Irish music
Bedford céilí dancers celebrate
 Bedford’s Irish Céilí Dancers celebrated their 25th birthday in their present home — a small hall in the Barkers Lane area of the town which they occupied in 1980.
But it does in fact go back to 1960, when the first group got together to put on a short demonstration at the Bedford River Festival.
 Now, a group of some 18 get together as often as they can, céilí dancing, having meetings and thoroughly enjoying their evenings. Eileen Breeze (whose parents are from Tipperary and Wexford) said: “We do have a lot of fun and everyone enjoys turning up. It’s also a great thing that we have a number of young people who are showing a great deal of interest.”
Eileen, along with Paul Wheatley, runs this Bedford group, which is going from strength to strength.
Glenside album offers nostalgic trip down radio’s memory lane
Glenside Irish Classics
 There's an opportunity for a trip down memory lane with a new CD from Glenside called Glenside Irish Classics.
It features 20 classic songs that were broadcast on Waltons’ enormously popular Saturday afternoon radio programme which ran from the 1950s to the 1970s.
The songs have been unavailable for the past 25 years and are sure to lift the spirits of the radio listener with their infectious melodies and wonderful lyrics, taking you back to a more innocent and carefree Ireland of days now gone.
Many Irish people, whether living at home or abroad, will recall with a certain nostalgia what was once the most famous sentence in Irish music: “If you feel like singing, do sing an Irish song”.
From 1952 to 1981 it was the sign-off of one of Ireland’s best-known broadcasters, the late Leo Maguire. He presented a weekly live programme of Irish popular music on Radio Éireann.
The new CD features performances by Joe Lynch, Mary McGonigle, Charlie McGee and Noel Purcell. It includes songs such as The Whistling Gipsy, The Dublin Saunter and The Homes of Donegal all of which became instant hits at home in Ireland and among Irish communities all around the world.
All the songs on the new CD were composed, recorded and published in Ireland. The record company is proud to have used the talents of Irish composers, musicians and arrangers.
The Well of Tradition (Tobar an Dúchais)
Bríd O’Donoghue has long been recognised as one of Ireland’s finest whistle players, having had the good fortune to be born into a very rich musical community. Many of her near-neighbours and immediate family were all brilliant musicians including her uncle J.C. Talty, Bobby Casey, Thady Casey, Junior Crehan, John Fennell, Joe Cuneen, Michael Falsey, and Paddy Galvin. She was a regular visitor to the Willie Clancy household and he recognised her musical ability and gave her much of her early tuition and encouragement.
This unique solo recording will make Bríd deservedly known to a larger audience and give further testimony of the rich musical heritage of her native West Clare. It will be of interest to lovers of music everywhere and is a worthy tribute to a very brilliant and gifted musician. It is a tribute to all involved and gives a portrait of a unique musician playing the music of her own rich heritage.
The music on this 15-track album was selected for its associations with the people Bríd learned from, making it a very personal recording. It is often said Irish traditional music is the music of people and places. If ever there was an album that reflected that, this is the one.
On this beautifully spaced recording the humble tin whistle in the hands of this master musician becomes a wonderful instrument which can produce music of the highest calibre. Uncluttered and unencumbered by any accompaniment, the artistry of the musician and the beauty of the music are allowed free rein and will have pride of place in many traditional fans music collection. |
