Wine, a woman and song

Eithne Ni Chathain provided some lovely playing and singing during the wine reception which brought the first day of the Development's Future conference to an end. Eithne, who has played with Kildare musician Luka Bloom, can be heard on her MySpace website.

The wine reception was the first chance to draw breath and finally meet some of the interesting people attending the conference. Alas all too short as people had to rush off to meet up with friends, family, lovers.

The Crane Bar

Thanks to Ann Masterson at the conference for pushing me in the direction of the Crane Bar and far from the madding crowd in Galway. Superb pub with great music. I was only in the dowstairs for the one night but the multitude of talent that was on display was very impressive indeed. And it wasn't confined to the musicians in the session. There was many a rousing song from some of the patrons standing at the bar. Great stuff!

Dancing with Lunasa

One of my favourite memories is making an almost two thousand kilometer round trip from NSW to South Australia to take my two children, Callum and Imogen, to see the marvellous Lunasa at Womadelaide earlier this year. Lunasa, a band steeped in the rural tradition, put on a storming session in front of thousands just as the sun was going down. We danced and danced all night. Funnily enough, Lunasa was started by our very own Trevor Hutchinson of Cookstown. Few people around the town seem to know that, even fewer seem to care but that's Cookstown. Anyway, if you haven't heard Lunasa before I strongly recommend them.

Kila, another favourite and interesting band, have just brought out a new album, Gambler's Ballet. If it is like all their other albums it should be well worth a listen.

Finally, I caught the tail-end of ther Transatlantic Sessions on RTE last week which included excellent performances by Paul Brady and Sharon Shannon. It really was playing and enjoyment of the highest order. I am told that the 'Sessions' are not available on DVD because of 'contractual arrangements'. That's a real shame but there is always YouTube. This excerpt has Maura O'Connell with Nanci Griffith playing 'Trouble in the Fields' (and that looks like Danny Thompson in the background on double bass). Just type in 'Transatlantic Sessions' and watch the feast.

'Celtic Neighbours'

The CarnegieUK Trust has available a documentary which describes the work of 'Celtic Neighbours'. A sample of the documentary is available to view online and the entire multi-media package can be ordered from the Trust. The documentary describes a rural action research programme to address issues of isolation, service delivery and community planning in remote and peripheral areas against a cultural backdrop and in a conference gathering.

'The documentary was filmed at the 'Ceangal' Conference, which was hosted by our
RARP partners 'Celtic Neighbours' in November last year. The 'Ceangal'
(Connections) Conference was the first of three planned annual events. The aim
of these events is to combine elements of conference, cultural showcase and
gathering of grassroots workers. This conference was hosted by Ealann na
Gaeltachta and took place in Gaoibh Doire, West Donegal. It showcased examples
of some of the most exciting arts and cultural activity taking place in the
Gaelic world – both Ireland and Scotland – and in Welsh-speaking communities in
Wales.'

This is part of the Trust's larger Rural Action Research Programme (RARP)

Walk on the wild side

What a breath of fresh air A Dander with Drennan was when it screened on BBC2. Not watching much television this was a definite must see every Monday evening but now it is sadly finished. I do hope that the BBC are right this minute busy planning a follow-up series of Willie Drennan and his friends. Seeing Willie stumble on top of Slemish Mountain while trying to maintain his composure playing the lambeg drum was enough to get rid of those Monday blues. If like me, and my friends, you are suffering withdrawl symptoms you can always view excerpts from the show on You Tube or catch up with Willie's band, Nae Goat's Toe.

I'm a Dapper Dan man!

To be honest, the last time I attended the Annual Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park in 2003 I was far from impressed. This was shortly after the release of the magnificent, O' Brother, Where Art Thou?, and maybe my expectations were a little bit too high, given that the soundtrack to the film is equally good. Despite this, myself and a group of friends ventured back on Friday evening and I am very pleased to be able to say that the event and the music has improved dramatically. Not having any prior knowledge of any of the bands we were all agreed that we had seen something special in the Lovell Sisters and it would not surprise me if they become major stars of the bluegrass scene in the future. Also impressive were Sunnyside who seemed so happy just to be 'here back' in Omagh. Apparently they have been a big hit at prior shows. This Czech Republic bluegrass outfit provided some great music and laughs.