Irish Music Magazine - September 1999

Ireland

Paul Brady - The Interview

Jim Kelly talks with Paul Brady on the release of his "Best of" album

The Flying Dervish Machine

Jim Kelly burns the midnight oil with Cathy Jordan of Dervish on the release of their new album on their own 'Whirling Disk' label.

Dawning Of The Day

Like a bright early morning, PJ Curtis opens up a fresh view of Irish music, always keen to see the tradition in its widest vista, he has for over two decades championed Irish traditional, world and ethnic music, helping to sweep aside centuries of xenophobia, isolation and inferiority. Cindy Reich finds out about his latest production for Na Piobraí Uilleann - A New Dawn.

The Flute & The Final Frontier

John Brophy gets established in the foothills of musical history with altitude fluting.

Digging Deep For The Pure Drop

Cormac Breatnach is the thinking person's low whistle player. Well grounded in the tradition and with a strong Irish cultural background, John Brophy reports.

North America

Dordán - The Sweet Hum Of Success

For most groups and traditional musicians, the American or international recording deal is the ultimate success. Most pursue it relentlessly, and for others it just comes. Ita Kelly meets the girls from Dordan fresh from their signing to the Narada Label.

Both Sides The Tweed

Half English, half Irish, this talented piano accordionist feels at home in the musical tradition of each country, playing an instrument she's helped to rescue from the depths of disapproval. Earle Hitchner catches Karen Tweed on her first professional US tour and files this report.

United Kingdom

Retracing Footsteps

Dezi Donelly is 26 years old, he is from Manchester and he plays the fiddle. He attended school with a certain Michael McGoldrick, they went to the same CCE classes at St Wilfrid's and both have gained critical and deserved acclaim early in their careers. Sean Laffey catches up with him.

Europe

Nomos at St Chartier

On the last Bastille Day of the Millennium, this outstanding group of traditional musicians had been invited to "storm the walls" of this renowned Festival. The French audience succumbed to their charms - the rout was total and the 'musical' surrender unconditional. Report by Mick Walsh.

Regulars

Up and Coming - MACA Comes From Hollywood

John Brophy meets a young vocal quartet who have recently landed an album deal with Tara Records.

A Century of Irish Traditional Music

Today's musicians, who didn't experience the 78 era, are returning to those old recordings. Joe Burke recalls the legacy of the shellac sides and brown paper sleeves and says "It's amazing all the young people who have little private archives of their own, and have listened to and learnt from people like John McKenna, Paddy Killoran and James Morrison and Michael Coleman".

Live Reviews

• La Bottine Souriante
• Andy Irvine

CD Reviews

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

Canada

Seamus Bellamy, our Canadian correspondent reports on the musical happenings within Canada:

• Great Big Sea
• Fiddles of the World
• The Rankins

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Coming Soon

Look out for the October issue featuring: Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Lúnasa, Mairín Fahy, Cian, Oireachtas 1999, Irish Traditional Century and much more