Pádraig Rynne playing 2 jigs, Christy Barrys & Bye a while, live in Custy's, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Concertina and Flute Session
From Comhaltas Live: A concertina and flute session at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2009 with Niamh O’Sullivan and Christina Dolphin respectively, both from Dublin.They play two reels - “Phylis’ Birthday” and “Fred Finn’s”. Click on link for audio download:
Comhaltas: ComhaltasLive #305-4: Concertina and Flute Session
Comhaltas: ComhaltasLive #305-4: Concertina and Flute Session
Bowing out after four decades on the road
Image via WikipediaA CHRISTMAS concert will be the last time musician Dave Richardson plays with Boys Of The Lough.The traditional Celtic group will perform a show at The New Vic Theatre, Basford, on Tuesday.
And Dave, who plays the mandolin and concertina, will be bowing out after 40 years with the band.
Boys Of The Lough began touring in 1967 and became the first full-time professional Celtic band to make an impact internationally.
In the intervening years they have completed about 70 tours of the U.S., as well as recorded more than 20 albums.
The most recent, Midwinter Live, is a festive offering of traditional seasonal favourites.
It gives a flavour of what audiences can expect from their show.
Boys Of The Lough are strictly a Celtic band – taking direct inspiration from the vocal traditions of Scotland and Ireland – but also drawing influences from Northumberland, Shetland and even North America.
Dave joined the band in 1973, after abandoning his studies in molecular science at Edinburgh University to pursue a career in music.
By then, the group was already well-established.
Formed after a few sessions at the Forest Hill Bar in Edinburgh – a centre for folk singers and instruments during the 60s, the original line-up included fiddler Aly Bain, All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Cathal Mc'Connell and singer Dick Gaughan.
But when Dick left for a solo career, Dave, pictured right, stepped in. "We've had a bit of an interesting evolution," says Dave, who now lives in Edinburgh. "We all started off within 50 yards of each other and at the moment our members are living in about three different countries – including our fiddle player (Kevin Henderson) who lives in Norway.
"I have been playing this kind of music since I was in my mid teens and when I was at university, I got a phone call from the band, asking if I would go to America because someone had left.
"I knew the guys because I'd met them socially, but I suppose by about September I decided to drop everything else and go on the road with them to see what happened.
"They were very interesting times. It was a lot of fun.
"We've had a long lineage."
As well as performing, Dave has also written for the group. In fact his jig, Calliope House, featured in Lord Of The Dance and even made the soundtrack of the Sex And The City TV series.
Now aged 66, the Northumberland-born musician is ready to take a break.
"I love the music and I play music every day," says Dave. "But I've just got very tired of doing all the travel.
"I'm quite OK about it. I just think that it's the right time. I've had more than my share. It remains to be seen how it will affect me later."
Although he might be leaving, Dave is still proud of the group's legacy.
"Our music translates very well," he says. "It's accessible. It's about stories that people already instinctively know.
"Stories about separation, emigration and parting – and drinking of course!
"It's just like the Blues was 20 years previously. Irish and Scottish music has gone worldwide.
"And since the late 60s, it's gone global."
Boys Of The Lough will be at the New Vic Theatre on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Call the box office on 01782 717962.
Bowing out after four decades on the road | This is Staffordshire
Friday, December 9, 2011
Kylie Moynagh
A set of jigs played on concertina by Kylie Moynagh of Dublin, who learned them from the playing of the group Turas.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mary MacNamara
Humours of Tullycrine ; Mickey Callaghan's, hornpipes / Mary MacNamara, concertina. Recorded in the Irish Traditional Music Archive, Dublin, 28 January 1993. REFNO: 2-ITMA-VHS
Monday, December 5, 2011
Cormac Ó Beaglaíoch
Playing a couple of barndances 'Joe Bann's', and 'The Gypsy Princess', here's concertina player Cormac Ó Beaglaíoch at the launch of the 2011 Frankie Kennedy Winter School. Webcast live on Tuesday November 29th 2011 on www.LiveTrad.com.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
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