Episode 49: Ewen Baker Interview (Fiddle)

An absolute stoater! A Great Session = 'The maximum fun possible, every night!' From Dundalk to Belfast, and finding freedom in Edinburgh. Hamish Henderson and the wild nights in Sandy Bell's. Mike One-Shirt and Luke Plumb; Deaf Shepherd and the great encouragers like Cathal McConnell. The consolations of music. House sessions in Venice Beach, meeting the daughter of the man who wrote Thíos Cois na Trá, and so much more. Awesome. In this episode Nuala plays and sings... Kitty Gone A Milking Táimse Im' Chodladh The King's House (Scottish retreat march) The Flower of Magherally (from the singing of Cathal McConnell) Onwards and Upwards and Thíos Cois na Trá You can find Nuala's music here: https://www.nualakennedy.com/store And since we were talking about it - here's a link to Sandy Bell's in Edinburgh: https://sandybells.com/ Nuala mentioned meeting the poet (critic and activist) Hamish Henderson there once night. Here's a great bio of him from the Scottish Poetry Library: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/hamish-henderson/ Maybe his best known work is The Freedom Come All Ye - a great (GREAT) anti-imperialist song. Peformed here by (who else) Dick Gaughan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nLGKFTH5sw ...So come all ye at hame wi’ Freedom, Never heed whit the hoodies croak for doom. In your hoose a’ the bairns o’ Adam Can find breid, barley-bree and painted room. When MacLean meets wi’s freens in Springburn A’ the roses and geans will turn tae bloom, And a black boy frae yont Nyanga Dings the fell gallows o’ the burghers doon. Dick Gaughan, who I once saw play in the old BBC concert hall at 5 Queen Street, Edinburgh. Around the time when Nuala was hanging out just across town in Sandy Bell's. We seem to say this every week, but what a treat, this episode. Thanks Nuala. -- To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Irish Music Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

'I could play reels all night if I knew enough of them.' Country Sligo in the '50s and '60s, to London then Sydney. Father, mother and uncle playing the fiddle, learning at country house dances and 'having a go myself.' Ceili House on Radio Athlone, and looking forward to Friday night house dances. Falling in love with the accordion. Listening to the greats of the London scene; learning the box, digging trenches and labouring; Kentish Town and Holloway Road. Plenty of work in Sydney, and getting out and about playing for dancers. In this episode Jimmy plays: George White's and The Galway Rambler The Haunted House Set The Stone of Destiny The Sally Gardens and The Sligo Maid ('...two of the old favourites I learned when I was growing up...') The picture of Jimmy that we're using for this episode was taken by Ian Stewart - thanks for permission to use it, Ian. The players you can hear on the audio recorded at Tangambalanga are Jimmy, Joe Fitzgerald, Jamie Molloy, Jody Moran, Gerry McKeague, Edel McBride, Kit Joyce, Declan Simpson, John Joe Noonan, Paul Gallagher, Ian Stewart and others. Apologies to anybody I've missed - it was that kind of weekend. To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Irish Music Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

From Cavan to Glasgow. Party houses and late night tapes. Finding your feet in sessions that suit. Creating your own space to play. The Navvy poet Patrick MacGill, The Road Across The Hill, Newcomer and The Children Of The Dead End. In this episode we play: The Road Across the Hills Newcomer By and By Atone To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. To buy Gráinne's music go here: https://grainnebrady.bandcamp.com/ Visit her website here: https://www.grainnebradyfiddle.com/ And to follow on socials go here: https://facebook.com/grainnebradyfiddle https://instagram.com/grainnebradyfiddle https://twitter.com/grainnebrady https://www.youtube.com/user/bradyg6/featured The artist that I spoke about that designed Gráinne's covers is called Somhairle MacDonald and you'll find him here: https://www.somhairle.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/fatherofschmo/?hl=en Thanks fo much for this Gráinne. I can't wait to hear what's next. Cheers -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Irish Music Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

Tin whistle with Marian Egan (Flannery) in Hulme. Touring New Zealand and Australia. First banjos and joining Curragh. Toss the Feathers and choosing work over the road. The social side of learning. Joe and Jack Cooley and the lost tapes from America. The Love of Lucia, Kitty’s Twelve Roses and The Gort Mile. In this episode Angela plays: Port Chuilinn / The Munster Buttermilk / Bobby Casey's (Banjo jigs) The Coalminers / Patsy Toughey's / Finbar Dwyais (Tin whistle set) Flat Water Fran / Little Fair Cannavans (Tenor Guitar) The Rainy Day / My Margann / Coleman's Cross (Banjo reels) To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. To buy Angela's album 'The Gort Mile' go here: https://www.angelaushermusic.com/shop/ To read her beautiful liner notes go here: https://www.angelaushermusic.com/about-the-album/ To follow Angela online go here: https://www.facebook.com/ange.durcan -- Podcast Recommendations: At the top of the show Darren mentions a rake of podcasts he thinks are worth your time and money. Give them a whirl and let us know what you think. Irish Music Stories by Shannon Heaton: https://shannonheatonmusic.com/ims/ Tell Me A Story by Eddie Lenihan: https://shows.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan Fire Draw Near by Ian Lynch: https://campsite.bio/firedrawnear Blindboy Podcast: https://play.acast.com/s/blindboy Get Up In The Cool by Cameron DeWhitt: https://getupinthecool.fireside.fm/ That's it for another week. Angela thank you so much for all your time, chats and tunes. Cheers, -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

Irish Fenian rebellion prisoners and the songs of the last convict ship to Australia. Ned Of The Hill, John Boyle O'Reilly and Exile In The Kingdom. The Stardust Hotel and the birth of Drogheda Boxing Club. The London squat scene, Jamaican sound systems and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Secret Family Recipes and looking back at tradition with rose tinted glasses. No Bother. In this episode we hear: O'Niell's March Last Rose Of Summer Freedom - Exile In The Kingdom Ned Of The Hill Goodnight Sweetheart Make sure you check out Enda's ABC Australia documentary 'Songs of the last convict shi‪p‬'. You'll find it here on the ABC's site: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-history-listen/songs-of-the-last-convict-ship/12767044 If it's geo-restricted in your country you can listen as a podcast via Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/songs-of-the-last-convict-ship/id1337405260?i=1000495597902 You'll find everything you need to know about Enda's film work on his website, including the brilliant 'Secret Family Recipes' here: http://virusmedia.com.au/ Enda also sent us the video he made for Exile In The Kingdom back in the day. Exile In the Kingdom features Tony Conaghy, John Hodgins, Joe McCormack and Gavin Kierans. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeWesoxGPE0&feature=emb_logo The book I mentioned about the socio-political effects and consequences of ecstasy and rave culture is called 'Altered State: The Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House'. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/269851.Altered_State -- To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

Buying your first guitar with your confirmation money. Playing 182 tunes in two hours. Winning Réalta agus Gaolta. Cutting your teeth in Raglan Road Orlando. Finding a mentor in Kíla's Rónán Ó Snodaigh. Translating the craic. Avoiding the abyss of lockdown and a casual Disney Princess flex. In this episode Maċa play: Devil's Den Something Blue Feel Like Home Call On You Buy Maċa's new album 'Spiral' here: https://macaofficial.com/ Follow them on the socials here: https://www.facebook.com/macaceol https://www.instagram.com/ceol.maca/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1L87VSmApBE1phXvDw8g Catch Maċa live during the Irish Music Magazine's St. Patrick's Day From Home Facebook Live gig. https://www.facebook.com/events/2823877824517871 Finally here's that link to the Paddy Glackin and Jolyon Jackson 'Hidden Ground' album I mention at the top of the podcast. NOT TO BE MISSED! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UTjsLyEgog&ab_channel=PereGrino To listen, stream or download this episode simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. Saoirse, Naoise and Ciara thank you so much for everything getting this chat together. Legends! Cheers, Darren -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

Finding Michael Jackson in the Blue Mountains after ten years in a Buddhist Bush community. A year of four hour nights. Mozart with a Sligo lilt. Ten hour train trips for one hour lessons. Scottish baroque music, modal tunes, violin d'amore, and combining art music and folk music. Catch Shane Lestideau in Queenscliff during the Boxwood Festival from the 19th to the 21st of Feb 2021. Joining Shane at Boxwood are Maggie Carty, Máirtín Staunton, Andy Rigby, Aifric Boylan, Chris Norman and Coral Reid. For tickets, online registration and Zoom Huddle info, go here: www.boxwood.org In this episode Shane plays: Capricorn Rising Castle Kelly's / The Ivy Leaf / The Otter’s Holt / The Glass of Beer The Horseman's Port Tam Lin / The Juggler Sonata on the Lea Rig To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. To Find out more about Shane go here: https://www.shanelestideau.com/ To follow Shane online go here: https://www.facebook.com/shane.lestideau/ Shane, thank you so much for this. Cheers, -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

Stiff Little Fingers, punk rock, rebel songs and finding your tribe. Getting your head shard. Good listening makes good music. An Achill Island session and a musical awakening. Losing good friends and finding solace in music. GameStop, countercultures, DIY creativity, Inflammable Material, and of course, The Irish Mandolin... 1-2-3-4! In this episode Aidan plays: My Singing Bird / The Bird In The Bush Junior Crehans / Nightcap McQuillans Hill (Original) Michael Gregory's (Original) Kilnamona Barndance (From the playing of Martin Hayes) To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. Please make sure you head over to Aidan's website, it's well worth the visit: https://theirishmandolin.com/ While you're at it make sure you follow Aidan on Twitter: @TheMandolin -- I bloody loved this chat Aidan. Thank you so much for sharing your stories, your tunes and for being the kick up the arse I needed to finally listen to The Stiffs. Legend! mandolinfluencer D -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

Digging into tunes. Paddy Jones. The Draoicht. Sports and music, and finding your place in both. Coaching basketball in Ireland and the Tralee Tigers. Carl Hardebeck, The Blind Bard of Belfast. The fiddle as an old person's instrument. Sliabh Luachra. Padraig O'Keeffe. Paddy on the Hardwood. Slow airs in sessions and New Mexico polkas. In this episode Rus plays: Westfort Gals The Pikeman's / Down The Glen (Marches) Farewell To Whiskey / The Dark Girl In The Blue Dress Leaving Lerwick (Paddy Jones Slow Air) Kerry Polka / Purple Lillies To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. You can find out more about Rus on his website here: https://www.rusbradburd.com/ You'll find Rus's book 'Paddy on The Hardwood' here or ask about it at your local book shop: https://unmpress.com/books/paddy-hardwood/9780826340276 Paddy Jones 6 YouTube videos. Absolutely worth a watch: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEMlutJrUsOZnj84sQ-aVbsTNpUxqw7pt During the interview Rus mentions Carl Hardebeck. This is a great piece about him here: The Blind Bard of Belfast: Carl Gilbert Hardebeck: https://www.historyireland.com/18th-19th-century-history/the-blind-bard-of-belfast-carl-gilbert-hardebeck-1869-1945/ -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast

The Liam O'Flynn Award. Digging into the Irish Traditional Music Archive. Ulster hunting songs and mummers. Hare coursing. Life in Lurgan County Armagh. The Ceili House and legend of Seamus Tansey. Prehistoric cairns and building on the tradition. The magic of the session and finding inspiration in the music. In this episode Barry Plays: The Holy Trinity Reels: Clancy from Clare / The Rambles of Ennis / Master Rowesome’s Of Sportsmen Bold The Chicken Gone to Scotland / Unnamed tune from Fintan Vallely Johnny Henry's To buy Barry's music go here: https://barrykerr1.bandcamp.com/ To find out more about Barry and his art fo here: https://www.barrykerr.com/ To follow Barry on socials go here: https://www.facebook.com/ceol1111 https://www.instagram.com/barry.kerr/ https://twitter.com/barrykerr1 To listen, stream or download simply click a link below: Our website: https://blarneypilgrims.com iTunes: https://apple.co/2A6tUPm Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3cPTkis Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eIwBFy Or alternatively, simply search your favourite podcast app for the Blarney Pilgrims. Barry, thank you so much, this was a blast. -- Become a Patron Saint of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast. We want the podcast to be free to listen to for as many people as possible. But without the support from at least some of you we couldn’t keep putting out an episode a week. That’s why we’re asking you to become a Patron (Saint) of the podcast. www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims So, for the price of a pint, or a half pint for that matter, you can help keep this show on the road and be safe in the knowledge you have a halo above your head. For your good deed you will secure your place in traditional Irish music podcast heaven. But most importantly, you’ll have helped pay for the other 99% of listeners that don’t or can’t chip in. And that, my friend, is a hell-of-a-nice thing to do. Darren & Dom www.blarneypilgrims.com www.patreon.com/blarneypilgrims www.facebook.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.instagram.com/blarneypilgrimspodcast www.twitter.com/BlarneyPodcast