Irish Music Magazine - May 2000

Ireland

Still Searching for the Beat

He is a busy man, gigging all over the world with Coolfin one moment, the next he's deep in thought on a new composition for EXPO 2000. Jim Kelly books a few of those precious moments with Donal Lunny, who tells him why U2 have been so good for Irish Traditional Music

Red Letter Day

Kieran Goss is back with a new album and some mature thoughts, does he still consider himself a folk singer? Geoff Harden reports

Oh What A World

His first new CD since 1995's Spirits Colliding will be in Irish music shops on May 5th. Oh What A World's mostly pop-styled songs are collaborations, co-written around the globe with such hit music luminaries as Carol King and Will Jennings writes William Henry.

The Pilgrim's Progress

Aidan O'Hara in conversation with the man responsible for bringing uilleann pipes into the orchestral repertoire. His recent re-working of his 1983 piece, The Pilgrim was a big hit in a Blanchardstown shopping mall. A long way from the concert platform maybe, but Shaun did start life writing advertising jingles.

The Straight New Road

Seán Laffey heads to the seaside and a night's craic in Mooney's of Ring where he meets Gerry Harrington and Charlie Piggott on the release of their new album. 

Tripled Distilled Tradition

The man from Canada is on an Irish tour again; he talks of the many influences on his playing style with William Henry. The conclusion is that Irish traditional playing is central to most of what goes on in North American fiddling, you just have to dig at the surface to expose the roots.

United Kingdom

An Irish Original

One of Ireland's finest female voices, Gay Woods has been at the forefront of some of Ireland's most daring musical adventures, now she is re-tackling an English institution, Steeleye Span. John O'Regan brings us an update on her colourful history.

A Labyrinth of Music

Culburnie's contemporary Celtic band, Skyedance, is again tickling the eardrums of the world. With the recent release of its second album, Labyrinth, Skyedance brings a marvellous mix of music to the melodic dining table. It makes for quite a menu. Writes Daniel Hintz of the Mountjoy Writers Group.

Europe

Denmark's Drones & Bellows

Michael & Christian Moll visit Tonder to meet some more of those musical Continental Celts. This is home to the Celtic band Drones & Bellows. They talk to Pam Naylor and the producer of their latest CD, Brian McNeill.

North America

Washington Celebrates the Irish

The John F Kennedy Centre hosts this spring festival of Irishness for the Performing Arts. "There'll be only two places in the world this May to see such an extravaganza of Irish music and arts; Ireland and Washington DC" enthused Lawrence J Wilker, Kennedy Center president. Story by Martin Hintz of the Mountjoy Writers Group.

Heavenly Songs from the Borders of Eden

In 19th century America waves of Irish and Scots moved west and pushed the frontier into the Pacific Ocean. As they came they brought with them their songs and music. Connie Dover's latest CD explores this rich Celtic legacy in the songs America sang around the cowboy's campfires. Story from John O'Regan

Gaelic Roots Report

The Boston College Campus will once again be alive with Celtic sounds in June. We look ahead to the 2000 festivities.

Regulars

Up and Coming

THE CEILI BANDITS
Phil Gaston checks the posters in Ennis and rides out to Doolin to head off the Ceili Bandits at the pass.

Tuition Tips - Master Class with Pat Conway

What's the Scale? After all that melody stuff we had with the whistle tuition, it's time to look at chords and harmony and for that dear friends you'll need a guitar or bouzouki.

Story Behind the Tune

Well we couldn't resist the temptation after their great Irish victory at Aintree this year. Paul De Grae brings us the story of a tune with a pedigree.

Live Reviews

• Sean Keane in Limerick
• Alan Kelly in Lens

CD Reviews

Another 4 page selection of CD Offerings brought to you in association with HMV.

Subscriber Offer

Subscribe to Irish Music Magazine and get your copy posted each month, the first new fifty subscribers will receive a copy of 'Lovers Ghost' from Cran.

Coming Soon

Look out for forthcoming June issue of Irish Music Magazine which will include Lia Luachra, De Danann, l'Orient special and the long awaited forthcoming Irish Music Magazine Readers Poll 2000.