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
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Episode 81-Mapping the Perfect Maze (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). In keeping with the IMS mission, she also incudes stories that helped her navigate the whole project. For installment #1 host Shannon Heaton talks about finding her way through a tangle of old files (and political news) by writing stories. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to
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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...
info_outlineLearning just a few words in Gaelic is mannerly when visiting Ireland and Scotland. And it can be a way IN to cultural values and humor. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Séamus Ó Flatharta, Ciarán Bolger, Michael Coult, Julie Fowlis, Mary Jane Lamond, and Brian Ó hAirt help me understand connections between language and music. And how songs in Irish and Scottish Gaelic transmit emotion, carry history, and lift people up.
There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below.
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 Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE
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Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Jane Knight, Tinka, Roland Hebborn, Marina Poggemann, Emil Hauptmann, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvick, Suezen Brown, John Plock, Joel DeLashmit, and Gerry Corr
Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!
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Music Heard on IMS Episode 46
All music traditional, unless otherwise indicated
Song: “Déirín Dé - The Last of the Light,” from Blackthorn: Irish Love Songs - An Draighneán Donn: Amhráin Grá
Artist: Susan McKeown
Song: “A Mhairi Bhoidheach,” from Lan Duil
Artist: Mary Jane Lamond
Song: “Puirt-À-Beul Set: Fodor Dha Na Gamhna Beaga” from Gach Sgeul / Every Story
Artist: Julie Fowlis
Tune: “Chimes,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Song: “Amhrán Pheadair Bhreathnaigh,” from Local Ground
Artist: Altan (feat. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh)
Song: “Liontar Duinn an,” from Down the Green Fields
Artist: Bua (feat. Brian Ó hAirt)
Song: “Dh’ eirich mi moch madainn cheòthar,” from alterum
Artist: Julie Fowlis
Song: “Báidín Fheilimí,” Irish Songs We Learned at School, Ar Ais Arís!
Artist: John Spillane
Tune: “Dark Low Jig,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Meaning of Life,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Bb Intro Groove,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Song: “An Mhaighdean Mhara,” from Island Angel
Artist: Altan (feat. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh)
Song: “Live Clip,” from The Burren Pub
Artist: High Time
Song: “An Tiarna Randal,” from Sunda
Artist: Hightime
Tune: “Grupai Ceol Theme,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Slip Jig Dreams,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Song: “Enach Cuain,” from The Road From Connemara
Artist: Joe Heaney
Song: “O Conamara,” from Live at Dean Cetner-Performing Arts
Artist: Hightime
Tune: “Triumph Theme,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Pound the Floor,” 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: “Washington Post March,” from Have A Little Faith
Artist: Bill Frisell
Song: “Dh’èirich Mi Moch Madainn Cheòthar,” from alterum
Artist: Julie Fowlis
Tune: “After Hours Theme,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Song: “Beidh Aonach Amárach (There's a Fair Tomorrow),” from The Best of Altan - The Songs
Artist: Altan (feat. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh)
Song: “Touch the Sky,” from Brave (Original Score)
Artist: Julie Fowlis
Tune: “Chimes,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton
Song: “A ghoul leig dhachaigh dam nmhàthair mi,” from Gach Sgeul / Every Story
Artist: Julie Fowlis
Song: “A Mhorag 's Na Horo Gheallaidh, from Lan Duil
Artist: Mary Jane Lamond
Song: “Air a' Ghille Tha Mo Rùn (It is the Lad that I Love),” from Seinn
Artists: Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac
Song: “Chi Mi Na Morbheanna,” from Mouth Music
Artist: Talitha MacKenzie
Tune: Tune For Mairead & Anna Ni Mhaonaigh,” from Liz Carroll
Artists: Liz Carroll and Dáithí Sproule
Tune: “Seinn O,” from Suas e!
Artist: Mary Jane Lamond
Tunes: “Ifearnáin,” (Boys of Ballisoaire) from Suna
Artist: Hightime