ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY

AIMS NEWS AND NOTES

AIMS News and Notes 7-11-2007 Arizona Irish Music Society
www.azirishmusic.com
Information Line: 602-770-8077
Signup - signup@azirishmusic.com
George L. O’Brien - george@azirishmusic.com
News - news@azirishmusic.com


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The Expanded Irish Cultural Center Gift Shop run by Pat & Patty McCrossan, the former proprietors of Ireland's Own, is now open from 10:30 am until 6 pm Tuesday through Friday and from 10:30 am until 3 pm on Saturday. It will also be open for any ICC special events. Call (602) 254-6094.

The Irish Cultural Center is at 1106 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Out and About

--- Anniversary Party At O’Connor’s This Sunday
--- Flagstaff Games July 21- 22

2. Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra At Scottsdale Center For The Arts On Wed., July 11
3. Siobhan O’connor Tobin Is At It Again...
4. Irish Music News Bands Update
5. Arizona Irish Cd’s
--- Leaving - The Mcmorrows
--- You Asked For It ( “Act One” And “Act Two”) - Oceans Apart:
--- Safe Home - Round The House
--- Suffering Is Optional - The Biffos
--- Parish Lantern - Billy Brett
--- Traditional Blend - Traditional Blend
6. This Week In Irish Music

1. OUT AND ABOUT

--- ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT O’CONNOR’S THIS SUNDAY

O'Connor's Pub 2601 W. Dunlap Phoenix 602-997-7714

1:00 PM Pat McCrossan
3:30 PM Shay Veno
6:30 PM Oceans Apart

Come help Jimmy O’Connor celebrate the 17th anniversary of the landmark pub of the Irish community.

--- FLAGSTAFF GAMES JULY 21- 22

Foxglenn Park
4200 East Butler Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
www.nachs.info/flagstafffestival.asp

Scottish games, clans, bagpipers, vendors, reenactments, workshops, music and dancers are featured at the 10th Annual Arizona Highland Celtic Festival.

Featured bands are Wicked Tinkers, Alex Beaton, Oceans Apart, The Knockabouts

Wed July 11, 2007
7:30 PM

Scottsdale Center for the Arts
7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
602-431-0095 www.arizonascots.com
Tickets $30 $20 Students $15

The AFO is a collection of dedicated young people who come together to keep alive the traditional music of Scotland.

Their music has entertained all over the world having performed in numerous locations, from rural community centres on the Isle of Skye to the Sydney Opera House, and from retirement homes in Oslo to the lawn of the White House

The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra was founded in August 1982 by Wallace and Lex Galbraith, who are both string instrument tutors in Ayrshire in South West Scotland, with the aim of encouraging and developing Scots Fiddle Music among local young musicians many of whom were, or had been their pupils.

The Orchestras has steadily matured since those early beginnings and now has 130 violinists, cellists, bass players and percussionists from 10 to 18 years old. The eminent Scots fiddler, and former member of the orchestra, Alistair McCulloch is now Musical Director of the AFO. Another former member Blair Parham joins him as part of the musical team.

Apart from two major concerts in Ayr at Christmas and midsummer, the Orchestra perform regularly throughout South Ayrshire and the West of Scotland, giving Charity concerts and providing musical entertainment at a wide range of corporate and civic events.

South Ayrshire Council have generously supported the Orchestra and in return, small groups provide a series of Ceilidhs in a number of rural communities in the area - eg. Barr, Barrhill, Ballantrae and Straiton.

International Tours have become a regular feature of the Orchestra's activities with the dual benefit of taking their particular brand of Fiddle playing to a wider audience and introducing the players to different cultures and customs. France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America - including the White House! - have resounded to their rhythmic playing over the past 10 Tours.

Following the success of the tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2003, the orchestra are heading west this summer to perform in the U.S.A once again.

3. SIOBHAN O’CONNOR TOBIN IS AT IT AGAIN...

George,

Hello,
Well I am at it again I have decided to repeat the 60 mile ~ Breast Cancer 3 Day walk!! Last November, I walked, crawled, and hobbled 60 miles over the course of three days. What an amazing and life changing experience!! I learned a lot over those three days. Most importantly, I learned that you can't do it alone. You need your friends (Lisa Hankal walked the 3 Day with me, she camped with me, she 'spooned' me when we were freezing our butts off in a very small tent on wet grass in below average temperatures - My girlfriend Wendy that participated in the Avon 40 mile walk in Denver, CO by herself to raise money and awareness for the cause...) and you need your family there to help you emotionally and physically (drag, push, pull and sometimes carry you).

