This episode looks at the ballad Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight aka the Gowans Sae Gae aka The Water o' Wearie's Well aka The Outlandish Knight aka May Colvin aka Along the North Strand Tracklist Angus Mohr – Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight Polly Paulusma - Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight Judith Weir - Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight Freb Hunt-Bull - The Water of Wearie’s Well Corny McDaid – False Lover John Kitty Cassidy – Along the North Strand Jumbo Brightwell – The False-Hearted Knight Shirley ...
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Episode XXXI looks at possible influences for the tune to a Ewan MacColl song and features piping, fiddling, singing, tunes that sound like other tunes, the Cradle ov Filth and more! Tracklist: Peat and Diesel – Western Isles Joe Byrne – Snowy Breasted Pearl Luke Kelly – The Bonnie Shoals of Herring Ewan MacColl – The Famous Flower of Serving Men Matt Cranitch, Paul De Grae & Jackie Daly – Sliabh na mBan Mama’s Broke – Just Pick One Unknown Suonata For Bagpipe And Triangle Rättviks Spelmans...
Apr 04, 2022•59 min
This Episode looks at the ballad The False Knight Upon the Road, aka The False Knight, aka The Smart Schoolboy, aka The False False Fly, aka The Child Upon the Road aka False Fidee, aka Où Vas-tu, Mon P’tit Garcon? Tracklist Norman Kennedy – The False Knight Upon the Road Bella Higgins and Andrew Stewart – The False Knight Upon the Road The Bitter Withy – The False Knight Upon the Road Barry Gleeson – The False False Fly Frank Quinn – The False Knight Upon the Road Tim Hart and Maddy Prior – The...
Mar 22, 2022•49 min
Episode XXX is one for the weirdos featuring new tracks by Junior Brother, D.C Cross, the Deadlians, Brìghde Chaimbeul as well as hurdy gurdys, didgeridoos, throat singing, cheeky mash-ups and your oul one. Tracklist DJ Dolphin Boy - Bazouki Fuckers Junior Brother - No Country for Young Men Topette - Winstanley's / Le Trois Canards Pól Ó Ceallaigh and Jimmy O'Brien-Moran - An Laib Scapithe / Íoc an Cúntas D.C. Cross - South Albury Take-Away Before the Big Rip-off Sally Sloane - I've Been a Wild ...
Mar 07, 2022•1 hr
This episode looks at The Gosport Tragedy aka The Cruel Ship's Carpenter aka Pretty Polly Tracklist The Gosport Tragedy - Ethel Findlater Sam Larner – Pretty Polly Trees – Pretty Polly The Dublin Murder Ballad - Jeannie Robertson Miss Brown - Frank Harte Miss Brown – Joe Heaney Richard Dawson – The Cruel Ship’s Carpenter Ted Ashlaw – The Cruel Ship’s Carpenter Pretty Polly - Addie Graham The Coon Creek Girls – Pretty Polly Congo Cowboys – Pretty Polly https://campsite.bio/firedrawnear
Feb 22, 2022•59 min
Fire Draw Near Episode XXIX features songs by the Watersons, songs from the north of England, a song by Lingua Ignota, songs from Scotland, songs and tunes from Ireland as well as some puerile nonsense from the 1940s. Tracklist: Cormac Begley – The Flogging Reel Lick the Tins – Can’t Help Falling in Love The Watersons – North Country Maid The Watersons – The Broom of the Cowdeknowes The Watersons – Rap Her to Bank Vin Garbutt – The Hartlepool Monkey The Wilson Family – I Am Coal Lainey Dempsey –...
Feb 07, 2022•59 min
This episode looks at the ballad The Elfin Knight aka The Wind Hath Blown Ma Plaidie Awa aka Scarborough Fair The Tri-Coloured House aka Rosemerry Lane aka The Cambric Shirt aka Impossibilities. Tracklist Ewan Mac Coll and Peggy Seeger – The Elfin Knight John Mac Donald – The Wind Hath Blown Ma Paidie Awa Margaret Tait – The Wind Hath Blown Ma Paidie Awa Ewan Mac Coll – Scarborough Fair Martin Carthy – Scarborough Fair Paul Simon and the Muppets – Scarborough Fair Gershon Kingsley – Scarborough ...
