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Episode 47-The Myth of Tragedy

Irish Music Stories Podcast

Release Date: 11/10/2020

Episode 80-The Winning Hand show art 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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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 show art Episode 78-Tools of the Trad

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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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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 show art Episode 76-The Power of the Local Pub

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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 show art 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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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 show art 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 show art 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 show art Episode 71-Missed Manners

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More Episodes

How do new traditional Irish and Scottish tunes come together? How do composers conjure melodies? Composers Liz Carroll, Dáithí Sproule, and Katie McNally share thoughts on creativity, the tune writing process, and the myths behind the music.

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: Leslie Stack, Patricia P. Wilcox, Michael Craine, Mark Haynes, Emil Hauptmann, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvick, Suezen Brown, John Ploch, Joel DeLashmit, Let’s Learn Irish, and Ministry of Folk

Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!

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Visit IrishMusicStories.org

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Music Heard on IMS Episode 47
all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated

Tune: “Bold Doherty,” from An Traidisiún Beo
Artist: Angelina Carberry

Tune: “Golden Castle chimes… and Golden Castle,” from (Live in our Living Room)
Artists: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Tune: The Dark Island,” from Encore
Artist: Celtic Fiddle Festival

Tune: “The Anniversary Reel/Out for the Night,” from Out for the Night
Artist: Battlefield Band

Tune: “Pound the Floor,” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “The Wolf / The Duck,” from On the Offbeat
Artist: Liz Carroll

Tune: “Limerick Lift Off,” from (Live in our Living Room)
Artists: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Tune: “As The Crow Flies,” from Half Day Road
Artist: Liz Carroll

Tune: “After Hours Theme” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “Wild Swans at Coole,” from Living Room Demo
Artist: George Keith

Tune: “Wild Swans at Coole,” from The Music of Ed Reavy
Artist: Liz Carroll

Tune: “Little Bird Lullaby” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “Last of the Leaves,” from Half Day Road
Artist: Liz Carroll

Tune: “Liz’s New tune,” from Living Room Demo (with chords from the Lower Level)
Artists: Liz Carroll & Matt Heaton

Tune: “The Bag of Spuds,” from Notes From The Heart
Artists: Mick, Louise & Michelle Mulcahy

Tune: “October Tune,” from Living Room Demo
Artist: Dáithí Sproule

Tune: “Taylors Falls,” from The Crow in the Sun
Artist: Dáithí Sproule

Tune: “My Dearest Dear,” from Trian
Artist: Dáithí Sproule and Trian

Tune: “Acadia March,” from The Bloom of Youth
Artists: Childsplay

Tune: “D Chimes” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “Planxty Charles Bunworth” from Ireland: Crossroads Of Art And Design, 1690-1840 - The Music
Artists: Liz Carroll, Liz Knowles, Catriona McKay, Kieran O'Hare

Tune: “Mutey Big Build” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “Hometown Lullaby” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “8645,” from Living Room Demo
Artists: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Tune: “Lady Ginsberg,” from Living Room Demo
Artist: Katie McNally & Neil Pearlman

Tune: “Jenny Dang the Weaver,” from Instructional Video
Artist: Hanneke Cassel

Tune: “John’s Theme” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton

Tune: “Heartstrings Theme” from Production Music for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton