Irish Music Magazine - July 2000

Ireland

Music From The River Head

Spain, Mayo, Roundstone, Planxty, Eurovision, there are many tributaries that lead to the flood that is Riverdance. Jim Kelly goes to the wellspring, the river head himself, Bill Whelan.

Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award 2000

After nearly six months of regional heats the final of The Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award 2000 took place in a packed Harcourt Hotel on 23rd May. Seán Laffey went along for the craic, the music and a chance to hold a big cheque for ten minutes. Find out who got the dosh, the contract and the silverware.

From Cobh to Malabar

On the eve of the latest release from Jimmy Crowley's Free State Records, we look at the recent inaugural Cobh Maritime Song Festival, a low-key affair with some big names revisiting our shared musical heritage. Notes from the water's edge by Seán Laffey

Beo 2000 - Irish Music at the National Concert Hall

From 17th - 20th August, The National Concert Hall, will present a festival of Irish traditional music, entitled Beo 2000. John Brophy brings us the background story.

Inspired by The Lion

John O'Regan catches up with ex-Stockton's Wing, Maurice Lennon on the release of his new album 

Dúchas - Hogging the Limelight

Two lads who first met at Shannon Airport on their way to play in a pub in China! That was three years ago, now Dúchas are going the whole hog, with a summer residency in Galway and tours planned for foreign climates in the autumn. Ita Kelly gets the story so far.

United Kingdom

Today the World ........ Tomorrow?

Alan McIntosh Brown meets a young Scottish band going places. Their output has been described by one reviewer as some of the best music, song and dance in the Celtic world, plus a little blues, a little country-folk, and some rockin-blues. Time for all the pigeonhole fanciers to leave the building as we meet Burach.

Bobby Casey

Alan O'Leary brings us a personal tribute to one of Irish Music's all time greats, the late Bobby Casey (RIP)

Europe

Into the West

Members of the Danish band Errislannan have spent the last year on the West Coast of Ireland. Two new albums have come out of this relocation as John O'Regan finds out.

North America

Nothing Lacking in this Lack Musician

Earle Hitchner speaks with Chicago based Laurence Nugent, who's just finished a brand new solo album.

Celtic With a Pinch of Salt

Celtic Seasons: Past, Present, and Future is a major project set to challenge the public perception of Salt Lake City and showcase its vibrant Celtic music underground. John O'Regan plays the Oracle from Tabernacle City.

Regulars

Thunderbolts and Lightning. Máirtín O'Connor's Thunderbolt

In a new series we ask leading players what was it that woke them up to traditional Irish music. This month, Ita Kelly asks Máirtín O'Connor to recall his own magic moment.

Up and Coming

Cadenza - Sligo Cross Over
Elements of Irish traditional styles, contemporary folk and world music sounds, jazz and blues cruise through their collective veins. John O'Regan discovers a Swiss connection in Sligo.

Tuition Tips - Master Class with Pat Conway

Jigs are the second only to reels in quantity and popularity within Irish traditional music. Find out how to accompany the Eavesdropper jig, a tune with a Scottish ancestry.

Making the Music

In our new series on Instrument making, Ita Kelly catches up with Bodhrán making legend, Malachy Kearns in Roundstone, County Galway.

Story Behind the Tune

John Moulden brings us the story behind the Sam Henry Collection, the biggest and arguably the most important gathering of Irish songs in English of the twentieth century.

Live Reviews

• Geantraí - Live
• Iarla O'Lionaird at Vicar Street

CD Reviews

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