Irish Fridays

[johncorrigan]

no apology needed John

Thanks, anton. Here she is with Donal Lunny and band giving us a most moving version of the great 'Raglan Road'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6zqb3gf5aA

I think I've only really started appreciating that voice this past week.

[Padraig]

Here's an Irish air played in a decidedly non-traditional way. I think it works very well.

The Coulin - YouTube

[Padraig]

The Coulin - YouTube

Something more traditional - The Blackbird

first as a formal dance . The Blackbird (North Kerry) - Performance - YouTube

then as a group performance

The Blackbird - YouTube

[johncorrigan]

Thank you, Padraig - great dancing there, and aye grand to hear the Bothy Band.
I've been spending time this last couple of days in the company of Lankum's Mercury nominated CD 'False Lankum' - I will say that it's very dark in places - 'New York Trader' is exceedingly dark stuff; and yet there's the wonderful song of regret after a weekend on the lash in 'On a Monday Morning' - brilliant - and there's a fab track called just 'Fugue 1' which I'm sure features Cormac Begley on the bass concertina. Some songs go on a wee bit too long for me, full of drones, and it is, in places, very loud. But saying that, I've enjoyed spending time with it - here's something a bit more in the tradition of Irish Fridays - the peerless Radie Peat singing 'Newcastle'...a thing of beauty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbDdt_fuqtE

[johncorrigan]

and there's a fab track called just 'Fugue 1' which I'm sure features Cormac Begley on the bass concertina.

I miscounted... Actually, just realised that the track I was thinking of is entitled 'Master Crowley's' - still think Cormac Begley is in there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIYXxmDuTEk

[Padraig]

I miscounted... Actually, just realised that the track I was thinking of is entitled 'Master Crowley's' - still think Cormac Begley is in there.

John, this link seems to provide all tracks -

Go Dig My Grave - YouTube

[Padraig]

I don't think we've had this lament for a drowning at sea - a common theme in folk music. Here are the O'Flahertys with their usual daring approach.

Traditional Irish song - Anach Cuan - YouTube

[johncorrigan]

I don't think we've had this lament for a drowning at sea - a common theme in folk music. Here are the O'Flahertys with their usual daring approach.

Traditional Irish song - Anach Cuan - YouTube

I know I've posted this before, Padraig, but I was reminded again, as I often am, of this lament sung by Karen Matheson with the most ethereal Uilleann Pipes, played by Michael McGoldrick, I think. Breaks my heart every time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6focZusWAg

[Padraig]

Sounds like a sean nos song though I'm not familiar with it. I think it's about what the title says -The Dark Woman of the Glens, a love song about a lost love, and not one of those aislings like Roisin Dubh. I always assume that it's a man searching for his beautiful deserting lover, but it's not the first time I have made that assumption. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh does the honours.

Bean Dubh a' Ghleanna - YouTube

[johncorrigan]

Driving west on Thursday, Mrs C was tuned into Radio Nan Gaidheal tuning in her ear for her Gaelic classes - 'Oh that's Iarla,' says she. And indeed it was Iarla singing 'The Foggy Dew' - in Gaelic, except for the final verse. Rather beautiful, we decided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp-HZUBNcPM

[johncorrigan]

Beautiful harp playing from Una Monaghan at Strangford Loch on Petroc's breakfast programme this morning.

[Globaltruth]

My vote is that Petroc is permanently stationed in Ireland.
I was also sadly relieved to hear him comment on the dreadful algal blooms in Lough Neagh - there was a danger he was painting an over-idyllic picture...


for our very own escapism, here are a couple more tunes from Méabh Smyth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbRRZp7tONs

[johncorrigan]

My vote is that Petroc is permanently stationed in Ireland.
I was also sadly relieved to hear him comment on the dreadful algal blooms in Lough Neagh - there was a danger he was painting an over-idyllic picture...

I hope Petroc and his team are getting some dosh from the Northern Ireland tourist board - I was definitely being persuaded that I need a trip to Loch Erne this morning...as long as there's an accompanying accordionist. Sounded gorgeous.

[Padraig]

I hope Petroc and his team are getting some dosh from the Northern Ireland tourist board - I was definitely being persuaded that I need a trip to Loch Erne this morning...as long as there's an accompanying accordionist. Sounded gorgeous.

I must try and catch up on the Loughs Trail

In the meantime, a song and a poem. I once heard these performed by an Irish fiddler and a separate reciter as a single item, a well read poem and a good fiddle tune to follow, but I can't find a recording anywhere. Here is a pleasant group I don't know with a setting of the poem, followed by a reading by the poet himself.

The Fiddler of Dooney

Joe K. Walsh, Molly Tuttle & John Mailander - Fiddler Of Dooney - YouTube

W.B. Yeats - The Fiddler of Dooney - YouTube

[Globaltruth]

Thank you Padraig.
Bit off topic, but here is W H Auden's poem on the death of W B Yeats:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaPFnYbSWS0