Giants of Trad Music Altan & Clannad Live Web Broadcast from the Fleadh Cheoil

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, in partnership with LiveTrad.com, will broadcast the first ever concert involving both Altan and Clannad live on the internet during this year’s Fleadh Cheoil.

The concert, which begins at 7pm GMT+1 on Thursday August 16th will be webcast in full on both www.FleadhCheoil.ie and www.LiveTrad.com and will take place at the Liberty Insurance Dome at Cavan Institute.

To convert to your Time Zone, click here). Altan and Clannad have been to the forefront of traditional Irish music for over 25 years. Both groups grew up in the rich musical traditions of their native Donegal, but incredibly, this is the very first time the groups will take to the stage together.

It promises to be an unforgettable night of music for those in attendance at The Dome in Cavan for this Fleadh highlight, and for those who want to log on from home, it couldn’t be simpler.
All you need to watch the concert online is a reliable broadband connection and up-to-date browser software. To check your connection and software now, go to www.LiveTrad.com/help.

Viewers will be invited to post messages and requests throughout the concert via the LiveTrad.com interactive message board, and we’ll have requests read out on air. There’s also the chance to win tickets for the concert as well as CDs signed by the musicians – check out LiveTrad.com for details.

This is the third year in a row that Cavan has hosted the Fleadh Cheoil, and LiveTrad.com has streamed live concerts from each of them. Having already streamed concerts with Dé Danann, Beoga, NicGaviskey as well as a number of live traditional Irish music sessions, this is the biggest online gig yet, a fitting way for the Fleadh Cheoil in Cavan to tip its hat to traditional Irish music fans worldwide in this, Cavan’s final year of hosting the Fleadh.

For any information on events taking place at the Fleadh Cheoil, the Twitter hashtags for the most up to date information are #Fleadh2012 and #Cavan.

We hope you can join us for this superb evening of music – Thursday August 16th 2012 from 7pm GMT – it’s free to air, select your Time Zone now.

Further Info: LiveTrad.com 086-2682455 (Production), 087-9329928 (Tech)

Related show

• Artist: Altan
• Date: Friday, 10 August, 2012
• Time: 8:30pm
• City: Altan in Dún Luiche, Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal
• Venue: Ionad Cois Locha
• Address: Dún Luiche, Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal
• Venue phone: 086-605-0110
• Country: Ireland
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Related show

• Artist: Altan
• Date: Saturday, 2 June, 2012
• Time: 9:30pm
• City: Altan in Ireby Wigton, Cumbria
• Venue: Ireby Festival
• Venue phone: 01697 371645
• Country: United Kingdom
• Age restrictions: All Ages
• Box office: 01697371645
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

“Altan’s music has always been true to the roots from which it has grown, always injecting something new as they approach a set of tunes, or something beautiful when Mairead’s voice floats over slow air or a love song. This new album combines all of the freshness that is characteristic of this great band, together with a rare depth and purity that can only come from the souls of superb musicians.”
-Bill Whelan

“Scholarly, sophisticated, equally spontaneous in session or in the studio, Altan, once more, enliven their great tradition, confound our expectations and draw us all home to Donegal.” - Stephen Rea, actor

“The twin peaks of Dermot Byrne’s accordion and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh’s voice and fiddle propel Altan into their 30th year. Byrne’s plaintive, high-lonesome tones define the shape of The Blackest Crow with Ní Mhaonaigh’s beatific vocals drawing the sorrowful tale ever skywards. Instrumentally, Altan have never sounded better or tighter. They’ve invited Belfast flute player Harry Bradley to join the fray, and his jagged-edged style adds a refreshing sharpness to several tunes, in particular the opening pair of slip jigs headlined by A Fig for a Kiss. Jimmy Higgins guests on bodhrán, punctuating tunes with his customary subtlety. Altan’s song choices are standouts in both Irish and English, and they commandeer the American ballad The Lily of the West as if it was a Gweedore native. This is richly layered musicianship shot through with a verve.” -The Irish Times

Lyrics

Caitlín Triall

The story of this song is about a man who falls in love with Cáitlín Triall, but sees her with another and is left forlorn.