I have friends and family members that have been affected by cancer and feel the desire to walk for the cure and spread awareness along the way I do it because in spite of the many blisters, sore muscles and rashes on the back of my legs from the dirt, I had a GREAT time. I do it because I can.

I can't do it alone though. I need your support.

The 2006 Breast Cancer 3 Day raised over 86 million dollars! The money that we raise makes a real difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer today and provides hope for tomorrow.

Thank you for supporting my journey. Thank you for recognizing that the fight against breast cancer continues. Thank you for your donation -- your gift will help save lives.

Slainte,
Siobhan O’Connor Tobin

4. IRISH MUSIC NEWS BANDS UPDATE

George O’Brien - Arizona Irish Music Society

In recent months there have been quite a number of changes in the Phoenix area bands. Here is an update of some of the changes over the past year or so. I hope I have included everything.

Biffos - This is the band formerly known as O’Carroll’s Gate that changed names in March. They include Brian O’Carroll (lead vocals and guitar), Robin Fisher (fiddle and vocals)., Rich Merriman (Bass Guitar), and Tony Maslowicks on drums. Brian and Robin also perform as Galway Bridge

Billy Brett - Billy Brett (vocals, guitar, and mandolin) now performs solo and teams up at times with fellow former The Clare Voyants fiddle player, Jane Hilton

Blackwood - There have been a number of personnel changes with Blackwood over the years and is now made up of Sven Henrich (vocals, guitar and flute), Sarah Houghtelin (bodhran), Billy Parker (mandolin and guitar), and will soon add Corey Ticknor (mandolin) who is returning to the band after spending the year in Canada. Sven Henrich also performs solo.

Brazen Heads - The Brazen Heads have made some changes since getting started in 2006. Fronted by Liam Mackey (lead vocals and guitar) with Roy Plisko (drums and vocals) continue, but have been joined by Mark Lanus (keyboard, accordian, flute, and saxaphone), Sean Markey (bass guitar), while Tim Sadow (fiddle) and Greg Kozak (fiddle and mandolin) alternate.

Celtica - This is a relatively new band fronted by Scott Jeffers that has mostly Irish/Celtic style. Scott also fronts the Celtic/Gypsy fusion band Traveler and performs solo at the Dubliner every Wed. where he does a wide range of material.

Four For Naught - This is the name given to the band formerly called Allanah fronted by Paul Knight. Paul was with The Clare Voyants for a number of years and has been performing solo every Wednesday at Into The Bean. The band includes Paul Knight (lead vocals and guitar), Robin Dodder (flute, whistle, and vocals), Tyler Coles (fiddle), Tristan Schwartz (mandolin), Monica Zazveta (percussion), and John Patel (bodhran). Four for Naught is expected to start playing on the pub scene beginning in late August.

Malcom Harris - Malcom Harris (vocals and guitar) has been performing solo in acoustic venues and folk festivals. Born in the north of England to a Scottish father and Irish mother, he has only starter performing regularly this year.

Paddy’s Peg Leg - This is a new acoustic style duo of Dan Agle and Chris Floyd. They have been performing at RT O’Sullivans on West Bell Rd.

Shay Veno - Shay Veno (vocals and guitar) is now performing solo

Tell Me Ma - This is the acoustic duo of Frank Mackey and Larry Z. This is Frank Mackey’s group that has been performing since the breakup of the latest version of Keltic Cowboys in April

Iain Walinck - Scottish born Iain Walinck (vocals and guitar) has begun performing solo on a regular basis and sits in part time with Blackwood.

5. ARIZONA IRISH CD’S

By George O’Brien - President of the Arizona Irish Music Society

One of the hardest tasks I get is to do CD reviews. It is much easier to review bad CD’s than really good ones, but I don’t bother with bad CD’s. The task is made more difficult by the fact that the audience is so diverse.

A CD review for someone who has heard the band and has their previous recordings is totally different from people who do not know the band or even anything about Irish music. In many cases the only feedback I get on my reviews if from the band themselves, which is really awkward. But from a journalistic standpoint, it is my responsibility to balance everyone’s needs while staying within the words allowed.