Jan 25, 2022•58 min
Episode XXVIII features an in-depth analysis about how we’re all descended from the great eternal drone of the universe, recently recorded uilleann piping from Chris McMullan, Jason Rouse and Pádraic Keane, recordings from the Inishowen International Folk Song and Ballad Seminar and Café Oto, dying for love and my own personal favourite - dying for poor old Ireland. Tracklist FDN live podcast intro recorded at Café Oto, 11 October 2021 Chris McMullan – The Downfall of Paris The Wolfetones – Rule...
Jan 10, 2022•59 min
This episode looks at the ballad The Baffled Knight aka Blow Away the Morning Dew aka Clear Away The Morning Dew aka The New Mown Hay aka the Shepherd Lad aka Jock Sheep aka Katie Morey. Tracklist The City Waites – The Baffled Knight Emily Bishop – The Baffles Knight Sam Larner – Blow Away the Morning Dew Assassin’s Creed – Clear Away the Morning Dew Guildford Boy’s Choir – Blow Away the Morning Dew Ewan Mac Coll – The Shepherd Lad Various – Jock Sheep John Campbell – The Baffled Knight Ian Lync...
Nov 29, 2021•49 min
Episode XXVI features Irish traditional dance tunes, Sean Nós, English Gypsies, 1970s Reggae, uilleann pipes, fiddle, a man with no balls and poor old England. Pictured is my Granda Thomas Lynch Snr. on the accordion. Tracklist Ceoltóirí Chulann – An Tonn Reatha (The Rolling Wave) Jackie Roche – The Blackbird (Set Dance) Peter Ingram – Mandi went to Poove the Gri – Untitled Stepdance - Can you Rokker Romany Jasper Smith – Father Had a Knife Harold Covill – The Happy Family Sandy Archibald – My F...
Nov 15, 2021•57 min
This episode looks at the ballad Edward aka What Put the Blood? aka My Son David aka Son Come Tell It Unto Me aka Sven I Rosengård aka The Blood of the Old Red Rooster. Tracklist Mary Delaney – What Put the Blood? Pops Johnny Connors – What Put the Blood? John Reilly – What Put the Blood? Weenie (Selphinus) Brazil – Son Come Tell it Unto Me Angela Brazil – Son Come Tell it Unto Me Mr. Webb – Son Come Tell it Unto Me Jeannie Robertson – My Son David Lena Willemark – Sven I Rosengård Garmarna – Sv...
Nov 01, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Episode XXV of Fire Draw Near features Paddy Moloney, Stick in the Wheel, Máire Ní Ghráda, the Friel Sisters, Louise Mulcahy, Jelly Roll Morton, Mike Oldfield, the return of Lomax Does Ireland and more!!! Tracklist The Chieftains – An Phis Fhliuch (the Wet Quim) Paddy Moloney – Bumper Squire Jones Paddy Moloney and Mike Oldfield and band – Planxty Fanny Power and more Stick in the Wheel – The Cuckoo Stick in the Wheel – Wierds Broke It Dennis Donahue – My Uncle Dan McCann Mick Moloney – My Uncle...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr
This is the second episode looking at the ballad Lord Randall aka Henry My son aka Amhrán na hEascainne aka Großmutter Schlangenköchin. Tracklist La Piva dal Carnér - Il Testamento dell'avvelenato Elster Silberflug - Großmutter Schlangenköchin Carl Orff, Gunhild Keetman & Kölner Kinderchor - Großmutter Schlangenköchin Abner Jay – Lord Randall Josh White – Lord Randall Sara Cleveland – My Bonny Bon Boy Jean Ritchie – Lord Randall Peggy Seeger – Billy Boy Fred Katz with Paul Horn and the Chic...
Oct 04, 2021•49 min
Episode XXIV features new songs from Marlais and Jrpjej as well as tracks by Sarah and Rita Keane, Hassan Wargui, Michael O'Shea, Seán McKeon and Liam O'Connor, Anna and Elizabeth and the Caretaker. Tracklist Seán Ó Riada - Speech Sarah and Rita Keane – Moll Dubh a Ghleanna Hassan Wargui - Isawl Omarg (Music Speaks) Marlais – Died For Love Michael O’Shea – Kerry Nameless Grave – Monaghan Gay McKeon – The Monaghan Jig / Francis Aucoin Seán McKeon and Liam O’Connor – Ancient Irish War March Jrpjej...
