Irish Music Stories Podcast

What did Irish Boston look like in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s? What were the days of social dance halls all about? Host Shannon Heaton talks to Sue Lindsay, Joanie Madden, Kevin Doyle, Helen Kisiel, and Brian O’Donovan about this colorful time in Irish American history… and about immigration in an Irish key. There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Michele Sims, John Mullen, Kerstin Otten, Brian Benscoter, William Dodd, Jack McCreless, Mark Johnson for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 14 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Free the Heel” (reel), from RehearsalArtist: Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: “John’s Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: “Hometown Lullaby,” from Production Music

What’s up with the word ‘Celtic,’ and what does it have to do with Irish music?  Why does the C-Word sometimes come off as non-specific, simplistic, or academic? Host Shannon Heaton unpacks the meaning and mysteries of Celtic culture with Seamus Egan, Neil Pearlman, Marc Gunn, Ellery Klein, and coffee drinkers at Mystic Roaster in Medford, Mass.  There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Brian Benscoter, Kevin O’Neil, Rex Edwards, and Hannah Derusha for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 13 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Free the Heel” (reel), from Rehearsal Artist: Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: “Many Splendored Celtic Music Fantasia,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist/Composer: Ryan Beveridge Tune:

What’s on tap for Season Two of Irish Music Stories? In 2018, host Shannon Heaton will explore mid century Dance Halls; old ballads in a millennial world; Irish summer schools; the HEARTBEAT of traditional music and… the C-Word. (Um, ‘Celtic’…) There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Brian Benscoter for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * MUSIC heard on IMS Episode 12 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Free the Heel” (reel), from rehearsalArtist: Matt & Shannon Heaton Song: “Saro,” from All is Well Artist: Sam Amidon Tune: “Oil for the Chain” (jig), from dearga Artist: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Why listen to Irish Music Stories?  The common thread of this month’s stories is, of course, Irish music. But it’s not the only thread. Digging into stories—whether they center around Irish music, chess, or ballet—uncovers real struggle and triumph. And it gives us all something to cheer about, something to remember. Here are memorable stories from Season One and a gentle remix of “Trip to Sligo,” the story of Cormac Gaj and his Irish music journey. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Brian Benscoter, Isobel McMahon, Peter Bartman, and Brandon Kennedy for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music and Poetry Heard on Episode 11-Return to Sligo all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “The Tap Room” (reel), from rehearsal Artist: Dan Gurney (accordion), Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: “Heartstrings Theme,” P

What does the Irish language have to do with the Beatles? If it hadn’t been for an unlikely stew of songs of pop music and songs learned in the Gaeltacht, singer and guitarist Dáithí Sproule might never have opened his heart to harmony and arranging. Host Shannon Heaton’s conversation with Dáithí details a beautiful integration of Irish and Beatles songs, with a mandate of beauty, respect, and mindfulness. There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Brian Benscoter, David Laveille, Parker Abercrombie, and Brad Anderson for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 10 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Cup of Tea” (reel), from Rehearsal Recording, 2017 Artist: Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Song: "Beidh Aonach Amárach," from Best of Altan Arti

Why do traditional musicians place a premium on humor and social rapport? Rory Makem, John Doyle, John Williams, Aidan Collins, Pauline Logue, Lisa Coyne, and Siobhan and Brendan McKinney help Shannon investigate the deep wellspring of Irish wit. Whether you already have an arsenal of quick comebacks, or you’ve never heard Irish people slag each other, this episode digs behind the banter. There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Matt Barlow, Brian Benscoter, and Mark Johnson for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 09 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tunes: “Tap Room, Mountain Road, Galway Rambler” (reels), from Rehearsal Recording, c. 2009 Artist: Dan Gurney (accordion), Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: “Ramblin’ Man” from Production

How does Irish dance connect with traditional music today? And what’s up with all the different types of social, performative, and competitive trad dance? Kieran Jordan, Liam Ó Scanláin, the Glencastle Irish Dancers, and Jimmy Keane help host Shannon Heaton detangle a few musical threads in Irish dance today. There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Seán McGinnis, John Kerr, Brian Benscoter, Davy McDonald, and two anonymous donors for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 08 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tunes: “Mount Phoebus Hunt and The Hunted,” from Cover the buckleArtists: Seán Clohessy, Sean McComiskey, and Kieran Jordan Tune: “Tracing the Lines,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: “The Three Sea Captains,

What’s the buzz behind the uilleann pipes? Here’s the story of Irish piping: how the chanter, drones, and regulators hum together…. and how the lure, the lore, and the love of the uilleann pipes go for The Rowsome family, Tim Britton, Tom Rota, Patrick Hutchinson, and Isaac Alderson.  There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Brian Benscoter and two anonymous donors for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 07 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Silver Spear,” from Kitty Lie OverArtists: Mick O'Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh Tune: “Heartstrings Theme” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: “Tom Billy's Butcher's March,” from Swimming Against the FallsArtist: Joey Abarta Tune: “Triumph Theme” from Production Mus

