Irish Music Magazine - August 1999

Ireland

Speaking With the Angel

Mary Black's new album is her ninth solo effort in a career spanning nearly twenty-five years (the first album was General Humbert on the Dolphin label back in 1975). John Brophy asks the questions as we discover the thinking behind her latest work.

The Humour is on Him now

Jim Kelly goes back stage for a chat with Ronnie Drew, uncovers tales of the rare auld times and finds out about Ronnie's latest collaboration with Mike Hanrahan.

Beyond Words

Niall Vallely puts the concertina at centre stage; Sean Laffey puts the questions as we spotlight one of the most innovative players and composers of the new generation.

Festivals in Ireland

It is a long march to Enniscorthy at the end of the month and there are so many festivals to bump into along the way. We preview Feakle; Mrs Crotty and Aonoch Paddy O'Brien and a whole list of other events to get you in the right frame of mind for the annual Fleadh blow out.

North America

Finding the spirit of the music

In our continuing series on the modern influences at work in Gaelic/Gaeilge culture, William Ramoutar talks to Talitha MacKenzie.

Touchstone

Earle Hitchner takes time out with Zan McLeod to bring us an insight into the recent reunion tour of the cult acoustic band Touchstone.

United Kingdom

Sleepless with Pure Tradition

Kate Rusby has been hailed as the darling of English folk, she has a pure unaffected voice, she's from Barnsley and sings traditional songs without compromising her own Yorkshire identity or the songs themselves. John O'Regan stays wide awake as he finds out the latest on Kate's new CD, Sleepless.

The Return of Regional Variations

Scots fiddler Alasdair Fraser moved to California twenty years ago, but why stay so long? He tells Steve McGrail "I was getting the notes still left in the cracks, the clues to an older-style of ornamentation." He has a few good things to say about Irish regional fiddle style too.

Europe

Tour De Force

Sessions from the Hearth, began life after Benny O'Connor had a bad experience in the company of a dozen Italian tourists. The show is set to tour Germany in October and has a home-based tour with a difference line-up for November; "Intrigued Seán Laffey of Cashel" picks his way through the story.

Regulars

Up and Coming

In our continuing series on Ireland's emerging talent, John Brophy catches up with Deirdre Scanlon.

A Century of Irish Traditional Music

Jackie Small describes Brendán Breathnach as "the greatest scholar and collector of traditional music of the twentieth century". Looking back on the work and commitment of the man, it becomes apparent that one lifetime was not long enough at all in which to fulfil and develop all the ideas and plans that he had. Story by Ita Kelly.

Live Reviews

Piping in Cahir and angelic voices of Anuna at the National Concert Hall.

CD Reviews

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

Book Reviews

Celtic Back Up for All Instrumentalists

Most Irish summer schools concentrate on the melody line, guitar, bouzouki and piano accompaniment coming low down on the list of musical priorities. Is it due to hostility, indifference or ignorance of the potential for backing dance tunes? If the answer is ignorance, this book will certainly fill the knowledge gap.

Subscriber Offer

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Summer Sessions

Irish Music Magazine proudly presents a summer of nationwide live music in association with Virgin Megastore, Tower Records, HMV, The Living Tradition, Mulligans and Zhivago Records.