Playlist For 18 November 2012

1. Planxty Fanny Power/Give me Your Hand/Tabhair Dom do Lamh by The Canny Brothers Band - One Drop of Whiskey (2010)
2. Fiddle on the Wall by Isla Grant - A Dream Come True (2002)
3. Leixlip Memories by Joe Giltrap - The Soldier's Tree (1999)
4. The Ghosts of Culloden by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
5. Conor McCormeac by Joe Giltrap - The Soldier's Tree (1999)
6. Medley: Beer Barrel Polka/Havanagila/Irish Molly-O by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)
7. The Way Old Friends Do by Mac and O' - We're Making Memories (1997)
8. Once and For All by Boru - Business as Usual (1991)
9. Bold Fenian Men by The Go-Lucky Four - Irish Capers (1967)
10. Sally Garden by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
11. The Craic Was Ninety in the Isle of Man by Various Artists - The Essential Irish Folk Collection (2003)
12. Four Green Fields by Eamonn McGirr - Live in Concert (1984)
13. Green Hills of Tyrol/When the Battle's O'er by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band - The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling (2009)
14. Rosin the Bow by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
15. May the Light of Love by The Intermountain Trio - Live at Skyheart (2010)
16. Hills of Tipperary by Eamonn Ryan - Where the New World Meets the Old (2001)
17. Michael by Johnny McEvoy - Ireland's Original (1993)
18. Oh, Danny Boy by Erin's Pride - May the Road Rise to Meet You (1996)
19. The John McLean March by North Sea Gas - Glencoe Massacre (2008)
20. Rolling Home by Tommy Makem - Rolling Home (1989)
21. Irish Eyes by Cahal Dunne - Shamrocks and Heather (1997)
22. Frankie and Johnny by Frank Jaklitsch - Seize the Day (1996)
23. Many Young Men of Twenty by The Wolfe Tones - 25th Anniversary (1991)
24. Phil the Fluter's Ball by The Celtic Tenors - Irish Album (2003)
25. Dark, Deep, Rolling Water by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
26. The Punch and Judy Man by Barleycorn - Green and Gold (2002)
27. 3 Counties Medley: Boys From the Co. Mayo/Lovely Leitrim/Homes of Donegal by Tony Kenny - Through the Eyes of an Irishman (1995)
28. Ireland's Call by Tony Kenny - Ireland's Call (1997)
29. Wild Mountain Thyme by Kevin Evans - Galway to Graceland (1996)
30. Song For Ireland by Mary Black - Song For Ireland (1998)
31. The Rat Upon the Harp by The McKrells - Somethin' Fierce (2000)
32. Slievenamon by The Wolfe Tones - Live Alive-oh! (1986)
33. The Voyage by Celtic Thunder - Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008)
34. Fields of Athenry by Paddy Reilly - The Gold and Silver Days (2001)
35. Irish Stew by Anne Barrett - Shamrock the Album (2003)
36. You Touched Upon my Life by Various Artists - The Wedding Song Collection (1995)
37. Swig by Barleyjuice - A Night at the Pub (2008)

Mareena's 'Pick of the Week'

20. The Wall by Michael McCann - Soldiers' Songs (1996)

Why did I choose this song? In honor of Veterans' Day which is officially observed on November 11 in the United States. Veterans' Day is a day to observe the service and sacrifice of all U. S. military veterans, as opposed to all military service members who died in the service of their country. 

 The song The Wall was written in 1985 by Tim Murphy, a Vietnam veteran who received the Silver Star in Vietnam. It is sung by Michael McCann, a former paratrooper and Army Special Forces (Green Beret) medic. The title of the song refers to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D. C. Dedicated on Veterans' Day in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial holds 58,272 names (as of May 2011) of soldiers either killed in action or missing in action from the Vietnam War.

Slán Abhaile, Martin Fay!

In Loving Memory of

Martin Fay (1936-2012)

Born: Cabra, Dublin - (Fiddler and Bones Player)

Fiddler with The Chieftains

Years active: 1960-1969 with the Irish traditional band, Ceoltóirí Chualann; 1962-2001 with The Chieftains.

Albums: Martin Fay recorded more than 30 albums with the Chieftains until he stopped touring with the band in 2001.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Fay Family on the passing of their loving brother, husband, father and grandfather Martin Fay. Martin was inspired to take up music after seeing a movie about the life of the violinist Niccolò Paganini. Although his mother taught him to play the piano from an early age, by age 15, he had persuaded his father to buy him a violin. He was originally going to become a classically trained violinist and after leaving school at 18, worked in an office by day and in the evenings played in the Abbey Theatre orchestra, where he eventually met the theatre's musical director, Seán Ó Riada.   

