Irish Trad Music

LOWVILLE — Fans of Irish music dreaming of a green Christmas will want to be in this village Dec. 6 regardless of the snow situation.

The touring production "Irish Christmas in America," sponsored by the Lewis County Historical Society, stops that day at the Lowville Academy and Central School auditorium.

The show, in its fifth year, includes some of Ireland's top traditional artists, featuring music, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions.

The production was created five years ago by Oisin Mac Diarmada of the award-winning Irish group Téada. Mr. Mac Diarmada plays fiddle for Téada, which is Irish for "strings." The band focuses on the traditional music of Ireland and was named the Best Young Irish Traditional Act at the inaugural 2009 Ireland Music Awards.

Mr. Mac Diarmada, speaking from his home in County Sligo, Ireland, late last week a day before leaving for Mexico, said he saw Irish Christmas in America as a chance to show the diversity of Irish culture.

"Ever since 2001, I've been over and back to the U.S. four or five times a year," he said. "I wanted to bring over some of the other elements from Ireland. In this setting, you have more opportunity to tell people stories, do some dancing and we also have a slide show."

Mr. Mac Diarmada said the show is a way to share traditional and often unknown Irish customs with audiences.

"One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration," he said. "Music was a way that people stayed close to home."

Joining Mr. Mac Diarmada for "Irish Christmas in America" will be Seamus Begley on vocals and accordion, Grainne Hambly on Irish harp and concertina, Tommy Martin on uilleann pipes/whistles, Tristan Rosenstock on bodhran and as narrator, Sean Earnest on guitar and bouzouki and dancer Brian Cunningham.

Mr. Begley, hailing from the Irish-speaking region of West County Kerry, is known for his "old-style" singing. He has won numerous awards, including sharing Best Folk/Celtic Duo at the 2009 Ireland Music Awards.

"He's one of those people you love to be around," Mr. Mac Diarmada said. "He turned 60 this year and he has a zest for lively stories and staying up late. I think there will be more off-the-cuff banter at this year's show."


Although it's not holiday related, one of the stories to be told at "Irish Christmas in America" will be about Capt. Francis O'Neill, an emigrant from Cork who became Chicago's chief of police at the turn of the 20th century.

Mr. Mac Diarmada said Capt. O'Neill (1848-1936) had a major effect on Irish music in America by collecting it and organizing musicians to play it.

"He was so key in creating the music we perform," Mr. Mac Diarmada said. "We do a selection of songs he saved for our generation."

Capt. O'Neill, with other Irish musicians, created the Irish Music Club and was responsible for collecting and publishing thousands of pieces of Irish music.


Joining Mr. Mac Diarmada and Mr. Begley for Irish Christmas in America:

■ Dancer Brian Cunningham, 23, is an "old-style" dancer from Ireland, where he has won many of that country's major dance competitions. In 2005, he was invited by the president of Ireland to perform during a state visit to Japan and South Korea.

■ Grainne Hambly from County Mayo is an internationally recognized expert of the Irish harp. Over the past few years, she has toured extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. She also is a qualified teacher of traditional Irish music and is in demand at summer schools and festivals in Ireland and abroad.

■ Tommy Martin is originally from Dublin and now lives in St. Louis, Mo. His first of 13 CDs was released in 2000. His diverse uilleann pipes/whistles credits range from performing with "Riverdance" in New York City to the Chicago Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra.

■ Tristan Rosenstock, from Glenageary, County Dublin, is also a member of Téada. He's prominent in Dublin musical circles and recently completed a master's degree in film and television studies from Dublin City University.

■ Sean Earnest, on guitar and bouzouki, is a native of central Pennsylvania and has toured the East Coast playing gigs and doing session work for other artists.

