Like many Americans, I grew up with a very fixed idea of Irish traditional singing. I cut my musical teeth on The Irish Rovers, The Dubliners, and The Clancy Brothers in the 1970s, and cherished fond images of someday finding myself singing in an Irish pub, belting out rebel songs and drinking songs, accompanied by… Continue reading Singing in Irish – The Sean-nós tradition
Author: Guest writer
Singing in Irish: yes – it’s a language
Someday, I’m going to catalogue the responses I get from people when they learn that I taught myself to speak Irish. I don’t imagine there are many languages that elicit such a range of reactions: from obnoxious (people who just have to demonstrate their “Stage Oirish” brogue) to perplexed (“They have their own language?”). The… Continue reading Singing in Irish: yes – it’s a language
Frankie Gavin Up Close and Personal
Frankie Gavin and De Dannan are now half way through their Up Close and Personal Tour of Ireland and going down a storm by all accounts. The title Up Close and Personal relates to the fact that the band are playing several small or out of the way venues that wouldn’t normally expect to host… Continue reading Frankie Gavin Up Close and Personal
Classic Irish fiddle music straight from the kitchen
If you like Irish fiddle tunes then you could hardly do better than to listen to Sean Ryan – one of Ireland’s all time greats. And just to add to the authenticity, you can how hear it how he played his music back home in his kitchen in Tipperary, thanks to a new double album… Continue reading Classic Irish fiddle music straight from the kitchen
The death of Gerry Rafferty
Like music fans everywhere I was very saddened to hear of the death of Gerry Rafferty. I had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing him way back in 1978 when I was a music journalist working in Yorkshire. He was a charming man, totally unassuming and with none of the airs and graces that accompanied… Continue reading The death of Gerry Rafferty