Govannen

Welcome to the website for Celtic band Govannen
Blending jigs and reels, with traditional and contemporary Irish songs with style.

Concerts and Special Occasions
Govannen can help make any occasion special. Songs to rouse the room, or delicate slow airs so suit the mood. Govannen can kick up a storm or provide just the right mellow ambience for quieter events.

Ceilidhs
Govannen also can provide Ceilidhs with our wonderful dance callers John McDonald and Cathy Lesurf for weddings, functions and parties.

Govannen are...
Dan Britton - vocals, guitar, bodhran, harmonica
Adele McMahon - violin
Neil Rabjohn - cajon drum, bodhran
Chris Conway - keyboards, tin and low whistles, guitar, kalimba, vocals

also in the Govannen extended family are...
John McDonald - ceilidh dance caller
Cathy Lesurf - ceilidh dance caller
Bridget McMahon - vocals
Neil Segrott - bass

CDs
Govannen have made 4 CDs - 2 live sets of songs, jigs & reels, an album of atmospheric instrumental music and an album of rhythmic traditional and new instrumental Celtic music.

June 2009

The Door of Hope Charity Ceilidh at Burton Lazars in May went really well - and lot of money was raised for kids in Bulgaria and Albania. Thanks to all who came and made it such a success.


The album Govannen made with Celtic harper France Ellul - Spirits of the Forest is to be released soon.

May 2009
Paradise Music have released a greeting card containing a compilation cd featuring Govannen & Bridget McMahon's music.

Celtic Card/CD - has tracks taken from Bridget McMahons CD Celtic Woman that Chris produced and Govannen played on, and Govannen's Celtic Fire CD.
The cards are 13,5cm square and include and envelope, the CDs are about 40mins long, and are just 5pounds from the shop

March 2009
1. Crazy St Patricks week for Govannen - 6 gigs in 9 days - and 2 of those were ceilidhs.
2. Govannen's cajon drum player Neil Rabjohn was out for a couple of months after back surgery. He rejoined the band at the end of the St Patricks run.
3. No news yet as to when the Spirits of the Forest album with harper France Ellul is to be released. Cover art held things up.

December 2008
Govannen have recorded an album with Celtic harper France Ellul. The album Spitits of the Forest is an instrumental album along the lines of Healing Waters. Bridget McMahon came over from ireland to join Govannen for the recording adding atmospheric vocals. Chris produced the album and wrote 4 of the pieces and co-wrote 3.
The album will be out on Paradise Music early in 2009.

Thanks to everyone who supported us thru 2008.
Happy Solstice, Christmas and New Year
CU in 2009
Govannen

October 2008
New photos - see below for new photos of Govannen (minus Dan - he was in Edinburgh) at Music in the Fields Festival in Ashby Follville

July 2008
A new live album by Govannen - "Live - Sniff the Pony" - is pretty is very close to being officially released. It is available now on a - if you want one I'll print you a copy - basis until a proper run is made.

Recorded live at the wonderful Christmas concert at Kirby Twins Acoustic Club in December last year, it features a 4 piece Govannen including Neil Rabjohn on cajon drum which gives the proceedings a bit of oomph.

The curious title Sniff the Pony" came from a "misspeak"I made at the concert when introducing the title of a tune Saddle the Pony. The album includes some regular live favourites including a couple of popular songs we play at functions but also some "art" as there is a nice suite of pieces including a magical improv we had at the end of a set of tunes.

Hear soundclips here

- check out new photos below

June 2008
Former Govannen member Bridget McMahon has released a CD - Celtic Woman - produced by Christo and Govannen members all appear on the album. It's an album of mostly traditional Irish songs but with a new twist.

Work is nearring completion on Govannen's Live album. CC is putting finishing touches to the mastering ans artwork is being chosen. It;s to be called Govanenn - Live - Sniff the Pony...... don't ask...

Dan receieved an award for his services to music in Melton Mowbray at a ceremony in Melton Theatre in May.

March 2008
Congratulations go to Govannen's percussionist Neil Rabjohn & his partner Ange on the birth of their son Dylan.

Work has started on a Govannen live album taken from December's amazing Kirby Twins Club concert.

Jan 2008
Celtic Fire CD launch!
The Celtic Fire CD launch at Border Books in December went really well - CDs were sold, and friends made - the band were especially popular with young children who often dragged their parents to watch the band.

Photos - see several new Govannen live photos below

Kirby Twins
Probably the gig of the year for Govannen took place on Dec 29th at the Kirby Twins Club at Kirby Bellars Village near Melton. Over 100 people came to the village hall with their own food and drink and heard Govannen in 4 piece mode play a huge set. A real home crowd.

2007
Pretty amazing year for Govannen - 40 gigs, our first ceilidhs, a new studio CD and the live Door of Hope charity CD

December 2007
Celtic Fire CD launch! - Sunday December 2nd - 2-4pm
Borders, Grove Farm Triangle, Narborough Road South, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1WT
Govannen are holding a launch concert to celebrate the release of their new album Celtic Fire on December 2nd at Borders Books in Leicester between 2 and 4pm. Come along, grab a coffee in the Starbucks, browse some books and listen to the 4 piece Govannen (Neil Rabjohn joins the band on Cajon drum).

Ceilidhs
Govannen also can provide Ceilidh Dances with our expert dance callers John McDonald and Cathy Lesurf for weddings, functions and parties. The focus on our ceilidhs is fun and informality - dance experience is not necessary and our caller on the night will clearly guide you through the steps.

...and when you've had enough Ceilidh dancing...
As a break from the Ceilidh dancing or as a great way to round the evening off, Govannen can play a range of Celtic and popular songs for everyone to have a bop.

"Thank you so much – I had such a great time.  Everyone loved you – the mix of music was perfect. Thank you all so much for a really memorable evening" - Donna, Bedfordshire

"Just wanted to say a really huge thank you to Govannen for the live music at our party.
It was a fantastic night - everyone throroughly enjoyed themsleves and the band contributed immensley to the atmosphere and fun we all had. They were brilliant in every way. Discreet setting up, flexible in their timing and responsive to the moods and tastes of our guests. I received so many positive comments about the night and most mentioned how impressed they were with the quality of the musicians. There was a splattering of Irish among the guests too, who enjoyed every minute! The band played some great choices of music and certainly got everyone up on the dance floor, which is what I had hoped for." - Sally and Andy, Rutland

"We just wanted to say a big thank you to you and the rest of Govannen for helping to make our wedding day so special. Everybody loved the band and the music/dancing was everything we wanted and more" - Jo & Dan, Rutland.

"We are back from honeymoon now and I just wanted to thank you for making our wedding so special. We have had so many people tell us how great they thought you were" - Emma, Leicestershire

"I wanted to get in touch and say thank you again for the fantastic music & service you provided during our wedding .... was really pleased at how much everyone enjoyed the music, and the dancing - we have had lots of positive feedback. John deserves a medal I think for managing to whip everyone into (some sort! of) shape. We had a lovely day, but you definitely made our evening." Heather & Tim, Bedfordshire

Dan Britton
Chris Conway
Chris Conway & Dan Britton page
Oblong Music
Paradise Music

for bookings please contact...
DGMusic Agency
Bandsandmusicians agency
Counties Folk Agency