In February 2007 young Wicklow woman Luan Parle received the Meteor award for "Best Irish Female Artist" at Dublin's Point Theatre. This award swiftly followed the release of her album "Free" which includes the widely acclaimed singles "Failed Romances" and "Corporate Culture" Luan Parle has worked and written internationally with legends such as: Bill BottrellStephen Lironi,Chris Kimsey, She has also performed with such notables as: Elton John (Twice) & James Blunt (two tours) The album "Free" is one which Luan is rightfully proud of. Her voice, although quite unique, has been likened to Sheryl Crow, Jewel & a young Stevie Nicks. Her distinct sound crosses many genres whilst leaning towards Country and Folk Rock. For one still so young she is a seasoned songwriter having started the craft as a child.
REMAINING TOUR DATES CONFIRMED
Wednesday 10th October The Sugar Club - Dublin - Oxjam Charity Gig Saturday
13th Oct 2007 Ardattin Inn, Tullow, Carlow Saturday
20th October The Waterside Theatre - Derry
Sunday 21st October The Belfast Empire - Oxjam Charity Gig
Saturday 3rd November Dolans, Limerick
Dates are still being added and details are available online at: www.myspace.com/luanparle and www.luanparle.ie
Our National Emblem and Us By Emily Cullen
The history of the Irish harp, as both a musical instrument and as a marker of Irishness, is a truly compelling one. Through the centuries, the harp's changing significance has been intimately involved with how we imagine ourselves as a nation. As a symbol it dates back to at least the thirteenth century when a French roll of arms listed a yellow harp on a blue shield as the arms of the 'King of Ireland'. It is, therefore, among the ten oldest national symbols in the world.
This reinforces the fact that, at one time in our history, Ireland was internationally renowned for the pre-eminence of its harpers. The status of Irish harpers had been internationally acknowledged for many centuries by the time Queen Elizabeth I chose to employ Cormac Mac Dermott as her court harper in England, between 1605 an 1618, while concurrently issuing an order to Lord Barrymore in Ireland to "hang the harpers wherever found." (Not only were they representatives of a distinct Irish cultural identity, but harpers were perceived to have the potential to incite the Irish to rebellion and to pass secrets from banquet to banquet). As Peter Holman has shown: "The Irish harp was surprisingly popular in England during the reigns of James I and Charles I, and not just at court. The titles of Comack MacDermott's pieces suggest a range of acquaintance with the English gentry. In Denmark, the Irish musician, Darby Scott was harper to the Danish Court from 1621 until his death, at Copenhagen, on December 19, 1634. This indicates the international regard in which the unique sound of the 'cláirseach' or Irish harp was held. The 'clairseach' differed significantly from its cousin, a light, slender-bodied harp found in Britain and on the Continent. The latter carried only lightly tensioned gut and horsehair strings, so its slight frame was sufficient. On the other hand, the clairseach carried highly tensioned metal strings that required the support of a robust and heavy frame. Francis Bacon greatly admired the Irish harp and refers to it constantly in the sections describing experiments with sound in Sylva Sylvarum (1627), several times at the expense of other instruments: "…no Instrument hath the Sound so Melting and Prolonged, as the Irish Harpe." The Irish harp, therefore, produced a truly unique sound often described as akin to the sound of bells, as opposed to the sound of today's harp which has more in common with the concert harp and piano.
The significance of the harp as a visual representation is a whole other equally fascinating story. As a symbol broadly relating to Irish identity and things Irish, the harp has never remained static for very long. It continues to be one of the most versatile emblems. Through the centuries it has been bound up with our sense of monetary value and value creation: (Elizabeth and Henry VIII minted it on to our separate coinage); it was the central trope of Thomas Moore's world-renowned Irish melodies; it is found in the seals of the President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Government Ministers, on State currency and is the insignia of the Irish Law Courts; and in the 1790s, the United Irishmen chose it as their emblem with the insignia: 'It is new strung and shall be heard'. They inaugurated a new visual tradition of asserting disaffection by removing the crown from above the harp. The harp became a marker of separatism and revolution!
Ireland is unique in the world in having a musical instrument as its national emblem, reflecting the centrality of the harp in Irish culture. Our long history demonstrates that we can be justly proud of our national emblem.
'One Hot July' New CD from Tony Joe White Tony Joe White is best known for the excellent albums he recorded for the Monument label in the early 1970's. One of his best known songs 'POLK SALAD ANNIE' was made famous by Elvis. Released a few years ago, 'One Hot July', takes the listener into the sweaty swamplands of darkest Louisiana, where 'conjurer women' and voodoo abound. The album opens strongly with 'Crack the window baby' and there after never dips.
'SELENA' and 'I want my Fleetwood back', are other outstanding tracks. The later does justice to Chuck Berry's great automobile songs like 'No money down' and 'You can't catch me'.
Tony Joe White is backed by a fabulous group featuring lazy harmonica, guita and drums, with blue notes flowing softly. CD's don't come much better than this available on MERCURY/TUPELO
The Drifters
Originally formed in 1953, the Drifters are an institution. Lead singers, Clyde McPhatter, Ben E. King and Rudy Lewis have come and gone but the music remains timeless. The Drifters in their hey-day were masters of escape. The group really hit its stride between 1960-63 when they scored with a string of hit singles written by Leiber and Stoller and Goffin and King, these include 'Save the Last Dance for Me', 'There Goes my Baby', and 'Up on the Roof'. All joyous songs. After Ben E. King went solo, Rudy Lewis and Johnny Moore took over as lead vocalists.
