Irish Music Magazine - December 2003

Ireland

Solas Sizzle on Another Day

Solas blazed into Berkeley, California, in September touring their newly minted album, Another Day. Our man in sunny California, Tom Clancy was on hand to quiz the band.

The Reel Spirit of Their Music

Ita Kelly interviews Liam O'Connor and Lisa Aherne, with their stage show 'Reel Spirit', going from strength to strength, backed by an intense work schedule it seems a strange paradox to the peaceful and spiritual space where it was recorded.

Ballads are the Basis

John Brophy meets Patsy Watchorn, the well known Dublin singer who is proud to be a native of the nations capital.

Europe

Whiskey Trail

John Brophy encounters an Italian band who sometimes sojourn in the mythical mountains of Tallaght, and hears how stories of the heroes of our warrior age have inspired a seven-colume opus from this band with more than spirit in their name.

United Kingdom

True to Tradition

Their band might have formed by chance but the London Lasses' adherence to tradition is deliberate. Helene Northway speaks to Karen Ryan about their beginnings, their beliefs and their new album.

Regulars

The Launch Pad

John Brophy joined in the crowd at the National Library where Padraigín Ní Ullachain launched her major work, A Hidden Ulster, a treasure trove of songs from the South East Ulster border.

Story Behind The Songs

Forget the Hollywood shenanigans of Sea Biscuit, we've had our horsey heroes for hundred of years before Hector, as Dan Milner explains when he recalls a well-known sporting ballad.

Tuition

Another selection in our tutorial series brought to you in association with Waltons Music.

Up & Coming - Patrick Mangan

Dan Milner our New York correspondent talks to teen-fiddler Patrick Mangan, who can trace his musical roots directly back to Michael Coleman, no idle boast as there's a strong unbroken skein of Sligo influences running through Irish music in New York.

Book Review

John Brophy lifts the bow when he takes a new fiddle tutor for a test drive.

Live Reviews

Three dashing blades are caught in swashbuckling from at Dolan's Wharehouse Limerick

CD Reviews

Another selection of CD's brought to you in association with Gael Linn.

Subscriber Offer

Subscribe to Irish Music Magazine and have each issue delivered to your doorstep. The first 100 subscribers will receive a copy of Phil Coulter's 'Coulter & Company' or Various Artists 'The Best that is Irish' from Celtic Collections

Special Feature

Something for the wall once the Christmas decorations are down and back in the attic. A Bumper Calendar for the year ahead kindly supported by the leading movers and shakers in the Irish Music Industry.