www.compassrecords.com
Billy McComiskey’s
Outside the Box

Available in the US/CAN/IRE now
Available in the UK September 1

Album release show in Baltimore on September 7 announced, details below:

Billy McComiskey is recognized as a formidable master of the Irish button accordion by his peers - including the stars who will share the stage for his Outside the Box album release party on September 7, 2008 in Baltimore at the Creative Alliance at The Patterson.
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released  in the US/Canada
www.solasmusic.com www.compassrecords.com

“The finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced. - The Boston Globe

Nashville, TN (August 26 2008) - In a manner befitting their name (a Gaelic word meaning “light”), Solas burst onto the Irish music scene over a decade ago and almost instantly became a beacon - an incandescent ensemble that found contemporary relevance in timeless traditions without ever stooping to crossover clichés. Now, as Mairead Phelan, an exciting young singer from Kilkenny, steps up to lend her exquisite vocals to the existing line up of Seamus Egan (flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, whistle, guitar and bodhran), Winifred Horan (fiddle), Mick McAuley (accordion and concertina) and Eamon McElholm (guitar and keyboards), the band heads into their second decade of playing tight, fiery Irish music.
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26th September – 5th October, 2008
www.celticfestival.ie

Irish traditional music lovers flock to Kilkenny during the annual Celtic Festival - Friday September 26th to Sunday October 5th. It certainly is the place to be for all. Of course being located in Ireland’s Mediaeval Capital certainly helps but at the end of the day – indeed all day – it is the music and the crack that is the real attraction and makes for an irresistible reason to travel south to the sun and fun for this year’s Kilkenny Celtic Festival.
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RE-DISCOVERING SCOTLAND’S ORIGINAL FIDDLE MUSIC
www.footstompin.com

This new book by Charlie Gore, one of the best-known and respected personalities of the Scottish fiddle scene, contains a wealth of information, opinion and music; a brand new publication from the Highland Press. As compiler of the monumental Scottish Fiddle Music Index, Charlie had a unique insight into the sources of thousands of tunes.

Part 1 of Echoes of a Golden Age is an extended essay, titled ‘Tradition - where does it come from? Where is it going?’, tracing the history of Scottish fiddle music and commenting on its present state. The emphasis on re-discovery stems from the realisation that the Scottish Fiddle Music Index has revealed thousands of tunes and many whole collections which have lain un-played for upwards of 150 years. Part 2 is an informative listing of Composers, Collectors, Publishers etc. and Part 3 consists of 18 pages of music from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries.
Order this and other fiddle music books at www.footstompin.com

www.crashedmusic.com

The Dubliners - 40 Years (Released July 2008)
Said to be the best accident that ever happened to the world of folk music, The Dubliners are regarded by many as the grandfathers of Irish pop music. This collection features classic moments from each of the ten members who have graced the stage with The Dubliners during their four decades as professional musicians.

Patsy Watchorn - Hearts On Fire
As a solo performer and as a founder member of the hugely successful Dublin City Ramblers, Patsy has been at the forefront of Irish folk balladry for over 40 years. Hearts On Fire is Patsy’s fifth solo release and brings his own interpretation to the songs he enjoyed listening to throughout the years including ‘Raglan Road’, ‘The Foggy Dew’ and ‘Joe Hill’.

Jim McCann - Ireland’s Greatest Love Songs
Jim McCann hit the No.1 spot in the Irish charts in 1966 with The Ludlows, having ditched his former life as a medical student in UCD and a part-timer in several showbands in favour of the fledgling Irish folk scene. McCann was invited to join The Dubliner in the early 70’s and toured with the group until 1979.

Brewed In Barra - Duncan MacKinnon Ceilidh Band
After 25 years of making music, button accordionist Duncan MacKinnon and the lads have finally have put together a CD. A fine mixture of sets arranged for dances but equally enjoyable for just listening to.

www.cic.ie

Cló Iar-Chonnachta has just released two new traditional Irish music albums, ‘Consider the Source’, with Brian Conway, and ‘Rossinver Braes’, with Ben Lennon and Tony O’ Connell.

‘Consider the Source’ is the new CD from New York fiddler, Brian Conway, released on the Cló Iar-Chonnachta label. Brian Conway is considered the leading player in the Sligo–New York style of playing. The album includes a large selection of tunes as well as a slow air and two songs, sung by IMM’s, Dan Milner and Niamh Parsons respectively. Brian is accompanied on the album by Brendan Dolan, Joanie Madden, Billy McComiskey, Felix Dolan, John Nolan, Eamon O’Leary, Heather Martin Bixler, Gabe Donohue and Brad Albetta.

The CD was launched at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy on Sunday, 6th July and at the Catskills Irish Arts Week, East Durham, New York on Friday, 18th July.

www.musicnetwork.ie

The Music Network ‘The West Awake’ tour promises to rouse the weariest souls as four of Irish trad’s finest contemporary musicians delve into the rhythms and melodies of their native counties. The group of Cora and Breda Smyth (fiddle, whistles), Pauline Scanlon (vocals) and Donogh Hennessy (guitar), can be heard on a Music Network tour of Ireland from the 17th to the 26th of September. Tickets for all regional concerts are available from individual venues around the country. Music Network tours provide a wonderful opportunity to see some of the world’s foremost music ensembles at affordable prices in venues around Ireland and are presented in association with The Irish Times and RTÉ lyric fm. Music Network is funded by the Arts Council.
Further information from (01) 671 9429, www.musicnetwork.ie

www.musicnetwork.ie

Music Network is inviting applications for the Music Capital Scheme and Research Project, an action-research initiative designed to provide support for the purchase of musical instruments in 2008. The scheme and research project will be operated on a pilot basis in 2008. It is designed to recommend formalised structures for ongoing support in this area beyond 2008.
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www.roscommonartscentre.ie

‘The Reel Thing’, featuring the very best of trad/folk, has two great concerts planned for its winter programme. Thursday, October 2nd features Paul Brock and Enda Scahill, accompanied by Ryan Molloy, with guest accordion player, Tommie Cunniffe and band. Thursday, December 4th features two prominent fiddle/flute duets. Kevin Crawford and James Cullinane, accompanied by Mick Conneelly, will share the concert with ‘Pride of the West’, John Wynne and John McEvoy, who are accompanied by Jacinta McEvoy.
For further details, Tel: 0906 625824
Email: artscentre@roscommoncoco.ie
or visit www.roscommonartscentre.ie

31st October – 2nd November, 2008

www.carlingfordbeds.com
This year sees the second Irish American Festival taking place in Carlingford, County Louth. Carlingford which is the 2008 Irish winner of the European Destination of Excellence Award, provides a stunning backdrop to this new cultural event.
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