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_outlineWhat happens when ‘trad’ musicians are ALSO fluent in non Celtic traditions? When you’re dealing with cultural traditions (with all the music and the community and social expectations), how do you manage without fumbling or getting sacked? Host Shannon Heaton explores the art and sport of playing on different teams with Paddy Panayotis League, Maeve Gilchrist, Andrew Finn Magill, Hanz Araki, and Nicole Rabata. And revisit February 3rd, 2019… Superbowl 53…. the day Boston, Massachusetts made history.
Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below.
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Special thanks to Asa Duffee, Sharon Murphy, Kevin Doyle, Mark Haynes, Lynn Cox, David Vaughan, Gerry Corr, Brian Benscoter, and Joe Garrett for supporting this episode. for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music.
Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!
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Music Heard on IMS Episode 27
all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated
Tune: “My Love is in America,” from dearga
Artists: Matt & Shannon Heaton
Tune: “D Big Build,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Tune: “Crowley’s,” (reel), from Milton Ceili
Artist: Joey Abarta (pipes), Nathan Gourley (fiddle), Natasha Sheehey (accordion), Devin McCabe (piano), Paddy League (drums); field recording by Kieran Jordan
Tune: “Travel Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Tune: “Little Bird Lullaby,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Tune: “Midnight Sojourn Intro,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Tune: “Sarki Syrto,” from Traditional Music and Songs From Kalymnos
Artists: Paddy Panayotis League, Irene Karavokiros & Michalis Kappas
Song: “Roisin Dubh,” from The Man of Songs
Artist: Paddy Tunney
Tune: “Dark Low Jig,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Song: “Asa Branca,” from O Nordeste Na Voz de Luiz Gonzaga
Artist: Luiz Gonzaga
Tune: “Meaning of Life,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Tune: “99 High,” (polka by Randal Bays) from The Blue Dress
Artist: Shannon Heaton
Tune: “Waimea Rising,” from Vignette
Artists: Maeve Gilchrist & Viktor Krauss
Song: “Gringo De Sunga,” from Brazilian Strings Trio
Artists: Ted Falcon, Andrew Finn Magill & Nando Duarte
Tune: “Grupai Memories,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Song: “A Beautiful Ending,” from Branches
Artist: Andrew Finn Magill
Tune: “Travel Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Tune: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” from November 9 2013 Veteran’s Day Parade
Artist: Camas High Marching Band, recorded by daveincamas, licensed under the Attribution Noncommercial License
Song: “Valentine O’Hara,” from Foreign Shore
Artist: Hanz Araki
Song: “E Ten Raku,” from Field Recording
Artists: Koto 5 & Koto 6
Tune: “ Come West Along the Road” (Reel), from Field Recording
Artists: Various Session players, recorded at a house party in Melrose, Mass
Song: “Our Captain Cried,” from At Our Next Meeting
Artist: Hanz Araki
Song: “Mon Ran Dawk Kam Tai,” from Tell You in Earnest
Artists: Matt & Shannon Heaton
Tunes: “Armorica/Laridé/Les Vieux Loudéacs,” from Armorica
Artist: Nicole Rabata
Tune: “Pound the Floor,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Song: “Nansai Og Ni Obarlain,” from Triptych
Artists: Laura Risk, Kieran Jordan & Paddy League
Song: “Um a Zero,” from Benedito Lacerda e Pixinguinha
Artists: Benedito Lacerda e Pixinguinha
Tune: “Aunt Jane’s Trip to Norway,” from The Blue Dress
Artist: Shannon Heaton
Tune: “Bb Intro Groove,”from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories
Artist: Matt Heaton guitar
Song: “The Creel / Out the Door and over the Wall,” from The Missing Liberty Tapes
Artist: Paul Brady
Tune: “Imperial March,” from The Auburn University Marching Band, Highlights of the 1998 Season
Artist: Auburn University Marching Band & Dr. Richard D. Good