What’s up with Irish ‘backing’? How does accompaniment fit in the melodic Irish tradition, and how does it feel to invent chords for Irish tunes and songs? Accompanists Matt Heaton, Neil Pearlman, Keith Murphy, and John Doyle talk about share their thoughts on culture, conversation, and the role that guitar, bouzouki, piano, and harp (and flow state) play in Irish music. There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Patrick O’Leary, Art Costa, Paul Willson, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 06 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Song: “Lily of the West,” from Lovers’ WellArtist: Matt & Shannon Heaton (this track with Keith Murphy) Tune: “Mist Covered Mountain and Tell Her I Am,” from DeargaArtist: Matt & S

How does Irish music get handed down? Host Shannon Heaton travels to New York, County Galway, and Boston to talk with musicians about how they learned their music, and how this has led them to pass it on. Hear stories about from Rose Flanagan, Margie Mulvahill, Patty Furlong, Séan Clohessy, Seamus Connolly, and Josie and her dad John Coyne. The stories here go way beyond jigs and reels. And there’s plenty of music, too. Playlists below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 05 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: "The Tap Room, Mountain Road, Galway Rambler" (reels), from Rehearsal recording Artists: Dan Gurney (accordion), Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: “Travel Theme,” from Production music made for Ir

Can you really open a pub with a tune and a dream? Siobhan and Brendan McKinney and Tommy McCarthy, owners of two of North America’s most esteemed Irish pubs, talk about what happened to them when they put the music and the welcome first. * * * * * * * Special thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for supporting this epiosode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 04 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “The Boy in the Boat” (reel), from Rehearsal recording from circa 2008 Artist: Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: “Meaning of Life Theme,” from Production Music made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: "My Love is in America "(reel), from Pajama Sessions Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar) Tune: "Lord McDonald (reel)," from The Enduring Magic (coll. of restored original recordi

Why do people all around the world head out to Irish music sessions. Big-hearted session hosts Tina Lech, John Williams, Eoin O’Neill, and Brian Conway help host Shannon Heaton decode what their weekly gatherings in Boston, Chicago, Clare, and New York mean to them—and to all the regulars. Boston producer Brian O’Donovan, fiddle teacher Laurel Martin, and flute players Melissa Foster and Scott Boag also weigh in. * * * * * * * Special thanks to this month’s supporters: Patrick O’Leary, Art Costa, Paul Willson, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. And please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 03 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: "The Tap Room & Galway Rambler" (reels), from rehearsal recording Artist: Dan Gurney (accordion), Shannon Heaton (flute), Matt Heaton (guitar) Song: "Sunday Bloody Sunday," from WarArtist &

 What’s it like to have a head full of songs? Waterford singer Karan Casey talks about Irish songs, and how learning a song from someone is really about making connections. This conversation urged host Shannon Heaton to listen–and sing–just a little more. There’s also a poem from Louis De Paor, and plenty of music (full playlist below). * * * * * * * Special thanks to Karan for the great chat. Thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. And please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music and Poetry Heard on IMS Episode 02 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Song: "Sailing Off to the Yankee Land," from Exiles Return Artist: Karan Casey (voice), John Doyle (guitar) Song: guitar interlude to the Nightingale Artist: John Doyle (guitar) Song: "The Wounded Hussar," from My Name is Napoleon BonaparteArtist: Frank Harte Song: "How High the Moon," from The Legendary Decca RecordingsArtist: Ella Fitzgerald Co

This inaugural episode investigates why 400,000 people–and a band of kids from Boston–ended up at the All Ireland music competition in Sligo. With visits to Boston, Dublin, Clare, and Chicago, host Shannon Heaton digs into what the competition meant to all the kids, parents, and teachers who were involved in the qualifying round in New Jersey, and the big summer Fleadh in Ireland. Meet young piper Cormac Gaj, teachers at Comhaltas Music Schools, concertina player Mary MacNamara in Tulla, and fiddle player Liz Carroll… and there’s a Yeats poem here, too, recited by Anne Marie Kennedy. * * * * * * * Special thanks to David Laveille and the nice pals at the Sonic Soiree for encouraging Irish Music Stories. Thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. And please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music and Poetry Heard on Episode 01-Trip to Sligo all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “The Tap Room” (

Trailer for the November 2017 inaugural episode of Irish Music Stories.

A preview of the Irish Music Stories podcast, the new show about traditional music... and the bigger stories behind it. Music credits and much more at IrishMusicStories.org