Irish Music Magazine - March 2005

Ireland

The Singer's Story

Sean Laffey in conversation with Deirdre Scanlan to find the inside story of the songs of Solas (and a bit more besides).

Damien Dempsey

Damien Dempsey talks with Sean Walsh about life and the release of his new album.

The Masterclass from the Journey Man

Gerry (Fiddle) O'Connor tells John Brophy he has been playing fiddle in groups since the age of eight, now he's measuring his playing time with repairing and restoring the instrument, still he made time for a new album with a sprinkling of North east tunes on it.

North America

Say What You Feel

With a body of work spanning five decades and covering all points from traditional folk to straight-ahead rock, Paul Brady has arguably forged a new consciousness for the modern Irish music audience, writes Sean Walsh.

Europe

A Session with Boxty

The band admit they've chosen a strange name for Breton people to understand, and as Philippe Cousin explains in this report from Rennes in Brittany, it is difficult to label Boxty simply as a traditional band, they have their own original way of playing traditional music.

United Kingdom

A Dark Rub with Tradition

An album of love songs from the Irish tradition isn't entirely a new concept, yet the sounds captured on 'Shake the Blossom Early' soothes the savage breast and sheds light on an important aspect of the English language Irish song tradition, writes John O'Regan.

Regulars

Launch Pad

Sean Laffey and four thousand other souls attended Knock Basilica for the recording of Tommy Fleming's 'An Angel's Breath'.

Story Behind the Song
St Patrick's Day Parade

New York is the epitome of the lavish St Patrick's parade, indeed many would argue it's only since the Celtic Tiger that Dublin has come close to anything like what the Big Apple has to offer. In this month's story behind the song, Dan Milner looks at the 19th century view of the Irish day in New York.

He's Dancing on Silver

With the own label recording becoming the norm in traditional Irish music, we begin a series on some important self-produced albums. First out to bat is concertina player Tim Collins who is interviewed by John O'Regan.

Live Reviews

Campus Trad 2004 plus the TG4 Awards are documented by John O'Regan from his native city in Limerick.

CD Reviews

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