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Irish Music

Far From the Shamrock Shore: The Story of Irish-American Immigration Through Song

by Mick Moloney

Not content to be one of the finest Celtic mandolin and banjo players, Mick Moloney is also a highly regarded singer, folklorist, and musicologist. His music scholarship is on display in Far From the Shamrock Shore, a book/CD set that sets out to chronicle the history of the Irish in America through myth, folklore, and song. Since the Potato Famine first forced them to come to the United States, Irish-Americans have compiled a record of great accomplishments in politics, business, and society, which belies those early immigrant days working under the bleakest conditions on railroads, construction sites, and in mines and factories. In the text of Far From the Shamrock Shore, Moloney presents a fascinating view of the Irish people's powerful, ongoing influence on American life and culture: featured on the CD are songs that tell the story of the many hardships that Irish immigrants underwent over many generations of struggle in their new land.

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Rating: Gain Insight into Celtic Music
You will love Mick Maloney's warm voice lovingly pouring the poetry of Irish music into your ears. This is not the overused "Danny Boy," but a tremendous exploration of traditional ballads that will open your eyes and ears to Ireland's rich history and music.

I recommend first reading the boxed sections in the book for each song. Then listen to that selection on the CD while reading along with the lyrics. Finish with absorbing the 2-page history lesson that accompanies each song. Later listen to the whole CD, just soaking in the evocative Irish music. The background from reading the book really enhances your enjoyment of the music.

Music in Ireland: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture

by Dorothea E. Hast, Stanley Scott

Vividly evoking Irish sounds, instruments, and dance steps, this study describes traditional Irish music and dance in Ireland and America. It provides a springboard for the discussion of cultural and historical issues of identity, community, nationalism, emigration, transmission, and gender.

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Rating: Great overview/history of traditional Irish music
I've always enjoyed Irish music when I've had the opportunity, but I didn't have any formal knowledge about it. This book was very accessible and covered a lot of bases -- the music itself, the key instruments (the harp gets its due along with the more commonly seen fiddle and others), the relationship between Irish music and Irish history and culture, and an intro to various types of traditional Irish music. And a real sense of the Irish people and personality comes through. (Conversations with many of Ireland's leading performers are reported in the book). The accompanying CD is great: again part education, part performance. Some recently performed pieces and some fascinating recordings from decades past. Recommended.

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Irish Dance

Flying Feet: A Story Of Irish Dance

by Anna Marlis Burgard

The competition is on! Two champion dancers, Aidan and Michael, arrive in the village of Ballyconneely at the very same moment, each hoping to become the town's dance master. The villagers can support only one instructor, so the men agree to battle it out through rounds of reels and hornpipes. At each stage of the contest, the men challenge each other by calling for more and more difficult tunes to test their opponent's skill. Cheered on by the gathering crowd, the men dance on increasingly daring platforms - from rain barrels to stone walls and beyond - as each inspires the other until the best man wins. Based on a true event, this classic tale illustrates the enduring tradition of dance and music in Ireland.

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Rating: Highly Recommended
A brilliant book for the wee ones! The wonderful text and rich illustrations reveal a tale of a dance competition in the west of Ireland that inspires and enlightens.

Toss the Feathers: Irish Set Dancing

by Pat Murphy

If Irish set dancing has a Bible, Toss the Feathers is it -- it's simply the most comprehensive volume ever published on the subject. Its legions of devotees swear by it, consulting its pages whenever there's any dispute over the proper version of a set. Toss the Feathers is an authoritative reference designed for those who enjoy set dancing but haven't yet memorized all the moves. Look to this indispensable resource for an excellent history of set dancing from its 18th-century origins, as well 61 complete set dances, ranging from all of the most common ceili dances to lesser-known local ones.

Note: This volume is more of a reference work than a "how to dance" book, and it is not intended for absolute beginners. You will need some familiarity with the basic moves and conventional set terminology to get full benefit from it.

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Rating: The perfect book for those who set dance!
This book is great for anyone who set dances but hasn't yet memorized all of the moves (-most of us?!). Not intended for people who have never set danced before. You need to be familiar with the jargon, such as "round the house", "ladies chain", etc.

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