Irish Music Magazine - Dec 2002 / Jan 2003

Ireland

A Woman's Heart a Decade On

It's ten years now since the first album in the series, so will the third album help launch more new talent onto the Irish and International scene. Geoff Harden reports.

Forty Years on the Tracks and Still It's Full Steam Ahead

"And then in 1962 in O'Donoghue's Bar, a strange crew arrived, wearing beards and aran sweaters like none have done before nor since. And their music was a strange and dangerous mix." Forty years on John Brophy looks forward to a big hometown gig from The Dubliners.

One Less Down the Old Plank Road

Ita Kelly talks to Paddy Maloney about the latest Chieftain's album, and how the Irish and Country musicians gel together with the common ground in tunes and songs.

Songs from the Island

Lillis O'Laoire's 'Ar Chreag i Lár na Farraige' is a major uncovering of the cultural treasure that is the living heritage of Tory Island song. Ita Kelly reports.

Songs on the Thorn Tree

John Brophy in conversation with Padraigín Ní hUllachain on the release of her new album.

Tunes in the Family Album

The late Tommy McCarthy was born in Kilmihil in Co Clare in 1929, his work took him abroad to London where he raised a family, which are now scattered, some back home in Ireland, some in Boston. Ita Kelly tells the story of a major musical homecoming.

More than an Autobiography

A new double CD and book 'The Keegan Tunes' is much more than an anthology of the compositions, writes Ita Kelly.

Time for a Song

Éilis Kennedy's new album was recorded in her hometown of Dingle and featured a host of highly respected professional Irish musicians. John O'Regan finds out how 'Time to Sail' came about and her plans for the future.

On a Wild Goose Chase

John Brophy talks to Melanie O'Reilly about her flourishing career and a recent visit to France.

A Clare Conscience

John O'Regan meets Anthony Quigney & Aidan McMahon on the release of their album, 'A Clare Conscience'.

North America

Compass Points to Quality

Nashville, the home of Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry, has entered the international world of roots music. John O'Regan talks to Compass boss and award-winning banjoist, Alison Brown and her husband Garry West.

United Kingdom

Connect Ten

It's ten glorious years of the biggest festival in the UK and an excited Alan McIntosh Brown tears off the wrapping from the Celtic Connections box of delights.

Rough as Silk

Sue Moore interviews The Kilbride Brothers about their new album 'Sidan', which is Welsh traditional music with a contemporary feel.

Europe

More Maids

John O'Regan continues his series on German Irish bands with a profile of three lovely lasses from Ludwigshafen.

Dervish Whirl into Paris

Mick Walsh attends the 'Le Premier Jour' concert at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris.

Regulars

Tunes from Waltons

History this month, with a big march from the 17th Century.

Story Behind The Song How Could Reavy Die!

Ed Reavy was responsible for many tunes typically played and recorded in Irish circles, he spent most of his adult life in Philadelphia and his passing is recalled in a poem by Fr Michel Doyle.

Up & Coming

Oisín Mac Diarmada tells Ita Kelly that the older music is stylistically the real Irish fiddle music. "I think the music would be all the better if more people listened to the music from the Coleman era."

Live Reviews

John O'Regan reports from the Sionna Festival in Limerick and Phil Gaston looks back on a year of live gigs at Glór in Ennis

CD Reviews

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