Irish Trad Music Blog

Gaelic music, song and dance weekend in Isle of Man

2012-02-10T21:40:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaTHE Manx Heritage Foundation’s annual traditional music, song and dance workshop weekend is back in 2012, and while the timetable is yet to be finalised, the dates, venue and guests of honour have been revealed.

The workshops are confirmed for the weekend of March 10 and 11, to be held at Manx Heritage Foundation headquarters in the stable building and chapel at The Nunnery in Douglas and will be led by Donegal singer Noeleen Ni Cholla and Belfast-based dancer and instrumentalist Tim Flaherty.

Both visitors are experienced tutors as well as performers.

Noeleen is well-known in the Gaelic world and has performed around the world with some of the scene’s biggest names. She will be teaching Irish solo and choral singing to the adults, as well as a traditional music session with youngsters.

Tim dances will Belfast’s All Set, and will teach set dancing as well as sean nos – a very social, fast moving dance style – to more experienced dancers. He will also lead sessions on the whistle and teach Irish tunes to all instruments.

Manx Heritage Foundation’s Breesha Maddrell is pleased to welcome both on what will be their first visits to the island.

She said: ‘Noeleen is a fantastic Irish Gaelic singer, I saw her perform at Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany in France. She brings an opportunity to learn solo and harmony vocals in Irish Gaelic.’

Breesha went on to explain: ‘We like to do these weekends once a year, and try to vary where our guests come from, and the instruments they specialise in, as it brings in new ideas and techniques.’

Noeleen and Tim needed no convincing to come over, as people heavily involved in the Celtic identity of Ireland they were both intrigued by parallels to the Isle of Man. They both speak Irish, and Noeleen is from the Donegal Gaeltacht (an area where Irish is the predominant first language) and also speaks Scottish Gaelic, so she in particular is looking forward to getting her ears around the Manx language.

Breesha added: ‘It’s very important for the island- it contextualises Manx culture and arts in the wider Gaelic context, which is why each year we try to get guests from Scotland and Ireland in particular because of the Gaelic link.’

The setting lends itself well to the workshop weekends. Aside from the inspiring landscape of The Nunnery grounds, and good parking, the converted chapel is a good sized hall for singing and dancing, and the smaller seminar rooms around the building are used for instrument workshops.

Previous weekends have culminated in concert performances, and Breesha says this year there will again likely be an opportunity for the tutors to showcase what they do.

Breesha can be contacted at mhfmusic@mhf.org.im for more details.

Gaelic music, song and dance weekend - Manx Entertainment News - iomtoday

Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains Celebrate 50th Anniversary Tour In Philly 3/9

2012-02-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

Cover of Paddy MoloneyThe Chieftains celebrate their 50th Anniversary Tour with Philadelphia performance at the Kimmel Center on March 9, 2012 at 8 p.m. in Verizon Hall. The six-time Grammy-winning ensemble performs traditional Irish music and dancing on stage, as well as new works from their 2012 release, Voice of Ages. Their performance features Paddy Moloney as pipe virtuoso and master of ceremonies, Matt Molloy on flute, Kevin Conneff as the rhythmic and vocal heartbeat of the ensemble on the bodhrán, along with Deanie Richardson and Jon Pilatzke on fiddles, Triona Marshall on harp, and Jeff White on guitar.

Philadelphia marks one of the final U.S. stops on The Chieftains’ 50th Anniversary Tour, which concludes with a special St. Patrick’s Day concert at Carnegie Hall on March 17. Also marking their semi-centennial is the February 21 release of Voice of Ages, an imaginative recording featuring a dazzling collection of like-minded musical visionaries and kindred spirits. The album includes collaborations with stars of indie-rock, country and Americana, and Irish-Scottish folk such as The Decemberists, The Punch Brothers, The Civil Wars, Lisa Hannigan, Paolo Nutini, Imelda May, Bon Iver, and more.

Tickets for Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains are available at $37.50 to $77, and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office located on Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, Pa. (open daily from 10am to 6pm, later on performance evenings).

Read more: http://tunes.broadwayworld.com/article/Paddy-Moloney-The-Chieftains-Celebrate-50th-Anniversary-Tour-In-Philly-39-20120210#ixzz1m33UqO00

Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains Celebrate 50th Anniversary Tour In Philly 3/9

Time change for MTSU's Irish Music Day

2012-02-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

Feeling a need for a bit of music from the auld sod? Then don’t miss the first Irish Music Day on Saturday, Feb. 11, on the MTSU campus.

MTSU’s School of Music is collaborating with the Franklin, Tenn.-based Authentic Ireland Cultural Enrichment organization to conduct the daylong event. It will include workshops for traditional singing, step dancing, fiddle, Irish flute, bodhran and bouzouki as well asclasses in the Gaelic language and other associated topics.

The day will culminate at 4:30 p.m. with a special public concert in Room 101 of the University’s Saunders Fine Arts Building.

The workshops cost $40 each with a discount for multiple sessions, and the closing concert costs $10 per person. MTSU students with a valid ID will be admitted free.

For more information about the individual workshops, visit the AICE’s workshop page at www.eiliscreanaice.com/weekend_workshops.html. Attendees can pre-register by emailing AICE founder Éilís Crean at eiliscrean@gmail.com.

