Irish Music Magazine - August 2001

Ireland

Ragairne

Ita Kelly interviews Séamus Begley and Jim Murray, two musical revellers, in Dublin, combining an ethos of music with everyday work.

Cathal McConnell

Oisin Mac Diarmada talks with Cathal McConnell. "It was nearly inevitable that the conversation would quite quickly turn to focus upon McConnell's highly individualistic style of playing".

Listowel the Fleadh Town

This year marks 50 years of 'Fleadh Cheol na hEireann', one of the longest running and most influential music festivals in Ireland. John O'Regan interviews Brian Prior, PRO of CCE.

Brendan Graham

He could only be from Kerry, he's a larger than life character, an accomplished songwriter in the traditional and popular idioms and if you ever want to bone a pig, he's the man to give you the education. Aidan O'Hara meets the baritone giant.

The Retro Fun Factory

At the Racket's latest album 'Mirth Making Heroes' is a record full of a sound rooted in the early recording era in Irish-America. Martin McGinley talks to the band about the tunes and the fun of playing together.

North America

Liz Carroll

The award winning Irish American fiddler talks to George Houde about her early influences in Chicago and New York, and of course we have to ask her about all those new tunes she has composed over the years.

A Quarter Century for the Green Linnet Label

Wendy Newton talks with Helene Northway as we look at the first 25 years of the Green Linnet Label.

Milwaukee Irish Fest Supplement

Irish Music Magazine is delighted to bring you a special Milwaukee Irish Fest Supplement, which includes interviews with Tommy Makem and Harry Bradshaw.

Europe

Building Bridges

Sean Laffey and David Ingram bring us a double header of travels across a Celtic Sea.

United Kingdom

The Green Machine

Alan Brown salutes with Ian Green, the 15th Anniversary of the highly successful Scottish Label, Greentrax Records.

Tilt

John Mitchell's Blue album was the magic wand that turned an electric axe player into an eclectic acoustic guitarist. "I was fascinated by the guitar playing on that album: it was strikingly original and innovative". Colin Reid talks to Geoff Harden.

Regulars

Regional Report - A Call from the Heart

Martin McGinley is forced to search the annals of Greek mythology to deal adequately with a new 4 CD release of Cavan music, "A Call from the Musical Heart of Cavan".

Up and Coming - Bevel Jenny

Continuing our series on new Irish talent with a penchant for the traditional and folk, John Brophy interviews a duo who are fusing Irish in an electric sort of way.

On the Pound Road

It's a long way from Inishbofin to Ithaca, New York State, but that's one of many places Dessie O'Halloran recently visited on tour with Sharon Shannon. David Ingram met him backstage as the Woodchoppers cut a dash in Vancouver.

Singing with the Waltons

Part 2 of our new feature.

The Music Makers

"I've realised that Open Source is a lot like traditional music itself," says Richard Moon. "Something you can share with other people and pass on for free." Rachel Marsh brings us the latest on an electronic revolution in the collection and dissemination of traditional tunes.

Live Reviews

We visit Dublin's Shelter twice for two outstanding gigs and report on an historic night of Irish Fiddling in London.

CD Reviews

Another selection of CD reviews brought to you in association with HMV

Book Review

Patrick Lynch had been employed by the Belfast Harp Festival to visit Connacht in search of the words to Irish songs. Maire Nic Dhomhnaill talks with Sean Walsh.

Readers Poll 2001

Its that time of year again when you can choose the artists that you would like honoured at our Awards Ceremony later this year. See centre pages for details.