Seán wanted to create a chamber orchestra that played arrangements of traditional folk music. Martin Fay's classical training, and a growing interest in Irish music, led him to join Ceoltóirí Chualann, Seán's new ensemble in 1960, with which he enjoyed some radio success. In 1962, Martin Fay was one of the original founding members of The Chieftains. The group's popularity soon extended beyond folk music enthusiasts and they had reached fame by 1975.

Martin passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. He was 76 years old and had suffered through a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife, Gráinne, also known as Gertie; a son, Fergal, a daughter, Dearbhla Fay; as well as a sister and a grandson.

God rest your soul, Martin, the music world is a little dimmer for your passing!

Slán Abhaile, Martin! 

Playlist For 11 November 2012

1. Heather Breeze/My Love is in America by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
2. Wearing of the Green by The Wolfe Tones - Profile (1991)
3. The Bramble and the Rose by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
4. You're Not Irish by Seamus Kennedy - On the Rocks (2004)
5. Four Green Fields by The Clancy Brothers - Greatest Irish Hits (1995)
6. Celtic Girl by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
7. Hay Wrap by The Saw Doctors - All the Way From Tuam (1993)
8. Local Hero by Phil Coulter - Recollections (1993)
9. Summertime is Coming/O-Ro by Aoife Clancy - Soldiers and Dreams (2001)
10. The Bold Tenant Farmer by Cahir O'Doherty - 19 Great Irish Songs (1994)
11. The John McLean March by North Sea Gas - Glencoe Massacre (2008)
12. The Craic Was Ninety in the Isle of Man by Various Artists - The Essential Irish Folk Collection (2003)
13. Ireland's 32/Irish Washerwoman by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)
14. Lady of Knock by Deirdre Reilly - A Toast to the Irish Colleens (1999)
15. Red is the Rose by The High Kings - Memory Lane (2010)
16. We'll Meet Again my Friends by Isla Grant - A Dream Come True (2002)
17. Lincoln's Army by Johnny McEvoy - Ireland's Original (1993)
18. Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band - The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling (2009)
19. Jackets Green by Mary O'Dowd - A Portrait of Mary O'Dowd (1991)
20. The Wall by Michael McCann - Soldiers' Songs (1996)
21. Tunnel Tigers by Sean Keane - Turn a Phrase (1996)
22. The Fields of Athenry by Derek Warfield - A Nation Once Again (2003)
23. Day of the Clipper by Schooner Fare - Day of the Clipper (1978)
24. What's the Rumpus? by Gaelic Storm - What's the Rumpus? (2008)
25. Too-ra-Loo-Ral by Tony Kenny - The Very Best of Tony Kenny's Ireland Volume II (1998)
26. Bonnie Dundee/Steamboat by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band - The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling (2009)
27. The Irish Wedding Song by Various Artists - The Wedding Song Collection (1995)
28. Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues (1988)
29. Mountain Dew by Hair of the Dog - Release the Hounds (1997)
30. Back Home in Derry by Hair of the Dog - Release the Hounds (1997)
31. The Parting Glass by The High Kings - The High Kings (2008)
32. Belfast by Paddy Noonan - Paddy Noonan Presents Irish Eyes (1986)
33. Boolavogue by The High Kings - Memory Lane (2010)
34. Send me a Song by Celtic Woman - Celtic Woman (2005)
35. Let Erin Remember/The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls by Derek Warfield - A Nation Once Again (2003)
36. Ready For the Storm by The Fighting 86s - Blood Brothers (2010)
37. Kevin Barry by Derek Warfield - A Nation Once Again (2003)
38. Please Come Home by The Elders - Wanderin' Life and Times (2011)
39. Song of Liberty by The Wolfe Tones - Profile (1991)
40. The Boy From Ballymore by Anne Barrett - Shamrock the Album (2003)
41. A Nation Once Again/God Bless America by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)

Mareena's 'Pick of the Week'

27. Helicopter Song by The Wolfe Tones - 25th Anniversary (1991)

Mountjoy Prison, as it is known today, was opened in 1850 
as Mountjoy Gaol - nicknamed 'The Joy'

Why did I choose this song? The Helicopter Song is a number one single by the extremely popular Irish band The Wolfe Tones. The song tells the story of the brazen daylight escape of three Irish Republican Army prisoners from Dublin's Mountjoy Jail. On October 31, 1973, an IRA member hijacked a helicopter and forced the pilot to fly to Mountjoy where the three prisoners - J. B. O'Hagan, Seamus Twomey and Kevin Mallon - were lifted by helicopter from the exercise yard of the D wing of the jail at 3:40 pm. The incident was a major embarrassment for the Irish government.

