The Steeple Sessions … continued

We’ve already ooo’ed at the breadth of talent on display in Dublin these days in regular ‘clubs’ like The Steeple Sessions whose late-season line-up is as good, if not better, that its early one.

I’m missing Michelle O’Brien & Laoise Kelly tonight, though my family is well represented. (Someone has to mind the younger ones!) And behold what they have coming up … and start your hunt for €30 per week to spare:

Thursday August 25th
Eoin Dillon (uilleann pipes)
Graham Watson (mandola & guitar)
Allison Sleator (songs)

Tuesday August 30th
Michelle Foy (flute & fiddle)
Doireann Nic Mhathúna (concertina & sean nós dancer)
Christine McGowan (fiddle, flute & whistle)
Aimee Farrell Courtney (bodhrán)

Thursday September 1st
Steve Cooney (guitar)
Vinnie Kilduff (whistle & multi-instrumentalist)

Tuesday September 6th
Zoë Conway (fiddle)
John McIntyre (guitar)

Thursday September 8th
Peter Browne (accordion)
Daoiri Farrell (bouzouki & songs)
Michelle O’Brien (fiddle)

Tuesday September 13th
Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich (singer)
Kathleen Loughnane (harp)
Mark Redmond (uilleann pipes)

Tuesday September 20th
Dave Sheridan (flute)
Michael McCague (bouzouki)
Donal McCague (fiddle)

Thursday September 22nd
(Special concert of John Dwyer music)
John Dwyer (fiddle)
Lia Byrne (fiddle)
Siobhan Peoples (fiddle)

Tuesday September 27th
Cormac Breatnach (whistles)
Martin Dunlea (guitar)

Thursday September 29th
Paddy O’Brien (accordion)
Tommy O’Sullivan (guitar)

Martin Hayes on imagining the tunes

In an Irish Times article about the Willie Clancy week, Martin, having pointed out that Junior Crehan didn’t have an iPod, is quoted as saying: “Instead of spending time imagining music, we just tend to go for the headphones all of the time and listening to someone else’s version of the tune. If we’re not in the world of imagining these tunes, we are never going to get to the point where we are playing or singing our version of the tunes.”

Music Network presents: Tyrrell, Glackin, Browne

Singer/songwriter Sean Tyrrell, fiddler Kevin Glackin and uileann piper Ronan Browne continue their national tour with a string of dates from 8-25 June in Counties Wicklow, Mayo, Clare, Kildare, Dublin, Leitrim, Galway and Monaghan.

Seán, Kevin and Ronan have been playing together socially and tours and shows since the 1980s but have only now (after major hounding by their fans) recorded a CD of songs and tunes. The CD is nicely balanced between gentle and wild, without suffering from that modern ailment, over-production – just warm, friendly music and singing. The CD will be released by Cló Iar Chonnachta in May 2011 and the three artists are looking forward to bringing it around Ireland in June

Lauded as one of the country’s major folk voices, Sean Tyrrell’s equally distinctive song-writing talents have been showcased in a career which now spans four decades and includes three solo CDs. Sean’s reputation has been built on his musical integrity, his love of language and poetry, his ability to pay homage to great poets through music and not least the magnetic quality of his voice and sympathetic instrumental accompaniment.

Kevin Glackin comes from a family whose name is synonymous with Traditional Irish Fiddle playing. His father, Tom, came from Donegal and the style associated with this region can be clearly heard Kevin’s playing. Kevin plays in a unique trio of himself and his two brothers Séamus and Paddy; together they have an awesome power. He has toured extensively in many other different collectives, from his longtime hardcore duet with Ronan to Moving Hearts and wild ballad bands.

Given a set of Uilleann Pipes at the tender age of seven, Ronan Browne was quickly taken under the wings of the old masters who taught him to play with enthusiasm, creativity and respect. While his heart is set on playing old flat pitch Irish Pipes, he loves to throw himself headlong into anything new which comes along including almost 100 album recordings since 1982. As well as playing Pipes, Flute and Whistle, Ronan composes music for Film & TV. His music has been used in many films including Circle of Friends, Rob Roy, The Secret of Roan Inish and The Gangs of New York. Best known as a member of CRAN and for his 30 year duet with Peter O’Loughlin, Ronan was the original Piper with both Riverdance and the Afro Celt Sound System.