Another problem is the volume of CD’s. Most full reviews are over 500 words, but there are so many that would be impractical. So instead, I’m going to give overly brief reviews geared to people who know something about Irish music and a little bit about the Arizona scene.
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--- LEAVING - The McMorrows

The only thing that limits the visibility of the McMorrows in Arizona is that they play so infrequently. It certainly isn’t the music which is superb. Jerry and John McMorrow have a special chemistry that makes their blended harmonies something to marvel at whether live or on CD. Add in the great Jerica Leathers, her husband Timmy Nicolides on guitar, bass player Seamus King, and Ryan Bowman on drums and you have an amazing ensemble.

For people who know the McMorrows primarily from the pub and festival performances, “Leaving” is a bit of a surprise. There is more of an emphasis on ballads than that drinking songs, but a CD you can listen to over and over without it ever getting old or stale. Pieces like Caledonia, Ordinary Man, and Erin Gra Mo Chroi are flat out great songs and done beautifully. But less familiar material like Green Among the Gold and My Heart’s Tonight In Ireland are no less effective.

There are only two up tempo songs, Step It Out Marry and Las Vegas in the Hills of Donegal, that remind us of the McMorrows pub tradition, but are just as well done. There are a couple of “fiddle tune” sets featuring Jerica that remind us why she’s always been ranked as one of the best around.

A key partner in the production of the CD was Brian Baynes of San Diego who did many of the arrangements. The result is first class all the way.

www.themcmorrows.com
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--- YOU ASKED FOR IT ( “Act One” and “Act Two”) - Oceans Apart:

Sometimes band CD’s do not reflect the live performances of a band, but “You Asked For It” features many of their most popular pieces from the regular performances of Oceans Apart

Oceans Apart is a duo made up of Steve Colby (vocals, guitar, banjo, and Irish bouzouki) and John Good (vocals, flute, whistle, guitar, and Welsh bagpipes). Both fronted bands before teaming up and were a big hit from the start. They have a huge repertoire with a heavy emphasis on sea oriented music such as from eastern Canada plus numerous other songs from Ireland, Scotland, and especially Wales. With two multi-instrumental players, they offer a wider variety of sounds than bands with three times their number.

Some of their songs are covered by most Celtic performers such as Star of the County Down, Fields of Athenry, Wild Mountain Thyme, Caledonia, Danny Boy, Leaving of Liverpool, and St. Anne’s Reel. A few are popular but slightly less commonly played like Lezzie Lindsay, Streets of London, Carrickfergus, The Tinker, Peggy Gordon, and Both Sides the Tweed. Some locally are unique to the Oceans Apart including Trip to the Cottage, Belfast Mill, Feel So Near, and Salamonca.

The “you asked for it” theme is the inclusion of their versions of novelty songs including The Sleeping Scotsman, Charlie and the MTA, Wee Castanets, and Waltzing with Bears.

In any case, “You Asked For It” is great sample of why Oceans Apart has become so popular at festivals all over the country.

www.oceansapartmusic.com
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--- SAFE HOME - Round the House

Named after a popular dance tune, Round the House has been one of Arizona’s foremost traditional Irish bands for a long time, with a special emphasis on playing for dancers. With Sharon Goldwasser on fiddle, Dave Firestine on mandolin, Clarie Zucker on bodhran and vocals, and newcomer Mark Robertson on guitar; this band has the smoothness that comes from years of playing together.

Perhaps the biggest revelation has come from the addition of Robertson on guitar. He is something of a virtuoso who has a huge impact on an already outstanding band. This is aa CD that is more than half instrumentals so it is a big part of the product.

Once again, Claire Zucker is featured on vocals on songs Rowy Og McRowy, Amhrán Pheadar Breathnach, I Courted a Wee Girl, Thatch Cabin, Lovely Irish Maid, As I Roved Out, and Castle of Dromore. Claire has a beautiful voice and does well on both up tempo as ballads.

As with their previous CD, ‘til the wee hours’, ‘Safe Home’ is a first rate production and brings the music to life.

www.roundthehouse.com
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--- SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL - The Biffos

Brian O’Carroll has been a mainstay of the Irish music scene for more than a decade and a half, although one might not realize it since it has been under the guise of a number of bands: Keltic Cowboys, Ashling, Splinter, Carroll-McGreggor, O’Carroll’s Gate, Galway Bridge, and now The Biffos. While the names have changed, Brian has always brought the same high energy Celtic Rock that has made his bands pub features for years. Brian’s latest band includes Robyn Fisher on Fiddle and vocals, Rich Merriman on bass guitar, and Terry Maslowicz on drums.