Time change for MTSU's Irish Music Day | The Daily News Journal | dnj.com

Manchester concert in aid of Michael Davitt film

2012-02-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

A special traditional Irish music concert in aid of a film on Michael Davitt will be held on Friday, March 2, at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester.
The film, which will cover the life and times of Mayo’s most famous son and leader of the Land League, is the brainchild of Irish musician Donal Maguire and film maker Paul Vernon Lydiate. The special concert, which features a host of award-winning musicians, includes performances from Debbie Garvey, Steve Johnston, Dónal Maguire, Mike McGoldrick, Emma Sweeney and special-guest, singer Dick Gaughan.
Maguire decided to embark on the project because he felt a film on Davitt’s part in Irish history is long overdue, and because his own path often crossed that of the historical figure: “Davitt lived in Haslingden when his family moved here from Mayo, which is where I am living at present. My first London address in Battersea, as a student, was across the road from where Davitt lived during his brief spell as an elected MP. I seem to have been chasing him all my life thus the name of the film project has been selected as ‘Chasing Michael Davitt’.
“We feel that Davitt’s part in the course of Irish history is largely underplayed, and we hope to highlight the remarkable contribution he made not only through his work with the Land League but as a social reformer generally,” he said.
The concert and film boast a significant number of musicians with Mayo connections. Fiddle player Emma Sweeney’s father comes from Charlestown, flute player Mike McGoldrick’s grandfather comes from just outside Castlebar. Accordion player Debbie Garvey’s father comes from Roscommon and her partner’s family hails from Mayo too, as does the grandfather of Scots singer Dick Gaughan. Banjo player Donal Maguire comes from Drogheda.
The Gala concert will kick-start Manchester’s annual Irish Festival, which is now in its 17th year. The 17-day festival, which includes over 200 events at 80 different venues, runs until Sunday, March 18, and is one of Europe’s biggest celebrations of Irish culture.
Tickets for the concert are just £10, and the event starts at 8.15pm. For information about the concert log onto www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk.

ARTS Manchester concert in aid of Michael Davitt film

Irish Musicians Achieve New Height of Recognition at the 4th Annual Irish Music Award Presentation on Jan. 28, 2012

2012-02-06T00:32:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaAs we speed toward that metamorphic holiday in March where the whole world turns green and becomes Irish, St Patrick's Day, the Irish Music Association has released a new list of the Best in Irish Music, creating new international icons in the genre.

Last weekend, on Saturday, January 28, 2012, during the 4th Annual Irish Music Award Presentation ceremony, the IMA recognized outstanding Irish artists in 18 different categories. The event took place in the 60-foot-underground historic brewery cellars of the 1842 Royal Brewing Company at O'Malley's Pub in Weston, Missouri.

More than six weeks of voting and electioneering occurred in two online forums: "Members of the Irish Music Association" and "Free Public Voting." The two forums for voting are used as checks and balances to insure fair and balanced reporting. Close races were in the following categories: Top Button Accordion, Top Fiddle, and Best Female Vocalist. (List of award recipients is below.)

"There is magnificent talent among the ranks of Irish performers and musicians today. The Irish Music Association is proud to highlight these extraordinary artists, celebrating not only that which is traditionally Irish, but also appreciating more eclectic sounds," IMA Executive Director R. T. Reeder said. "This year's nominations include some of the Irish music industry's most famous artists and performing groups."

Reeder, who founded the organization in 2003, said the mission of the IMA is to "promote, produce and perpetuate Irish music worldwide." This is accomplished by producing shows, sponsoring festivals, and producing the annual Irish Music Association Awards Ceremony, he said. Website: http://www.irishmusicassociation.com

The IMA Awards event helps "recognize, promote and support Irish music and musicians from the U.S., Ireland, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom." The awards program can be seen in its entirety at http://www.irishmusicawards.com

This year's "Lifetime Achievement Award" went to Paddy Keenan for his dedication to Irish music.

Irish Music Award Recipients for 2011

Top Solo Performer in Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK) - Ryan Kelly
Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue (US, IRE, EU, UK) - George Donaldson
Top Duo in a Pub, Festival, Concert (US, IRE, EU, UK) - Qristina & Quinn Bachand
Top Group (US, IRE, EU, UK) - The High Kings
Best New Irish Artist(s) (IRE, EU, US, UK) - The Ryans
Best New Irish CD - Orla Fallon - My Land
Top Celtic Rock Band (IRE, EU, US, UK) - The Roving Crows
Best Irish Tenor (individual) - Michael Londra
Best Female Vocalist (individual/trad.) - Lisa Kelly
Best Sean-nos Singer - Iarla O Lionaird
Top Traditional Performance Show - Celtic Woman
Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival, Concert - Teada
Tommy Makem Award - Enya
Top Uilleann Piper (US, IRE, EU, UK) - Tommy Martin
Top Harpist (US, IRE, EU, UK) - Orla Fallon
Top Fiddle/Violin (US, IRE, EU, UK, CA, AUS) - Caitlin Barrett
Top Button Accordion (US, IRE, EU, UK) - John Whelan
Lifetime Achievement Award - Paddy Keenan

Reeder said the IMA has received an overwhelming response to this year's awards process, from the number of performing artists and groups nominated — to the number of votes already cast. "This outpouring of support reflects a growing appreciation and love for the music of Ireland," he said.