WEDNESDAY 8 JUN, MAIN ST, BRAY, WICKLOW

• Mermaid Arts Centre
• 8pm, €16 / €14
• 01 2724300

THURSDAY 9 JUN, LINENHALL STREET, CASTLEBAR, CO. MAYO

• Linenhall Arts Centre
• 8pm, €15 / €12
• 094 9023733

FRIDAY 10 JUN, MILTOWN MALBAY, CLARE

• Seán Malone’s
• 9pm, €15
• 065 7085916

SATURDAY 11 JUN, TULLA, CLARE

• Minogue’s
• 9:30pm, €16
• 086 8599958

THURSDAY 16 JUN, ST. PATRICK’S PARK, CELBRIDGE, CO. KILDARE

• Celbridge Library
• 8pm, Free but Ticketed
• 01 6272207

FRIDAY 17 JUN, NAUL, DUBLIN

• Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre
• 8:30pm, €16
• 01 8020898

SATURDAY 18 JUN, NEW LINE, MANORHAMILTON, LEITRIM

• The Glens Centre
• 8pm, €15 / €12
• 071 9855833

SUNDAY 19 JUN, INIS OÍRR, CO. GALWAY

• Áras Éanna
• 8:30pm, €10 / €5
• 099 75150

FRIDAY 24 JUN, MONAGHAN

• Market House
• 8pm, Free but Ticketed
• 047 38158

SATURDAY 25 JUN, KINVARA, GALWAY

• The KAM Collective, Johnston’s Hall
• 8:30pm, €15
• 094 442063

Birínbeo’s film of last working day for postman Tadhg Eugie Ó Súilleabháin

Soundtracked with the music of Peadar Ó Riada as featured on Triur sa Draighean CD with Martin Hayes, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, this short film celebrates the work of Tadhg Eugie Ó Súilleabháin upon his retirement as local postman:

The Sirens

“Their song, though irresistibly sweet, was no less sad than sweet, and lapped both body and soul in a fatal lethargy, the forerunner of death and corruption.” (Walter Copland Perry)

Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh’s new fiddle

Caoimhín is having a new fiddle made by Norwegian violin marker, Salve Håkedal. It’s a 5-string fiddle with sympathetic strings underneath. Caoimhín says: “I’ve got Dan Trueman to blame – the minute I played his one, I knew I’d found the instrument I’d been looking for”.

Dan’s can be seen here >>

Caoimhín: “Hoping to collect this new fiddle at the end of August. Absolutely and utterly can’t wait. It’s a beauty.”

Caladh Nua @ Harcourt Sessions

25 October at 21:00 @ Harcourt Sessions, Harcourt Hotel Harcourt Street 9pm Adm €10/€8 Concession

Founded in 2009 Caladh Nua comprises musicians from Carlow, Waterford and Kilkenny, as follows:

Eoin O Meachair – Banjo Mandolin, Whistle and Vocals
Paddy Tutty – Fidldle
Lisa Butler – Lead Vocals and Fiddle
Derek Morrissey – Button Accordion
Colm O Caoimh – Guitar, Bouzouki and vocals.

Traditional dance music, traditional songs alongside more recently composed pieces.

Find out more here >>> http://caladh.net/

William Kennedy Piping Festival

The 17th William Kennedy International Piping Festival, organised by the Armagh Pipers Club, this November 11-14 includes the following acts across the weekend: Armagh Pipers Club; Barry Kerr & Ryan O’Donnell; Breabach (Scotland); Brendan Ring, Niall Keegan & Gerry McKee; Bruce Campbell; Canntaireachd; Cran; Diarmaid & Donncha Moynihan and Friends; Dr Angus MacDonald (Scotland); Edelmiro Fernández (Galicia); Eoin Ó Riabhaigh & Conal Ó Gráda; Georgi Makris (Greece); Goat System (France); Griff Trio (Belgium); Ioscaid; Ivan Goff; John McSherry Band; Jonathan Greenlees; Julie Fowlis & Eamon Doorley (Scotland/Ireland); Kevin & Ellen Mitchell (Ireland/Scotland); Lorcán Mac Mathúna and Friends; Michael O’Connell; Mikie Smyth; Millish (USA); Niall Vallely; Réalta; Roncos do Diabo (Portugal); St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band; Stjepan Večković (Croatia); Tommy Keane & Jacqueline McCarthy; Zephyrus (England).

Book tickets here >>>

Fleadh Cheoil comes back home

Irish music, set dancing and traditional culture will be celebrated in Cavan as the Fleadh Cheoil returns to the town after a 50-year absence, writes Samantha McCaughren. (Business Post) >>>

Titans of trad can teach thing or two

[From the Independent, here >>>]

A primary school was given a taste of the traditional yesterday as an annual music festival rolled into town.

