Episode 80-The Winning Hand
Irish Music Stories Podcast
When you’re tracing a song through six generations, and you’re digging into distinct versions of dance tunes carried by players from East Clare, you never know what card games and shipwrecks you might also uncover. This special episode—the last new story for a while—weaves together stories from John Tunney and Mary MacNamara, who grew up around generations of music in rural Ireland, with the tale of an American kid who played cards with her grandparents. * Find Paddy Tunney’s (restrung) Stone Fiddle .. and * Find Mary MacNamara’s * Listen to other episodes, and stay tuned to...
info_outline
Episode 79-Kesh v Glendart
Irish Music Stories Podcast
What is the U.S. Electoral College? And what does it have to do with The Kesh Jig and The Humours of Glendart? This election adjacent exploration of two popular jigs takes a look at the stories behind jig (and Presidential) contenders, and the process used to choose a winner. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to ___________________ Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: John Sullivan, Heather Carroll, Michael Craine, Adele Megann,...
info_outline
Episode 78-Tools of the Trad
Irish Music Stories Podcast
When you’re making an instrument, you’re forming something that can be used to design a melody. Or a musical life. This episode follows a precious flute’s unexpected journey. And flute makers Patrick Olwell and Eamonn Cotter, piper Colleen Shanks, and fiddle players Bob Childs and Pat O’Connor talk about what it’s like to carve an approach as musicians and craftspeople. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to . ___________________ Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank...
info_outline
Episode 77-The Bunch of Keys
Irish Music Stories Podcast
Irish musicians, and writers, and home makers can all benefit by learning some rules and technical skills—and by allowing a little spontaneity and flexibility. But how much great technique do you need? Does that get in the way of the magic? In this episode, Nathan Gourley, Brendan Mulholland, and Sharon Murphy reflect on the alchemy of order and spontaneity: how rule following and rule breaking can make for a great journey; but how a total lack of plan can derail everything. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project,...
info_outline
Episode 76-The Power of the Local Pub
Irish Music Stories Podcast
Boston producer Brian O’Donovan made a lot of space for Irish music and culture. He was dedicated to sharing it widely. And though he presented music on formal stages and through his WGBH broadcast “A Celtic Sojourn,” casual, public Irish music sessions were ever important and enduring for him. This beloved leader lifted up traditional music. And he elevated the practice of ‘just going to the local pub’ into an act of radical community building. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to . ...
info_outline
Episode 75-Betting on the Punters
Irish Music Stories Podcast
Could traditional music sessions exist without listeners? Are the non-playing listeners in public spaces important for tune players? Here’s a brief podcast adaptation of a video response to this intriguing little question! _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to . ___________________ Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, John Sigler, Randall Semagin, Ron Kral, Isaiah Hall, David Vaughan, Susan...
info_outline
Episode 74-Leaning in and Branching Out
Irish Music Stories Podcast
Communities. Forests. Families. All of these different ecosystems contain a lot of different components that weave and work together. And as people, plants, and pests carry on and creep around, rich and sometimes unlikely collaborations emerge. In this episode, with the help of Karine Polwart, Colin Farrell, and Steve Nardone, I’ll explore how friends, neighbors and families can blend; how humans and trees need and inspire one another; and how we also rely on birds, bees.. and rats. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this...
info_outline
Episode 73-Fruitful Fells Part Two
Irish Music Stories Podcast
In part one of the Fruitful Fells, we met modern and 19th century activists dedicated to making beauty available to current and future humans. In this episode, we learn how our heroes saved acres of woods and bushels of old ballads, and we follow enduring struggles in the crusade for preservation. As always, there’s plenty of beautiful music woven into these conversations with guests Mike Ryan, Alison Simcox, Douglas Heath, and Karl Alexander. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to ...
info_outline
Episode 72-Fruitful Fells Part One
Irish Music Stories Podcast
There are little creatures, trees, ponds, and pedestrians all over the earth. And there are bushels of ballads about the charms of nature. And while there are ecological activists like Mike Ryan and 19th century Elizur Wright, and song collectors like Francis Child and Olive Dame Campbell who are out to enjoy and save the critters and the old songs… there are others who are less interested in preservation. This two-part story on the creation of Massachusetts’ Middlesex Fells Reservation takes a look at how trees, pedestrians, bikers, motorists, music collectors, and geese intersect. And...