THE DETAILS
WHAT: Irish Christmas in America
WHEN/WHERE: 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at Lowville Academy and Central School auditorium, 7668 State St. It’s a benefit and sponsored by the Lewis County Historical Society. Doors open at 2:30.
COST: Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Society officials noted there is no guarantee seats will be available on the day of the concert for guests to be seated together.
Checks for tickets can be sent to the Lewis County Historical Society, P.O. Box 446, Lowville, NY 13367, along with a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. Guests can also call the society at 376-8957 for more information or to arrange for ticket pick-ups. Requests received via the mail after Monday will be held for pick up at the door the afternoon of the concert.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20091127/CURR04/311279996

Like jazz and rock, Celtic music has traditionally been a male-dominated scene. But in 1985, folklorist/musician Mick Moloney had the idea of sponsoring a concert series featuring the finest female Irish traditional musicians.

The result was Cherish the Ladies, a band that has become one of the most celebrated Celtic ensembles in the world. They will perform their Christmas program as part of the Kutztown University Performing Artists Series, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Schaeffer Auditorium.

Cherish the Ladies will perform a Christmas program Wednesday as part of the Kutztown University Performing Artists Series.
The leader, Joanie Madden, born in the Bronx, N.Y., to Irish parents, was the first American to win the senior all-Ireland championship on the tin whistle in 1984. She has played flute and tin whistle with the group since its inception.

The rest of the current lineup includes founding member and fellow New Yorker Mary Coogan on guitar; All-Ireland champion Mirella Murray from County Galway, Ireland, on accordion; Roisin Dillon from Belfast, Northern Ireland, on fiddle; Kathleen Boyle of Glasgow, Scotland, on piano; and Michelle Burke from County Cork, Ireland, on lead vocals.

Former members include fiddler Eileen Ivers and singer Cathie Ryan, along with many others who have gone on to solo careers.

For Wednesday's concert, the group is also bringing three step dancers, including Jonathan Srour, from York, Pa., which has a vibrant Irish music scene. The other two are Cara Butler (the sister of Jean Butler of "Riverdance") and Dan Stacey.

"Everyone is a phenomenal musician," Madden said of her bandmates in a recent telephone interview. "We do music, singing, dancing, sing-alongs - all aspects of the culture - and we have a lot of fun while we are doing it."

Madden said that as a young girl growing up in the Bronx, "I never thought I'd make a living as an Irish musician."

But she, like the other band members, was inspired by her father, an accordionist who had a successful Irish band in New York.

"All of us have musical backgrounds; all our dads played and danced," she said. "We're all from dads who were a driving force. Music was the greatest gift they could give us."

Of the seven Madden children, only Joanie and one brother, a drummer, took up music.

She started playing the tin whistle at age 13, studying with Jack Coen, a Galway-born Irish whistle player who lived nearby. She began performing with her father's band and jamming with Eileen Ivers, who went to school with her. In five years, she had honed her skills so well that she took second place in the All-Ireland competition; she won at age 25, the age her father was when he won for accordion.

In 1985, Cherish the Ladies released an album, "Fathers and Daughters," featuring each woman in a duet with her father.

The group has recorded many CDs, the most recent of which, a second Christmas album called "A Star in the East," was released Nov. 19.

"We started doing Christmas shows eight or nine years ago," Madden said. "They were extremely successful. It seems that once the Thanksgiving turkey is carved up, people are ready for Christmas. The concert is a big family day - we get parents and grandparents and grandchildren. It's our favorite time to tour."

The program will consist of songs everyone likes to sing, with a Celtic twist, as well as traditional Irish carols like "The Holly and the Berry" and "The Wexford Carol," and jigs and reels.

The band's future plans include a trip to China and a 25th-anniversary CD.

"It's great to be part of a culture that's very into its music and culture," Madden said. "It's important to pass down that culture."

Contact Susan Peé?a: entertainment@readingeagle.com.

Arts Week with Judy Murphy
When Pádraig, Éamon and Seán Mulkerrin decided to enter RTÉ’s All-Ireland Talent Show late last year, they did so mostly because it would give them a chance to meet Jacksie, the barman from the comedy series Killanascully.