The musicians of the future were treated to a masterclass from the professionals in Feakle National School in Co Clare as part of the 23rd annual International Festival of Traditional Irish Music in the town.

The event began on Wednesday with a celebration of Spancil Hill singer Robbie McMahon and a screening of the documentary ‘Last night as I Lay Dreaming’, which features his contribution to traditional music.

Yesterday, the first of three workshops got under way in the local school, with children as young as seven being given lessons in instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, accordion and flute as well as sean nos singing and dancing.

Among the musicians lending a hand in the lessons include renowned whistle player and singer Sean Ryan and US-born accordion player Colm Gannon.

Other highlights include Glasgow singer Eddi Reader and her band at 7.30 tonight.

On Sunday at 3pm the crowds will get an international treat in the form of an outdoor performance from Dutch male choir Flora Shantys, followed by US harmonica player Rick Epping and Sligo man Seamie O’Dowd.

On Monday the festival will wind down with a dancing session from the Taylor’s Cross Ceili Band outside Peppers bar, while the following day will see events finish with informal sessions throughout the town.

- Michael Mchale

Irish Independent

Technology to track trad

From the Irish Times: An Irish musician and software technologist has devised an iPhone app that tells you the name of any piece of live trad music – regardless of the player, writes Karlin Lillington

The €4.99 musical search engine app, available from the iTunes App Store, also produces historical detail about every song and has become a boon to professional traditional musicians creating sleeve notes for their CDs.

Bryan Duggan says Ciarán Tourish (of Altan) and flute player Hammy Hamilton have used the app to prepare for concerts and supply background on CD recordings.

Then, five years ago, he began a PhD that looked at the overlap between computer modelling and creativity. That turned into the basis of producing a music-recognition application, and he created a website, Tunepal.org, to provide background information and a connection point for those interested in the area and his application.

But, as Duggan says, “People at sessions in pubs don’t have PCs with them – they have mobile phones.” Even five years ago, though, phones didn’t have the power to run something like Tunepal. Now, they do, so, last February, Tunepal launched for the iPhone. Duggan will have a version ready for Google’s Android phone operating system too in coming weeks. >>>

A few mediocre shots of Phil Callery, Pe…

A few mediocre shots of Phil Callery, Peter Browne & Gerry Harrington performing at Blessington Theatre last Sunday http://short.ie/seh7ao

I’ve put up some photos & a few comment…

I’ve put up some photos & a few comments on the Music Under the Mountains festival from the weekend just gone: http://short.ie/dpzgm3

Eoin Dillon and band, Wednesday September 9th

Another chance to catch Eoin Dillon (uilleann pipes) on September 09th at 8pm, in the Button Factory in Templebar, Dublin.  With him are his band – Steve Larkin (fiddle); Frank Tate (bazouki) and Des Cahalane (guitar)

The Basque Irish Connection

Ó Euskadi go hÉirinn – The Basque Irish Connection: Niamh Ní Charra (fiddle, concertina), Ibon Koteron (alboka, dultzaina), Gavin Ralston (guitar)

Location: Conary Community Hall, Avoca, Co WicklowTime: 8:00 PMTickets: €15 / €12Booking Tel: 087 2334714Promoter: Conary Community Arts

Location: Conary Community Hall, Avoca, Co Wicklow

Time: 8:00 PM

Tickets: €15 / €12

Booking Tel: 087 2334714

Promoter: Conary Community Arts

16th September

Ó Euskadi go hÉirinn – The Basque Irish Connection: Niamh Ní Charra (fiddle, concertina), Ibon Koteron (alboka, dultzaina), Gavin Ralston (guitar)

Location: Conary Community Hall, Avoca, Co Wicklow
Time: 8:00 PM
Tickets:€15 / €12
Booking Tel: 087 2334714
Promoter: Conary Community Arts

On Tour: Wednesday 16th September, AVOCA (Conary Community Hall, 8pm), Thursday 17th September, KILKENNY (Watergate Theatre, 8pm), Friday 18th September, MOATE (Tuar Ard Arts Centre, 8:30 pm), Saturday 19th September, THURLES (The Source Arts Centre, 8pm), Sunday 20th September, CLIFDEN (Alcock & Brown Hotel, Clifden, 10pm), Monday 21st September, CASTLEBAR (Linenhall Arts Centre, 8pm), Tuesday 22nd September, DUBLIN (The Coach House, Dublin Castle, 8pm), Wednesday 23rd September, BRAY (Mermaid Arts Centre, 8pm).

Comhaltas may stage Fleadh Cheoil in Nor…

Comhaltas may stage Fleadh Cheoil in North for the first time, http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0825/1224253194766.html