Caitriona stars in Songs from the Mists

Connemara singer Caitriona Ní Cheannabháin takes her new show, Songs from the Mists, to Inverin, Connemara, and Rath Cairn, Co Meath, in the middle of March. The show comprises of a lovely mix of songs in Irish and English, music and dance and played to a sell-out audience on its debut in the Station House in Clifden on St Valentine’s night.

“I’ll be giving old songs a new lease of life in Irish and English, mostly songs in English, as well as catchy sing-along songs that will give the audience a chance to join in too,” says Caitriona. Joining Caitriona, a former Glór Tíre finalist as well as a sean nós singing champion, will be Marie Walsh from Clifden, an All-Ireland champion on piano and accordion, Padraic Keane from Oranmore, who plays pipes, flute and tin whistle, and Pat Coyne from Cong, a superb guitarist, studio owner and producer Her brother, Paul, who has won Irish Oireachtas and The TG4 Singer of the Year awards, and his wife, Ailish, also feature on the show.

“This is a chance for me to give my friends a taste of the songs and music I love. Every song has a tale to tell, whether it be a ballad, an old style, traditional sean-nós song, or a lively country number. We were given the vely ancestors and it’s our turn to spread them to the next generation,” states Caitriona.

Caitriona and friends will be on stage in Seanscoil Sailearna, Inverin, Wednesday, 14 March, and in Raith Cairn (Meath) on Sunday, 18 March, with both shows starting at 8.30pm. Tickets for Songs from the Mists can be had on the door on the night and are priced at €15.

Woodcarver back in fashion

Almost three decades after Sandy Kelly joined country superstar Johnny Cash for a duet recording of Woodcarver, the song has been released again here in Ireland by Caroline Harte and Michael Farrell. It was back in 1989 that Johnny and Sandy put down their acclaimed version in Nashville. It has retained enduring appeal over the years and Caroline and Michael decided the time was right to record it as a duet again. Caroline, who was born and raised in London and still resides there, has strong Sligo connections. She is currently working on her second album with Stephen Smyth in Portaferry. Michael is from Edenderry in Co Offaly and he has released two albums to date, Gentle Mother and 20 for Cash. Their duet version of Woodcarver features Glen Flynn from Tullamore on acoustic, steel guitar and backing vocals.

Killing the Blues in style

Lisa Loughnane and Ciaran O’Malley have released an impressive cover of Killing the Blues, a song pioneered by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. The cousins from Galway and Mayo respectively hail from families steeped in the music tradition.

Lisa, from Cappataggle in east Galway and who is a teacher in Athlone, says they are thrilled with the excellent response to their debut single.

A Mother’s Call from Lee

Lee Mathews is back on the recording scene with the release of his self-penned number, A Mother’s Call. The young Tyrone man took a break from recording last year to rest his voice and concentrated on a few key festival guest spots. “The break gave me a chance to work on some new songs for my next album,” says Lee.