The songs of Reg Meuross

There’s always a temptation at festivals to make sure you see the performers you know and love, and sometimes this means you miss out on other undiscovered treats.  I have to confess that at this April’s Costa Del Folk, Reg Meuross was not really on my radar, so I was unsure of what to expect from the Somerset based songwriter.  Then he appeared in one of the late night sessions, sat quietly somewhere near the back, and with gentle persuasion from some of the other sessioners, took out his guitar and blew me away.

Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne - Kind Providence

Niamh Parsons needs no introduction to readers of this magazine.  A singer with a voice to die for, it is unmistakable in its velvety rich, crystal clear and sensuously warm hues.  It has been ten long years since her last recorded offering - too many years many may argue – but the wait is over as she has recently released her sixth studio album, Kind Providence, with long-time collaborator, guitarist Graham Dunne.

John McCusker - 25 Years and still excited by music!

John McCusker - 25 Years and still excited by music!

I met with John in a cafe near his home in Innerleithen, in the gorgeous Tweed valley in the Scottish Borders, and we reminisced about our prior interview in 2002 and the cover of FiddleOn featuring his Mohican haircut. Despite being a member of Mark Knopfler’s band, performing for 20 nights at the Albert Hall and on a double bill with Bob Dylan at the Hollywood Bowl, he hadn’t changed at all.

Edel Fox - From Clare to Here

One of the rising stars of the traditional Irish music scene is concertina player Edel Fox, now resident in Waterford but originally from Miltown Malbay in County Clare, the home of the Willie Clancy Summer School and the town regarded by many as the Mecca of traditional Irish music.  In this article, Edel tells her musical story to The Living Tradition's Simon Haines.

John Kirkpatrick ...In conversation with Keith Kendrick...

Now then, it wouldn’t take a clever person to perceive that the most challenging part of producing an article on the mighty John Kirkpatrick would be finding something to say about him that hasn’t already been said by greater mortals than I. However, I am ready to accept the challenge with both humility and enthusiasm for John Kirkpatrick is, and has always been, one of my greatest inspirations as an English folksinger/musician.

Jimmy Crowley - Songs From The Beautiful City

In the preface to Jimmy Crowley’s new book, Songs From The Beautiful City: The Cork Urban Ballads, Mick Moloney describes him thus: “Jimmy hails from the most distinctive city of Cork on the banks of the fabled River Lee.  I don’t think Jimmy would mind being called ‘The Bard of Cork’.  Certainly no other Cork singer would or could possibly object to that title.  His commitment to the rich song tradition of his native city has been unwavering over the past four decades.

20 Years of Danu

Back in 2005, Issue 63 of The Living Tradition boasted a very fresh faced looking young band by the name of Danú.  Despite their youthful appearance, the band had already been on the road for almost ten years and had released six CDs to great critical acclaim.  In the accompanying article, Steve McGrail told the story of the band’s origins and how it came to be known as “a top-flight Irish traditional music band”.  As the article drew to a close, Steve reported that changes were afoot and that Danú planned to take a bit of a break due to changes in their personal circumstances.

Si’s matters! Si Barron – philosopher and punk purist!

Si Barron’s recent debut solo release, Sweet Billy Caution, is garnering plaudits aplenty. A “genially undersold yet distinctly magical CD” according to David Kidman’s review in LT104, and our editor admits to having “nearly worn the CD out listening to it – it is one of the best I have heard in a while”. Time for some investigation…