Reeder was pleased the awards ceremony took place at O'Malley's Pub, host of the annual O'Malley's Weston Irish Festival. The pub is also home to the Weston Brewing Company and the American Bowman Restaurant. Promoted as the "oldest brewery West of the Hudson," the brewery sponsored the first Kansas City Royals baseball team in the early 1900's. http://www.westonirish.com/OMALLEYS.html

"The grand response we received from fans of Irish music and talent was so inspiring, as we gain momentum and build from year to year," said Reeder. "I want to thank not only the winners, but those nominated in all of our categories, for their outstanding contributions in every aspect of Irish music." The awards program can be seen in it's entirety at www.irishmusicawards.com

SOURCE Irish Music Association

Irish Musicians Achieve New Height of Recognition at the 4th Annual Irish Music Award Presentation on Jan. 28, 2012 - PR Newswire - sacbee.com

Irish band Goitse will play Maine venues

2012-02-03T06:17:00.000-08:00

The five-piece band Goitse, all students at Ireland's University of Limerick, will perform traditional melodies, modern rhythms and new compositions Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center.

The group will also play at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at The Rack in Carrabassett for the annual Carrabassett Valley “Dirt-bag Prom;" and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts in Unity.

Curtain at Skye is 7 p.m. Jam sessions will be held one hour prior to show at Skye and Unity.

Now entering its third year, Goitse has gone from supporting acts and opening concerts to performing concerts in the four provinces of Ireland, parts of Europe and in Africa.

Goitse's debut album, released in January 2010, has gained praise from critics. Hotpress Magazine had this to say: "They play with an easy assurance that should cause those fretting about the future of Irish trad to rest more easily at night."

Making up the band are multi-instrumentalist Conal O’Kane of Philadelphia, whose interest in music theory shines through in his chord choices and punchy rhythms; singer and fiddler Aine Mc Geeney, who toured with Michael Flately’s world-famous “Lord of the Dance” show; and Colm Phelan, who has a large fan base of bodhran enthusiasts.

Also, Tadhg O Meachair, recognzed as one of Irelands top young piano and piano accordion players; and vocalist Dave Curley, who plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, bodhran and other instrumentals, and often steals the show with his dancing.

Skye Theater is 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road. UCCPA is at 42 Depot St., Unity. For tickets, $15 at the door, call Skye at 562-4445 or UCCPA at 948-7469.

The Rack is at 5016 Access Road, Carrabassett. Cover charge is $5. For more information, call 237-2211.

Irish band Goitse will play Maine venues | Sun Journal

Winter Fest returns for eighth year

2012-01-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

AMHERST -- Irish music and dance will come together on stage Saturday during the eighth annual Winter Fest, host by local band Green Tea.
"I like this event, because it's about everyone coming together," said Trevor Roark, event organizer and a member of Green Tea. "We have such a diverse group -- local dancers, competitive dancers, musicians from Madison who focus on traditional Irish music and (Green Tea), who focus more on making our own kind of Irish music. And we are all coming together for the love of music and dance."
This year's event again will feature a matinee concert with the O'Dell Irish Dancers of Stevens Point performing with Green Tea, as well as an evening show with the An Blas Quartet of Madison and the Cashel Dennehy Irish Dancers of Milwaukee performing with Green Tea.
"This is really exciting, because typically people don't see dancers on stage with local bands," Roark said. "What (Green Tea does) is fuse the traditional music of Ireland with more contemporary sounds of rock and folk and dance. So you have traditional Irish dance with this fusion music, and these two layers compete with and complement each other on stage."
Irish dance and instrumental workshops also will return in the afternoon. The O'Dell Irish Dancers will lead the dance workshops, and members of Green Tea will offer instrumental workshops in whistles/flutes, bodhran, piano, bass guitar and drums. Desiah Melby, a friend of the band, will lead a fiddle workshop.
The workshops are targeted at beginners and will last about 11/2 hours. Workshop participants should bring their own instruments, with the exception of the whistles and bodhran.
"This is only the second year for the workshops. We had a very good turnout last year, and it was very exciting," Roark said. "We plan to teach the students the basics, and then the whole group will come together for a 'session.'"
Members of Green Tea also are excited to debut some of their new music at the Irish festival. The band is in the process of completing its new album, which will be released in March, and they will perform many of the songs from the new album.
"We've brought some new styles and influences to this album, and we are very excited to share the new music," Roark said.
An intermission will be held during each performance, and refreshments will be available.
"I think this event has been so successful because of the family-friendly atmosphere," Roark said. "All ages come out to our shows and to this festival, from kids to grandparents.
"People just really enjoy the fun, energy and community around this type of music."

Winter Fest returns for eighth year: Irish music, dance featured | Wausau Daily Herald | wausaudailyherald.com

Derry Fleadh bid to go ahead after decision reversed

2012-01-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Ulster Council of Comhaltas has reversed its decision not to endorse Derry's bid to host the All-Ireland Fleadh.

It followed a meeting of senior officers last night.

The Derry branch of Comhaltas had appealed against the decision of the organisation's Ulster Council not to put the city forward as host.

A decision on whether the city will host 2013's event will now take place this weekend.

At a meeting of Derry Comhaltas last Wednesday, members voted 13-1 in favour of the bid.

However, after two dissident republican bombs exploded in the city last week, the Ulster council turned down the bid.

