annual 'Irish Folk Festival' tour; getting in touch with Irish musicians

1975: my Dublin friend Maureen sends me 'The Bothy Band 1975' - a knockout recording!

1981: on tour with the 'Irish Folk Festival' (no. 6, featuring Dolores Keane, Maura O'Connell, De Danann ...)

since 1983: specialising in Compact Discs, contributions for print media and radio stations

since 1986: working for the arts council of a small town in Western Germany

1988 - 1999: tour manager of Carsten Linde's 'Irish Folk Festival'

since 1990: Christian Ludwig starts the German magazine 'irland journal', I am asked to write the CD reviews

1996: the fantastic remaster editions of the early Byrds albums hit the market - a new topic is born: the restauration of old recordings for CD reissues

October 1996: 'Das große CD-Buch Irland' ('The Big Book of Irish CDs') is published by the Christian Ludwig Verlag

2001:

* Some of my favourite musicians at the end of the 60s/beginning of the 70s:: Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, Simon & Garfunkel, The Band, Jeff Beck, Pentangle, CCR, CS&N, Grateful Dead, Free, Santana, Allman Brothers, Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher ...

Many nice people helped me in building up my CD archive - DANKESCHÖN! Very special thanks go to:

Maureen McNamee, Wally Whyton, Carsten Linde, Gael Linn, Claddagh Records, John Cook, John Loesberg, Nicholas Carolan, Klaus Sahm, Hanns Peter Bushoff, Máire Breatnach ...