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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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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
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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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
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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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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July 18th – 30th
www.skibbereenartsfestival.com
Now in it’s third year the Skibbereen Arts Festival continues to expand in exciting ways and once again they have put together an amazing programme that is sure to thrill lovers of art, film, comedy and music.
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Harpers and Traditional Musicians are expected in large numbers to the picturesque Village of Keadue on the shores of Lough Meelagh for the 33rd. O’Carolan Harp Festival which takes place from July 29th.. to August 1st. The Summer School in Traditional Music, Song and Dance precedes the Festival from July 24th. To July 29th. Students attending the classes at the Summer School can avail of the following workshops in Harp, Flute, Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Banjo, Button Accordion, Concertina, Bodhran, Traditional Singing, Set Dancing and Sean nos Dancing. A number of Instrumental Music Competitions, Ceilis and Lectures will also be held.
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