Comhaltas promotes traditional Irish music and culture around the world.

On Sunday, the organisation's Ulster council said it was impossible to support the city's bid to host the popular music and dance festival because of the danger from dissident violence.

It said that with "deep regret and long consideration", it was turning down the bid because safety was paramount.

The UK City of Culture organisers had been hoping to bring the Fleadh to Northern Ireland for the first time ever in 2013.

But the UK link to the traditional Irish event had already proved a stumbling block with some members.

Director general of Comhaltas nationally, Labhras O Murchu said: "There was a meeting again with the same body who met last Saturday.

"They reconsidered the decision which was made and we're expecting an application to arrive on Wednesday.

"It's impossible at this stage to call what way the vote may go.

"Because this issue has been so well debated there isn't a member on the council who hasn't a greater understanding of the issues involved in the Derry bid."
Bid ratified

Eibhlin Ni Dochairtaigh, chair of the the Derry City branch of Comhaltas, welcomed the move.

"I think that whatever issues and concerns were expressed have been addressed to their satisfaction.

"I very much appreciate and welcome their continued support. The reversed decision has ratified the bid."

Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson said: "This follows two days of intensive discussions.

"The reassurance that some of the members needed has been given. I'm delighted the application will progress. There is still a lot of work to do.

"There was a massive ground swell of support nationally and internationally for Derry."

The central council of Comhaltas will meet on Saturday for a final decision on the venue. Sligo and Ennis are also bidding to host the fleadh

BBC News - Derry Fleadh bid to go ahead after decision reversed

Appeal by Derry Comhaltas over Fleadh decision

2012-01-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

The Derry branch of Comhaltas has appealed against the decision of the organisation's Ulster Council not to put the city forward as host for the 2013 Fleadh.

At a meeting of Derry Comhaltas last Wednesday, members voted was 13-1 in favour of the bid.

However, after two dissident republican bombs exploded in the city on Thursday, the Ulster council turned down the bid.

Comhaltas promotes traditional Irish music and culture around the world.

The Ulster council said it was impossible to support the city's bid to host the popular music and dance festival because of the danger from dissident violence.

It said that with "deep regret and long consideration", it was turning down the bid because safety was paramount.

The UK City of Culture organisers had been pushing to bring the Fleadh to Northern Ireland for the first time ever in 2013.

But the UK link to the traditional Irish event had already proved a stumbling block with some members.

Director general of Comhaltas nationally, Labhras O Murchu told Talkback that in the 60 year history of the organisation, branch applications that reached provincial level automatically went through for consideration at national level.

This is the first time that an appeal has been lodged.

The national council will meet on Saturday to discuss the Derry appeal and to consider applications from Sligo and Ennis.

"The appeal is based on the fact that a decision had already been made by the full Ulster council to encourage and support the application," said Mr O Murchu.

"The decision not to do that was made by a sub committee."

Mr O Murchu said a decision on the appeal would be made by the central executive council which includes delegates from the four provinces, Britain and North America.

"We have been inundated with emails, 65 to date from all over the world, and those are very positive about the fleadh going to Derry," he added.

"We wouldn't want to send the message out to the world that Derry was not a safe city.

"Comhaltas is now organised in 15 countries, on four continents, and the dialogue I've been having for the last few days is unanimous in the non-political, non-sectarian aspect of Comhaltas and that is going to be paramount in any discussions we have."

Mr O Murchu added that the deadline for applications to host the 2013 fleadh was Thursday evening and the Ulster council could, in theory, reverse its decision and submit an application from Derry.

BBC News - Appeal by Derry Comhaltas over Fleadh decision

Manchester Irish Festival to stage world premiere of Coronation Street musical

2012-01-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaStars from Manchester’s illustrious Coronation Streetwill be performing in the world premiere of Street of Dreams, during the 2012 Manchester Irish Festival. The spectacular event will feature faces from the soap, past and present, alongside host Paul O’Grady.

The show will debut at the Manchester Arena on Wednesday March 21 with the official premiere on March 22. Tickets are on sale now here; prices start from £25.

After more than fifty years on air, the world’s longest running soap has a celebrated heritage of unforgettable stories and iconic characters. Award-winning musical writer, composer and lyricist Trisha Ward will be carefully crafting handpicked moments from the Street’s history.

Famous faces from the past and present will include Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts), Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch), Brian Capron (Richard Hillman) and William Roche (Ken Barlow). The event’s host Paul O’Grady said: “I’m a great fan of the street! I’ve watched it for most of my life! Chunks of script from 30 years ago are engraved in my memory, I can’t wait to watch it all come together and the reaction it receives.”

The Manchester Irish Festival is now in its 17th year and is already one of Europe’s biggest Irish festivals. The 17 day cultural festival begins on Friday March 2 and runs to Sunday March 18, as well as numerous pre and post events.

The two week spectacular has over 80 venues staging just over 200 events involving art, comedy, culture, dance, music, theatre and sport. Other highlights include a four day city centre outdoor Irish market and entertainment marquee, the annual three hour St Patrick’s Day Parade and the two week Tradfest in South Manchester.

Manchester Irish Festival to stage world premiere of Coronation Street musical | Mancunian Matters

Providence

2012-01-23T00:55:00.000-08:00

Providence live at Cruise's Pub in Co.Clare.

