Irish Music Magazine - March 2004

Ireland

Luke's Legacy

Forty years ago Luke Kelly (briefly) left the Dubliners. His return would make musical history and set a benchmark in folk singing for the next half century. January 2004 saw the 20th anniversary of Luke's death. John Brophy brings us this retrospective on a ballad singer for all seasons.

Frankie Gavin

The master fiddler is back home in Galway and has a box set of 4 albums that chart his last ten years. Ita Kelly meets the maestro.

Liam O'Connor

John O'Regan in conversation with Liam O'Connor ahead of his new 2004 show in the NEC, Killarney.

Walking the Walk

John Brophy tracked down Best Foot Forward, a band with a plan. It meant a spin to Tullamore and a meeting with a bunch of lads with a decidedly non-Dublin take on the music.

United States

The Cottars

Still in their teens and set to visit Europe for the first time this spring, John O'Regan brings us an exclusive interview with the rising young stars of Cape Breton music.

Europe

Home Town Triumph

"I adore Belgium, the very idea of the place is eccentric, even loveable, it's a made up country, a monarchy created in 1830 after a riot at a Brussels Opera. It makes a virtue of chocolate and throws fruit in its strongest beers, above all else it has a sense of the absurd." Seán Laffey reports on an urban phenomenon in the heart of rural Europe.

United Kingdom

Míse

Míse are a young band that is writing their own traditional tunes with such authentic verve, you'd think you've heard them before. Helene Dunbar interviews the lads and finds they tip their hats mor to Lúnasa than the Bothy Band.

Regulars

Up & Coming - Jarlath Anderson

"Giving it back already" might be the key-note of this interview with BBC young folk musician Jarlath Henderson. He is a pupil and teacher at the Armagh Piper's club and in December 2003 the teenager took the coveted BBC accolade. Mac Spy finds the young man at home with a fabulous set of pipes ans dure they had to have a tune or two.

The Story Behind the Song

Dan Milner continues his dips and dives into Irish Australian song with this unusual version of Rolling Home, wrapped around historic tales of intrigue, subterfuge and a daring escape.

Live Reviews

They came from all parts, from Donegal and Tipperary, Boston and London, they came to pay tribute at the annual Jimmy McHugh Memorial weekend in Glasgow, and our own Seán Laffey was on hand to capture the flavour of the reel deal.

CD Reviews

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