Tá’n oíche seo sioc’s tá sí fuar,
Ó d’éalaigh mo ghrása le fear eile uaim
A ghrua deas lasta, ‘s bhéilín bhinn,
Is a Chití, a stór, tá mé breoite tinn.

Níl aonach nó margadh, dá bhfhuil ins an áit,
Nach bhfeicfinnse Cití ‘s í díol a cuid snáth,
Órú, scairtfinn isteach uirthi, ‘s bhuailfinn an clár,
Is a Chití na n’anam fán agam go lá.

Níl bó is níl bearra ‘s nil caora bhán,
Ó bhruach Loch Finne go Malaí ‘n tSléibh’ Bháin,
Nach dtabharfainn do Chití ar aon phóg amháin
‘Snach í a leigheasfadh an arraing teacht fríd mo lár.

Ó gheall tusa domhsa, is gheall tú faoi dhó,
Nach ndéanfainn mo mhalairt, anois nó go deo,
Nó go bhfaca mé Cití, ‘s fear eile ag ól,
Igcúl tom dreasóg ‘s mug leanna ‘na dhorn.

Níl toint ar mo chraiceann, nár lig mé le gaoth,
‘S má fhágfaidh mé an baile, ni phillfidh mé’choich’,
Tháinig lionndubh ar m’aigne ‘s d’athraigh mo chiall
‘S nach trom sin ar d’anamsa, a Chaitlín Triall.

‘S nach mé an fear mallaithe, ‘tá i ngrá le bliain,
Is go mbhfearr liom bean agam na go bhaca me ariamh
Na gur lig mé an greann is an chuideachta uaim,
‘S leanfaidh mé go h-éag thú mo Chaitlín Triall.

An Ghealóg

Our friend Martin Tourish wrote this lament to mourn a little bird, the bunting after it perished of the cold on a Winter’s night.

Chuala mé ceol ar ghaoithe an Gheimhridh,
Fonn binn beag álainn, go hard ins an speir,
Séirse is gáire , ‘s smaoinigh me ortsa
Binneas na Cruinne, a ghealóg mo chroí.

Cealóg do chéannacht, ‘s is geal í d’aigne,
‘S is géire an tsúl a fheiceann fríd an cheo,
‘S fearr ceobhrann scaití na géar-léargas gléineach
is amhlaidh an scéala do ghealóg mo chroí.

D’eitil tú siar, ‘s d’eitil tú soir,
Fríd scamaill, fríd shneachta ‘s an fharraige fhuar,
Leathnaigh an fhuacht ort a chúinigh do cheolsa
‘S d’fhág tu an saol seo ,a ghealóg mo chroí

Codlaigh a stóirín
Codlaigh a stóirín
Codlaigh a stóirín

Is casfaidh muid arís…..

Óró, óró…..

Cailín Deas Crúite na mBó

This very old love song describes how the poet falls for the pretty girl milking her cow and how dark his life would be without this beauty.

Tá bliain nó níos mó ‘gam ag éisteacht,
Le cogar doilíosach mo mheoin,
Ó casadh domh grá geal mo chléibhe

Tráthnona breá greine san Fhómhair,
Bhí an bhó bhainne chumhra ag geimneach

Is na héanlaith go meidhreach ag ceol,
Is ar bhruach an tsrutháin ar leathaobh domh
Bhí cailín deas crúite na mbó.

Tá a súile mar lonnradh na gréine,
Ag scaipeadh tré spéarthaibh an cheo,
‘S is deirge a grua ná na caortha,
‘Tá ar lasadh measc craobha na gcnó,
ta a béilín nios milse na sméara

‘ß is gile a leamhnacht a snó,
Níl aon oígbhean níos deise ar an tsaol seo
Ná cailín deas crúite na mbó.

