A roaring rip tide of traditional music recordings has been flowing out of Ireland and Irish America recently, much of it released by the musicians themselves without recourse to record labels. A listing of the year's best discs could easily include several dozen equally worthy releases, so limiting this roundup to a mere ten was a reviewer's nightmare. You won't go wrong, … [Read more...] about Traditional Music Round-up
Music
Music: Down The Road by Van Morrison
The good news is Van Morrison is back to form with this new release. Belfast's temperamental son was utterly prolific throughout the 90's turning out an album every other year and if last year's collaboration with Linda Gail (`You Win Again') didn't quite come off, fans won't be disappointed this time. Van's vocals are everything you expect them to be. The opening of `Talk Is … [Read more...] about Music: Down The Road by Van Morrison
Book Reviews
A Sampling of the Latest Irish Books. RECOMMENDED Acclaimed historian Edward T. O'Donnell goes from the Ice Age to Michael Phelan ("The Father of American Billiards") in his breezy history 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History. O'Donnell, professor of American History at Holy Cross College, covers topics ranging from Ireland Before 1850, Religion, … [Read more...] about Book Reviews
The Cranberries :
Back On Track
Just like the old days. A new album (Wake Up and Smell the Coffee) from The Cranberries and the band are back on the road. May is pencilled in for the North American stretch of a world tour, beginning in Montreal and wrapping up in Miami before moving on to Mexico.
Just like the old days.
Almost.
While the tour will take a mammoth 18 months it's a far cry from the crazy … [Read more...] about The Cranberries :
Back On Track
Danny Boy Uncovered
In his book Danny Boy – The Beloved Irish Ballad to be published in March, well-known Irish-American writer Malachy McCourt offers an explication of the history, facts and myths surrounding the well-loved Irish air. McCourt explains that "Danny Boy" is unique in that people are willing to overlook a bad rendition if the singer is earnest and the moment is true. It is certainly … [Read more...] about Danny Boy Uncovered