Music from Roscommon

2012-01-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

Video from 1981 with Peac Gately, Tommie Kildea, Tim Dolan, Peter Nestor, Patsy Hanly & Pakie Duignan.

Chulrua - Mrs Crotty's/The Steeplechase

2012-01-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

Celtic Connections opens almightily with Bela Fleck

2012-01-20T02:39:00.000-08:00

Jolting 2012's Celtic Connection festival into all go, Bela Fleck And The Flecktones were the opening act for this year's globally renowned folk, roots and world music festival. Incorporating over 300 events into 18 days, the Royal Concert Hall, on the crest of the city centre, played host to the opening event.

After a previous parting, this evening's show marked the European debut for the quartet's return after their release of Rocket Science last year propelled them into the Billboard, iTunes and SoundScan Jazz charts. Each part of the unit known for their musicianship and innovation as a solo artist, as well as a group, their unity alongside some special Celtic Connection guests had an enthusiastic crowd perched on the edge of their seats for this evening's show.

Their incredibly unique style musically is mirrored visually in their four appearances. Often leaning towards the experimental side of things, an elaborate fusion of bluegrass, jazz and folk, only scuffs the surface of this band's acoustic palate. Add collaborations from Irish songstress Karan Casey, America's Abigail Washburn, Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes and American bluegrass fiddler Casey Driessen, and you can imagine the blend of cultures and influences on the resultant recipe for noise.

Often creating a wonderful chaos with an abundance of cross rhythms and layering complexities, Driessen is added to the mix in the first half, appearing on stage in red patent shoes and a devil's tail. The track which the band play together showcases a rasping harmonica from founder Howard Levy. Here a tongue-in-cheek solo meanders through a few well-known tracks, highlighting his phenomenal tone and dexterity on the instrument, which he plays like one of much greater sophistication.

These tracks which lie closer to a jig and feature extreme drumming pirate, Roy Wooten in all his exuberant drumitar ways, break away to bare works, featuring only three vocals and one fiddle in the arrangement. Saddened song resonates through the poised hall, the contrasting musical styles melting flawlessly from one into the other.

The three female vocalists have very different vocal styles, but again, the variety compliments rather than portraying a weaker performer. An a cappella solo in Gaelic tongue by MacInnes casts an incredible still over the crowd before chinese banjo is added to the mix by Washburn in an experimental track.

With a deranged flavour that you'd expect from an elaborate character like PJ Harvey, the set incorporates another element, before rocking back into more familiar bluegrass territory.

Ending on an old medley of tunes to close, the eleven member strong production receive a standing ovation, before a milder track rears up for the ultimate grand finale.

It wasn’t one for the faint hearted or the non-committed , but opening night at Celtic Connections 2012 was mightily impressive, and an indicator for things to come for Glasgow, throughout the remainder of the famous festival.

Celtic Connections opens almightily with Bela Fleck | Music: Latest News | STV Entertainment

Traditional Irish Music in a Modern Ireland (Documentary)

2012-01-18T01:42:00.000-08:00

A documentary by journalists / film makers Malou Fickling and Robert Gustafsson about Traditional Irish music in a changing Ireland. Set in rural and urban Ireland (Donegal and Dublin) this piece takes a look at the history, themes, preservation and evolution of Irish music. Musicians interviewed include Martin Tourish (TG4 Young Musician of the year 2008), Danny Diamond and Dinny McLaughlin.

Sinn Fein warns Derry could lose out on fleadh

2012-01-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

Image by The Library of Congress via FlickrSinn Fein has said there is a "real danger" that the all-Ireland fleadh will not come to Londonderry in 2013.

A meeting of the Irish music organisation Comhaltas was held in the city on Wednesday night to discuss the issue, but members could not agree.

Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson said some County Derry members are opposed to hosting the event in 2013 because of the title the UK City of Culture.

"It is deeply disappointing," she said.

"My understanding is that County Derry branches are against it and the city branches are for it."

The fleadh attracts a quarter of a million people and City of Culture organisers are pushing to bring the event to the city next year.

Derry's bid cannot proceed without the local delegates' approval.

If the fleadh is awarded to the city it will be the first time it will come north of the border.

BBC News - Sinn Fein warns Derry could lose out on fleadh

'Pride of New York' Reels Its Way Into East Haven

2012-01-04T00:17:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaThe Pride of New York is returning to East Haven this weekend.

The Irish American Community Center, 9 Venice Place in East Haven, will once again play host to the traditional Irish music band, for a special performance Saturday, Jan. 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Event organizers said when the Irish American supergroup — Joanie Madden on flute/whistle, Billy McComiskey on accordion, Brian Conway on fiddle; and Brendan Dolan on keyboard — played the community center last year, the concert was a sell out.

For Saturday's performance, donations are $20 at the door.

For more information, call John O’Donovan at 203-281-3563, Pat Stratton at 860-664-1600 or Mary Chesley 203-317-0249.

'Pride of New York' Reels Its Way Into East Haven - East Haven, CT Patch

Cathy Jordan Interview - Leitrim Equation 2

2012-01-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

Village tunes in for Ceol Chairlinn

2011-12-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

ONCE again the Carlingford Community Development in association with Saint Oliver's Primary School and the Carlingford Lough Youth Peace Project has organised the excellent Ceol Chairlinn Traditional Music Learning Festival in Carlingford from 3rd February until February 5, 2012.