Dá bhfaighinnse ard tiarnas na hÉireann,
Éadacha, síoda is sróill,
Dá bhfaighinnse an banríon is airde
Dá bhfuil ar an talamh seo beo,
Dá bhfaighinnse céad loingis mar spré dhomh

Píolaidí, caisleáin is ór,
B’fhearr liom bheith fán ar na sléibhte,

Le mo chailín deas crúite na mbó.
Muna bhfuil se I ndán domh bheith in eineacht,
Leis an spéirbhean ró dhílis úd fós
Is daoirseach dubh bhrónach mo shaolsa
Gan suaimhneas, gan éifeacht gan treo.

Ni bheidh sólas im chroí no im intinn,
Ná suaimhneas orm oíche nó ló,
Nó go bhfeice me taobh liom óna muintir,
Mo cháilín deas crúite na mbó.

Seolta Geala

My father wrote this song…Seolta Geala, White Sails…about taking to the high seas on a sailing boat with white sails and leaving the woes of the land behind.

Tógfaidh muid seolta chomh hard leis an ghaoth,
Seolta Geala,
Scaoilfidh muid scóid is ní phillfidh muid choích’,
Ach ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

Siar i gcéin, i bhfad i gcéin, gan léan, gan mhairg,
Scaoilfidh muid scóid is ní phillfidh muid choích’,
Ach ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

Fágfaidh muid slán ag ár gcairde is ár ngaol, cairde fíora,
Is slán agus beannacht le buaireamh an tsaoil,
Is muid ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

Siar i gcéin, i bhfad i gcéin, gan lean gan mhairg,
Is slán agus beannacht le buaireamh an tsaoil,
Is muid ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

Canfaidh muid rann is sinn ag imeacht le cóir, rann is binne,
Is inseofar scéalta nár insíodh go fóill,
Is muid ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

Siar i gcéin , i bhfad i gcéin, gan léan gan mhairg,
Is inseofar scéalta nár insíodh go fóill
Is muid ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

Aoibhinn an saol bheith ag seoladh go síor, saol is aoibhne,
Ár n-aghaidh ar an mhuir is ár gcúl leis an tír,
Is muid ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

Siar i gcéin, i bhfad i gcéin, gan léan gan mhairg
Ár n-aghaidh ar an mhuir is ár gcúl leis an tír,
Is muid ag seoladh thar farraige anonn.

The Lily of the West

I just came down from Lover’s Well,
Some pleasure there to find,
A handsome girl from Michigan
So pleasing to my mind.

Her rosey cheeks and sparking eyes,
This arrow’s pierced my breast,
And they called her handsome Mary,
the Lily of the West.

I courted her for many’s a day,
Her love I thought to gain.
But too soon she slighted me,
Which caused me grief and pain.

She stole away my liberty
And deprived me of my rest.
And they called her handsome Mary,
the Lily of the West.

As I roved out one evening,
Down by a riverside
I spied a lord of a high degree
Conversing to my bride.

He sang a song so merrily
Whilst I was so repressed.
And he sang to handsome Mary,
the Lily of the West.

I rushed up to my rival,
A dagger in my hand,
I tore her from his arms
And I boldly did him stab.

Being mad with desperation,
My dagger pierced his breast,
And I was betrayed by Mary,
The Lily of the West.

The Blackest Crow

The time draws near, my dearest dear,
When you and I must part.
You cannot know my grief and woe
In my poor aching heart,

‘T is how I suffer for your sake,
Believe me love it’s true,
I wish that you were staying here ,
Or I would go with you.

I wish my breast were made of glass,
Wherein you might behold,
Upon my heart your name lies wrote
In letters made of gold,
In letters made of gold, my love,
Believe me , when I say,
You are the darling of my heart,
Until my dying day.

And everyday will seem like two,
And every hour like ten,
I’ll lay and weep, forsake my sleep,
‘Til I see you again,
‘Til I see you again, my love,
There is no rest for me,
No dreams but those within my heart,
Of love, sweet love with thee.

