Irish Music Magazine - July 2018 issue

COVER STORY

WE BANJO 3’S HAVEN OF STRINGS

It’s difficult to know what to mention first when tipping the hat to the two sets of brothers, Martin and David Howley and Enda and Fergal Scahill who are We Banjo 3, writes Eileen McCabe.

FEATURES

SEÁN KEANE’S GRATITUDE

It was half way through May and Seán Keane was on a break from the studio when IMM’s Seán Laffey called him to talk about the album Gratitude.

PAYDAY FOR THE UNWANTED

The Unwanted, Cathy Jordan, Rick Epping and Seamie O’Dowd, are three Sligo-based musicians who bring with them an exceptional talent and a lifetime dedication to their music, writes Grainne McCool.

WILLIE CLANCY SUMMER SCHOOL

The 46th Willie Clancy Summer School, July 7–15, 2018, features not only top contributors and performers from Ireland but also guest speakers and musicians from Romania, Brittany, Wales, and Scotland. Aidan O’Hara reports.

HONOURING FREEDOM’S PIONEERS

A pillar of the New York Irish music scene since 1982, Mary Courtney from Castlegregory, County Kerry talks with IMM’s Dan Milner about Freedom’s Pioneers, her new CD commemorating the history of the Irish independence movement.

IN PRAISE OF HOME

Acclaimed musician Jack Smedley, fiddle player and founder member of one of Scotland’s most powerful contemporary folk-bands Rura, talks with Deirdre Cronin, about their new CD In Praise of Home.

A SUMMER OF RADIO

Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta speaks with Aidan O’Hara about the station’s plans for the summer season.

JIM MacARDLE AND THE RICH TREASURES OF THE NORTH EAST

Drogheda native Jim MacArdle has been a stalwart of traditional and folk music in the area for many years. He talks to Mark Lysaght about a lifetime of singing that has led to Much Blindin’ Down the Marsh.

VICKERS VIMY

Vickers Vimy are touring their second album Atlas of Hearts. Anne Marie Kennedy met up with Ed Drea who spoke of the genesis for the album, the collaborative writing process and how life’s musical trajectories and other coincidences influenced the compositions.

FESTIVALS

A selection of wonderful Festivals and Summer Schools from Ireland & abroad.

MILWAUKEE IRISH FEST 2018

Our extensive 8 page Centre Supplement to the Milwaukee Irish Fest presented by CelticMKE which runs from August 16-19.

DUBLIN IRISH FESTIVAL, OHIO, USA

Celebrate the Homeland in the Heartland at the 2018 Dublin Irish Festival on August 3, 4 & 5.

FIDDLERS GREEN 32nd INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Rostrevor, Co Down, Northern Ireland. Eight days and nights of music, arts, culture and entertainment are on the Fiddlers Green Menu from July 22nd to 29th, 2018.

THE JOHNNY DOHERTY MUSIC AND DANCING FESTIVAL

Grainne McCool finds out about a special music festival in Ardara this September.

REGULARS

STORIES FROM IRISH AMERICA

Swimming Against the Falls with Joey Abarta. Reidin O’ Flynn interviews the young Irish American uilleann piper.

LEGENDS OF IRISH MUSIC

Tommy Potts (1912-1988). Mark Lysaght considers the career of one of the tradition’s most enigmatic players.

GREAT INFLUENCES ON THE TRADITION

James Morrison (1893-1947). Aidan O’Hara on the Sligo fiddle master and teacher.

MUSIC TUITION – MANDOLIN BASICS WITH PADDY CUMMINS

Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).

TUITION

Another selection of tutorials brought to you in association with Waltons Music. You can now listen to these on-line at www.waltons.ie

TUNE STORY – THE MOORLOUGH SHORE
Seán Laffey brings us the background to a popular emigration ballad.

LIVE REVIEWS

MUSIC CITY IRISH FEST 2018

On March 17, Nashville, Tennessee welcomed Music City Irish Fest to a new venue on the steps of city hall with the Davidson County Courthouse lit with green lights as the backdrop.

CD REVIEWS

Another selection of CD Reviews from the International World of Folk and Traditional Music.

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