Despite The Helicopter Song being immediately banned by the government, the song topped the Irish popular music charts, peaking on November 22, 1973 and staying at Number One for four weeks. 

A manhunt involving twenty thousand members of the Irish Defence Forces and the police force of Ireland, the Garda Síochána, was launched for the escapees. Kevin Mallon was recaptured at a dance in a hotel on 10 December 1973; and imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison - which he also escaped from during a mass breakout of nineteen prisoners on 18 August 1974. He was recaptured in Dublin in January 1975 and returned to Portlaoise Prison.

J. B. O'Hagan was recaptured in Dublin in early 1975, and also imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison. After he served out his original twelve-month sentence, he was immediately rearrested and sentenced to a further two years for escaping. Seamus Twomey evaded recapture until 2 December 1977, when he was spotted sitting in a car in Sandycove by members of the Garda's Special Branch who were investigating an arms shipment after a tip from the Belgian police. He drove away after spotting the officers, before being recaptured in the center of Dublin after a high-speed car chase. He was also imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison until his release in 1982.  

CD Received

The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band (2009)
Genre: Celtic Folk
When did we receive it? 7 November 2012

First of all, we would like to thank our good friend and a faithful listener to "Proud to be Irish" - Glenn - for sending us this CD. The Scotia-Glenville High School is in Scotia, New York. All the members of the pipe band are between the ages of eight and eighteen years old. The Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band were crowned World Champions of the Novice Juvenile Division at the World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland in August of 2012

Congratulations on such a wonderful achievement, kids! We are so proud of you! :) Please keep an eye on our newly reinstated playlists as we may be playing some cuts off this CD on future programs.

Playlist For 4 November 2012

1. Jig Set by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
2. My Homeland by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
3. Juice of the Barley by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
4. Ballad of St. Anne's Reel by Sheila Noonan - Radio Sweethearts (1999)
5. My Heart's Tonight in Ireland by Various Artists - Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music (1996)
6. Southern Cross by Joe Giltrap - The Soldier's Tree (1999)
7. What's the Rumpus? by Gaelic Storm - What's the Rumpus? (2008)
8. Come to the Bower by Seamus Kennedy - On the Rocks (2004)
9. Brennan on the Moor by Brakin' Tradition - Presence in the Past (1995)
10. Day of the Clipper by The Intermountain Trio - Live at Sky Heart (2010)
11. Foggy Dew by The Canny Brothers Band - One Drop of Whiskey (2010)
12. Mother's Chair by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
13. Oh, Danny Boy by Erin's Pride - May the Road Rise to Meet You (1996)
14. A Nation Once Again by The Highland Rovers Band - Brave Lads All (2007)
15. Green and Red of Mayo by The Saw Doctors - All the Way From Tuam (1993)
16. Coultergeist by Phil Coulter - Highland Cathedral (2000)
17. Katy Daly by Eamonn McGirr - Different Yet the Same (1996)
18. May the Light of Love by The Intermountain Trio - Live at Sky Heart (2010)
19. Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues (1988)
20. The Raggle Taggle Gypsy by The Waterboys - Room to Roam (1990)
21. Home From the Sea by Phil Coulter - Words and Music (1981)
22. The Lighthouse by Tara Shamrock - One For the Road (1997)
23. One Day at a Time by Various Artists - Emerald Classics (1988)
24. The Rose of Mooncoin by The Wolfe Tones - Belt of the Celts (1993)
25. Bacach Bui by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)
26. Anywhere Is by Enya - The Memory of Trees (1995)
27. Helicopter Song by The Wolfe Tones - 25th Anniversary (1991)
28. Lady of Knock by Deirdre Reilly - A Toast to the Irish Colleens (1999)
29. Songs of Home by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
30. Phil the Fluter's Ball by The Celtic Tenors - Irish Album (2003)
31. Rambles of Spring by Cahir O'Doherty - 19 Great Irish Songs (1994)
32. Bundlin' by Dominic Kirwan - Echoes of Ireland (2003)
33. Mary's Eyes by Gaelic Storm - Tree (2001)
34. Mr. Moses Ri-Tooral-I-Ay by The Clancy Brothers - The Best of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (2001)
35. Bantry Bay by Phil Coulter - Forgotten Dreams (1989)
36. The John McLean March by North Sea Gas - Glencoe Massacre (2008)
37. Celtic Heartbeat by The New Barleycorn - Ireland's Celtic Heartbeat (1997)