And when you’re in some foreign land,
Pray think on your absent friend,
And when the wind blows high or low,
A letter to me send,
And when the wind blows high or clear,
Pray send it love to me,
That I may know by your handwrite,
Of times I’ve gone with thee.

The blackest crow ,that ever flew,
Would surely turn to white,
If ever I ‘d prove false to you,
Bright day would turn to night,
Bright day would turn to night, my love,
The elements would mourn,
If ever I’d prove false to you,
The seas would rage and burn.

With the RTE Concert Orchestra

Altan celebrate 25 Years playing together with this very special recording of their most popular tunes and songs with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

2009 – Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddle, vocals · Ciaran Tourish, fiddle, whistles, backing vocals · Ciarán Curran, bouzouki · Mark Kelly, guitar, backing vocals · Dermot Byrne, accordion · and the RTE Concert Orchestra

Conducted by David Brophy ·  Trad. Arrangements by Altan
Orchestral arrangements by Fiachra Trench

1. Is The Big Man Within? / Tilly Finn’s Reel
2. Cití na gCuman
3. The Roseville (comp. Dáithí Sproule)
4. I Wish My Love Was a Red Red Rose
5. Dónal agus Morag (additional lyrics, Proinsias Ó Maonaigh)
6. Mo Ghaoil (additional lyrics, Proinsias Ó Maonaigh)
7. Bog an Lochain / The Margaree Reel / The Humours of Westport
8. A Tune for Frankie (comp. Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh)
9. Molly na gCuach Ní Chuilleanáin
10. Soillse na Nollag (comp. Proinsias Ó Maonaigh/Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh)
11. As I Roved Out
12. The Sunset (comp. Cathal McConnell/Seamus Quinn)
13. Gleanntáin Ghlas Ghaoth Dobhair (lyrics comp. Proinsias Ó Maonaigh)
14. Comb Your Hair and Curl It / Gweebarra Bridge
15. Dún Do Shúil

All tunes Trad., except where noted

In recent years Altan have been exploring and experimenting with their music using orchestral arrangements of their most popular pieces. The arrangements have been scored by the highly respected arranger, Fiachra Trench and have been performed with the Ulster Orchestra, The RTÉ Concert Orchestra and with the Royal Scottish Opera Orchestra.

25th Anniversary Celebration features 15 of these orchestral arrangements, recorded in Dublin with The RTÉ Concert Orchestra and conducted by David Brophy.

Local Ground is Altan’s 10th studio album in the 20 years since they first came together as a band. Their musical friendships have been forged and proven in innumerable kitchen and pub sessions in Ireland and subsequently on folk club and concert hall stages throughout the world. They retain the energy and enthusiasm that originally shaped and propelled their music even after twenty years together. Their dynamic live shows continue to convey a pride and respect for a tradition the band love. This respect for their own roots is reflected in the title and content of their new album – Local Ground.

It is appropriate that the words “Local” and “Ground” are joined in the album title. Altan have always celebrated and valued the local in their music. Traditional music can be said to be of and from a place. This focus on the celebration of place is important to Altan. The band are always aware of their geographical and musical roots in Donegal way up in the north-west of Ireland. Donegal is strong in culture, music and language. It is a place of great beauty, and the rugged landscape is reflected both in the character of the people and in the music that those people make.

There is an unbroken and venerable tradition of fiddle-playing in Donegal. The music is played in homes, pubs and occasionally, more formally, on concert stages. This music essentially performs a social function: it entertains and enriches the local community. It is used for listening and for dancing. It can provide a backdrop for people to meet and talk. It is valued as being not just a rich form of personal human expression but also as acting as a form of social glue – it helps bring people together. It performs another important function in helping to strengthen local identity. The names of tunes can often carry the name of the person who played them (like Con McGinley’s Highland) locally or can commemorate a significant local event or place (The March of the Meenatoitean Bull, The Humours of Castlefin).