Sep 20, 2021•59 min
This episode looks at the ballad Lord Randall aka Henry My Son aka Amhrán na hEascainne aka Großmutter Schlangenköchin. Tracklist Mary Delaney – Buried in Kilkenny Frank Quinn – Lord Randal Joe Heaney – Amhrán na hEascainne Anne Mulqueen – Cá Rabhais ar Feadh an Lae Uaim Kathleen Behan – My Bonny Brown Boy Unidentified Traveller – Billy Boy Frank Harte – Henry my Son Wounded John Scott Cree – Green and Yeller Steeleye Span – Lord Randal Martin Carthy – Lord Randal Jeannie Robertson – Lord Randa...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 11 min
Episode XXIII features new songs from Cathal Caufield and Conor O’Kane as well as recordings of non-lexical vocable singing from the Jewish, Inuit, Indian, Sami, French, Irish, Scottish and American traditions. Tracklist: Audrey Saint Coeur – Diddlage Cathal Caulfield – The Morning Thrush Annie Johnson – Bird Imitations Michael and Paddy Rafferty – The Queen of the Rushes Christy Moore – The Knock Song Paddy Tunney – Scots Bagpipe Lilts Eilidh MacKenzie – Puirt a Béil Sanjay Subrahmanyan – Raga ...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr
This episode looks at the ballad The Cruel Mother aka All Around the Loney-O aka Weile Weile Waile aka Carslisle Wall aka Greenwood Sidey. Tracklist Mickey Connors – Down by the Green Roadside-um Thomas Moran – The Cruel Mother Landless – All Around the Loney-O Winnie Stokes – Weile Weile Waile Andrew Stewart – Weilo Weilo Wailo Lizzie Higgins - The Cruel Mother Silly Wizard – Carlisle Wall Anonymous – Greenwood Side Cecilia Costello – The Cruel Mother A.L. Lloyd – The Cruel Mother Mrs. G.A. Gri...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr
Episode XXII looks at some bits and bobs from the unsettled frontiers of traditional music including homemade bagpipes, out-there arrangements of well-known tunes, a new track from John Francis Flynn, straight up honest-to-God bodhrán playing, Robin Roberts as a performer / collector, the whole question of Led Zeppelin and the influence of *that* famous blind Irish harper as well as what is perhaps one of the filthiest songs in the wider folk / blues canon (NSFWAF). Seán Keane – The Gold Ring / ...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr
This episode looks at the ballad Long Lankin aka Lamkin aka False Lankum. Tracklist John Reilly Jr. – False Lankum Helen Diamond – Long Lankin Seán Corcoran – The Lambkin Ben Butcher – Long Lankin George Fradley - Lankin A.L. Lloyd – Long Lankin Hare and Moon – Long Lankin Steeleye Span – Long Lankin Robin Williamson and Lawson Dondo – Long Lankin Alexander Robb – Lamkin Hedy West – Beaulampkin Frank Profitt - Bo Lamkin Mrs Lena Barre – Bolakins The Wainwright Sisters – Long Lankin https://camps...
Jul 12, 2021•1 hr 19 min
Episode XXI features a number of lost gems of my personal cassette collection from the likes of Tommy Reck, Noel Hill, William Mullally, Mick O'Brien, Frank Browne and more....Also some classic Irish hip-hop from Scary Éire, a new track from Jordan O'Leary, an Irish translation of a Leadbelly classic, the return of two missed segments and more of the usual oddness from the wider world of Irish traditional music and song.... Tracklist: Tommy Reck – The Scholar, The Salamanca, Tom Steele Johnny Mo...
Jun 28, 2021•59 min
This episode looks at the ballad The Dying Soldier aka The Unfortunate Rake aka The Locke Hospital aka St. James' Hospital aka When I Was On Horseback. Tracklist Brendan Gleeson – The Unfortunate Rake Christy Moore – The Locke Hospital Tom Lenihan – St. James’ Hospital Mary Doran – When I was on Horseback Molly Collins – As I Went Out Walking One Fine Summer’s Morning Norma Waterson – The Unfortunate Lass Harry Cox - The Young Sailor Cut Down In His Prime Willie Mathieson – I am a Young Man Cut ...