The Mulkerrin Brothers from Inis Mór, never imagined they would walk away with the top prize of €50,000, for their performance of traditional Irish music and dance. But last March that’s exactly what they did; having won the heart of the nation, with the sean-nós dancing of 10-year old Seán receiving a particularly strong response. And this is a band of brothers with more than one string to their bow, as people will find out when the three play the Town Hall Theatre on November 30. The show is part of a short Irish tour being presented by music promoter Vince Power, the man who set up the Mean Fiddler music group in England and a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment business.

“People have only seen them on the [RTÉ] talent show, but in addition to playing music and Seán’s sean-nós dancing, the three of them also sing,” says their father Martin of the boys, adding that old songs and ballads such as the Boys of Barr na Sraide, Galway Bay and Isle of Hope all form part of their repertoire.

Fifteen-year old Pádraig, Éamon (12) and Seán have been singing and playing since they were very young, starting with tin whistle in school and then advancing to other instruments.

Because there is nobody on the island teaching music outside of school hours, they travel into Galway twice a month to get lessons on accordion with Seán Gavin, who is very understanding about the logistical problems involved. “If we can’t get a lesson before 5pm it’s disastrous for us because we have to get the boat [home]. Otherwise they’d miss school. We’d love them to get more lessons but it’s not possible,” says Martin.

Despite the difficulties of getting lessons, the three are high musical achievers. Éamon plays fiddle as well as accordion; in fact, for the shows, he plays mostly fiddle to complement Pádraig, whose specialty is the accordion. Meanwhile, Seán plays banjo and fiddle as well as dancing. He got a couple of dancing lessons from Moycullen based dancer and teacher Sadbh Flaherty, says his father, but mostly he has developed his own style. If he sees somebody doing a move, he’ll pick it up. And he really struck a chord with RTÉ viewers, with people from all over the country contacting the Mulkerrins after the show to say that they remembered their parents or grandparents doing sean-nós dancing. Martin claims no credit for the boys’ musical talent – that mostly comes from their mother, Bridie.

Like Martin, she was born on the Aran Islands, but lived in Wales until she was 16. Her father was from Aran and her mother from Cork, and it was she who first taught Éamon fiddle, as she had learned classical music when living in Wales. While Martin might be modest about his musical role, claiming that “I’m just the taxi”, his oldest son Pádraig doesn’t entirely agree. “When it comes to deciding the running order of the show, we try things out at home and whatever sounds best is what goes. Our parents are our greatest advisers.”

The Town Hall show will last about an hour and a half, according to Éamon, and they aim for a good mix of material – jigs reels polkas, dancing and singing – to give their audience the best entertainment possible.

His younger brother Seán agrees. “The best thing about being on stage is everybody having fun.”

While Seán enjoys all aspects of the show, he is particularly enthusiastic about the sean-nós dancing.

“I love the free thing, where you don’t have to do certain things, you can experiment.”

In addition to dancing he loves sport, playing Gaelic football on the island, while he and Éamon travel to Carraroe for rugby training. It’s been one hell of a year for the three, but they are taking it in their stride now, although they were shocked initially to be voted Ireland’s top act.

“We never expected to win,” says Pádraig. “We just entered to see what the hype was and mostly just to meet Jacksie from Killanscully and Daithí Ó Sé [from TG4, their mentor during the show].Since then, they have got a lot of gigs including performing at the Ladies’ All-Star Awards and at other functions including the Volvo Ocean Race and the Galway Races. In addition Tyrone Productions (which produced The All-Ireland Talent Show for RTÉ) have shot a documentary which will be broadcast on Christmas Day, all about the show and the year since.

But the highlight of the last year had to be their homecoming to Inis Mór, Pádraig says. “Everybody from the island was on the pier to meet us and there was a big function in the local hall.” The lads had the option of having the night off, but they chose to play. For Pádraig, who is in Transition Year, music would be his ideal career when he finishes school, but at the minute “it’s one day at a time”.

