Irish Music Magazine - Dec 2001 / Jan 2002

Ireland

The Irish Music Magazine Awards

Join us in a two-page preview of the 2001 Irish Music Magazine Awards at the Qlympia, and whet your appetites for the big gig of the year on Thursday, December 13th.

Intentionally Class

Davy Spillane in conversation with Phil Gaston.

Down All The Days

Seamus Bellamy gets the history lesson from Terry Woods of the Pogues.

Smiling All The Way

The Josephine Marsh Band these days consists of Tommy Carew on vocals and guitar, Paul O'Driscoll on double bass, Declan Corey on madolin and bouzouki, and Josephine on accordion. Phil Gaston reports.

To Shorten The Winter

As Tommy Sands prepared for his first ever-Irish tour and the release of an album, Geoff Harden visited his Rostrevor home to find out what took him so long.

Tugging At The Heart Strings

A Colm O'Donnell singing album featuring songs from Dolly Parton, Van Morrison, and Hank Williams. A clear break from his last and very traditional album. Martin McGinley reports.

A Long Grazing Acre

Paddy Keenan tips his famous hat to his heritage with the title of his new album, the travelling life suits him and he continues to tour North America, where he now lives. Interview by David Ingram.

Beyond The Awakening

The release of their new live album, video and DVD entitled 'Liam O'Connor' new chapter in their musical lives, writes John O'Regan.

Shady Woods

Desi Wilkinson's life experience has alternated between spending periods in Ireland and Brittany, between teaching and playing music professionally. John O'Regan interviews Desi and discusses the new album 'Shady Wood'.

North America

A Minstrel In A Modern Age

Cathie Ryan, an Irish-American born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, is a practising ambassador of Irish music, writes Helene Northway.

Driven By Steam

Tradition is the watermark of John William's new album Steam, and he tells George Houde that he is gratified that both aficionados of traditional music and those who are new to the sounds are telling him they appreciate the album.

Banding Together

The incidents of September 11th touched everyone and the Traditional Irish Music Community is no exception. Helene Northway reports on how New York City has fared.

United Kingdom

Back To The Roots

Jennifer Byrne reports on the recent Return to Camden Town Festival.

Jac To Bach

Sian Phillips and Danny Kilbride hold court as Kertsin Hoff buys the pints of Brains in the Cayo Arms Cardiff, she hears tales of old fiddles, Welsh mythology, intricate musicology and photographic ornithology

.

Fairport Highlights

John O'Regan reports from Fairport 2001. "This year De Dannan were the featured Irish act, and accordionist David Munnelly emerged as a potential box hero"

Europe

Folk In Sweden

Michael Moll takes us to the Dance Barn in Stockholm where the old and new traditions meet to polska all night long.

Regulars

Singing With Waltons

Another series of tuition brought to you in association with Walton's Music.

Story Behind The Song The Battle Of Kinsale

Tommy Maken has a new song charting the history of that four-month siege and it's disatrous end on Christmas Eve 1601.

From Claire To Here

There were no direct Irish connections in Claire' Mann's family, she tells our Scottish correspondent Alan MacIntosh Brown. So how did someone from Newcastle become interested in Irish music?

Phantom Shadows Of The Wren

Seamus Tansey recalls a time when going out on the Wren was the height of teenage defiance.

Live Reviews

• Cork Folk Festival
• Sionna Festival
• Paul Brady
• Cara Dillon

CD Reviews

A Christmas selection of CD Reviews brought to you in association with HMV.