This year's line up of tutors maintains the high standards the organisers have set for themselves since the festival was established in 2006. These include; Fiddle: Gerry O'connor. Accordion: Martin Quinn. Uilleann Pipes: Pádraig Mcgovern. Song: Len Graham. Banjo: Brona Graham. Flute/whistle: Catherine Mcevoy. Sean Nós and Set Dance: Micheál and Kathleen Mcglynn.

As in previous years, the Club Cheoil will be in Mckevitt's Village Hotel and the now established tutor and student session in St Oliver's Primary School.

Village tunes in for Ceol Chairlinn - Local Notes - Argus.ie

‘Fairytale of New York’ the most played Christmas classic of the century

2011-12-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Pogues and Kristy MacColl’s “Fairy Tale of New York” is officially the most played Christmas song of the 21st century.

Music body PPL totals up every public airing of the song in Britain. Its calculations include plays on the radio, TV, and as background music in shops, bars, gyms, and restaurants. They began their calculations in 2000.

The song, released in 1987, never reached number one in the charts in Britain, but is played around the world every Christmas. It has also been featured in the UK’s top 20 chart on seven occasions.

Jonathan Morrish, spokesman with PPL, said “Fairytale of New York is a timeless classic which everyone knows and rightfully deserves its place at the top spot”.

Writing in the Irish Times, Joe Cleary, a lecturer in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, said that the song told the story of the reality of Irish emigration and what lay behind the “American Dream”.

He wrote, “With the exception of Joyce's ‘The Dead’ or Patrick Kavanagh's ‘Advent’, no work of the 20th-century Irish imagination has managed to illuminate a particular sense of Christmas so well as that song has done…It is at once a twisted love song, an emigrant ballad, and an anthem to the capital city of the 20th century. And it is perhaps for that reason that it is the only "Christmas classic" that one can hear without wincing in July."

Here’s the list of “The most played Christmas songs”:

1. Fairytale of New York (1987), The Pogues

2. Last Christmas (1984), Wham

3. All I Want for Christmas is You (1994), Mariah Carey

4. I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday (1973), Wizzard

5. Do They Know it's Christmas? (1984), Band Aid

6. Merry Xmas Everybody (1973), Slade

7. Driving Home for Christmas (1988), Chris Rea

8. Step into Christmas (1973), Elton John

9. The Power of Love (1984), Frankie Goes To Hollywood

10. Merry Christmas Everyone (1985), Shakin' Stevens

Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Fairytale-of-New-York-the-most-played-Christmas-classic-of-the-century--VIDEO-135724498.html#ixzz1giTIPt8S

‘Fairytale of New York’ the most played Christmas classic of the century – VIDEO | Irish Entertainment in Ireland and Around the World | IrishCentral

A cultural feast of Irish tradition

2011-12-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

Storyteller Tomáseen Foley and his ensemble of dancers, singers and musicians bring to life earlier times in Western Ireland, where the spirit of Christmas drew families and neighbors together for evenings of lighthearted, jovial fun.

"A Celtic Christmas" recreates such a night before Christmas in a thatched farmhouse in Teampall an Ghleanntáin, where the rafters ring with Irish songs, traditional music and dance and stories of life in the distant parish, also Foley's birthplace.
ian.org

"I play the man of the house in the show," Foley says. "The singers, musicians, dancers and audience play the neighbors. We engage our audiences, and there's a lot of spontaneous laughter."

"A Celtic Christmas" will be presented at 3 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford.

New songs, dances and stories fill this season's production, mixed with material from previous ones.

"There are bits of old and new," Foley says. "And two stories are told, one in each half of the show. There's an inherent longing in all humans to be told stories."

One such story is about the Celtic traditions taught to Foley by his grandmother.

"She introduced me to the customs of the day, especially the twilight around Christmas," Foley says. "Candles would be lit and placed in every window. Each candle was lit by the youngest person in the house because it was believed that person could carry the tradition on longer. The family would gather around as each candle took flame and say 'May we all live till this time next year.' "

The largest candle was placed in the main window of the house. This candle was significant because if it blew out in the middle of the night, it was considered an omen that someone in the family would pass away during the coming year.

"My grandmother took extraordinarily good care with that candle," Foley says. "She was in her 80s at the time."

Celtic guitarist William Coulter, dancer Marcus Donnelly and musicians Marianne Knight and Brian Bigley join Foley this year.

Coulter earned a Grammy in 2005 for his compilation of Henry Mancini tunes, titled "Pink Guitar." He teaches classical guitar at the University of Southern California at Santa Cruz, and he tours with such Celtic music luminaries as Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Eilis Kennedy.

Donnelly began dancing when he was 8 or 9. He studied dance at the Celine Hession School of Dancing in Galway, Ireland. His dance company is based in Edmonton, Alberta.

"Marcus has taken Irish dance beyond the stiff-armed style of step-dancing," Foley says. "He's gone back to an old style of Irish dance, called sean-nós, and developed it into a more modern style. Sean-nós is looser and allows the use of arms. It doesn't have such strict patterns."

Knight sings, dances and plays button accor-dion, flute, whistle and bodhran. She was the first Irish-born dancer to win the North Amer-ican Dance Cham-pion-ship, Foley says. Bigley dances and plays uilleann pipes, whistle and flute.