Their other hits include 'Ruby Baby' and 'Some kind of Wonderful'. The Drifters put on a great stage show featuring excellent dance routines. Following their hugely entertaining concert last year, its little wonder they return by popular demand. The Drifters play Glór on Thursday 11th of October.
Caught in Time Front
During the years 1948-1955, a number of housing estates were built in Ennis including Hermitage, St. Michael's Villas and Marian Avenue. The celebrated accordion player Joe Cooley worked on the building sites in Ennis during those years.
This photo was possibly taken in the home of Tony Mac Mahon about 1953. Tony recalled (in the book 'Blooming Meadows', by Charlie Piggott and Fintan Vallely), "My brother Christy organised accordion player Joe Cooley to visit us in the Turnpike. For me, the music Cooley played was an avalanche of experience that literally fell in on top of me."
Ennis Trad. Festival
The Ennis Trad Festival is now amongst the most established in the country. This years festival is expected to be its most ambitious yet, with many new innovations expected. The festival will feature a non-stop extensive programme of day and night sessions with afternoon, evening and night time concerts, recitals, workshops, presentations and CD launches.
The line-up has yet to be finalised. The Trad. Festival will take place over five days from 8-12th November, 2007.
Kilfenora Benefit
A fundraising night will be held in Vaughan's Bar Kilfenora on Friday 19th October. The aim of the benefit is to send local girl Nicole Kearns to Tanzania to work with children who have an intellectual disability. Music will be provided by the Moher group and friends with special guests P.J. Murrihy and his band. The event is organised by Peggy Keane and the admission fee is 10 euro. A great night is expected and doors will open at 9.30p.m.
All Ireland Fleadh
Clare is a county which has always produced excellent musicians. Since Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann was founded in 1951 Clare has had many prize-winners in the All-Ireland fleadh. First place in an All-Ireland competition is a very prestigious prize. This year, Sean Kennedy from 15 Morrissey Avenue, Ennis won first prize in the under 12 mandolin competition, having been a prize-winner in the past in both the Clare and Munster Fleadhs. A first year student at St. Flannan's College, Ennis, Sean also took third place in a trio competition along with his brother Gerard on accordion and Áine Griffey from Kilfenora who plays the fiddle. Collectively, the Kennedy brothers - Sean, Gerard and Stephen play banjo, mandolin, accordion and tin whistle.
'Unzipped' by Suzi Quatro
"My father was the biggest influence. All my brothers and sisters used to gather in the garage of our home and dad would lead us into all those rocky things and we'd have a gas. I'm still very close to my parents and I always take any opportunity I can to get home and see them". As quoted in Spotlight magazine, July, 1974.
Suzi Quatro grew up in an Italian/Hungarian family in Detroit. She was influenced by all that was happening in the motor city, especially Bob Seger, The MC5, Mary Weiss of the Shangri-La's and of course The Supremes.
Crazy about Elvis, and after witnessing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, Suzi (aged 14) formed the all girl group The Pleasure Seekers. She later fronted Cradle. Suzi was spotted by record producer Mickie Most who brought her to England in 1971, unfortunately there was no such call for her sisters in Cradle. She worked hard for two years before 'Can the Can' pushed her to number 1 in the charts in April, 1973.
The leather clad, petite rocker consolidated her position with further hit singles 'Devil gate Drive' and 'The Race is On', all top 20 material worldwide.
Now 57, Suzi Quatro has lost none of her good looks or charm. She still lives in England. 'Unzipped' is the autobiography of this trail blazer.
'Lovesick Blues' by Paul Hemphill
On June 11th 1949, Hank Williams made his debut at the Grand Old Opry. Country singer Minnie Pearl was there and she described the scene, "It was like a stampede. The audience went wild and they wouldn't let Hank off the stage." The author takes you along the rolling pinewoods of South Alabama into the roadhouses all the way to Carnegie Hall. Hank's marriage to Miss Audrey was no bed of roses it seems. Yet, this union inspired some of Hanks' greatest lyrics with his wonderful use of imagery. Contemporaries claim Hank suffered from bad health and depression. By his late teens he was an alcoholic. By January 1st 1953, Hank was dead at 29. In a recording career that spanned just 6 years he recorded 66 numbers. During his lifetime he saw his music crossover to more popular genres. Yet most of these recordings lack the soul and despair of the originals.
In 'Lovesick Blues', Roy Acuff, Red Foley and Ernest Tubb make cameo appearances in this fascinating interpretative biography of one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century.
Imagine This by Julia Baird
Julia Baird is the half sister of John Lennon She is a secondary school teacher by profession, specialising in teaching French. 'Imagine' is her second book. In it she sheds new light on her family background. She also restores the good name of the much maligned Freddy Lennon (John's father), "a pure blooded Irishman" After Freddy and Julia Lennon separated, Julia Lennon moved in with John 'Bobby' Dykins. The couple had two daughters, Julia and Jacqui. Tragically both her parents were killed in separate road accidents. While at University in Ireland, the author met and married Allen Baird. They lived in Ireland and Chester until 1980 when the murder of her brother John Lennon drove them apart. 'Imagine' is a warm snapshot of growing up in Liverpool in safer times.
Luan Parle
Our National Emblem
Front: L/R Sean Reid, Patrick Devanney, Joe Cooley
Back: Jack Cooley, Tony MacMahon
The Drifters - Glór
Sean Kennedy, Gerard Kennedy, Aine Griffey
