Episodes
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In this episode, I'm chatting to Eugene Lambe from Dublin who moved to County Clare in the early 1970s. Over the years, he has met, played with and befriended all of the local musicians and characters and, back in the 1980s, he decided to video some of them for archival purposes. Over five hours of footage is available for viewing at the ITMA in Dublin and I present a selection of it throughout the programme. Timestamps are listed below.
0:00:00 - 0:02:07 | Joe Byrne's, reel ; Gus Jordan's, reel / John Killoughry, tin whistle
0:02:08 - 0:07:30 | Introduction to the episode
0:07:30 - 0:09:19 | Strike the Gay Harp, jig ; A Thousand Farewells, jig [comp. Seán Ryan] / Paddy Mullins, flute
0:09:20 | Interview starts
0:20:19 - 0:20:54 | The Priest in His Boots, jig / Eugene Lambe, tin whistle
0:21:02 - 0:23:00 | The Old Wheels of the World, reel ; Paddy Marshall's, reel / John Killoughry, tin whistle ; Paddy Killoughry, fiddle
0:32:10 - 0:36:59 | Érin Geall Mo Chroí, song / Pat Kane, singing in English
0:44:55 - 0:47:15 | The Fisher's Hornpipe ; The Sunshine Hornpipe / Mickaleen Conlon, accordion
0:53:51 - 0:57:00 | The Lilting Fisherman, jig ; Come Along With Me, jig ; A Visit to Ireland, jig / John Killoughry, tin whistle
1:06:23 - 1:08:49 | Martin Killoughry's, polka ; The Lisdoonvarna Polka / John Killoughry, tin whistle ; Paddy Killoughry, fiddle
1:18:41 - 1:22:46 | Unidentified, march ; Old Torn Petticoat, reel ; The Mills are Grinding, reel / Gussie Russell, flute
1:23:04 - 1:23:48 | Sporting Nell, reel / Eugene Lambe, tin whistle
1:25:02 - 1:28:36 | Bridgie McGrath's No. 1 & 2, slides; Come into the town my fair lady, slide / John Killoughry, tin whistle ; Paddy Killoughry, fiddle
1:28:36 - 1:30.22 | The Green Fields of Rossbeigh, reel ; / Ms. Curtin, concertina ; Micho Russell, tin whistle
Email [email protected]
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On today's programme I analyse a variety of Finbarr Dwyer's compositions - the ones most commonly played and recorded over the years. Send any information to [email protected]
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Missing episodes?
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This week I'm pleased to introduce another guest on the podcast - a man who really needs no introduction - Clare's P. J. Murrihy. We had a great chat for a couple of hours at The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon where P. J. told me about his years as a member of The Kilfenora Céilí Band and playing music with the likes of Jimmy Ward, Michael Sexton and Seamus Shannon.
Thanks to The Falls Hotel for the hospitality, to John Lynch for the mp3 files of "Mount Massey" and "Far Away in Australia" and to Maeve Murrihy for her email correspondance and putting me in touch with P. J.
Timestamps for the music is listed below. Enjoy!
00:00:00 "Belfast Town" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (The Kilfenora Céilí Band, 1974)
00:29:07 "The Green Hills of Tyrol - Tommy Peoples (An Exciting Session with One of Ireland's Leading Fiddle Players, 1976)
00:34:00 "Far Away in Australia" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (Clare Céilí, 1973)
00:51:17 "Jimmy Ward's Jig" - Jimmy Ward (Kilrush Fleadh, 1967)
01:03:03 "Pat Murphy's Meadow" - P. J. Murrihy (Pat Murphy's Meadow, 1988)
01:20:45 "Mount Massey" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (Clare Céilí, 1973)
01:29:06 "Horses and Plough" - P. J. Murrihy (My Father's House, 1994)
01:44:39 "Whistling Rufus" - Seamus Shannon (The Magic of Seamus Shannon)
01:47:35 "Lovely Old Milltown" - P. J. Murrihy (The Wonders of the West, 2017)
02:05:41 "Coming Back to Milltown" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (The Kilfenora Céilí Band, 1974)
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On today's programme I take an exploratory look at the music of East Galway. Four main strands are considered: "The Old Ballinakill Style", "The Fahy Style", "The Paddy O'Brien Accordion Style" and "The Joe Cooley Accordion Style".
***I mentioned Gerry Conroy, flute player, as being part of the same Conroy family as Anne Conroy. This was an error. They were of no relation. Anne did, however, have a brother Gerard who was tragically killed in a rally accident.
Comment, queries and suggestions to [email protected]
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Today I'm sharing a re-run from my old radio programme Music at the Crossroads from Dublin South FM. It is the inaugural episode from 23rd January 2018 and features a mix of Irish traditional music.
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In this episode, I'm talking with Rawap and Dutar player, Mominjan Rahman from the Uyghur ethnic group. Rahman is a member of the Uyghur European Ensemble and tells me about his peoples' culture and music. Below are some links to expand on some of the talking points.
The 12 Muqam & Amannisakhan: https://en.chinaculture.org/library/2008-01/21/content_72053.htm
*Note that in the interview, I thought Amannisakhan was prevelent during the 1920s and 1930s. Actually, what Rahman was referring to that she was undertaking her work in her 20s and 30s during the sixteenth century.