"Uilleann is the Irish word for elbow," Foley says. "The bellows are under the player's right elbow and pump air into a bag under the other elbow. The air is pushed into the chanter, which is held across the knee and played with all 10 fingers.

"Some say that the Irish invented uilleann pipes so that they could drink and play at the same time."

Tickets for "A Celtic Christmas" cost $22, $26 and $30 or $12, $16 and $20 for ages 18 and younger. The show is not suitable for ages 7 and younger. Call 541-779-3000 or see www.craterian.org.

A cultural feast of Irish tradition | MailTribune.com

2011’s books on Traditional Irish Music

2011-12-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

I am not sure what made 2011 such a prolific and significant year for books being published on Irish traditional music, but there have been several more that I thought were worthy of recommending to those with a serious bent on the music.

At this time of year they do make wonderful gifts for those on your list. While they appear expensive and not likely to be found discounted at Amazon.com, they will be appreciated for many years to come and provide valuable and authoritative insights into Irish music.

It has been 12 years since Armagh native and musician/journalist Fintan Vallely published his first Companion to Irish Tradition Music in 1999 which in 478 pages attempted to provide a comprehensive guide to traditional Irish music and musicians.

It was an ambitious and successful effort, but there were some criticism that it wasn’t comprehensive enough and there was demand over the years for a revised edition.

Vallely undertook the challenge and engaged a number of contributors to provide new and more detailed information for a second edition which he laboriously edited and published in November with the help of Cork University Press.

The new Companion will be 880 pages, and according to the publisher, “is the ultimate reference for all players, devotees and students of Irish traditional music. It is an indispensable reference guide to Ireland’s universally recognized traditional music, song and dance.

“This comprehensive resource -- now revised and greatly expanded -- is the largest single collection of such diverse, essential data.”

It will feature an easy to use A-Z guide to its collection of 1,750 articles by over 200 contributors known for their knowledge and contributions in the field of Irish music.

The book retails for around $80 plus shipping and can be ordered from Cork University Press. OssianUSA has ordered copies as well. Check out www.companion.ie or www.corkuniversitypress.com.

The Irish Traditional Music Archive on Merrion Square in Dublin is not only is a marvelous repository for traditional Irish music, but also is an active proponent of advancing the study of Irish traditional music through the publications it releases.

Earlier this year, they published a book on one of Northern Ireland’s great singers, Eddie Butcher from Magilligan, Co. Derry called All the Days of His Life: Eddie Butcher in His Own Words that also has a companion triple CD package including 67 songs for the transcripts in the main book.

The research was conducted by singer and song-collector Hugh Shields and his wife Lisa and published posthumously three years after Shields himself passed away. It has 216 fascinating pages for the lover of Irish song, especially with a Northern context exploring the life of a rural singer and the folk collector who befriended him. It’s $48 plus shipping.

Also released in 2011 was a re-mastered CD containing the concertina music of William Mullaly, who was born in 1884 near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Mullaly emigrated to the U.S. in 1910, and in 1926 he would record the earliest known records of concertina music in America and Ireland for Columbia Records on 10 tracks including the “Westmeath Hunt” for which this collection is named.

Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ent/from_the_hob/2011s-books-on-traditional-irish-music-135316868.html#ixzz1g3X42d2o

Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ent/from_the_hob/2011s-books-on-traditional-irish-music-135316868.html#ixzz1g3WvcJzA

2011’s books on Traditional Irish Music | From The Hob | IrishCentra

Daughter's tin whistle is playing on my nerves

2011-12-06T02:54:00.000-08:00

Image by IvanWalsh.com via Flickr

A DAD'S LIFE: THE FEADÓG bloody stáin . Is it even an instrument? Or is the tin whistle a jigging, reeling, anti-Sasanach weapon of parental torture?

I’m disgusted at myself. I wanted to be that encouraging parent, the one who has the kids trying everything and not caring whether or not they succeeded just as long as they gave it a rattle. Music, sports, drama, performance art, whatever, just get out there and express yourself kids. You know, that type of insufferable parent.

Of course, this requires a complete personality overhaul. For a start, I do care if they succeed or not. I’ll be the one tripping the other kid as she rounds the final corner of a 400m final just ahead of mine. It’s a fight out there, we all need a little help.

The other thing is music. I can play Wild Thin g badly on the guitar, and the opening to Desire . That’s where it ends. In school, I was a bass in the choir mainly because I harassed the teacher into letting me stay. Not for a love of Pie Jesu , for the love of the events the choir got to attend and the class and study it missed. Girls liked choir, I liked girls. Simple.

In college, I bobbed the head along when someone pulled out a guitar at the end of a party, eyeballing them enviously as they plucked their way through a medley of tunes designed specifically to woo philosophy undergrads. The type of crap we wouldn’t touch in daylight but was pick-up gold late on a Saturday night.

But once college was out of the way, I realised just how much that guitar-playing guy wound me up. If it’s late and the party’s rocking and we’re chatting and having fun and you start with the James Taylor, I will make you wear that instrument. As for the bongos, seriously, stern words will be had.