The three have a younger brother, Máirtín (8) but, according to his father, he doesn’t have any interest in being involved in music, which is fine. Meanwhile, the other three are forging their own musical path and happy to be performing as a family.

“We only really only fight over sport – soccer mostly,” says Pádraig. “Éamon is a Chelsea fan, Seán supports Liverpool and I support Man Utd.”Given that the subject of soccer isn’t likely to be raised at the Town Hall gig, November 30, it promises to be a harmonious evening – in all senses of the word.Tickets are €20, at tht.ie or 091-569777.

http://www.galwaynews.ie/9836-award-winning-mulkerrin-brothers-bring-new-trad-show-town-hall

Black 47 brings back 1989 prices for anniversary shows

By John Lee

Black 47’s NYC shows have been described as “a rite of passage for all New Yorkers.” For the last nine months they have been touring the country, along with recording 13 new songs for Bankers and Gangsters, which will be released in February 2010. But for three consecutive nights they will celebrate their New York City beginnings with 1989 prices of just $10. Along with the new material they will highlight songs from all stages of their sometimes controversial career.

“New York was always the center of music for me,” said Kirwan. “New York was Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, The Clancy Brothers, The Velvet Underground, Television, CBGB's, Max's Kansas City. And right from the start with Black 47 we concentrated on creating our own scene. We didn't give a damn about playing anyone else's. Because that's not New York to us.”

Black 47 formed in the Bronx in late 1989 and burst onto the American scene in 1993 with their hit single, Funky Céilí. With a controversial eclectic sound as well as provocative lyrics, Black 47 fuses reggae, rock, traditional Irish, hip-hop, folk, New Orleans & modern jazz into a New York City gumbo. Their lyrics reflect the drama and black humor of a changing world as they see it, from Belfast to Baghdad, The Bronx to Kabul.

They have appeared on a slew of major television shows including The Tonight Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and have been profiled by most national magazines and newspapers. They have released twelve CDs including last year’s IRAQ, hailed by Rolling Stone as “an important document, more a prayer than a protest.”

They have appeared in movies such as The Saint of Fort Washington with Matt Dillon and Danny Glover, and their music has been featured in Stephen Rea's The Break, Jim Sheridan's Into the West, and Timothy Dalton's Deterrence amongst others. They composed the music for and performed in the ITV film Victim 0001, a documentary about their friend, Fr. Mychal Judge.

Taking their name from the blackest year of the Irish potato famine, Black 47’s signature eclectic sound, socio-political lyrics and off-the-wall live shows paved the way for other Irish influenced bands such as Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys. Their songs have long been used in political science and history courses in many high schools and colleges throughout the US.

Black 47 is led by Larry Kirwan (guitar/vocals) who has written ten plays published under the title Mad Angels, along with a novel, Liverpool Fantasy, an alternate history of the Beatles, and a memoir Green Suede Shoes. He is host of “Celtic Crush” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and writes a weekly column for the Irish Echo newspaper. His new novel, Rockin’ The Bronx, will be published in March 2010.

Geoffrey Blythe (saxophones) was a founder member of Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Fred Parcells (trombone) has worked extensively in Latin/Jazz and big bands. Thomas Hamlin (drums) is a veteran of the Max’s/CBGB’s scene. Joseph Mulvanerty is recognized as one of the great innovators of the Irish uilleann pipes bringing a rare jazz and blues flare to this most traditional of instruments. The newest member, Joseph Bearclaw brings a wealth of funk/r&b experience as well as a dynamic stage presence.

For their 20th Anniversary shows, Black 47 plans to take the throng gathered at Connolly’s KLUB 45, 121 W. 45th St. on a thrilling journey through history and political struggle that will not only entertain but open up audiences to a new cultural experience.

