MARY MURPHY
Lost Loves Of Ireland
Wexford born, Mary Murphy sings of the Great Famine in Ireland. She sings of the sad partings, of the famine ships that would carry them from the island of death and hunger to the new land of hope and freedom. And she sings of the horror and terrible conditions of the famine ships and of the sickness and fever on board.
Many of the vessels never reached Grosse Isle, the island near Quebec City, where the Irish were disembarked due to the ravages of disease. Many who did reach Canada, perished on Grosse Isle due to fever and starvation.
Mary Murphy sings of the survivors who did reach Grosse Isle and the land of freedom and the bittersweet feelings mixed with the sadness for those left behind. Those longings were so deeply embedded in the memory that they were carried from one generation to the next, with the longing to return to the lost loves of Ireland.
Tracks on Mary Murphy's new CD, Lost Loves of Ireland are: Lost Loves of Ireland, A Ship’s Cook for a Shilling and Jeannie Johnston. Music and lyrics by Mary Murphy along with vocals and Irish Harp by Mary Murphy
Murphy has just released another album entitled Cathedral Trail. She will appear at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre on March 29 and 30, to present Cathedral Trail: a musical harp journey through the heart and soul of an Irish immigrant. (See article for more details.)
For more information, e-mail: M_Demers@telus.net, or call (604) 796-3741
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DERVISH
Spirit
Dervish like the black foamy Guinness is among some of Ireland’s best traditional exports. We are fortunate today to have such talented traditional musicians as Dervish who are undisputably one of the super traditional groups of this era as tey continue to bring the very core of traditional Irish music to the world.
Dervish have just released their newest album entitled Spirit on the Compass label. They are on tour in the U.S. for the month of March. Unfortunately none of their dates are anywhere near the Pacific Northwest.
Dervish has grown into a vital force on the international Irish music scene, winning Hot Press’ Album of the Year Award in 1996 and Irish Music Magazine's prestigious Best Overall Trad/Folk Band of the Year in 1997.
Many of the traditional groups will give a background of the song which always has more meaning to the listener. The liner notes on Spirit give the background and words of each song. The voice of Cathy Jordan is spellbinding as she takes you through the peaks and valleys of traditional song and you find yourself straining so as not to miss a word when her voice trails off into the mists of traditional music.
Musicians are Liam Kelly on flute, whistles and backing vocals; Cathy Jordan on vocals, bodhran, bones; Seamus O'Dowd on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bodhran, harmonicas, tarabuks, bass, tiple and tambourine; Shane Mitchell on accordion and Michael Holmes, bouzouki and mandocello.
Tracks on Spirit are John Blessings; Jig Songs; Father Jack; Fair Haired Boy; Siesta Set; Soldier Laddie; Beauties of Autumn; The Lag's Song; Boots of Spanish Leather; O'Raghailligh's Grave; Swallows Tail; The Cocks Are Crowing; and Whelans.
For more information about Dervish and their tour dates, visit: www.dervish.ie.
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