Traditional Irish music may have been associated with rural Ireland in the past but two young Dublin performers are taking the Irish music scene by storm with the launch of their new recording ‘Dublin Made Me’.

Piper Sean McKeon (22) and fiddle player Liam O’Connor (25), pictured above right and left respectively, both previous recipients of the prestigious TG4 Young Musician of the Year award, began performing together four years ago and have since set the traditional music world alight with their powerful performances.

‘Dublin Made Me’ was launched this week at the Kings Inns in Dublin by leading musician Paddy Glackin. The recording is the latest production of the prolific music organisation Na Piobairi Uilleann with the assistance of the Arts Council.

Piping hot Music duo launch album -
Music – Independent.ie.

Tags: cd, Music, Uilleann Pipes

Andrew and Margaret Watchorn
Northumbrian Smallpipes and Fiddle

Andrew and Margaret have over 20 years experience of performing together and have a reputation for playing with great sensitivity, enhancing the tunes with their own arrangements. From the mid 1970’s they were fortunate to learn many tunes from playing alongside older Northumbrian musicians, especially Joe Hutton. 

Their repertoire is extensive and includes tunes from Northumberland, Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia and North America.

Individually, Andrew and Margaret have both won competitions at traditional music festivals for solo playing and compositions. Together, they have won numerous duet competitions.

In addition to smallpipes and fiddle, they also play Swedish bagpipes, hummelchen, guitar and whistle.

Tracks on the BORROWED DAYS CD

1. Keelman ower the Land  
2. Flickorna Svensson   
3. Cold and Raw  / Scabbit Sheep 
4. Dunstan Carol   
5. Hesleyside Reel  / Miss Jean Milligan   
6. Wild Hills of Wannie   
7. Tweedside  / Little Fishie  / Dusty Miller 
8. Mrs Elizabeth Ann Dodd   
9. Schottis efter Linus Augustsson  / Saddle Rock   
10. Whittingham Fair   
11. Archie’s Fancy / Peacock’s March   
12. Linnen Hall   
13. Sandgate / Lamb Skinnet  / Seven Stars and the Moon   
14. Josefin’s Waltz 

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Complementing the Duda (Hungarian Bagpipe) playing on this CD release is some fine singing and other traditional folk music instruments.
Boosting members such as Sándor Csoóri (ex-Muzsikás, now with Ifjú Muzsikás) and György Lányi (Téka Ensemble) this bag-pipe project was always going to produce something interesting. Formed in 1989 they have learnt their folk music from the undisputed masters of the Hungarian Duda: Imre Seres (Közeptúr, Hont region ,Transylvania), János Szikora (Palást, Hont region, Transylvania), and István Pál (Tereske, Nógrád region, Transylvania). The work of these master live on in the recording by the Hungarian Bagpipe Band.
On their concerts they show the leather bagpipe and the bagpipers tunes and make the public aquainted with the traditions and legends which connected with this mistycal instrument. Their first album compilated 15’th years performances.

István Adorján – bagpipe, chained staff
Botond Bese – bagpipe, voice
Sándor Csoóri Jr. – bagpipe
Balázs Istvánfi – bagpipe, koboz
Zoltán Karakas – kanásztülök, voice
József Kozák – bagpipe, flute, drum, bass bagpipe
György Lányi – bagpipe, voice, drum, bzugony
Dongó Szokolay – bagpipe
Végh Andor – bagpipe, turkish whistle
Károly Vladár – bagpipe, voice
Szilvia Bognár – voice
Boglárka Csonka – voice
Orsolya Strack – voice

Tags: Bagpipes, cd