IAN WORPOLE looks at the massive musical contributions of traditional groups Solas and Cherish the Ladies, who both reach major milestones this year. When I was a lad growing up in post WWII England, festive holidays were always about food. One of the lesser but still vital days was Shrove Tuesday, AKA Pancake Day. Or should it be the other way round? We knew there was some … [Read more...] about Anniversaries and Amazing Performances
Music
Snow Patrol. Rock and Reflect.
Eyes Open by Snow Patrol should firmly establish the band on this side of the Atlantic. That they could produce such an assured work in a period when they lost their bassist and welcomed two new mem- bers is impressive in itself. With a mix of power rock and angst-ridden ballads, the Snow Patrol canvas is adorned with lush strokes and deft touches. The melancholic “Chasing … [Read more...] about Snow Patrol. Rock and Reflect.
A Summer of Irish Pride
Irish Festivals and Fleadhs Abound in the Summer Months. Michelle Harty reports. It has been said that no one is as Irish as an Irishman overseas. Every year St. Patrick’s Day parades across the United States bring out the Irish in anyone who has even the measliest bit of Irish in them and draw the Irish out of Ireland. Even those with no Irish who just want to have a good … [Read more...] about A Summer of Irish Pride
Too Late To Stop Now
Ian Worpole ruminates on why Van is still The Man. So I get this press release along with the new CD, Pay the Devil, and it says “For 40 years Van Morrison has continued to be an important and vibrant artist,” and I’m like, yeah, I guess he has, they sure got that right, and then I’m like, is that the best they can come up with? So herewith, my own totally subjective, totally … [Read more...] about Too Late To Stop Now
Tuning In
Tunes. Lots of them this month, not to be confused with songs, of course - those have words. Some songs start out as tunes and if it's a really good one someone might add words, sometimes to great profit (think "Unchained Melody" or "Danny Boy," which started out as "A Londonderry Air" until one Fred Weatherly, an English barrister, added the words). But tunes it is, and first … [Read more...] about Tuning In