1. Éirigh ‘s Cuir Ort Do Chuid Éadaigh
2. Tommy Peoples/The Road To Cashel/The Repeal of The Union/Richie’s Reel
3. Is the Big Man Within?/Tilly Finn’s Reel
4. Adieu, My Lovely Nancy
5. Bó Mhín na Toitean/Con McGinley’s Highland/Seanamhach Tube Station
6. Amhrán Pheadair Bhreathnaigh
7. The Roseville
8. As I Roved Out
9. Spórt
10. The Humours of Castlefin/Nia’s Dance/An Dúidn
11. The Wind and Rain
12. The Silver Slipper
13. Dún Do Shúil (Close Your Eyes)

The Blue Idol is Altan’s eighth studio album. It was released in 2002 on the Narada label. The Blue Idol features guest artists such as Dolly Parton on “The Pretty Young Girl”, which was translated by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh’s father Proinsias, and Paul Brady on “Daily Growing”.

• Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddle, vocals
• Ciaran Tourish, fiddle, whistle, vocals
• Ciarán Curran, bouzouki, mandolin
• Mark Kelly, guitar, bouzouki, vocals
• Dermot Byrne, accordion
• Dáithí Sproule, guitar, vocals.
• With: James Blennerhassett, Paul Brady, Harry Bradley, Richie Buckley, Steve Cooney, Jim Higgins, Dónal Lunny, Neil Martin, Anna Ní Mhaonaigh, Liam O’Flynn, Dolly Parton
• Gary Paczosa – Engineer
• Alistair McMillan – Assistant engineer
• Amelia Stein – Band photography
• Shaughn McGrath/Four 5 One Design – Design

1. Daily Growing (Song)
2. Uncle Rat (Song)
3. Roaring Water (Jig)
4. The Pretty Young Girl (Song)
5. The Blue Idol (Jigs)
6. The Trip to Cullenstown (Jigs)
7. Cuach mo Lon Dubh Buí (Song)
8. Mother’s Delight (Reels)
9. The Low Highland (Highlands & Reel)
10. The Sea-Apprentice Boy (Song)
11. Sláinte Theilinn (A Health to Teelin) (Air)
12. An Cailín Deas Óg (Song)
13. Gweebarra Bridge (Slip Jig & Reel)

“After the experience of listening to The Blue Idol, one is left with deep satisfaction and the realization that Altan has achieved yet another triumph. This album will surely delight new listeners as well as seasoned fans and confirms Altan’s con- tinuing position as one of Ireland’s best traditional bands.” -FolkWorks, Los Angeles, September 2002

2000 – Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddle, vocals · Ciaran Tourish, fiddle, whistle, backing vocals · Dermot Byrne, accordion · Ciarán Curran, bouzouki · Mark Kelly, guitar, backing vocals  · Dáithí Sproule, guitar, backing vocals.

With: Bill Butt, Steve Cooney, Jerry Douglas, Jimmy Higgins, James ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson, Mick Kinsella, Dónal Lunny, Neil Martin, Niamh Nelson, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Mick O’Brien, Bonnie Raitt, Alan Smale, Gillian Williams.

1. Beidh Aonach Amárach (There’s a Fair Tomorrow)
2. Green Grow the Rushes
3. The King of Meenasillagh / Lamey’s / The High Fiddle Reel
4. Island Girl
5. Eoghainín Ó Ragadáin
6. Ten Thousand Miles
7. Gusty’s Frolicks / Con’s Slip Jig /
   The Pretty Young Girls of Carrick / The Humours of Whiskey
8. The Girl from the North Country
9. The Verdant Braes of Screen
10. The Dispute at the Crossroads/ Columba Ward’s / Siún’s Reel
11. Tiocfaidh an Samhradh (Summer Will Come)
12. The Ookpik Waltz
13. The Waves of Gola

Another Sky is the Altan’s seventh studio album. It was released in 2000 on the Narada Productions label.

