Programme: ComhaltasLive Programme #284
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- ComhaltasLive #284 (Full Programme)
To kick off the new year, this week we have selected some of the highlights from the earlier part of ComhaltasLive in 2008. We hope you enjoy these fine players, including Gerry O’Connor (banjo), the band Cruinniú, Ernestine Healy (concertina), Cathy Potter (harp), the Innisfree Céilí Band, Joe (button accordion) and Joannie Madden (flute), Felix Dolan (piano) and the Mulcahy family of Mick (button accordion), Louise (flute) and Michelle (fiddle).
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- ComhaltasLive #284-6: Mulcahy Family in Concert
We conclude the programme with a selection of jigs: “The Shaskeen Jig”, “The Humours of Castlefinn” and “The Carraroe Jig”, played by the Mulcahy family from Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick. Mick Mulcahy is on button accordion, Louise on flute and Michelle on fiddle. The music was recorded at the West Limerick 102 FM Concert in Abbeyfeale in November 2007.
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- ComhaltasLive #284-5: Joe and Joannie Madden
Sadly, the end of 2008 saw the passing of one of the most popular of Irish traditional musicians in the USA, accordionist Joe Madden. Joe emigrated from his native Co. Galway in 1956. This set of reels, featuring Joe, his daughter Joannie (one of the great exponents of the concert flute and leader of “Cherish the Ladies”) and Felix Dolan on piano was recorded in April 2004 at the Comhaltas North American Convention in Parsippany, New Jersey. Joe introduces the reels, including “The Caucus” and two which he learned from the playing of Mike Rafferty and Johnny Doherty. The wonderful rapport between himself and Joannie is evident in the music.
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- ComhaltasLive #284-4: Innisfree Céilí Band Barn Dance
2008 All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band champions, the Innisfree Céilí Band from Sligo play the “Peach Blossoms” barn dance. This clip was originally broadcast on ComhaltasLive in 2008.
Band members are: Cormac Mac Diarmada, Damian O’Brien and Oisín Mac Diarmada, fiddles; Máire Nic Dhiarmada Finbar McGreevy and David Sheridan, flutes; Paul Finn, button accordion; Oliver Loughlin, piano accordion; Charles O’Connor, piano and Daragh Kelly on drums.
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- ComhaltasLive #284-3: Ernestine Healy on Concertina
A set of reels commencing with “The Pidgeon on the Gate”, played on concertina by Ernestine Healy from Claremorris, Co. Mayo, with accompaniment on the harp by Cathy Potter from Co. Armagh. This selection was recorded at the Comhaltas Tour of Ireland concert in Birr, Co. Offaly in October 2007. This ComhaltasLive video clip was originally posted in early 2008.
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- ComhaltasLive #284-2: Cruinniú at Nyah
A selection of reels played by the group “Cruinniú” at the Nyah Festival in Cavan in March 2007. The first two reels, composed by Vincent Broderick, are “The Milky Way” and “The Crock of Gold”. The third reel is “The Green Mountain”. The Nyah Festival is organised each year by Cavan accordion player and teacher Martin Donohoe.
The members of the group are: Áine Bird (fiddle), Anne Marie Grogan (flute), Caitlín Ní Gabhann (concertina), Siobhán O’onnell (bodhrán and vocals), Jack Talty (piano) and Ryan Graham (guitar). Accordionist Damien O’Reilly was unavoidably absent on the night.
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- ComhaltasLive #284-1: Banjo Great Gerry O’Connor
To kick off the new year, this week we have selected some of the highlights from the earlier part of 2008. First, banjo maestro Gerry O’Connor plays two reels: “The Bag of Spuds” and “The Copperplate”, which were recorded in Gerry’s home town of Nenagh in October 2004, after the release of his CD “No Place Like Home.” Gerry is now in the final stages of completing his new CD.