Monday, September 9, 2013

Féile Frank McGann 2013

English: Entrance to Strokestown Park Strokest...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
October 11th – 13th, 2013

www.Feilefrankmcgann.com

Strokestown Kitchen Session to be recorded for 1st Time

With the 11th Annual Féile Frank McGann getting ever closer, the Féile committee have announced details of the ‘Kitchen Session’ that traditionally takes place in the Victorian galleried kitchen in Strokestown Park House. Taking place on Friday 11th, the “Kitchen Session”, an idea conceived by the Féile Frank McGann team, will deliver yet another memorable night at this very special venue. With the kitchen fire lit, the lights down low and complementary glasses of wine, the atmosphere is one of warmth and intimacy – definitely an experience not to be missed!

This year’s ‘Kitchen Session’ will feature two Roscommon legends of traditional music, Banjo and Flute player, John Carlos and Button Accordion maestro, Jimmy McGreevy. Both musicians knew Frank McGann very well and played at many sessions with Frank in Roscommon, Dublin and around the Country.

A unique feature of this year’s ‘Kitchen Session’ is that, for the first time, it will be recorded before a live audience. One of the Féile Committee members, Brian McGann, commented that the recording of this session will allow the unique experience that is the Kitchen Session, to be captured and enjoyed by many who may not be able to attend in person.

It is especially fitting, said Brian, that the first session to be recorded will be with John Carlos and Jimmy McGreevy as they knew my late father so well and it will be a terrific opportunity to create a record of both these musicians playing together in their home County of Roscommon. It will be a truly memorable event and we’re all excited about it.

Féile Frank McGann was established to honour the memory of Frank McGann, a bodhran player and singer born in Lissalway, Co. Roscommon in 1923 and who sadly passed away in 2002. He was renowned throughout the length and breadth of Ireland within the traditional scene. The weekend, which takes place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th October, 2013, will be filled with sessions, planned and impromptu, all over Strokestown as the townspeople extend yet another warm welcome for true lovers of Trad.

Further details are available on the website www.Feilefrankmcgann.com or email: info@Feilefrankmcgann.com

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Seamus Tierney - Irish Flute

All Ireland winner Seamus Tierney plays two reels, 'Kiss the maid behind the barrel' and 'The morning thrush'.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Album release of all John McKenna’s music and background - Leitrim Observer


The current Leitrim traditional group in residence, Dónal Lunny, Seamus Begley and John Carty recently paid a visit to the restored home of the legendary flute player John McKenna in Tents, near Tarmon. These present masters of the tradition were visiting to hear about an exciting project to produce for the first time, through digital remastering, the total and complete discography of John McKenna.

The recordings span from 1921 to 1937 and some of this music is extremely rare and has never been heard before.

The legendary John McKenna is one of the most influential flute players in the history of Irish music. John was born in Tents in 1880, emigrated to the USA in 1909 and from 1921 to 1937 whilst living, working and raising a family in New York, he recorded an extremely important body of work in total forty four 78 rpm’s record sides. McKenna was a true master in his field and during his lifetime, his raw, earthy dynamic Leitrim style, allied with a rich tone, subtle melody variation and a beautifully unforced driving rhythm set a new benchmark for excellence. McKenna is of one of the most influential flute players in the history of Irish music and he attained an impact globally.