Tag Archives: Irish music

Cran’s Lover’s Ghost

Who was it that said, “Many of the best Celtic CDs are self published?” (Hint: Russian Stout), and who last remarked that one of the best things about reviewing for GMR is being surprised and delighted by something truly wonderful? … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Irish Life and Lore Collections, and Jane O’Hea O’Keefe’s The Ancient Barony of Duhallow: Living Voices

Maurice O’Keefe’s Irish Life and Lore Volume 1 Maurice O’Keefe’s Irish Life and Lore Volume 2 Jane O’Hea O’Keefe’s The Ancient Barony of Duhallow: Living Voices Maurice O’Keefe’s Irish Life and Lore Series 2 CD 2: Julia Mary Murphy Maurice … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Cork Folk Festival Archive

Live music is the real music – there is a certain magic between audience and performer that is difficult to translate to the digital realm. Studio music often preserves the idea that inspired the artist, and creates a different magic … Continue reading

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Shilelagh Law’s Good Intentions

Faith J. Cormier wrote this review. I found Good Intentions to be a very “New World Irish” collection. First there’s the romantic view of the IRA in “Broad Black Brimmer” and “Boys of ’98.” There’s nothing quite like a good … Continue reading

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Sharon Shannon’s Out the Gap, and Spellbound: the Best of Sharon Shannon

Ever wonder where the other Waterboys got to after Mike Scott left for New York? Did you suspect that the wonderful arrangements on their Fisherman’s Blues and Room to Roam owed a lot to the contributions of ensemble members – … Continue reading

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Shirae’s Tiger’s Island

The first thing I thought about this album was “Hell, there’s nothing to dislike about it.” Shirae are Shireen Russel and Reidin O’Flynn, two young ladies who are belting singers, to say the least. Their music is strong Irish folk … Continue reading

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St. James Gate’s Glass in Hand

Patrick O’Donnell wrote this review. The trouble with Americans is that we’re always looking somewhere else for our roots. It’s a pretty rare thing to hear someone say “I’m American” when you ask about his or her pedigree. A teacher … Continue reading

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Graham O’Callaghan’s In This Heart

This CD oozes self-confidence. Who but a self confident singer would include household songs like “Banks of the Bann,” “Lovely Joan” and “Flandyke Shore” on an album without trying to remake the songs? Just the prospect of doing “Flandyke Shore” … Continue reading

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Childsplay’s Childsplay Live

Before encountering the phenomenon that is Childsplay, the name meant little more than a pretty moniker for a Celtic band. Hearing Childsplay for the first time and finding out the meaning behind the story has been a fascinating experience. For … Continue reading

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Dropkick Murphys’ Live on St. Patrick’s Day

I suppose if you want to go from the sublime to the ridiculous, this album might just do it for you. I had heard some good reports about this band from my youngest son, who has seen them live at … Continue reading

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