Tashvay: A composer of many Uyghur pieces including Yaro, as performed by Rahman during the programme.
Uyghur European Ensemble: https://www.facebook.com/UyghurEuropeanEnsemble/
Comments, queries and suggestions to [email protected]
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Today's episode features an array of popular folk songs sung by their original composers despite being popularised by other singers. You'll notice certain differences in the lyrics when comparing versions which I found quite interesting. Included in the line-up are the likes of Barney Rushe, Thom Moore and Ewan McColl.
Comments, queries and suggestion to [email protected]
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Over the next 90 minutes, I will dive into the music of the three major acts who laid the groundwork for the emerging genre of bluegrass in the 1940s. I begin with the "Father of Bluegrass", Bill Monroe, whose seminal 1946 recording session with Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and others split the old-time string-band atom. From there, I delve into Flatt & Scruggs own group which formed upon departing from Monroe in 1948. Finally, I take in brothers Ralph & Carter Stanley whom formed their band in 1947. If you are new to bluegrass, there is also an introduction episode from June 2020 which could be used as a supplement to this one.
As always, please feel free to get in touch via email: [email protected]
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This episode focuses on musicians and singers who passed away during the course of 2023. I will take a broad sweep of influential musicians from all genres and backrounds including Irish Traditional Music, Bluegrass and Folk.
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Happy Christmas everybody! Here is a selection of my favourite albums released in 2023. The aim has been to stick to Irish traditional music strictly but, unsurprisingly, some exceptions have made their way onto the list.
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County Clare is renowned for it's strong musical heritage and, still today, boasts a very vibrant culture of music, song and dance. As I've discussed in previous episdoes, County Clare, in fact, can be said to have a number of distinct styles within its boundaries and today we are focusing on the northern part of the county. This general remit includes north coast villages such as Ballyvaughan, Doolin and Liscannor as well as in-land towns like Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna, Corofin and Kilfenora.
Email all comments and queries to [email protected]
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A follow-on from last week's episode. This week I'm looking at some lesser-played Ed Reavy tunes.
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First of two episodes on the compositions of prolific composer Ed Reavy. I dive into the history behind his most favoured tunes and provide a musical analysis.
Most of the tracks are 'snippets', which may be frustrating to some.
But for the sake of brevity, it had to be done.
Email comments, queries and suggestions to [email protected]
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Back on the airwaves! It had been my intention to ease back into the podcast world with a simple music programme but I ended up getting carried away with discussing the sacred nature of the often-forgotten #4 degree. This is a DEEP DIVE folks. Not all shows will be these idiosyncratic...promise!
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Focusing on musicians that are not from Ireland, the UK, the USA or Australia. I've also limited French musicians too. Generally, I'm aiming for a "pure drop" style but I also made some exceptions along the way. Taking in musicians from as far and varied places as Japan, South Africa and Iran, you'd be surprised what's out there! Enjoy, and please don't hesitate to get in touch if you feel lonely: [email protected].
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I'm getting straight into the "swing" of things this evening with a show on music native to Texas (some would say Oklahoma....) - Western Swing. As always, I appreciate you spreading the word and any comments or queries, email me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.
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A simple show this week focusing on some of my favourite Irish music clips. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any comments, queries or suggestions: [email protected]. And if you enjoy the show, tell your friends!
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In today's episode I'll look through some of the musicians and bands that played on the bluegrass scene in Washington D.C. I will do a more deeply researched show for a future episode but this is just a selection which I've hand-picked to give you a flavour of some of the incredible musicians who littered the city between the 1950s and 1980s.
*It may have been Jimmy Guadreau on mandolin for the "To the Rescue" take, by the way. It comes from a compilation album of Rebel recordings and some research tells me that this track was on a 1970 record titled "New Look, New Sound" with Gaudreau.
Timestamps:
00:00 Buzz Busby & Charlie Waller (1957-59) - "The Lonesome Road"
05:05 Leon Morris & Buzz Busby (1974) - "At the End"
08:32 Old & In the Way (1973 rrl. 1996) - "Lost"
12:41 The Country Gentlemen (1957) - "Going to the Races"
16:01 The Country Gentlemen (New Look, New Sound, 1970) - "To the Rescue"
20:11 Pete Pike (1963?) - "Little Maggie"
23:21 Pete Pike (1963) - "Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow"
26:35 Scotty Stoneman w/The Kentucky Colonels - "Old Joe Clark"
31:30 Johnny Whisnant (Rounder Album, 1974) - "Home Sweet Home"
36:21 Seldom Scene (Old Train, 1974) - "Wait a Minute"
40:20 Johnson Mountain Boys (Live in VA, 1988) - "Newton Grove"
44:50 Johnson Mountain Boys (Favourites - Compilation, 1987) - "Tomorrow I'll Be Gone"
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Following on from last week's show about East Clare, we're moving westward through the Fergus Valley region, out to the Atlantic coastline by Milltown Malbay and then southwards to the Loophead peninsula. This area covers a wide range of ground and has several, distinct parameters that separate them from each others. From the Kerry/Limerick-influenced repertoire of the South-West peninsula, to the lonesome touch of fiddlers like Junior Crehan from further north in Mullagh, right through to the more eastward territory of the Fergus Valley where we'll find technical virtuoso playing from the likes of Paddy Murphy and, arguably, Bobby Casey (who, was actually from the West coast), there is a lot of talking and listening points.
