A look at recently-released music of Irish and Irish-American interest. For the Holidays... The Blair Band • Christmas with the Celts This Christmas, Ric Blair and his merry band of Celtic musicians released a studio album to accompany a DVD of their very popular Public Television special, Christmas with the Celts. Filmed in Nashville in front of an eager sold out audience, … [Read more...] about Music Reviews
Music
Once: The Musical
The beloved Irish film adapted to the stage. It is hard to forget the little Irish movie that could, Once. Released in 2006, Once was shot in Dublin over a 17-day period, with a scant budget of $150,000. It became an Indie sensation with stars Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard of the Frames winning an Oscar for Best Original Song and winning far more fans with their … [Read more...] about Once: The Musical
Comhaltas: Making Music for Sixty Years
It was a social network phenomenon before Facebook, blogging and Twitter came along, and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is still going strong. For sixty years, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – Irish Musicians Association – has been spreading the gospel of traditional Irish music all over the world, setting up over 400 community-based branches, including 44 in North America. Today … [Read more...] about Comhaltas: Making Music for Sixty Years
Music Reviews
The latest in Irish and Irish-American music Beoga's How to Tune a Fish • Beoga An exciting new release from Compass Records, How to Tune a Fish by Beoga is sure to be a lively hit amongst long-time trad fans and newcomers alike. Eamon Murray’s presence on the bodhran is a dominant one. Trad music is by its nature very percussive, but Murray, a former All-Ireland champion … [Read more...] about Music Reviews
Charting Celtic Music’s Way Forward
Nashville-based Compass Records has grown to become the most reliable and exciting source for new Celtic music. While it seems there is no conventional story of musical success, Irish American Alison Brown’s path was particularly unique. A former investment banker, Brown is now recognized as a premier banjoist and has recorded such critically acclaimed solo albums as Fair … [Read more...] about Charting Celtic Music’s Way Forward