Carroll video is a joy to watch
The name Donie Carroll is well known to folks in the Tri-State Area and beyond. A great singer and one of the most generous people out there, Carro...
January 12, 2022
by Daniel Neely
The Alt's album: polished, extremely enjoyable
You knew that when the Alt released its eponymous debut album in 2014 there was definitely more to come. It was a special release – bold, fully for...
January 07, 2022
by Daniel Neely
Lovely album began as 'lockdown project'
Happy end of the year, folks! Don’t know about you, but it’s been a long one and I’m looking forward to a bunch of things, not least of which is a ...
December 28, 2021
by Daniel Neely
A breathtakingly beautiful album
Congratulations to Manhattan’s own Swift Hibernian Lounge (www.swiftnycbar.com), which celebrated its 26th anniversary last week. Swift’s is one of...
December 21, 2021
by Daniel Neely
3 must-haves are made even better
Ooh, it’s a good one this week! Up first, we have “The Dreamer,” the new tune book from Chicago-based pianist and accordion player Marty Fahey. Fah...
December 02, 2021
by Daniel Neely
WB3 are just right for the season
First off, congratulations are due to 2021 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award winners Ye Vagabonds (Best Traditional Folk Track, “I’m a Rover”; Best Folk Group...
November 29, 2021
by Daniel Neely
IAC has knocked it out of the park
Last Friday I went to the Irish Arts Center to attend “The Gratitude Sessions,” a pre-opening performance and celebration of the organization’s bra...
November 16, 2021
by Daniel Neely
Video series leads to lovely album
A couple of sad notes to begin this week. Gregg Burnett, one of the great champions of Irish traditional music, has passed away. A multi-instrument...
November 09, 2021
by Daniel Neely
Rakish album is polished, accessible
The column has lately noted the passing of far too many important musicians, and it saddens me to have to do it again: the great County Clare singe...
November 03, 2021
by Daniel Neely
Tracks thought lost have been found
Regular readers of this column know how much I dig a good vintage release, and that’s exactly what we have this week in “Taisce Luachmhar (Valuable...
October 27, 2021
by Daniel Neely
‘Dial’ team do truly fabulous job
Deaths just seem to come in threes, don’t they? Just after learning about the passing of Robin Morton and Tony MacMahon last week came news of the ...
October 21, 2021
by Daniel Neely
Accordionist Keane is a fine writer, too
“Horse” is the new project from the great Chicago accordionist Jimmy Keane. A collection of recordings chronicling Keane’s musical experience 1968 ...
September 28, 2021
by Daniel Neely