Caroline Keane - Kickstarter Project for new Album

This is not a complete Bouzouki CD, but there will be some bouzouki playing to be heard on this second Album by Caroline. I met her several times on my visits to Dingle in the pas years. She's a fantastic concertina player. If you don't know her first CD please give it a listen.

Now she is on her way to the second Album which might be even better. So please consider backing her project on kickstarter. Here's the link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolinekeanemusic

Here are two videos of her and Tom Delaney which I recorded in Dingle last summer.

This is what Caroline writes about her project:

Hi everyone,
I’m so excited to share my new solo album with you and invite you to be part of it through this Kickstarter. This collection means a lot to me. Each piece represents a pivotal moment in my journey as an artist, a chance to pause, reflect, and think about what’s ahead.
I feel incredibly lucky to be working with some of the most talented and generous musicians in the traditional music scene. Their creativity and passion have lifted this project in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I’m deeply grateful for their contributions.
It’s been five years since my debut album SHINE. Life has been full, marriage, the birth of our two little ones, Chloe and Turlough, and everything in between. Musically, I’ve been exploring new paths too. Supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta, I’ve been researching and responding artistically to music from the place I now call home, Corca Dhuibhne. A Traditional Arts Bursary kindly bestowed by The Arts Council also allowed me to dive into the concertina’s potential as an accompaniment instrument. Both projects contribute material to this new collection.
Motherhood has brought its challenges but also a huge burst of energy, creativity, and passion. I feel more driven than ever to make art, collaborate, and share music that’s honest, creative and plain old giddy.

This album explores themes close to my heart: strong women, family, resilience, self-advocacy, stepping into my voice as an artist, and leading by example for my kids. I hope it will take you on the journey with me through moments of laughter, elation, loss, and resilience.
I’m lucky to be collaborating with amazing creatives: musicians Steve Cooney, Ryan Molloy, Conal O’Kane, Edwina Guckian, Tom Delany, and Eamonn Murray; videographer Mickey Kelly; artist Karen Sherwood; graphic designer Ross Curran; and sound engineer Donogh Hennessy. Their dedication and creativity inspire me every day. I’m still shaping the artwork and can’t wait to share it with you.
By backing this project, you’ll get early access to the album, limited-edition merchandise, and even a chance to attend a private concert. It’s also the perfect opportunity to grab a gift for the music lover in your life: Albums, collector’s items, original compositions, or even concertina lessons. Most importantly, you’ll be helping an independent artist bring this project to life.
Thank you for listening, coming to shows, and supporting independent music. You make this possible, and I’m endlessly grateful.

Caroline x

Gary Curley & Stephen McKee - Chunky Business CD out on Bandcamp

 

This is actually a banjo/Box CD, but on some of the songs there is a tasty bouzouki backing to be heard. 

You'll find 12 sets of tunes, some old, some new. I especially enjoyed listening to some of the well known tunes again.

So you might give it a listen. You can listen to all tracks on bandcamp, so you have enough listening time to decide whether to buy or not. 

I tried to  tab one of the bouzouki arrangements and will post it here within the next days.

Here's the link to the album:

New Album out: Bríd Harper/Libby McCrohan/Sylvain Barou - "The Fog is Lifting"

 

This album has just been released. Keep an eye on it! You can listen to two tracks on bandcamp.

Diada - Live at qEira

 

Diada are from Portugal. Colm Larkin, bouzouki and Sandro Bueno, Tin Whistle and Flute play mostly traditional tunes. On their Facebook page they share concert dates, media clips, and recordings that showcase their evolving style. They released a CD which you can hear on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Music.

You don't find lots of information about them on the internet.

Here's a 10 minutes live concert

Some Excerpts from the album, more on youtube:

Tom Delaney - The Lark's Call CD - Bouzouki: Alan Murray

 

I met Tom this summer several times in Dingle where he played together with his wife Caroline Keane in various pubs. Of course I bought this album from him on vinyl. The bouzouki player on the album is Alan Murray who at the time of recording was member of Fourwinds together with Tom, Caroline and Robbie Walsh. 

On the album you'll find a variety of tunes (jigs, reels, slow air) played so beautifully and with drive. 

