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...
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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,...
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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...
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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,...
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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 . ...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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_outlinePersistent infections like Covid-19 … and social injustice.. and racism… loom large. And still, these little Irish jigs and reels are forming bridges across oceans. What happens when people fall in love with a foreign music culture and pull themselves out of their comfort zones to travel and learn to play? Learn about the perspective Irish music has offered Guillermo Del Val Rodriguez, Santiago Molina, Gregor Brinkschulte, Alasdair Fraser, Rolf Wagels, Kerstin Otten, Brent Cassidy, Andy Xuhang, Alex Navar, hatao, Geoffrey Lim, Ted Cizadlo, and Andy Linton.
There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below.
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Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Ryne VanHorn, Dan Kaufman, Finn Agenbroad, Rex Edwards, Michael Craine, Bruce Douglas, Nancy Kearney, Paul Fackler, Art Costa, Linda Hammond, Chris Murphy, David Vaughan, Gerry Corr, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvik, and one anonymous donor.
Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!
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Read about the Irish flute mask (mentioned in the episode) by Lisa Danforth HERE
And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami, with support from Tomoaki Hatekeyama HERE.
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Music Heard on IMS Episode 40
all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated
Tune: “Migratory,” from tricolor BIGBAND
Artist: tricolor
Tune: “The Flight of the Earls (El Vuelo De Los Condes),” from Brotherhood of Stars (A Irmandade Das Estrelas)
Artist: Carlos Nuñez
Tune: “Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel,” from Living Room recording
Artist: Guillermo Del Val Rodriguez
Tune: “The Golden Ticket,” from The Western Star
Eric Merrill
Tune: "Para Ani,” from Historia
Artist: Santiago Molina with Félix Pérez guitar
Tune: “Foliada!” from Ports of Call
Artists: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
Tune: “G Meditation,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Heartstrings Theme,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Masters of Consequence,” from Horizon
Artist: Cara
Tune: “Bb Intro,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Little Bird Lullaby,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “44 Mill Street,” from The Blue Dress
Artist: Shannon Heaton, Maeve Gilchrist, Paddy League
Song: “Ich weiß ein fein brauns Mägdelein,” from Duo
Gudrun Walther & Jürgen Treyz
Tune/Song: “Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow”
Artist: Droichead
Tune: “Celtic Grooves,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Nocturne,” from Songs From a Secret Garden
Artist: Secret Garden
Tune: “Larry Lavin’s Choice,” from Galleon Flute Demo Video
Artist: Blayne Chastain
Tune: “Planxty Fitzgerald,” from Traditional Irish Music on pipa guitar, live at Bray Mermaid Arts Centre
Artists: Liu Fang and Michael O'Toole
Tune: “Celtic Grooves,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Triumph Theme,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
“Midnight Walker,” from Celtic Graces: A Best of Ireland
Artist: Davy Spillane
“Desvairada,” from Brazilian Choro he posted on YouTube (used with permission)
Artist: Cillian King
Tune: “月をさがして” (Looking for the Moon) from Songs of Raindrops and Breeze
Artists: hatao & nami
Tune: “Grupai Ceol Theme,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Polkas,” from Mapo FM
Artist: Seul-Ki and Ceoltoiri Korea
Song: “Runaway,” from Forgiven, Not Forgotten
Artist: The Corrs
Tune: “Belle of the South Shore,” from B&B
Artist: tricolor
Tune: “D Mutey Big Build,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Out on the Ocean,” from Live In Seattle
Artists: Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill
Tune: “Woo Dr Hythm,” from This is How we Fly
Artist: This is How we Fly
Tune: “The Banshee, Swinging on a Gate,” from Live at the Welsh Dragon
Artist: Wellington Slow Session
Tune: “Twins' Dance Party / Sylvia's & Mikey's Reels,” from Raven
Artists: John Williams & Dean Magraw