This week we pay tribute to legendary trad-punk singer, poet, and multi-instrumentalist Shane McGowan. Famous for his role in bands like the Nips, and the Pogues, this larger than life figure made a lasting impact on the face of Irish traditional music forever.
A cracking, though rarely played, reel based on a Scottish folk tale of female empowerment.
Interviews with inhabitants of the island:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR5RjwjeQe8
Join me in celebrating the life of the recently passed, legendary accordion player, Joe Burke. An award winning musician that has left us an incredible catalogue of music and the gift of tunes to generations of people. Thanks for the tunes Joe.
A tricky little hornpipe written for? by? a wonderful Irish poet and member of the Catholic parish. As usual, the the history gets tricky as we uncover not one, but TWO Father Dollards. Its a two for one episode as we head to Canada for a poetry reading.
Up the Banner County as we take a look at a heralded group of Wild Geese fighting on French soil. Stumbled across in an old Irish Song book, this gallant ballad recounts the deeds of the musket wielding foot soldiers fighting for the Jacobite cause.
A wonderfully classic folk tune written for the media figure from the 1960s. Or was it....?
A haunting tribute to Irish soldiers who served in foreign wars, this (maybe?) O’Carolyn piece has a twisty history that takes us all the way from the Sliabh Luachra region of Ireland to the banks of the rolling Danube in Austria.Artistic advisor: J. Calvert Orem
Known for his personal kindness and warmth that manifested itself in his playing, lets take a look at this contemporary Cape Breton fiddler and composer.artistic adviser: J. Calvert Orem
We change tone from last week to look at this fun tune named after a British Royal Air Force pilot. Written by Phil Cunningham, this is a tune guaranteed to get your toes tapping, replete with an clever side joke from the composer to the tunes subject.
A celebration turned to tragedy in the 1800s near Galway, Ireland. A small fishing boat sinks leaving a small village devastated. Artistic advisor: J. Calvert Orem
Paddy was a living legend, a Galway based composer and fiddler with a foot in two centuries. He had a unique style and was a master of his craft.
A quaint little Neil Gow tune written in memoriam of Scotch Whisky and one of Scotlands early periods of prohibition.
One of the great composers of Scottish Folk music. The sometimes divisive figure was more than just a one trick pony, also claiming the title of Dance Master and expert fiddler. Hear about his life and times here!
The tragic tale of a national hero and his crew. Their story lives on in the verse of a popular English ballad that bares the name of the once knighted man sailor.