Irish Music Magazine - June 2020 Issue
COVER STORY
CELTIC THUNDER : BRINGING IRELAND TO NORTH AMERICA
Lar Flynn found out about Celtic Thunder when he spoke with the show’s producer Sharon Browne, and to Ryan Kelly from
Co. Tyrone, a member of the group since its origins.
FEATURES
FLIRTING FIDDLES
Mark Lysaght talks to John Sheahan about the fiddler’s debut solo album.
BEN LENNON (1928–2020)
An appreciation by Aidan O’Hara.
DAN POSSUMATO & JAMIE O’BRIEN
Seán Laffey talks to a box and guitar duo who have played Irish music from London to Arizona, and from Alaska to Maine.
THE BRIGHT HOLLOW FOG
Marla Fibish discusses her new mandolin album with Anne Marie Kennedy.
FINTAN McHUGH’S STARDUST AND BONE
Stardust and Bone is the second album from Dublin born, German based, Irish singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Fintan McHugh. Grainne McCool finds out more for IMM.
OAIM CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
The Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM) is celebrating a decade of teaching Irish music online.
LAND OF SUNSHINE FROM POOR MAN’S GAMBIT
Philadelphia based Poor Man’s Gambit are Corey Purcell (button accordion, cittern, bodhrán, vocals, dance), Deirdre Lockman (fiddle and vocals) and Federico Betti (guitar and fiddle). Seán Laffey talks to them about their third album, Land of Sunshine.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS FROZEN IN TIME
I write these lines from a place that seems frozen in time, says Colm Croffy of AOIFE Ireland.
CONTINUOUS LINE FROM STRING LOADED
The Blissett family perform and record as String Loaded; they are an award-winning Celtic band from Australia. Seán Laffey talks to Jennifer Blissett about their new album, Continuous Line.
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH FROM THE 19th STREET BAND
Seán Laffey talks to Caolaidhe and Meghan Davis of The 19th Street Band, who are sheltering in place and itching to be gigging again.
JULIE’S NUMBERLESS DREAMS
French folk and jazz singer Julie Abbé has recorded a song-tribute to Ireland called Numberless Dreams. She speaks passionately to Anne Marie Kennedy about her background, diverse musical interests & how this recording came to fruition.
FEOCHÁN THE GENTLE BREEZE
All-Ireland champion flute player, Dr Robert Harvey, talks about his work and his debut solo recording with Aidan O’Hara.
NEW LEAF
New Leaf is a three-piece traditional Irish music band from Western Massachusetts. They talk to Grainne McCool about their self-titled debut album.
FESTIVALS
A selection of wonderful Festivals & Summer Schools from Ireland & abroad.
CELEBRATING IRISH CULTURE IN IOWA
Robert Heuston, Publisher of Irish Music Magazine, chats to Chad Shipman and Greg Tagtow from Iowa Irish Fest, which runs over
3 days each year on the first weekend of August.
REGULARS
STORIES FROM IRISH AMERICA
Mary Coogan shares her colourful story with Réidín O’Flynn. The sun on a stained-glass window reveals the beauty within.
CONCERTINA SKILLS with Edel Fox
Brought to you in association with the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM).
LEGENDS OF IRISH MUSIC
Séamus Creagh (1946-2009), an appreciation by Mark Lysaght.
GREAT INFLUENCES ON THE TRADITION
Aidan O’Hara acknowledges the significant contribution of Nioclás Tóibín to Irish Traditional Music.
WALTONS TUITION
Another selection of tutorials brought to you in association with Waltons Music. You can now listen to these online at www.waltons.ie
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Seán Laffey discovers there may be some gruesome truth in the ancient song, The Raggle-Taggle Gypsies.
BOOK REVIEWS
A BOOK OF GREAT BEAUTY
Beautiful Affair by Mike Hanrahan will hold you enthralled; a rare gem from cover to cover, with three hundred pages of page-turning delight, writes Frank Greally for Irish Music Magazine.
LIVE REVIEWS
THE 21st GATHERING FESTIVAL
Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, County Kerry, February 28th to March 1st. Seán Laffey reports for Irish Music Magazine.
MICHELLE MULCAHY : LIVE AT TRADFEST
Solo Harp Concert at Rathfarnham Castle. Deirdre Cronin reports for Irish Music Magazine.
CD REVIEWS
Another selection of CD Reviews from the International World of Folk and Traditional Music.
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