You can get the album on bandcamp

Here's the website of Fourwinds

Here's a long comment on the album by Graham Brown

And isn't the cover beautiful? On the back you can see the "3 sisters" of Dingle. (Picture stolen from Custy's Music in Ennis where you can buy the album too)

Here are some clips of the album:

The Lark's Call - The Job of Journeywork, Dinny O'Brien's, The Pigeon On the Gate

Jim O'Connor's / My Former Wife / Kilglass Lake · Tom Delany

Aoibhneas Eillis Ni Chealaigh / Nora Crionna / Moss Martin's

Tempest - CD

Formed in 2023, Tempest has quickly become one of the most exciting new voices in Irish traditional music. The band is composed of:

• Brendan Mulholland on flutes, bringing melodies and ornamentation to the fore 

• Blaithín Mhic Cana, whose expressive vocals draw on her native South Armagh singing tradition, especially the regional song lore 

• Aaron O’ Hagan, playing uilleann pipes along with flute and whistles, adding both tone and rhythmic drive 

• Luke Ward, on bouzouki and vocals, anchoring harmonic support and song texture 

Their self‑titled debut album was released on 1 February 2025. It has been widely praised by critics and the trad community for its confident presentation of both instrumental sets and song material rooted in Ulster’s musical heritage. 

Tempest’s repertoire embraces a balance of driving dance tunes and emotionally resonant songs. Their musical identity is firmly anchored in the heritage of Ulster—especially the northern province’s traditions—while also seeking fresh interpretations and energy.

Tempest Website

Tempest on Bandcamp

'Twas Many a Wild Night, a CD by Alan Finn, Joanne Quirke, Paul Clesham & Fionn O' Hanlon

 

By chance I came across this CD on bandcamp a few months ago but forgot to mention it here on the blog. Fine bouzouki playing here. I especially like the polkas and slides.

I asked chatgpt to write a short text about the musicians, here's what came out (hope the information is correct ;)

Alan Finn, Joanne Quirke, Paul Clesham & Fionn O’Hanlon

This quartet brings together four of Ireland’s finest young traditional musicians, each with deep roots in the music of their home counties.

Alan Finn (Buttevant, Co. Cork) is a renowned button accordion player and founder of the Shandrum Céilí Band, celebrated for multiple All-Ireland titles and his lively, driving style. Joanne Quirke (Co. Cork) is a versatile multi-instrumentalist on whistle, flute, fiddle, piano, and harp, and a graduate of University College Cork who was awarded the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Prize. From Hollymount, Co. Mayo, Paul Clesham is an All-Ireland champion on concertina and a highly skilled accompanist, equally at home on fiddle, accordion, melodeon, and piano, with a strong academic background in ethnomusicology. Completing the group is Fionn O’Hanlon (Boherbue, Co. Cork), a bouzouki player whose roots in the Sliabh Luachra tradition bring rhythmic energy and harmonic depth to the ensemble.

Together, their 2025 album ’Twas Many a Wild Night captures the joy, drive, and spirit of Irish traditional music today.

Here's a video of them playing at Custy's in Ennis.

Here's the link to their bandcamp site

Eoin O'Neil - New CD In Session 2

Eoin O'Neill, bouzouki player extraordinaire from Clare recently released the second album in his "In Session" series. 

He is joined by Yvonne Casey, Bríd O’Gorman, Dermot Byrne, Aoibheann Queally, Pamela Queally and some more fine musicians. 

You can listen to it and buy it on bandcamp.

https://eoinoneillinsession.bandcamp.com/album/eoin-oneill-in-session-2

Here's the link to the tunes on thesession:

https://thesession.org/recordings/7512

Ian McKenna, Joe De Georgeo and Brian Miller - Star of the North

 

Just came across this newly released album. Beautiful album and lovely bouzouki accompaniment by Brian Miller.

You can listen to it and buy it digitally at bandcamp:

https://joedegeorgeoandianmckenna.bandcamp.com/album/star-of-the-north

Andy Irvine - New Album out

Andy's new album called Abocurragh is out now.

Some of the tracks on the album were long awaited to be released as they are part of his live repertiore for many years now, like "The close shave" or "The spirit of Mother Jones". But there are also lots of new songs and a newly recorded "Willy of Winsbury" (Remember Sweeney's Men?).

You can listen to 30 sec samples on his website. I tried to order it for two weeks or so but didn't get an answer from Andy (He was on tour, as nearly always, wasn't he?). But today I got a mail from him. He now has changed his website, so it is possible to order the new album directly from him. I think it would be a nice gesture, to order directly from him so he gets all the benefits for his work.

http://www.andyirvine.com/albums/abocurragh.html