Irish Music Magazine - May 2005

Ireland

When All is Said and Done

John Bropy reports on Danú, about life on the road; the new album on Shanachie and the live DVD recorded at Dublin's Vicar Street.

Tunes from the Dream Team

Tunes, that's all it says on the album, but when the players are Frankie Gavin, Mike McGoldrick, Sharon Shannon and Jim Murray then you know it's going to be a bit special. Ita Kelly reports.

Sister Act

They are busy ladies, award winning performers and well-educated professionals, no wonder it has taken them so long to make an album together. Cora and Breda Smyth are interviewed by our Galway correspondent, Ita Kelly.

North America

Singing Between the Two Cultures

Perhaps there is no one alive who has done as much for Newfoundland song than Anita Best. Aidan O'Hara takes up the story.

Europe

The Boys from the Reel Stuff

They've been involved in traditonal music for fifteen years. John O'Regan continues our series on Danish-Irish links with a profile on The Trad Lads.

United Kingdom

Last Night's Fun

John O'Regan dips into the history rolodex to bring us the latest on Last Night's Fun. They began as an unlikely duo and are now a very respectable trio, hailed by their many fans as the most entertaining Irish ensemble on the UK folk circuit and watch out their first album is being re-released.

Festivals 2005

Our second look at what's happening around the world of folk and traditional music, from the delights of Rostrevor to the shores of Ballyshannon, to summer schools steeped in culture.

Regulars

Launch Pad

Sean Laffey backs a winner when Paudie O'Connor lets his new album out of the traps in Killarney.

Up & Coming - Garry Walsh

Now resident in Cork, Garry Walsh was born about fifteen miles from Manchester in an area rich in emigrant culture. He tells John O'Regan about formative influences and the making of his debut flute album.

Tuition

The second in our new series brought to you in association with Halshaw Music.

Live Reviews

The Song of the Wren

Small bird but a big night out as Mac Spy attends a gala performance at Belfast's Lyric Theatre.

Seán McGuire & Lúnasa

As the late Seán McGuire was laid to rest in Belfast we take a fond look back at his final performance in Hammersmith Irish Centre, London, plus a review of Lúnasa at the Queen's Festival in Belfast.

CD Reviews

Another selection of CD Reviews brought to you in association with Gael-Linn