Let's not also forget the magnanimous influence of the piper Willie Clancy and of the two major female influences in Mrs. Galvin and Mrs. Crotty. It's all loaded in today's episode. Join me for a ramble through history (and take in some beautiful countryside along the way).
Timestamps:
00:00 The Kelly Family ("Humours of Donnybrook", 1977): Ceathrú Rua / The Wild Irishman
07:00 Patrick Kelly ("Patrick Kelly from Cree", --rl2004--): Denny Mescall's Slide
10:31 Mrs. Galvin (Field Recording): Unknown Slow Air
16:14 Mrs. Galvin (Field Recording): Flowing Bowl; Allisdrum's March
20:43 Mrs. Crotty ("Concertina Music from West Clare", RTE orc1930s-1950s---c. 2000rl): The Wind That Shakes the Barley / The Reel With the Beryl
22:45 Mrs. Crotty ("Concertina Music from West Clare", RTE orc1930s-1950s---c. 2000rl): An Gabharín Buí; The Droighneann Donn
27:26 Willie Clancy ("The Gold Ring", RTE --rl2010--): Down the Back Lane / Seargent Early's; Garrett Barry's Mazurka
32:35 Willie Clancy & Joe Leary (Live at the Fleadh in Kilrush, RTE rc1963): The Flogging Reel / The Sligo Maid
36:02 Junior Crehan (Field Recordings - some from the double CD "The Last House in Ballymakea", rl2006): Introduction and playing of the air "Lament for the Country House Dance"; Farewell to Milltown Malbay / Mother's Delight; Lament for Willie Clancy
48:19 Bobby Casey (Taking Flight, rl1979): Poll Ha'penny
52:29 Bobby Casey (From Patrick Ourceau): College Groves
55:07 Bobby Casey (BBC Archive Recordings, rc1966-1971): Sweet Iniscarra
58:39 Joe Ryan ("An Buachaill Dreoite", rc1992 --1995rl--): Auchadon House
1:03:33 Paddy Murphy ("In Good Hands" - rc1958-1980s --2007rl--): Sean Sa Cheo; Bunker Hill (duet with Peadar O'Loughlin)
1:06:46 John Kelly ("Fiddle and Concertina Player", --orc1974/5--rl1975--): Bunch of Green Rushes (two versions, fiddle and concertina)
*rc = recorded
*rl = released
*rrl = re-released
*orl = originally released
*orc = originally recorded
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Although not intended to be a comprehensive study, in this episode I will touch on some basics regarding the East Clare style. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find material of everyone I wished to include, particularly John Naughton. No doubt, I'll make a return to this subject, even if only indirectly, in a future episode.
Apologies also if the sound causes any issue at some points. My interface is currently being replaced due to malfunctioning and I should have it rectified from the next episode onwards.
Timestamps:
00:00 Mary MacNamara & Martin Hayes (TV appearance, 1981): John Naughton's / The Cottage in the Grove
09:32 Joe Bane (selection of private recordings, 1983): I Have a Bonnet Trimmed WIth Blue; The New Mown Meadows; The Morning Dew / Cooley's Reel; Bonaparte Crossing the Alps
18:15 Paddy Canny, P.J. Hayes, Peadar O'Loughlin & Bridie Lafferty (All-Ireland Champions Violin, 1959): Rolling in the Barrell / The Tap Room / The Earl's Chair
21:47 Paddy Canny (Private Recording): Coppers & Brass; Two Un-named Mazurkas
29:51 P.J Hayes, Francie Donnellan & Sean Donnelly (Geantraí, 1998): The Four Courts / Rip the Calico
34:25 Martin Rochford on pipes (Selection of Private Recordings): Blackberry Blossom; Knotted Chord; Otter's Holt
41:07 Martin Rochford on fiddle (Selection of Private Recordings): Caisleáin an Óir; Mist Covered Mountain; Paddy Fahy's Reel / Humours of Scariff
47:52 Paddy O'Donoghue (Private recording, 2005): Aine's Invitation / The Trip to Peterswell
51:30 Andrew MacNamara & Brendan Hearty (TV appearance): Otter's Holt / Concert Reel
54:48 Andrew & Mary MacNamara (Open Hearth, 2004): John Naughton's Jig
57:20 Kieran Hanrahan (Plays the Tenor Banjo, 1998): The Girl that Broke my Heart
1:00:57 Joan Hanrahan, Dympna O'Sullivan & Tola Custy (Geantraí, 2005): The Banks of Lough Gowna / Tommy Mulhaire's / An Lurgadán
1:06:02 Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin & Patrick Ourceau (Tracin', 1999): Jack Coughlan’s / Lady Gordon ; The Jig of Port Fleadh / Whelan’s Old Sow
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