Irish Music Magazine - June 2000

Ireland

Lia Luachra - Stopping For Traffic

The Dublin road system is a nightmare. If you are in gridlock we suggest you put on the latest recording from Lia Luachra, Traffic, seriously good acoustic music to drive away road rage. Story by William Henry.

High Table Talk

Highland Cathedral is the new CD from Phil Coulter, released first into the USA, it's a big and ambitious project. Phil is getting ready for a tour of the States, we tried to find out the details, but as Jim Kelly found out, when this man starts talking there's no stopping him.

The Best Year's Of Our Life

Heard that old saying about school being the best years of your life? Well every year there are over a thousand pupils who would heartily agree with the old adage. But this is no ordinary Alma mater as Phil Gaston found out when he oiled his bike and pedalled down to Miltown Malbay for a look at nearly thirty years of the Willie Week.

Memories From The Sharp Edge

Phil Callery tells tales of the Pogues, Killorglin and the Voice Squad, he recalls those early days of the Dublin singers club, Jim Kelly reports.

One For The Road

Ita Kelly takes the road to Kinvara to meet with fiddle sensation Brendan Larrissey. 

United Kingdom

In A Celtic Groove

Big Sky's album comes with a warning on the label, but Alan McIntosh Brown chooses not to heed it. Big Sky's music is the next step beyond Capercaillie, it's the Celtic Groove Foundation, a close cousin of musical grouse.

The Art Of Bi-Location

The thriving folk scene in Belfast in the eighties helped to kick-start a number of traditional bands such as Deanta, Tamalin and Craobh Rua. Others have come and gone but, fifteen years down the line, only Craobh Rua is still playing. Story by Geoff Harden.

Europe

The Big Gathering

Aidan O'Hara talks to Tomas Mac Ruairí organiser of the Irish delegation to l'Orient.

Traditional Travels

Book a passage on the ferry, get out the road map and plan your continental holiday around the best in Irish Traditional music, The Mollis bring us a look at a summer of traditional music in Northern Europe and Mike Walsh finds there's plus beaux musique cropping up all over France.

North America

Milwaukee Irish Festival

Billed as the biggest Irish festival in the world, Terry Higgins looks at its early days and discovers there's a whole heap of enthusiasm to keep Irish Fest going for many years to come.

Regulars

Up and Coming

Paddy and Bridget
The Japanese couple who are playing the pure drop like Clare natives, Phil Gaston investigates.

Tuition Tips - Master Class with Pat Conway

Last month we introduced you to the Mountain Road, check the cabin pressure and prepare for some high altitude guitar playing as we bring you a new setting in Gavin Ralston's drop D tuning.

Story Behind the Tune

John Brophy revs up the new Honda and scales the heights above Carrick on Suir for a day of pre-Williamite song hunting.

Live Reviews

  • Vancouver Celtic Festival
  • The Black Brothers at Berkeley University, USA.

CD Reviews

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

Readers Poll Special

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it's time to make your choice. In our special pull out supplement vote for the artists you think should be awarded with the ultimate accolades or visit your local HMV Store where voting forms are readily available. The winning artists will be honoured at the Irish Music Magazine Awards Ceremony later this year.