Tárchuig Scoil Eigse na bliana seo- Cabhán 2011

www.fleadh2011cavan.ie

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s (CCÉ) 39th annual Scoil Éigse takes place in Cavan Town from 14th – 19th August 2011, the week proceeding Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Scoil Éigse, CCÉ’s annual international summer school, plays a very important part in educating, nurturing and encouraging Irish cultural traditions. Scoil Éigse is open to students and the general public alike.
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Foxlight (Real World Records)
www.iarla-o-lionaird.net
Launched at the Galway Arts Festival on July 25th this is the long anticipated studio album from the Ballyvouney Sean-nós singer. This is a gentler album than the ones he made with the Afro Celt Sound System but it still employs a range of modern instruments to add washes of sound to his evocative vocals. On the album he is joined by Leafcutter John, Simon Edwards and Neil McColl, with Leo Abrahams being the musical whizz behind it all, as he layers in electric guitar, piano, effects and digital programming.

www.markanthonymcgrath.com
www.guitarmcgrath.com

Guitarist, Mark Anthony McGrath’s original interpretations of music from the ancient harp compositions of Turlough O’Carolan to the Chansons of Jacques Brel have become a regular feature on RTE Lyric FM, Radio France Musique, Radio Scotland and similar radio stations throughout Europe.
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www.brendandevereux.com

Into the Orange is the new album from Irish award-winning singer-songwriter Brendan Devereux. It comprises twelve songs of the highest calibre sung by an artist. From a song inspired by his grandfather’s participation in the 1916 Rebellion (Liberty Hall), to one telling of a young boy’s exploits on a camel around the streets of his hometown of Finglas West in Dublin, each of these songs will make an impression. Christy Moore invited Brendan to sing the song Liberty Hall at the centenary concert of the SIPTU Trade Union in Ireland. Brendan has appeared live on national television in Ireland, he has supported Mary Black, and he has been invited to Lithuania to sing his songs. Brendan is a born and bred Dubliner who musical influences range from American folk to Irish traditional music. For the past 27 years Brendan has worked as an Educational Welfare Officer.

Into The Orange is distributed by Claddagh Records. It is available for download from iTunes and from the following website www.cdbaby.com

For Further Information: Tel: +353(0)87-1211053/+353
(0)1 2823784 or Email: sitricrecords@eircom.net

www.shantalla.eu

After a break of six years, Shanatalla are back with a very polished album. They took a break from recording and touring in 2005 but fan pressure got them back to perform on an irregular basis around Belgium in 2009. The band features Gerry Murray on accordion, bouzouki, mandolin and whistles, Michael Horgan on uilleann pipes, flute and whistles, Joe Hennon guitar, Helen Flaherty - vocals, bodhrán, with Kieran Fahy on the fiddle and viola. The newest member of Shantalla is Simon Donnelly on guitar and bouzouki.
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Pipe Up – Irish Traditional Music DVD
www.store.pipers.ie

Most National schools in the country now have interactive whiteboards as part of their educational technology and NPU has responded to this technical opportunity by producing Pipe Up, an Irish Traditional Music Resource DVD-ROM. The DVD aims to bridge the knowledge gap about Irish traditional instruments using the latest computer technology. Pipe Up also explains the various types of tunes and allows practical application via an innovative interactive tutor for the tin whistle. We especially liked the short videos of musicians playing samples of the main tune types, jigs, reels, slow airs and marches.
Curiously although some of the tunes are given in both staff notation and ABC format they are not linked to sound samples. Furthermore when we looked up bouzouki we found a picture of a an 8 stringed Greek instrument, although the Irish instrument mentioned in the text is a flat back Irish model, perhaps a phone call to Joe Foley in Dublin would have given a truer picture of the zook as used in trad. Teachers with a bit of savvy should be able to correct that.

The DVD is a very affordable €15 and can be ordered on line.

Debut Album, Between the Strings
www.adrianandcathalmusic.com

Adrian McAuliffe comes from Freemount in the Barony of Duhallow in Northwest Cork, a village steeped in traditional Irish music. Adrian started playing Irish traditional music when he was 8 years-old. He was taught by music teacher, Con Herbert from Killeedy, West Limerick. His first instruments were the bodhrán and mandolin before moving to the tenor banjo. Having quickly mastered his chosen instrument he was a regular competitor at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in the 1980’s both as a soloist and as a member of Ceoltóirí Chrónáin in the newly formed local branch of CCE – Craobh Chrónáin.
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www.blackboxmusic.ie

Fronted by Ireland’s piano accordion maestro, described by New York’s Irish Voice as ‘in league with the best piano accordionists in the world’, and with three of Ireland’s finest musicians {Tola Custy (fiddle), Steph Geremia (flute & vocals) and Tony Byrne (guitar)} all critically acclaimed masters of their own craft, The Alan Kelly Gang (formerly quartet) has been creating quite a stir on the traditional & folk circuit taking their audiences by storm and impressing both music lover and critic alike. Performing beautifully arranged songs and instrumental pieces from throughout the Celtic regions including Ireland, Brittany, Asturias and Louisiana as well as original compositions that stem from a deep traditional sensitivity, skillfully executed and soulfully delivered, their sound is fresh and unique with their strong dynamics, driving rhythms and buoyant harmonies. Their music will draw even the most fainthearted listener into the passion that they put into the music they play – magical, joyous and uplifting! “The arrangements are world class, as are the musicians, and Ireland is always somewhere in the mix.” – Irish Music Magazine
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17th-25th September 2011

www.musicnetwork.ie

Brace yourself for a clash of the titans as a trio of trad’s finest join forces for this unmissable tour. With three distinct regional styles going head-to-head, every tune promises to be something of an adventure. Representing the Dingle Peninsula is genial giant Breanndán Ó Beaghlaoich, whose fiery button accordion playing and heartfelt singing echo the stormy beauty of the West Kerry coastline. Winner of the first ever TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year Award, trad legend Tommy Peoples brings the rabble-rousing Donegal fiddle style to the party. Equally influential is virtuoso harpist Laoise Kelly, who has breathed new life into the national instrument with her reinterpretation of the O’Carolan canon. Music Network tours provide a wonderful opportunity to see some of the world’s foremost musicians at affordable prices in venues around Ireland, and are presented in association with RTÉ lyric fm.  Music Network is funded by the Arts Council. Further information from www.musicnetwork.ie or (01) 671 9429.
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www.sligolive.ie

HAYSEED DIXIE

Thursday, 27th – Monday, 31st October 2011

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Bluegrass Rockers HAYSEED DIXIE will join ELVIS COSTELLO and KT TUNSTALL at this year’s folk, roots and indie music festival SLIGO LIVE, as part of an exciting programme spanning 6 days over the October Bank Holiday Weekend. HAYSEED DIXIE will headline a live stand up gig on Friday, 28th October at 11.00 pm (Doors 10.00pm) in the Festival Club @ The Model.
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