That’s where I’m coming from with the music, a position of resistance, resentment and retribution. It’s why I don’t go to gigs, the stuff sounds so much better on my iPod or in the car, without other people clapping and whooping and getting all misty-eyed

at the talent. I like to be able to turn it up and down, skip through and rewind. The tunes have to suit the mood.

I’m a musical misery. When someone starts to play or sing in front of me, I cringe. It could be John Lennon back from the dead, whispering to me a personal version of Imagine , and I’d be like, ‘Ah here John, stop will ye, you’re embarrassing me.’

Typically, I married into the von Trapp family. When I met them first, they used to clear away the dinner dishes while harmonising through Walking in the Air from The Snowman . I didn’t know what to do with myself, standing there, plate in hand, waiting for the kitchen floor to swallow me and praying that they would stop and ease my pain.

The missus will break into song if you belch and the tone reminds her of a tune, and now her daughter has followed suit. She’s a strummer, she’ll be the cool girl at those college parties who can unearth a guitar from somewhere and intimidate every boy in the room.

I stick on a CD on the way to school and by the time she’s got to the chorus for a second time of something she’s never heard before, she’s singing along. She’s belting it out and she’s getting it right.

This is not from my genes, this is alien. While I don’t understand it, I am self-aware enough to realise she is blessed not to have my musical embarrassment syndrome and so encourage her to the hilt.

She may or may not be the next Kim Deal – it’s a bit of a long shot – but she can have a go if she fancies it. That’s my job isn’t it, to encourage her, let her know everything’s possible, try it all, be supportive and make encouraging noises?

Then she comes home with a feadóg bloody stáin . She sits and twiddles this thing, stands and twiddles, walks around the house blowing and sucking, making an approximation of the brainwaves of a beef cow as the abattoir doors loom. It’s torture. I hate it. She knows I hate it. She plays it louder.

She plays it when she’s supposed to be brushing her teeth, doing her homework, emptying the dishwasher. She plays it all the time. She plays it in my face. She tin whistle taunts me. I am not the encouraging dad, I am the killer of hopes and dreams. I will be the killer of something. Might have to get her bongos for Christmas.

Daughter's tin whistle is playing on my nerves - The Irish Times - Tue, Dec 06, 2011

Twitter Christmas single flies towards top of charts

2011-12-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

It started with a late night tweet. But it could end up as as the Christmas No 1.

The first-ever charity single recorded using Twitter, #twitterxmassingle, was launched in Dublin yesterday, and raced straight to number 4 in the Irish iTunes chart.

Written by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson, 'Winter Song' came about after Brenda Drumm from Newbridge in Co Kildare tweeted on Saturday November 19: "Wouldn't it be great to have a Twitter Xmas Single?" Within hours @BrendaDrumm was getting tweets from musicians, singers, studio technicians, and other well-wishers across the country eager to help.

Recording of the Christmas single took place just eight days later, on Sunday November 27, when 140 people gathered in the Westin Hotel in Dublin.

Organisers picked the track 'Winter Song' as their single because it fitted the season, and also because the record is a fundraiser for the Neonatal Special Care Unit in the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin.

"It's a beautiful song but also perfect because it seems like the lyrics were written by someone who has watched their child being cared for in the neonatal unit," added Ms Drumm, a cancer survivor who began using Twitter in 2007 when she took a year off to battle the illness.

Featuring 16 solo singers, along with a choir of 90, all the vocals on the track were recorded in the banqueting hall of the Westin Hotel.

Organisers hope the track, available through iTunes, could hit number one by December 25.

Commenting on the project, Ms Drumm said she had been "overwhelmed" at the response to a very short and sweet tweet.

"In just two weeks we have taken a tweet and turned it into a single, which is now being tipped to be the Christmas No 1.

"I had no idea that anything like this would happen and it really just shows the power of Twitter and the generosity and good will in the hearts of Irish people," she said.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/twitter-christmas-single-flies-towards-top-of-charts-16086536.html#ixzz1fg1034Ua

Twitter Christmas single flies towards top of charts - News, Music & Gigs - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Trad band Four Men & a Dog bring their trad magic West

2011-12-02T04:46:00.000-08:00

Cover of Four Men and a Dog

Monroe’s pub Saturday night, December 3
Well known trad group Four Men and a Dog, who are celebrating 21 years on the road, will perform in Monroe’s pub in the city this Saturday night, December 3 as part of a nationwide Irish tour.

The current line-up features Cathal Hayden on fiddle and banjo, Donal Murphy on accordion, Gerry O’Connor on banjo and fiddle, Kevin Doherty on guitar and vocals and Gino Lupari on bodhrán and vocals.

Four Men & a Dog have forged a reputation for their with their eclectic blend of music, mixing Irish with a wide spectrum of other genres, including rap, Southern rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, polka, country swing, and salsa.

Four Men and a Dog made their debut performance as a band in Murphy's Bar, Dungiven, County Derry, in 1990 and stole the show at the Belfast Folk Festival later that year.

Barking Mad, their debut album won an award for Album of the Year from Folk Roots magazine in 1991, marking the first time that an Irish group had ever won the prize.

They have recorded six albums to date and plan the release of a new studio album next Spring.

Doors for their Saturday night show in Monroe’s are at 8.30pm and the tickets are €15, available from the Dominick Street venue, www.monroes.ie or at 091-583397.

Trad band Four Men & a Dog bring their trad magic West | Galway City Tribune | galwaynews.ie

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