Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Michael Grogan (accordion)



From youtube:
This recording artist's playing represents a major step in the development of
the Irish box style. If he is a much less remembered name than some Irish performers, such as Michael Coleman, it is no doubt because he never went to America, where the Irish music scene really took off. All the same, Grogan broadcasted regularly and made a series of 78 recordings in the '30s. It was a good thing he was as fine a player as he was, because as far as commercial solo recordings on this instrument, the ones made in Ireland were limited to one man, and that was him. His work is well-represented on re-releases, including collections such as 'Irish Dance Music' and 'Past Masters of Irish Dance',
both on the Topic label. There is also Grogan material on collections issued by Folkways and Rounder as well as on the album 'From Galway to Dublin' from which this track has been uploaded.
In spite of a thorough search on the internet I have been unable to find out about the life of this past master of Irish music - not even the dates of his birth and death.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Niamh Ni Charra New Album "A Tribute to Terry "Cuz" Teahan"


Cuz is the latest album from Killarney musician Niamh Ní Charra, and celebrates Sliabh Luachra's rich history of music, in particular the compositions and repertoire of Glountane native Cuz Teahan. Cuz emigrated to Chicago in 1928 and spent the next six decades playing and passing on the music of Sliabh Luachra to generations of musicians. Shortly before his death, he made a tape full of rare tunes and his own compositions for a very young Niamh, now a multi-award-winning performer. Drawing on the tape for inspiration and material, this album is a tribute to Cuz and his music. Along with showcasing Niamh's impressive talent and versatility on fiddle, concertina, and voice, it features top class guest artists from Ireland and America, all of whom had a connection to Cuz . These include Liz Carroll, Jimmy Keane, Donogh Hennessy, Mick Moloney, Donal Murphy and Tommy O Sullivan.