www.musicnetwork.ie

– “The most imaginative and fascinating musician in all of trad”– Earle Hitchner, Irish Echo

– “The missing link between Martin Hayes and Purple Haze” – Nick Kelly, Irish Independent

Just how would you set about showing the beauty, depth and humour of traditional Irish music to someone who had never heard it? Armed with his trusty 10–string “Hardanger d’Amore” fiddle and a film projector, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh sets out to do exactly that in his unique and wonderful take on what makes Irish traditional music beautiful. Inside the projector are “virtual guests”, friends whom he has filmed: musician, dancer, singer, poet and landscape, each of whom make the other half of a duet with a live Caoimhín. A better look at what goes on inside a musician’s head could not be had, not if you cut it in half and hinged it open.
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www.thewillisclan.com

The Willis Clan has had so many exciting things going on this year, but fans in Ireland are going to be able to follow The Clan’s rise to stardom from the comfort of their own homes. All 12 Willis kids are contestants on this season of America’s Got Talent.
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www.oaim.ie

New Course Release:

Guitar Basics, Standard Tuning Accompaniment for Irish Music

Here at OAIM we are pleased to announce the recent release of three new guitar courses (one in French!). OAIM is now home to over 90 Irish guitar accompaniment lessons. The aim of ‘Guitar Basics’ is to learn how to accompany Irish traditional music on the guitar using standard tuning. Jean Damei examines the chords, structure and rhythms of some of the most typical tunes types and keys in Irish music, such as Reels, Jigs, Slipjigs, Hornpipes and Waltzes.

Throughout the lessons he gives an overview of different modes and styles of accompaniment. Jean picked a selection of well– known tunes to demonstrate the taught skills and techniques including Gallagher’s frolics, Out on the Ocean, the Kid on the Mountain and The Man of the House.
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(Blackbox Music BBM 007)

www.alankellygang.com

Stalwarts of contemporary trad, the Alan Kelly Gang are a creative force all about tasteful arrangements, groove, energy and passion. Their new album The Last Bell, which has been over a year in the making, is a pristine collection of original and traditional music. Recorded over two live sessions in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin with an outstanding cast of cohorts: Alan Kelly (piano accordion), Steph Geremia (flute /vocal /sax & whistle), Alasdair White (fiddle), Tony Byrne (guitar), Manus Lunny (bouzouki), Ewan Vernal (bass), Martin O’Neill (bodhran) and Jim Higgins (percussion), the album captures a certain magic that can only happen when such outstanding musicians are locked away, working and playing together in musical solidarity. “I wanted to capture that raw energy and spur of the moment musicality. I also wanted to recreate the vibe and excitement of the sessions when I recorded Mosaic (2000) by playing live with drums, percussion and bass.”– Alan Kelly.

On this outing, there is a great sense of maturity and joie de vivre as the three melody players: Alan, Steph and Alasdair weave and playfully bounce off one another, while the engine room of guitar, percussion, and bass underpin a solid groove. Also welcoming Capercaille’s Manus Lunny on board and into the Producer’s chair, he has brought along his distinctive panache to the 12 tracks – 8 instrumentals and 4 songs.

Catch the Alan Kelly Gang joined by special guests Eddi Reader & John Douglas for their nationwide tour: September 27th – October 5th.

www.nch.ie

September 4th. A special evening of piano and traditional music Phoenix Rising: The Music of Micheal O Suilleabhain

One of Ireland’s most accomplished musicians and composers, Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin, joins the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and a top line–up of Irish musicians for an evening of his most vibrant and evocative music.

This captivating programme features Mícheál’s Phoenix Rising Suite – the score to the documentary Pioneers and Aviators – premiered earlier this year with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Sean–nós master Iarla Ó Lionáird lends his striking voice to traditional airs in Mícheál’s gorgeous arrangements. Soprano Deirdre Moynihan, New Dublin Voices and world–renowned sax player Kenneth Edge perform the poignant Madison’s Descent. Ó Suilleabháin’s Termon is brought to life by uilleann piper Pádraic Keane, while Mícheál performs his exhilarating Must Be More on piano.

www.clonmelbuskingfestival.com

The Clonmel Busking Festival is a four-day free music event running from the 7th to the 10th of August. There will be over 160 acts playing in a variety of venues both day and night. Numerous workshops are available from Thursday to Saturday. Open-air street busking and performances from John Spillane, Dublin City Ramblers and Charlie McGettigan are some of the festival’s many highlights. Sunday features a special line-up with Mundy, The Cider Wasps and a large street Céilí to close. All events are free and open to the public, with something sure to suit all ages.

For more information on the festival visit www.clonmelbuskingfestival.com