28 <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>American</strong> <strong>News</strong> “We’ve Always Been Green!” <strong>September</strong> <strong>2011</strong>One of the real benefits of vendingat <strong>Irish</strong> festivals around the countryis that I get to hear some superb localbands that for one reason or anotherdon’t tour. Jobs and families tend torestrict their ability to travel but nottheir ability to play some great music.One of the real delights at the DaytonCeltic Fest, for instance, is a localband called Dulahan. Kyle Augheperforms lead vocals and writes allthe words and music for the songsthe band performs. He has a greatvoice and an even greater talent asa songsmith. Kyle is well assistedby a crew of multi instrumentalists,Leo Butler, Mark Sandlin, BartCason and Tony Williams. On theirlatest CD, Little Bits of Truth, theband is joined by Kyle’s daughterMackenzie, who sings admirablyon the song “When My Love SailsAway”—nice to see that the talenthas been handed down to anothergeneration. The songs on this CDare intelligent, well-written, fun andmemorable. Kyle needs to publish asongbook and is, I believe, workingon one. Meanwhile you can see moreof his work at our store or online atwww.dulahan.com.Another great local band that it’sbeen my great pleasure to hear is TheDrowsy Lads from Columbus, Ohio.A good customer tipped me to theirtalent. I gave them a listen and havebeen mightily impressed and pleasedever since. The Lads have releasedtheir second CD this year, Pick It Up,and it’s as fine a trad <strong>Irish</strong> recordingas you can find. Strong vocals and impressiveinstrumentation are providedby Bryan Brookes on flute, whistles,concertina, Phil Franck on fiddle,banjo bass fiddle & vocals, JoshFranck on button accordion, bodhran,guitar and vocals, John McKewen onbouzouki, tenor banjo and vocals andDaniel McKewen on guitar, uilleannpipes, low whistle and bodhran. ThisCD has the distinction of stopping myson in his tracks as he heard their renditionof the Wild <strong>Irish</strong>man reel, trulyan attention grabber. At the Dublin<strong>Irish</strong> Fest this year, the Drowsy Ladswere one of the bands that customerswere talking about. Folks loved theirpowerful performances and I canagree that they are a lovely surprisefor the jaded music fan. They toohave a website where you can sampletheir stuff, www.thedrowsylads.com,give them a listen.The last CD I want to talk aboutthis month is truly a landmark recordingand one that all piping fanswill want to add to their personallibraries. Greentrax Recordings,certainly the finest label in Scotland,has again produced a classic,Seudan. Before I can describe thisCD, I need to give you a little backstory.The Highland bagpipe wasstandardized in design and style inthe 19th century. Very few of the oldinstruments still exist. One that doesis the “Black Set of Kintail” datingfrom the late 18th or very early 19thcentury and housed in the InvernessMuseum. In 1992 Hamish Mooremeasured these pipes with the ideaof creating a modern instrument ofthe same proportions. Today severalsets of these unique pipes have beencreated and are played on this CD byAngus MacKenzie, Angus Nicolson,Calum MacCrimmon and Fin Moore.Vocals are supplied by Kathleen MacInnesand Allan MacDonald. Allanalso plays Scottish Small Pipes andJew’s Harp on the recording. Uponhearing the CD at the store, MikeDietz stated that this is what Red HotChili Pipers wished they soundedlike. No, there are no electric guitarsor banging drums to muck up thesweet sound of these very specialpipes. I can guarantee you’ve neverheard piping quite like this, but itwill give you an idea of why theScots fell in love with the pipes, andyou just might do the same. The vocalsare all in Scots Gaelic, hauntingand beautiful. This is a one-of-kindrecording, a must-have for anyonewho loves the pipes.My last bit of news concernsmaster composer of original <strong>Irish</strong> traditionalmusic, Denis Carey. Asidefrom his work as the piano playerwith the Brock McGuire Band, Denishas recorded two stunning CDs ofhis original compositions, An Turasand Moving On.Now he has published a book ofhis compositions, suitable for fiddle,accordion, banjo, mandolin, flute, tinwhistle, concertina, piano and guitar.You musicians looking for some newpieces need look no further. I’mhappy to see this book because thisshould allow us the chance to hearDenis’ great music more often. Alovely fat book, it contains no fewerthan 20 reels, 14 jigs, 9 hornpipes, 2barn dances, 16 airs, 5 waltzes and 7odd bits that will delight players andaudiences alike. Lest I forget to mention,it’s very reasonably priced.You can reach me at RampantLion Celtic Traders, 630-834-8108or online at www.pipingitin@comcast.net.New <strong>Irish</strong> Consul GeneralAidan Cronin is the new <strong>Irish</strong>Consul General, replacing MartinRouine, who is retiring back tothe lovely Wicklow area in Ireland.Aidan has served in Iran, Australia,and Ireland during his career, andthis will be his first appointment asConsul General. Aidan, along withhis wife and two children, are settlingin on the Northside of Chicago. Wewelcome Mr. Cronin, and his familyto the Midwest for the next fouryears! Céad míle fáilte!Photo by Cathy Curry.Damian McGinty Wins The Glee ProjectDamian McGinty from Derryin Northern Ireland was recentlynamed the winner of The GleeProject in Los Angeles. In thefinale of the 10-episode show,Glee producer Ryan Murphyannounced that Damian McGintyand Samuel Larsen had co-wonThe Glee Project. Both winnerswill now appear in guest roles inseven episodes in season three ofthe hit show Glee on Fox. Lastweek Damian won a place in thefinal four, and after demandingfinal week he chose to performthe Bobby Darren classic “Some-where Beyond the Sea” as his lastsong for Ryan Murphy. Initially,Murphy named Samuel Larsenas the contest winner, andthen sprung the surprise ofthe evening on Damian, tellinghim he had also won.Damian first attended auditionsin LA last Decemberand was bowled over whenhe made it to the final 12contenders, selected outof 40,000 hopefuls. He describedThe Glee Project asan incredible experience andone in which he has grownand developed as an artistwith each episode.To win the Glee Project,and the seven-episode guestrole on Glee is a once ina lifetime opportunity foryoung Damian and he is determinedto grab it with bothhands. Ambition is somethingthat Damian has in abundance.He is extremely excited abouthis future and is looking forwardto the chance to learn as muchas possible on the set of Gleeand to continue his growth as aperformer. Ultimately Damianwould like to record his own soloalbum and take it out on tour.For more information on DamianMcGinty visit www.damianmcginty.com.
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2011</strong> <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>American</strong> <strong>News</strong> “We’ve Always Been Green!” 29
Change language