Unlike most Irish bands, The Biffos features a considerable number of original pieces. So while Suffering Is Optional includes traditional material such as the famous “Black Is The Color”, most of the material is new: I Know, The Dreaming Tree, Who’s To Blame, Home At Last, I Got Arrested, Window To The World, The Battle of Beaumont Hamel, and Hallelujah Times.

Whatever the name of the band, Brian O’Carroll’s capivating mixture of traditional type melodies with a Celtic rock beat continues to carry to the day.

www.thebiffos.com
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--- PARISH LANTERN - Billy Brett

Billy Brett has been described as a kind of Irish Willy Nelson, the kind of musician who seems to defy description in crossing every boundary with his own unique style. Best known locally for his years with The Clare Voyants, Billy has been playing with a lot of different musicians over the past four decades including the well know acoustic duo of Krystal and Sturgis. He is famous for his unique style that is reflected in his first solo CD.

“Billy Brett has been playing music since 1966. Recording and playing in various bands, writing songs and doing solo dates. He has played with Arlo Guthrie, Livingston Taylor, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott. He was influenced by early Donovan records, Burt Jansch, Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan.” http://cdbaby.com/cd/billybrett

Parish Lantern includes work by some well known people from the local acoustic scene such as Jane Hilton on fiddle, Krystal Baker on backup vocals and percussion, Sturgis Waters on slide guitar and percussion, Keith Caudill on bass, Mike Stewart on fiddle and pedal steel guitar, Havilah Huntington on backup vocals, and Bob Hanke on electric guitar, bass and wurlitzer.

The title tract is a song written in honor of the late Sean O’Creibhac, a colorful character who was strong proponent of Irish music with many friends in Phoenix. Like the rest of the CD, Parish Lantern leaves a lasting impression.
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--- TRADITIONAL BLEND - Traditional Blend

The duo of Bill and Patty Cummings have been bringing pure drop traditional music to the Flagstaff area for a long time. They bring “Traditional dance music on fiddle and guitar from Ireland, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the southwestern prairies of Louisiana, the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, USA and traditional song ballads from England and Scotland.”

This CD includes an instrumental sampling of some of their different styles with Celtic, Cajun, Appalachian, and Tex-Mex all featured. There is an Irish vocal on the song “The Blacksmith”, the Scottish song MacPherson's Lament and “Appalachian Hoedown”.

Bill and Patty Cummings have managed to pull a lot of different traditional styles together into a coherent whole in an excellent performance that should please any fan of traditional music.

cdbaby.com/cd/bpcummings
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There are numerous other fine CD’s produced by Arizona bands that deserve attention, but space limits what can be covered this month.

6. THIS WEEK IN IRISH MUSIC

PHOENIX

Michael McClanathan will be at the Westin Kirland every evening at sunset.

WED

Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra will be at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts on Wed
Paul Knight will be at into The Bean on Wed.
Scott Jeffers will be at into The Dubliner on Wed.
Smoot Mahooty With Brid Dower will be at Rosie McCaffrey’s on Wed.

THUR

Oceans Apart will be at the Avondale Civic Center on Thur
Celtica will be at Rula Bula on Thursday

FRI/SAT

Malcolm Harris will be at Fiddler’s Dream on Fri.

Rick Cynge will be at the Teeter House on Fri.

Shay Veno will be at Celtic Curtain on Fri and Sat

The Brazen Heads will be at the Dubliner on Fri and Sat

The Biffos will be at O’Connor’s on Fri and Sat.

Traveler will be at Rosie McCaffrey’s on Fri and Sat

SUN

Oceans Apart will be at Molly Brannigan’s on Suns

O’Connor’s will have their Anniversary Party all day on Sun with Pat McCrossan, Shay Veno and Oceans Apart.

PRESCOTT

Celtic Crossings will host Iron King 100 on Fri, Iain Walinck on Sat and Sun afternoon. Later on Sun afternoon piper Tom Watts will perform

YUMA

Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings will be at Lute’s Casino on Fri evening.