“You come to Connolly's, you're in our hands,” said Kirwan. “We're New Yorkers. We're not trying to be anything else. We're in the center of Times Square. They may have changed the lights, the architecture, tourists gawl where pimps once prowled - all gone now but we're still right at the core of the beating heart of EmeraldCity.

"When you enter that door on the third floor of Connolly's and fork over your ten bucks, we'll turn your Saturday night head over heels," he added. "That's what we do. That's why we're Black 47. That's why we've played damned near every Saturday night over the last twenty years moments away from where the ball drops without ever repeating a set."

You can catch the band on Saturday, Nov. 28 and December 5 and 12. Doors open at 9 p.m. for just a $10 admission. The band will be onstage at 10:30 p.m. sharp. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.black47.com.

Renowned button-accordion player Pat Friel is set to release a new album, ‘Lios-a-Phúca’, this week. The much-anticipated follow-up to ‘The Humours of Westport’ will include reels, jigs, hornpipes and a number of well-known songs, including ‘Moonlight In Mayo’, ‘ These Are My Mountains’. ‘Say You Love Me’ and ‘My Lovely Achill Island Home’, written by Westport musician Lenny Grimes.
Pat was first taught how to play the accordion by his mother, Julia, who came from Letterbrock, eight miles west of Westport. His was a musical family, and four of his five brothers also play the box. Pat played occasionally for house dances, especially after the Stations, when the priest said Mass in the house.
In the showband era of the 1960s, Pat played the bass guitar in a band called the Frielmen, which played pop and country and Western. Twenty years’ ago, he started the local Comhaltas group and was three times named Connacht Button-Accordion Champion. He went on to form one of the most successful céilí bands here in the west of Ireland – The Heather Breeze Ceili Band.
Pat’s musical talents have been inherited by his two daughters, who are both musicians and teachers. His daughter, Sandra, plays the piano, piano accordion and concertina, and sometimes playes with Heather Breeze. She also joins a her father on a number of tracks on ‘Lios-a-Phúca’.

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8167&Itemid=135

LEWISBURG, Pa. — The Celtic band Solas will present "A Celtic Solstice Celebration" on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts at Bucknell University. Tickets are $25.

Since 1996, Solas has been loudly proclaimed as one of the most popular, influential and exciting Celtic bands ever to emerge from the United States, said Bill Boswell, executive director of the Weis Center. "This performance will be a wonderful way to herald the winter season and the holidays."

The band has performed at all the major Celtic and folk festivals, including the legendary National Folk Festival and Milwaukee's Irish Fest as well as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Wolf Trap, and Queens Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland. The band's latest release is a live CD and DVD called "Reunion," which celebrates the band's 10th anniversary.

Solas comprises Seamus Egan, flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, low whistle, guitars and bodhran (Irish drum); Winifred Horan, violins and vocals; Mick McAuley, accordions, concertina, low whistle and vocals; Eamon McElholm, guitars, keyboards and vocals; and guest soloist Máiréad Phelan, vocals. For more information or to hear music samples, visit Solas.

Ticket information
Tickets for this Weis Center series performance are available in person from the Campus Box Office in the Weis Center weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the Bucknell University Bookstore on the ground floor of the Elaine Langone Center weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets are available by calling 570-577-1000 or visiting Box Office. The box office in the Weis Center lobby opens one hour prior to performances.

This performance has been made possible in part by a generous contribution from Martha and Allan Barrick and a Weis Center Series corporate sponsor, Coldwell Banker Penn One Real Estate. The 2009-10 season of Weis Center Events is generously supported by grants from the Bucknell University Association for the Arts and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Additional support for the series is provided by numerous and generous private donors including members of the Weis Center Green Room Circle and Green Room Board.

The next event in the Weis Center Series is the final event for the fall semester. The annual family matinee performance by The Paper Bag Players in "The Great Mummy Adventure" will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. It is free to the community through the generosity of Janet Weis. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more event information, visit Weis Center.