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Irish Music Magazine - Jan/Feb 2005

Ireland

The Fureys

John Brophy talks to the Fureys about the release of their 25th anniversary album.

Biscantorat

Recorded in Glenstal Abbey, in September 2003, the album is a beautiful and intriguing collection of spoken and sung pieces, comprising plainchant, prayers, poems, hymns, carols and Irish songs. Sean Walsh talks with Noirín Ní Riain about the making of this spiritual album.

The Diamond is Forever with the Kane Sisters

Like precious stones, tunes become very much part of the individual personality of the player, who becomes the possessor or the master of them. Two masters of this great art in traditional music are the Kane sisters, Liz and Yvonne. Ita Kelly reports.

The Not So Different Tradition

Mac Spy discovers another kind of Irish folklore when he visits a wee bit of the rural north and finds poetry is the inspirataion behind the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra.

Broadening Traditional Horizons

Chris Keenan profiles the new album from Rig the Jig, which she says is rich with American influences, and it's all part of a musical crossover that took music from here to the Appalachians over two hundred years ago.

Its an Education

In the final part of our music and education supplement, John Brophy provides an overview of some course options in Ireland and the UK.

North America

James Kelly

Melodic Journey is the latest recording from MCD fiddle player, James Kelly, writes Ita Kelly.

Black 47

Larry Kirwan was back at home in Wexford recently where IMM's Nicky Rossiter caught up with him. Larry is the front man with the highly political and socially aware Black 47, and as he tells Nicky, New York was a tough apple to crack.

Europe

Fruity Flavours from Orion

Belgian band, Orion with box and fiddle virtuosos, Raquel Gigot and Rudy Velghe have added a few new names to their roster and will celebrate a new album with a special mini festival. John O'Regan reports.

United Kingdom

The Glorious Twelfth

For those hunting for the best Irish performers, Glasgow is the place to be in January when Celtic Connections takes over the city. Alan Brown reports.

Regulars

Launch Pad

Taking the title at face value, John Brophy goes Cruising with Gael Linn as that company sets sail with a classic re-issue.

Story Behind the Song Bagenal Harvey's Farewell

At year-end, a song of the 1798 Wexford uprising brings back to mind the memory of two Irish music greats. IMM's Dan Milner has the story and the song.

Up & Coming - Josephine Mulvenna

Josephine Mulvenna is a woman with a mission, find out more in this special interview with John Brophy.