The title derives from a line in Steve Cooney’s song Island Girl, which Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh sings on the album with Cooney himself as accompanist. The album features the Scots language song, Green Grow The Rushes by Robert Burns, as well as Bob Dylan’s The Girl from the North Country. A video was released for the Irish track Beidh Aonach Amárach. (see sidebar).

• Altan – Producer
• Conal Markey – Engineer
• Gary Paczosa – Mixer
• Doug Sax – Mastering
• Dave McKean – Design, illustration
• Paul McCarthy – Band Photography
• Jan Voster – Landscape Photography

1997 – Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddle, vocals · Dermot Byrne, accordion, melodeon · Ciaran Tourish, fiddle, whistle, backing vocals · Ciarán Curran, bouzouki, bouzarre, mandolin, backing vocals · Mark Kelly, guitar, bouzouki, backing vocals · Dáithí Sproule, guitar, backing vocals.

With: Steve Cooney, Pat Crowley, Jerry Douglas, Jimmy Higgins,
Alison Krauss, Dónal Lunny, Neil Martin, Matt Molloy.

1. Súil Ghorm (Song)
2. John Doherty’s Reels (Reels)
3. Caidé Sin don Té Sin? (Song)
4. Germans (Barn Dances)
5. Clan Ranald / J.B.’s Reels / Paddy Mac’s Reel / Kitty Sheáin’s (Strathspey / Reels)
6. I Wish My Love Was a Red Red Rose (Song)
7. Mazurka
8. Australian Waters (Jigs)
9. A Moment in Time (Song)
10. Ciaran’s Capers (Jigs)
11. Cití Ní Eadhra (Song)
12. Flood in the Holm / Scots Mary / The Dancer’s Denial (Reels)
13. Gleanntáin Ghlas’ Ghaoth Dobhair (Song)
14. Time Has Passed (Song)

Production

• Altan and Alastair McMillan – Producer
• Alastair McMillan – Engineer
• Conan Doyle – Assistant Engineer
• Brian Masterson – Mixer
• Dave McKean/Hourglass – Photography, Design

1996 – Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, fiddle, vocals · Ciaran Tourish, fiddle, whistle, backing vocals · Dermot Byrne, accordion, single row melodeon · Ciarán Curran, bouzouki, guitar-bouzouki · Mark Kelly, guitar, backing vocals · Dáithí Sproule, guitar, vocals.

With: Máire Bhreathnach, Annette Cleary, Steve Cooney, Conan Doyle, Jimmy Higgins, David James, Tommy Kane, Dónal Lunny, Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Anna Ní Mhaonaigh, Brendan Power

1. Johnny Boyle’s/King of the Pipers (Jigs)
2. Dark Haired Lass/Biddy from Muckcross/Sean Maguire’s (Reels)
3. ‘Stór, a Stór, a Ghrá (Song)
4. Strathspey/Con McGinley’s/The Newfoundland Reel (Strathspey & Reels)
5. Tá Mé ‘Mo Shuí (Song)
6. An Gasúr Mór/Bunker Hill/Dogs Among the Bushes (Hornpipe & Reels)
7. Molly na gCuach Ní Chuilleanáin (Song)
8. Jenny Picking Cockles/Farewell to Leitrim/John Doherty’s (Reels)
9. Ar Bhruach na Carraige Báine (Song)
10. The Dance of the Honeybees (Hornpipe)
11. Blackwaterside (Song)
12. A Tune for Frankie (Jig)

Blackwater is Altan’s fifth studio album, released in 1996 on the Virgin Records label. Three of the songs are sung in Irish. “Ar Bhruach Na Carraige Baine” is sung partly in English and in Irish. “Blackwaterside” is sung in English. The final tune is a tribute to Frankie Kennedy written by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.

• Brian Masterson – Producer, Engineer
• David Scheinmann – Photography
• The Design Corporation – Design