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Best Celtic Music of 2009

1. Matt and Shannon Heaton – Lovers’ Well – songs and tunes which invite you to reflect on love as both fleeting and eternal
2. Tommy Sands with Fionan and Moya Sands – Let the Circle Be Wide – justice, history, landscape, and family ties from top poet and singer from County Down, with his son and daughter
3. Liz Carroll and John Doyle – Double Play - fiddle and guitar in good conversation
4. Cherish the Ladies -  Star in the East – sparkling new holiday offering from this well seasoned and always worth listening to band
5. Denis Carey – Moving On – very fine piano based instrumentals which may well become classics of the tradition fromTipperary composer.
6. Stephanie Makem and Tiarnan O Duinchinn - Ceol Is Píob – elegant uillean pipes from O Duinchinn, fine singing from Makem, who is, yes, part of that well known musical family from Armagh
7. The Unwanted – Music from the Atlantic Fringe - Ireland and America meet in music in well chosen set of tunes and songs
8. Pride of New York – Pride of New York – trad with a New York edge from Joanie Madden, Brendan Dolan, and friends
9. Bua – An Spealadoir – high energy and spot on playing from Irish American quintet from the US midwest
10. The Green Fields of America – The Green Fields of America – Athena Tergis, Mick Moloney, John Doyle — those are just three of the fine and unique talents who trade tunes and songs. melody lines and harmony, on this recording

Bonus Albums
You may have seen Hanneke Cassel or Sara Milonovich backing up top Irish musicians out on the road, or heard them on studio recordings by artists ranging from Cathie Ryan to Pete Seeger. Each has a new solo album out now, well worth your consideration. Milonovich’s recording, Daisycutter, tends toward Americana and showcases her strengths as a singer. Cassel’s latest disc features her always adventurous and fiery take on fiddle tunes, be they her own, ones from Scottish tradition, and on this album one she learned on her travels to China. The recording is called For Reasons Unseen.

Kerry Dexter writes about the arts at Music Road. and is an independent writer, editor, and photographer in the US and Ireland. She’s music editor at WanderingEducators.com, long time contributing writer to world music magazine Dirty Linen, and former folk music editor at VH1. Her work has appeared in Strings, Ireland and the Americas, Symphony, Songwriters Market, and The Dictionary of American History, among other publications.

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Our Irish and Celtic Music Picks Are Getting Some Attention

In the last few months, Kerry Dexter has told us about Three Irish & Celtic Albums You Should Experience and Three MORE Irish & Celtic Albums You Should Experience.

Clearly, she’s got an ear for great music because several of her picks have gotten some big attention recently.

Dual with Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh’s is up for a Scots Trad Award. This is a notable honor, and you can help choose the winner. See all the nominees and vote at www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards/nominations2009_info.htm.

Word also has it that Tommy Sands‘ Let the Circle Be Wide is on the shortlist for a Grammy nomination! You can listen to an interview with Tommy over at www.EngagingIreland.com.

While we’re at it… I should mention that the 2010 Songwriter’s Market: Where & How to Market Your Songs includes interviews with Cathie Ryan and Matt and Shannon Heaton… they were on Kerry’s recommendations as well!

Keep up the good work, Kerry!

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22nd Video from the Road

Our visit with Anne Roos from www.celticharpmusic.com.

Anne had so many good bits to share, we’ve also got an Extended video that includes Liam singing along with Anne’s playing. Good stuff.

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Mermaids & Mariners by Anne Roos – Giveaway Day 2

Anne Roos Celtic Harp CD &
24-Page Hardcover Book
“Mermaids & Mariners”

Today’s prize features the beautiful Celtic Harp music of Anne Roos and her CD/Book “Mermaids & Mariners.”

Tunes about the mysterious draw that mermaids and the sea have on mariners. Traditional and original music arranged by Anne for both solo Celtic Harp and Celtic Harp within a small ensemble of instruments. This beautiful CD filled with sea ballads and shanties is packaged inside a 24-page, hardcover book containing a bounty of illustrations and tales about life at sea and the lost loves of those who sail on its waves and swim at its depths.

This recording also features Dorothy A. Hawkinson on fiddle, Alan Fuller on guitar, Michael Frost on viola, and Riggy Rackin on concertina.

It’s available at www.celticharpmusic.com for $17.95.

This prize goes to Maggie Hume from Clifton Park, NY! We’ll be seeing a few other gifts from Anne later in the month, so if you weren’t picked, there’s still another chance to win.

Tomorrow’s gift: somethings for you to wear. Not signed up? Visit http://irishfireside.wordpress.com/free-stuff/

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59 Irish Turf & Free Stuff

Episode Guide – Podcast #59 Irish Turf & Free Stuff

We’re giving away FREE STUFF and chat with the master of Irish Turf Incense. CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON below to listen.

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Show Notes

00:00
Intro – Opening song: “The Devil’s Bit” Theresa Larkin and Noel McQuaid

00:22
Visit www.podcastawards.com and vote for the Irish Fireside for favorite Travel Podcast and the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast for best Podsafe Music. You can vote once every 24-hours, so visit every day until Thursday, Nov 6.

01:21
FREE Stuff – Sign up for our drawing for all kinds of great FREEBIES at www.irishfireside.wordpress.com/free-stuff

01:35
Irish Fireside Holiday Gift Guide – send us your ideas for great Irish and Celtic gifts – www.irishfireside.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/its-holiday-gift-guide-time/

02:08
Support the Irish Fireside – We need help paying for shipping on the all the free stuff we’re giving away. Make a contribution at www.irishfireside.com/contribute.html

03:13
TravelBlog Headlines at www.irishfireside.wordpress.com: Ryan Air €10 flights across the Atlantic (www.ryanair.com) and Magners Irish Film Fest (www.irishfilmfestival.com/BIFFhome.html)

05:13
Interview with Joannes Berkery: Gifted Hand: Irish Turf/Peat Incense at www.turfpeat.com

12:47
Bostrom Brothers play “Be Thou My Vision” from their album “Electric Stew” at www.thebostrombrothers.com.

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