Irish Music Magazine - June 1999

Ireland

Winning the West

Over the past twenty-five years, De Dannan has been the smart career move for some of the country's finest female singers. Jim Kelly talks with Eleanor Shanley, a graduate of the West's school of traditional excellence.

If All the Young Ladies

"This album was for me, the members of 'the Góilín singers' club and for my parents. There's not one note that I'm not pleased with." Niamh Parsons tells John Brophy about her Blackbirds and Thrushes album.

Fresh Directions

"I feel one of the strongest suits within the Irish musicians' canon is the ability to write and perform their own material" says Ross Graham of Belfast singer Ursula Burns in a recent interview with Geoff Harden.

Cool Bands and Hot Music

Finding a new niche in the crowded traditional music market is a daunting task, but Malgamú music have successfully created a distinctive four CD catalogue in just twelve months. Sean Laffey finds out how with Paul Kelly and Tricia Hutton in the Cobblestone.

That Midlands Swing

There's a huge revival in céilí and set dancing and its happening worldwide. The Bridge Ceili Band bring a Midlands swing to the music, Ita Kelly takes a whirl around the floor.

North America

An American Classic

From the Bronx to Sligo, Winnie Horan's fiddling takes in a vast range of traditional influences. Ita Kelly reports.

The Linnet Sings Again

"The saying from Broadway in the 30s was that if one guy is doing well, then everyone benefits, and if one guy is hurting, so is everyone else and this is true for the little goldfish bowl of traditional music publishing." Chris Teskey tells John Brophy in this update on the fortunes of Green Linnet Records.

Speaking for the Gaels

"You wouldn't go into a forest and begin cutting down trees en mass without giving a thought to reforestation and replanting. We all need to look at cultural matters in the same way as well." Mary Jane Lamond tells Séamus Bellamy.

Europe

Errislannan

Seán Laffey interviews Mick Conneelly on the eve of his Music Network tour. From Bedford to Birmingham, then to Denmark, Mick has taken the sound of Galway with him. Read all about it.

United Kingdom

Ten Years in the Park

Malcolm Rogers has an afternoon at the BBC with John Dagnell, head of the very successful label Park Records.

Bargain at the Barbican Basement

Malcolm Rogers gets a prescription dose of Irish culture at the biennial From the Heart festival in London. Read about the highs and lows.

Regulars

Up and Coming

Mary Staunton's debut CD, Bright Early Mornings takes its title from the light and openness of a Maree sunrise. Ita Kelly reports.

A Century of Irish Traditional Music

Séamus Ennis in his own inimitable style, started assembling his pipes, all the time talking about his pipes, recounting how his late father had bought these very pipes 'in bits, in sorrowful bits, somewhere in Camden Town'. Pat McNulty recalls the famous Bettystown Meeting of 1968 (Part 1 of 2)

Live Reviews

Dervish in Dungarvan, Celtic Flames in Belfast, The Victoria Pub has Damp in the Attic, Solas go sonic in San Francisco.

CD Reviews

• Another 4 page selection of CD offerings brought to you in association with Virgin Megastore.

This month's Subscriber Offer

Subscribe to Irish Music Magazine and get your copy posted to you each month. The first 50 subscriptions to arrive at our offices will receive a copy of Shantalla's new album.