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
Music
Green Dragon Raises Green
On September 21, Irish musician Tom Carroll belted out "America the Beautiful" and kicked off an evening of tunes and airs to benefit the N.Y. Firefighters Association. The event was hosted by Green Dragon Tavern owner, John Somers, ho asked for donations in lieu of a cover charge. Somers' other pub, The Grand Coral, also in Boston, was the setting for a night of Brendan … [Read more...] about Green Dragon Raises Green
The Chieftains Hold
New York’s Hand
"Will you hold my hand?" asked Lauren Murphy as she braced herself to greet her husband's mourners. Lauren was speaking to Paddy Moloney, founder of The Chieftains, the Grammy award-winning musical ambassadors of Ireland. Paddy and the band had come to New York to play at the memorial service for Lauren's husband. Matthew O'Mahony, a merchant banker for Cantor Fitzgerald, had … [Read more...] about The Chieftains Hold
New York’s Hand
In-Tune Internet
With the plethora of music sites on the web today, a new one dances apart form the other. Or jigs away, rather. Launched by Irish music business veteran Gerry Dornan, Irishmusicmail.com (inactive) offers a vast selection of Irish music, traditional to contemporary, jigs to reels to pop. Designed for east navigation, the site also offers a bargain basement for their CDs, which … [Read more...] about In-Tune Internet
Music: Traditional Music Roundup
Mirth-Making Heroes There are folks who think of "Celtic" music as a gently soothing, slightly ethereal style, heavy on the harps and tin whistles. They haven't heard At the Racket, a fun-loving bunch who prefer their jigs and reels on the saxophone and tenor banjo. This "racket" is actually the sort of whoop-it-up band you might have heard at a Saturday night dance in … [Read more...] about Music: Traditional Music Roundup