info_outline
Episode 71-Missed Manners
Irish Music Stories Podcast
The weekly Irish music session is a specific niche affair, with a particular code of conduct. Gift giving also has its own rules, at least it has in the past. As older customs like traditional Irish music and wedding anniversary gifts have moved to the new world, have things adjusted? Does modern session behavior reflect wider social trends? Etiquette experts Barry Foy and Zina Lee walk me down the aisle of session (and wedding gift) etiquette, just a year before Barry’s Field Guide to the Irish Session celebrates its silver anniversary. _________________ For playlists,...
info_outlineHow do Scottish and Irish music intersect? How are they distinct? And why do so many trendy tunes come from Scotland? Host Shannon Heaton talks with Aaron Jones, Ed Pearlman, Natalie Haas and Hanneke Cassel to learn what it means to be a traditional Scottish musician today—in Scotland, and in the States. Warning: this episode contains very few mentions of haggis… or kilts.
* * * * * * *
Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to Sharon Murphy, Mike Lagana, Brian Edmiston, Michael Craine, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, and Gerry Corr for underwriting this episode.
Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!
* * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
Music Heard on IMS Episode 31
all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated
Tune: “Medium Man,” from Happy Daze
Artist: Battlefield Band
Tune: “Hector the Hero Medley,” from 2015 Worlds Competition
Artist: Inveraray District Pipe Band
Tune: “Lady Carmichael,” from Thunderstruck
Artist: Gordon Duncan
Tune: “A Modal Groove,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Strathspey,” from Celtic Mouth Music
Artist: John Macdonald
Tune: “Bb intro,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Song: “Lon-Dubh,” (the Blackbird), from Lon-Dubh
Artist: Julie Fowlis
Tune: “The Anniversary Reel,” from Out for the Night
Artist: Battlefield Band
Song: “Star o’ the Bar,” from Four on the Floor
Artist: Old Blind Dogs, feat. Aaron Jones vocals
Tune: “Nonna Pina / Space Ghettos,” from Free One
Artist: Kinnaris Quintet
Tune: “The Burrian,” from Arc Light
Artist: Lau
Tune: “Scraping the Barrel,” from The Arms Daughter’s Dealer
Artist: Shooglenifty
Tune: “G Meditation,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Sabai Sabai,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Open to the Elements,” from Between Wind and Water
Artist: String Sisters
Tune: “Cuffe’s,” from On the Edge
Artist: Ed Pearlman and Neil Pearlman
Tune: “Triumph Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “The 24th Guards Brigade At Anzio,” from Happy Daze
Artist: Battlefield Band
Tune: “Cathkin Braes,” from Another Gem
Artist: Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain
Tune: “Run to Fly,” from Run to Fly
Artist: Alba’s Edge
Tune: “Travel Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Leather Britches,” from Aereo-Plain
Artist: John Hartford
Tune: “After Hours Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Song: “Will Ye Go Lassie, Go,” (AKA Wild Mountain Thyme), from Wild Mountain Thyme
Artist: The McPeake Family
Track: “Scottish Reel Rhythm Demo,” from Instructional Video
Artist: Hanneke Cassel
Tune: “Mutey Big Build,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Song: “The Low Hum,” from California Calling
Artist: Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards
Tune: “Crabbit Shona,” from The Red House – The Heritage of the Scottish Fiddle
Artist: Chris Duncan, Catherine Strutt & Julian Thompson
Tunes: “Jig Runrig, The Ramnee Ceilidh,” from Highlander’s Farewell
Artists: Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas
Tune: “Adelaide / Keeping up with Christine,” from Ports of Call
Artist: Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
Tune: “Ron Burgundy Tribute: The Glass Case of Emotion/Sweet Grandmother's Spatula,” from Silver
Artist: Hanneke Cassel
Tune: Jenny Dang the Weaver,” from Jam at PDB c/o Isabelle
Artist: Students and Faculty
Tune: "Miller of Drone," from Tall Tales
Artist: The McKassons
Tune: “Black Bread,” from Journey Begun
Artist: Athena Tergis & Laura Risk
Tune: “Hometown Lullaby,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Julia Delaney,” from Jam at PDB c/o Isabelle
Artist: Students and Faculty
Tune: "Brooklyn’s Lullaby," from Lullabies for Love
Artist: Hanneke Cassel
Song: Bonny Labouring Boy, from A Different Life
Artist: Emily Smith