1. PHOENIX

 

Avondale Civic Center
11465 W Civic Center Dr    Avondale    623-478-3050

7/12/2007

Thu

6:30 PM

Oceans Apart

Celtic Curtain
3128 E. Cactus Rd    Phoenix   

7/13/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Shay Veno

 

7/14/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Shay Veno

Dubliner Irish Pub
3841 E. Thunderbird Rd.    Phoenix    602-867-0984

7/11/2007

Wed

9:00 PM

Scott Jeffers

 

7/13/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Brazen Heads

 

7/14/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Brazen Heads

Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliott Rd. #19    Chandler    480-722-9434

7/15/2007

Sun

3:00 PM

Fibber Magee's Sunday Afternoon Seisiun

Fiddler's Dream
17th St. & Cactus Wren    Phoenix    602-997-9795

7/13/2007

Fri

9:45 PM

Malcom Harris

Into the Bean
1710 W. Southern Ave    Mesa    480-890-0579

7/11/2007

Wed

7:00 PM

Paul Knight

Molly Brannigan's Irish Pub
1744 S. Val Vista Dr -    Mesa    480-507-7827

7/15/2007

Sun

12:00

Oceans Apart

O'Connor's Pub
2601 W. Dunlap    Phoenix    602-997-7714

7/13/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)

 

7/14/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Biffos (O'Carroll's Gate)

 

7/15/2007

Sun

1:00 PM

O'Connor's Anniversary Party

 

7/15/2007

Sun

1:00 PM

Pat McCrossan

 

7/15/2007

Sun

3:30 PM

Shay Veno

 

7/15/2007

Sun

6:30 PM

Oceans Apart

Rosie McCaffrey's
906 E. Camelback    Phoenix    602-241-1916

7/12/2007

Thu

7:30 PM

Smoot Mahooty With Brid Dower

 

7/13/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Traveler

 

7/14/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Traveler

Rula Bula
401 S. Mill Ave    Tempe    480-929-9500

7/12/2007

Thu

9:00 PM

Celtica

 

7/13/2007

Fri

9:00 PM

Love Brokers

 

7/14/2007

Sat

9:00 PM

Love Brokers

Scottsdale Center for the Arts
7380 E. 2nd St    Scottsdale    480-994-2787

7/11/2007

Wed

7:30 PM

Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra

Seamus Mc Caffrey's
18 W. Monroe    Phoenix    602-253-6081

7/15/2007

Sun

7:00 PM

Seisiun with Sven Henrich

Teeter House Tea Room
Heritage Square 115 N    Phoenix    602-252-4682

7/13/2007

Fri

7:00 PM

Rick Cyge

Westin Kierland Resort
6902 E Greenway    Phoenix    480-624-1030

7/11/2007

Wed

5:30 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

7/12/2007

Thu

5:30 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

7/13/2007

Fri

5:30 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

7/14/2007

Sat

5:30 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

7/15/2007

Sun

5:30 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

7/16/2007

Mon

5:30 PM

Michael McClanathan

 

7/17/2007

Tue

5:30 PM

Michael McClanathan

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2. TUCSON

 

Auld Dubliner
800 East University    Tucson    520-206-0323

7/15/2007

Sun

4:00 PM

Tucson Irish Seisiun

Ceoiltais - House Seisiun
Wilmot/Grant area /    Tucson    520-722-9485

7/11/2007

Wed

7:00 PM

Ceoiltais (Traditional Irish tune-seisiun)

Rincon Market
2513 East Sixth St.    Tucson   

7/17/2007

Tue

7:00 PM

Tucson Slow Seisiun

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3. FLAGSTAFF

 

Applesauce Teahouse
213 S. San Francisco    Flagstaff   

7/15/2007

Sun

7:00 PM

Flagstaff Contradance

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4. PRESCOTT

 

Celtic Crossings
3250 Gateway Blvd,    Prescott    928-443-8454

7/13/2007

Fri

8:00 PM

Iron King 100

 

7/14/2007

Sat

8:00 PM

Iain Walinck

 

7/15/2007

Sun

2:00 PM

Iain Walinck

 

7/15/2007

Sun

3:00 PM

Tom Watts

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5. REST OF AZ

 

Lute's Casino
221 S. Main Street    Yuma    928-782-2192

7/13/2007

Fri

8:00 PM

Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings

 

 

 

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