Jun 15, 2021•54 min
Q. What are the three greatest mouth-noises in FDN XX? A. Not difficult to tell. To wit; the vainglorious manly-man shout of Throllmas of Trollech, the heart-rending soulwail of Patty Waters and the soul-soothing tongue-rolled musical warble-diddles of Paddy Tunney. Q. Is that the extent of FDN XX? A. Not difficult to tell. No. Many are the many-noised noises besides. To wit; Cath and Phil Tyler, Caoimhe Hogarty, Liam Óg O’Flynn, Séamus Heaney, Louis Jordan, Barra MacEochaidh, Fionn Mac Cumhail,...
May 31, 2021•59 min
This episode looks at The Gypsy Laddie aka the Dark-Eyed Gypsy aka the Raggle Taggle Gypsy. Tracklist: Planxty – Raggle Taggle Gypsy John Reilly - Raggle Taggle Gypsy Paddy Doran – Seven Yellow Gypsies Joe Holmes - Dark Eyed Gypsy Séamus Ennis - The Three Gypsies Joe Lynch - The Whistling Gypsy Jeannie Robertson – The Gypsy Laddie Carolyne Hughes – The Draggle Tail Gypsy Walter Pardon – The Raggle Taggle Gypsies Frank Profitt - The Gyps of David Mrs. James York – The Gypsy Davy Warren Smith – Bl...
May 17, 2021•57 min
This episode looks at the ballad Our Goodman aka Seven Drunken Nights. https://campsite.bio/firedrawnear
Apr 19, 2021•58 min
This episode looks at various bits and pieces - lost gems from the forgotten strange wilderness on the edge/centre of the Irish Tradition. Includes a look at jigs that had songs to go along with them in Connemara. Tracklist Séamus Ennis – Patrick’s Day George Ross – Hornpipes The Honeydreamers – Irish Mambo Sean Mooney – If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here Tsunekichi Suzuki – Omoide Frank Harte – The Kerryman’s Rambles Frank Zappa et al – House jam Swan Arcade – Peat Bog Soldiers Les Souers Goa...
Apr 05, 2021•57 min
Last December Dublin Digital Radio celebrated their 4th birthday. As part of a weekend of celebrations myself and Declan Synnott recorded a long conversation. Declan Synnott is not only a gentleman, he’s also scholar – with an actual PhD in Punk. I know I’ve talked about my own perceived parallels between Punk and Traditional Irish music many times in the past, but I think this is the most in depth and articulate it has ever come out. Featuring tracks by Cock Sparrer, Christopher Lee, Crass, Jim...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 20 min
Episode XVII goes even deeper down the ancient instrument rabbit hole and looks at the oldest pipes in the world from the city state of Ur in ancient Mesopotamia - believed to be the precursor to all modern bagpipes. This is followed by more pipes throughout history, looking at a few different stages before we get to those we know today. If that wasn't enough we also look at the oldest song in existence, some rare recordings of Traveller musicians and singers, as well as a bit of Busta Rhymes an...
Mar 10, 2021•59 min
An introductory overview of the printed ballad in Ireland, this episode looks at the people who sang them, the people who sold them, the people who bought them and the people who hated them. Anyone wishing to investigate this topic further is strongly advised to take a look at Dr. John Moulden's authoritative thesis on the subject - 'The printed ballad in Ireland: a guide to the popular printing of songs in Ireland 1760-1920', which served as the basis for my own understanding of the subject. Ma...
Feb 23, 2021•28 min
Episode XVI looks at the strange and fantastic life of the song An Droimeann Donn Dílis which was played and transformed by artists as diverse as Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich, Lead Belly, the Weavers, Nana Mouskouri and Rasputina. Alongside this are an Irish tune played on the Chinese Hulusi, an unusual folk sound from the Isle of Mull more of the usual mayhem as well as another installment of Lomax Does Ireland. Tracklist: Jaylin Chu – The Bucks of Oranmore Robbie Hannan – An Droimeann Donn Dílis ...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr
Episode XV features distorted accordions, tunes learned from the Otherworld, Bronze Age war horns and punk rock piping jigs. Alongside all of this are new tracks from Jim Ghedi, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail and Cormac Begley. Tracklist: George Ross – Higgins Hornpipe / Other Hornpipe Caoimhín Ó Fearghail – John Lydons / Nora Cíonna Delia Murphy – Moonshiner Ronan Browne – Port na bPúcai Jim Ghedi – Ah Cud Hew Callino Casturame & Caleno Custurme – William Byrd & Anonymous Caleno Custure Me – Susa...
Jan 11, 2021•58 min
