Episode 91-Doherty, Norah, and Ma
Irish Music Stories Podcast
As tunes and songs get passed around they transform. Airs and hornpipes turn into jigs or reels, entire parts get added or condensed, melodies change, words alter or are forgotten altogether (until the song becomes just a tune). In this episode, singer Niamh Parsons and host Shannon Heaton trace a tune and its words back to its source. It’s a celebration of listening, and finding the story in a song together. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to https://shannonheatonmusic.com/ims/
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Episode 90-Sweeping Through the Classics
Irish Music Stories Podcast
For this episode of Irish Music Stories, host Shannon Heaton talks to Clare fiddler Sorcha Costello to dig down to the roots of a botanically named tune, And to explore the beauty of enduring classics. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to ShannonHeatonMusic.com
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Episode 89-Singing Out and Lifting Up
Irish Music Stories Podcast
For this installment of Irish Music Stories, host Shannon Heaton tucks into an old jig that has become known as The Morning Lark. It’s an exploration of cartoonists and journalists, and the power of names and name calling. Above all, it’s a celebration of a little jig in D that continues to resonate and transform. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to ShannonHeatonMusic.com
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Episode 88-Dark Mysteries Bright Melodies
Irish Music Stories Podcast
Early 20th century musician George White painted the New York scene with dance tunes on his piccolo; and the tune bearing his name has gone on to enchant generations of Irish musicians. Well before that, a piper lured 130 children with his sweet playing (and his colorful clothes). There’s no bankruptcy of mystery or chirpy melodies in this first episode of Season 10 of Shannon Heaton’s Irish Music Stories. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to
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Episode 87-Revisited Fairy Forts and Changelings
Irish Music Stories Podcast
As magical new Irish music podcasts emerge, as dark forces swirl around the world, and as much of the northern hemisphere enters into shorter, colder days, the Irish Music Stories re-investigates lore and mystery surrounding Irish fairies. With care and caution—and with young co-producer Nigel—fiddle players Tara Connaghan and Martin Hayes, singer Emily Smith, and storyteller Máirtín de Cógáin help explore songs and stories about the Sí. ________________________________ Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to recent underwriters: Harish Babu Arunachalam,...
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Episode 86-King of the Bees (IMS Sidequest)
Irish Music Stories Podcast
In this six-episode “Sidequest” series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her “Perfect Maze” album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And in keeping with the IMS mission, she also incudes stories that helped her navigate the whole project. For this final (sixth) installment #6 she talks about the heartbreak and beauty of mortality, and (not so silly) naked rulers, and why there are no kings in the bee world. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project,...
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Episode 85: Red Rose and White Lotus (IMS Sidequest)
Irish Music Stories Podcast
In this six-episode “Sidequest” series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her “Perfect Maze” album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And in keeping with the IMS mission, she also incudes stories that helped her navigate the whole project. For installment #4 she talks of kings and royal roses, and spiritual leaders and mud-born lotus plants; and how it takes a team and timing for plants—and for humans—to transform. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this...
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Episode 84: William of Orange (IMS Sidequest)
Irish Music Stories Podcast
In this six-episode “Sidequest” series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her “Perfect Maze” album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And in keeping with the IMS mission, she also incudes stories that helped her navigate the whole project. For installment #4 she breaks down one movement of her Flute Duel (with talk of cadenzas, Nuevo Tango influences, and butterfly flight patterns). She also shares stories about the ancient monarch butterfly’s namesake and its Mexican guardians. _________________ For playlists,...
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Episode 83-Copper Over Navy (IMS Sidequest)
Irish Music Stories Podcast
In this six-episode “Sidequest” series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her “Perfect Maze” album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And in keeping with the IMS mission, she also incudes stories that helped her navigate the whole project. For installment #3, she highlights the Blue Dress motif, one of the recurring melodies on Perfect Maze. And she tells the story of weathering updates and tragedies of primates and men with a few different hues. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion...
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Episode 82-Aristotle in Spring (IMS Sidequest)
Irish Music Stories Podcast
In this six-episode “Sidequest” series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her “Perfect Maze” album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And in keeping with the IMS mission, she also incudes stories that helped her navigate the whole project. For installment #2, she examines her Sweetest Blooms Suite and considers some of the dramatic Spring blossoms in Aristotle’s day. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to
info_outlineWhat do the Irish music and dance worlds think about practicing? Fiddle players Fergal Scahill, Finn Magill, and Rose Flanagan; banjo player Martin Howley; cellist Natalie Haas; flute player Nicole Rabata; and dancer Kieran Jordan share thoughts about woodshedding in the trad world.
Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below.
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Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to, George McAvoy, Michael Craine, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter. Joe Garrett, Gerry Corr, Daniel, and one anonymous donor for underwriting this episode.
Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!
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Music Heard on IMS Episode 33
all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated
Tunes: “Tap Room, Mountain Road, Galway Rambler” (reels), from Rehearsal Recording, c. 2009
Artist: Dan Gurney (accordion), Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Sabai Sabai,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Steps: isolated foot track from “Mountain Ramblier,” from Lovers’ Well
Artist: Matt & Shannon Heaton with Kieran Jordan (feet)
Tune: “Pound the Floor,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “The Priest And His Boots,” from Cover the Buckle
Artist: Seán Clohessy, Sean Mccomiskey, And Kieran Jordan
Tune: Intro reel groove from Rehearsal Recording
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “G Meditation,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Dark Low Jig,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Horizons,” from Branches
Artist: Andrew Finn Magill
Tune: “Megan & Jarrod,” from Ports of Call
Artist: Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
Tune: “Mini Thanks,” from Flying Pizzicato
Artist: Stephen Katz
Tune: “Mutey Big Build,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Rockabye by Firelight,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Bill Cheatum / Kitchen Girl / The Donegal Lass,” from Live in Galway
Artist: We Banjo 3
Tune: “The Blackbird,” from Cover the Buckle
Artist: Seán Clohessy, Sean Mccomiskey, And Kieran Jordan
Tune: “Galway Rambler, Mountain Road,” from Live in Germany
Artist: Matt & Shannon Heaton with Kieran Jordan
Tune: “Tracing the Lines,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)
Tune: “Air Tune,” from Roots of the Banjo Tree
Artist: We Banjo 3
Song: “More than a Feeling,” from Boston
Artist: Boston