Audio 10: James Kennedy -Avatar Tralee Dub Reggae Group

This interview is with Tralee bassist, James Kennedy who has already released one well received album in the dub reggae style under the Avatar moniker. James is one of the few musicians who are recording reggae in Ireland. Currently recording a second album, he talks here about jazz scene in Ireland, growing up listening to blues in Ireland, first experiences of reggae and the difficulty getting a full 9 piece band together.
Hear the full interview here. (file size 8mb, around ten minutes in length).
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Audio 9: Baba Salah in Listowel

Audio from Baba Salah recent gig in St Johns Listowel. Includes post show feedback, interview with Baba Salah and music from the gig.
Over a quarter of an hour long and the file is 13 mb. Download here. Remember you can listen to other audio be clicking on the audio tab on left hand side

Baba Salah in Listowel

No better way to chase away the Autumnal blues than letting great music into your soul, and that's what a large crowd at St. Johns, Listowel decided to do on the evening of Wednesday October 10th. Advertised as the Jimi Hendrix of West Africa, Baba was much more than that, infusing virtuouso guitar playing with superb rhythms (kudos to the drummer, one of the most amazing performances I ever witnessed), and singing about issues ranging from the poverty in Mali, the status of women in that country, and European immigration policies.
Baba, assisted by his translator Elizabeth Healy(who was instrumental in bringing Baba to Ireland), gently addressed the crowd in French before most of the pieces, but it was really a night for the music to speak, and a taster of the possibilities of music from Mali (his full band couldn't travel due to the cost involved).
A share of the crowd got up to dance, and the only disappointment at the end of the night was that all the CDs of the group had been sold out at the last gig in Galway. Nevertheless, the memory of a fantastic night was embedded in everyones mind, and the hope lingered for a return gig at some stage in the future.
So off to Christies in the square for a pint after the gig. A group at the bar were extolling the virtues of Joe 'the Vicar' Murphy (who runs St. Johns). The sentiment couldn't have been more appropriate, and kept up the positive vibe in spite of the dodgy Mel Gibson film on the TV.

Some Highlights of 2007 so far

Some of the features that have particularly stood out in the show this year

Gráinne Mhaol production in Abbeyfeale; A fantastic production by the transition year students of St. Josephs secondary school in Abbeyfeale, under the guidance of Niamh Bowen and Darren Maher. Really brought the story of the Pirate Queen to life, using the convent hall in a very imaginative way, and garnering considerably more favourable reviews than the big bucks production that hit Broadway.

Interview with Liam Lynch; Author of the book A Stranger to Darkness, this interview took place back in April when Liam was promoting his book in Riordans Bar Abbeyfeale. The book, which chronicled Liams descent into blindness and ultimately dealt with it in a very positive manner, is a great read, also offering vivid portraits of growing up in Ireland in the 1940s and 50s in an unsentimental way, and the farming practices that were common back then. A tremendous man, and a person who ultimately leaves one feeling more positive about life, the interview drew positive comments from as far away as the USA

Jamalski; Legendary MC, whose freestyling performance on live radio ranked as one of the most enjoyable I did on radio, and had our sound technician rushing to try hold him on the line to do some advertisments! That didn't transpire, but what did was a memorable gig at the Underground in Limerick the following Saturday night back in April

Coverage of Festivals; Main highlight included the Kilmallock medieval festival and the Askeaton Contemporary Arts Festival, both in August. The Writers Week in Listowel yielded interviews with Colm Tóibín and the darkly humorous Patrick McCabe

Allunde; Womens singing group, based in Foynes, the group were recorded for the show back in March at Newcastlewest Library

Just a taster of some of the items that were on, some good stuff happening in the general area over the next few weeks, if you're around make sure you catch...

Dracula; Teaspach Theatre groups' production at the Belltable, running from October 30th-November4th
Kerry Film Festival, running from Oct 27th-Nov3rd

Ar ais arís

Well back again, and hopefully this won't be a false dawn yet again for this site. Looking forward to putting up more regular posts soon, including some of the highlights of the show in 2007, reviews and encouraging of opening up forum for discussions on art in the area. Show still on the air, and this Friday's show will include features on Mamuska and Limerick Mental Health Week. Tune in.

Fr.Casey Celebrations, Kaija Poijula, Beauty Queen of Lenane

Bit of an extended break from the blog, will backdate all previous shows soon, on the show tonight we'll be featuring interviews with

-Kevin Lawlor Fitzpatrick, of the Open Theatre Group based in Laois, whose production of the Beauty Queen of Lenane plays at Friars Gate this Sat 24th
-Highlights from the Fr.Casey Centerary commemeration weekend, including some music from Templeglantine Cheomltas Group, and a clip from the dramatic piece done on Fr. Casey at the GAA club on the Saturday night
-Fiona Power, exhibition organiser at the Limerick Printmakers, who will be speaking about the new exhibition from Finnish Artist, Kaija Poijula
-David Brown, who will be launching a new programme on West Limerick Radio, entitled Music and Musings, inviting members of the West Limerick Public to make written submissions on some of their own personal experiences