Tag Archives: Irish music

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill’s The Lonesome Touch 

Posted on 15th May 2016 by Jo Morrison

Feeling depressed, downhearted, lonely? Want someone to speak gently to our fears and despair, to sympathize? If so, the people to turn to are fiddler Martin Hayes and guitarist Dennis Cahill.This collection of slow jigs and reels is refreshingly different … Continue reading →

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Frankie Gavin’s Fierce Traditional

Posted on 15th May 2016 by Diverse Voices

Jennifer Byrne penned this review. Stand aside all you pretenders to the throne. Frankie is back and the gloves are off. Fierce Traditional is the long anticipated new solo album from Frankie Gavin, and it sees him paring the sound right down, … Continue reading →

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Flogging Molly’s Float

Posted on 15th May 2016 by kestrell

I’m going to admit right up front that I am a newcomer to the music of Flogging Molly. I mean, a very recent newcomer, as in, I just became aware of the band this past St. Patrick’s Day. A bit of … Continue reading →

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 Chulrua’s Barefoot on the Altar 

Posted on 14th May 2016 by Diverse Voices

Naomi de Bruyn penned this review. Chulrua (pronounced cool-ROO-ah) is not only the name of this amazing trio of celebrated musicians but the name of the favourite wolfhound of the ancient Irish hero Fionn MacCumhaill. It translates to English as … Continue reading →

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Liz Carroll and various artists’ Ireland, Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840, The Music

Posted on 31st March 2016 by Gary Whitehouse

On St. Patrick’s Day 2015, an exhibit called “IRELAND: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690–1840” opened at the Art Institute of Chicago. It was accompanied by music, the music on this CD, developed by one of Chicago’s most beloved Irish … Continue reading →

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Allison Thompson’s The Blind Harper Dances: Modern English Country Dances set to airs by Turlough O’Carolan

Posted on 16th March 2016 by Gary Whitehouse

John O’Regan penned this review. This book is at once fascinating and difficult to review. The fascination lies in the idea of combining the music of Turlough O’Carolan with modern English country dances. The difficulty lies in my own lack … Continue reading →

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Lúnasa: The Story So Far

Posted on 29th February 2016 by Robert

Strange as it may seem from someone who’s been writing about music – at GMR of all places – for several years now, one area in which I am less cognizant than I should be is traditional Celtic music. I … Continue reading →

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Clannad’s Landmarks

Posted on 29th February 2016 by Robert

I always think of Clannad as an Irish traditional group, which they aren’t — at least, not any more. Traditionally grounded, yes, as one can see from their early recordings, but what has become their signature style incorporates bits of … Continue reading →

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Colleen Raney’s Here This Is Home

Posted on 8th February 2016 by Lars Nilsson

The Irish song tradition is really many traditions, the main lines either the more loud and boisterous sound of groups like The Dubliners, or the more gentle approach of ensembles like Planxty and Patrick Street. I find it hard to … Continue reading →

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Niamh Boadle’s Maid on the Shore

Posted on 26th June 2015 by Lars Nilsson

Britain is full of young talented folk singers and players. Niamh Boadle is one of them. She first came onto my radar some years ago when I shared a spot at Warwick Folk Music Festival with her band Tri. Since … Continue reading →

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