Music Close Up: Archive 2005

Click on a date to listen to the show.

Programme 13: 22nd September 2005
AND LISTEN TO MY SONG
And Listen to my Song is a memorial tribute to Frank Harte who died on June 27th 2005. He was a celebrated and unique singer and song collector who was a central figure in the traditional music world for over 40 years. An architect by profession, he attended many gatherings of traditional singers and the recordings he made at these, originally for the purpose of learning the songs, evolved into a large collection of some 24,000 songs.

Enthusiastic, hard working, humorous and knowledgeable, he was respected for his singing and his wide research in the field of song.

In this programme he is remembered by people who knew him and with whom he worked: Musician Dónal Lunny who performed often with him and produced a number of his records; singer Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill who often sang with him at sessions and learned songs from him; singer Len Graham who was a frequent attendee with Frank at singing gatherings over many years, and Nicholas Carolan of the Irish Traditional Music Archive who gives a sense of the magnitude and value of Frank's collecting work Frank's son Darragh Harte.

Programme 12: 15th September 2005
THE PIPES OF NORTHUMBRIA

Kathryn Tickell is one of the best known players of the Northumbrian pipes from the North East of England. She is also an accomplished fiddle player and in this programme she tells Peter Browne about her musical career, how she learned and the story of the Northumbrian small pipes - a sweet sounding instrument which has secured an increase in popularity over the past few years.

There will also a chance to hear various selections of music played by Kathryn Tickell and this programme was recorded during the William Kennedy Festival of Piping in Armagh in November 2004.

First broadcast 6th June 2005

Programme 11: 8th September 2005
The Major And The Count

2004 saw the centenaries of the births of two famous big band leaders; Glenn Miller and Count Basie. Their lives and musical styles were contrasting: Miller was born in Clarinda, Ohio and he created a sound which was commercial and popular yet highly sophisticated as in such famous numbers as In the Mood and Moonlight Serenade.

William "Count" Basie, born in Red Bank, New Jersey, had a more orthodox big band sound but one which was looked up in many ways as ideal. Miller lived only 40 years to 1944 when he was an American Army Major and his plane disappeared and was never recovered on a flight to Paris.

Basie lived to the age of 80, dying in 1984 and his most successful recording was probably The Atomic Mr. Basie in 1957. He was a highly skilled pianist while Miller was a trombonist
The lives and musical styles of these two famous men are compared and contrasted in this programme presented by Donald Helme who'll be joined by jazz enthusiast and musician Rock Fox.

Programme 10: 1st September 2005
STRAT-TALKING

Strat-Talking celebrates a great guitar and a musical icon - the Fender Stratocaster.

Think of the electric guitar. What image comes to mind? You mightn't realise it but chances are it is the Fender Stratocaster. Strat-Talking is a love letter to this musical icon. The programme meets players, sellers, and historians and even includes some rare recordings of the man who started it all - Leo Fender. We also showcase some of the great Strat-wielders, from Clapton and Hendrix, back to Buddy and up to date with Mark Knopfler and our own late lamented Rory Gallagher.

First introduced in 1954, the Strat's distinctive shape symbolised the post-war optimism of the US. But it's doubtful that even the most ardent fan could have foreseen the Strat's longevity.

Indeed the design has remained essentially the same since the '50s, unusual, as industrial designs don't normally have such a long life span while still managing to 'be cool'. Musically the list of classic Strat moments is as long as a maple neck! Just a few appetite whet-ers : Layla , Messing with the Kid, Smoke on the Water, Sultans of Swing, That'll be the Day, Apache, Jimi at Woodstock , Dick Dale in Pulp Fiction, Dylan going electric.Strat moments all and you can hear these and more on Strat-Talking.

Strat-Talking producer Brian Lally's first rock concert was an Eric Clapton show in Galway's Leisureland. That was in the 1970s and since then he's been a fan of fine guitar playing, and they don't get any finer than a Strat. He recently got a copy Strat and is working hard on that fourth chord.

Programme 9: 25th August 2005
"Leadbelly" - born Huddie Ledbetter in Mooringsport, Louisiana in 1885, prolific composer and master of the 12-string guitar, his life and music is profiled by Pat Horgan.

Programme 8: 18th August 2005
The Wild Rover - The unique life and voice of Luke Kelly.

Programme 7: 11th August 2005
SING A LITTLE SMYTH
(Third of three programmes)

Programme 6: 4th August 2005
SING A LITTLE SMYTH

(Second of three programmes)

Programme 5: 28th July 2005
SING A LITTLE SMYTH
Des Smyth, in conversation with Brendan Balfe, looks back on his 50-year singing career, sings some songs and plays some favourites.

Des Smyth's style of singing never went away. Like Frank, Dean and Sammy, he is a crooner, an interpreter of the great standards. This year Des celebrates 50 years as a performer and to mark the event, RTE Radio 1 is devoting three programmes to the man and his music. Sing a Little Smyth is scheduled over three Thursday evenings at 10.05pm on 28th July, 4th August and 11th August.

Des is a Dubliner, from The Liberties, and his first public singing was with the Catholic Boys Brigade Choir. With his two brothers, Frank and Jimmy, they formed a vocal group, The Smyth Brothers. Their first broadcast was 50 years ago, in a 1955 concert with the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra, conducted by Dermot O'Hara, from the Phoenix Hall in Dublin.

The boys were soon in demand all over, playing The Theatre Royal, US Air Force Bases in England and Theatres and clubs all over the UK. They were soon discovered by Fred O'Donovan, who featured them on the Radio comedy series, Odd Noises. They did a season in Butlins in Mosney 1n 1958 and the following year, Des returned as a Redcoat, later singing there with the resident Peter Cusack Orchestra.

After a short time as a Showband singer - Des Smyth and The Collegemen- he became a solo act. He appeared on The Maureen Potter Show, and became a regular on the newly-opened Telefís Éireann, on shows like At Home With O'Hagen, Showcase, Steady as She Go-Gos, and regular appearances on The Late Late Show. Over the sixties and seventies, Des has clocked up more TV appearances than any other singer.

Come the seventies, Des trod the boards in the theatre - Gaels of Laughter and Dick Whittington with Maureen Potter, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Playin' Porter and the Bing Crosby tribute show, Sing A Little Bing..

Des appeared not only as a soloist, in places like The Martello Rooms in Jurys Hotel, but also as a backing singer. This led to a number one hit record Give Me Your Hand, with lyrics by Des. Always busy on radio and TV, he has kept up his personal appearances, in cabaret, supper clubs and concerts. With the revival of Swing and the Rat Pack music, Des Smyth is enjoying a new lease of life in his fiftieth year as a performer. What goes round, comes round.

In Sing a Little Smyth, Des Smyth looks back on his career in conversation with producer, Brendan Balfe. He sings some songs, live, and plays some of his favourite performers.

Programme 4: 21st July 2005
THE PIPES OF BRITTANY

Breton piper Patrick Molard comes from a well-known musical family in Brittany and besides being a skilled solo musician playing Irish, Scottish and Breton music, he has collaborated on a number of interesting projects with players from other types of folk music as well as jazz. This is an excellent opportunity to hear his interesting music, thoughts and opinions.

Programme 3: 14th July 2005
A LIFETIME WITH THE HARP

As a curtain raiser to The World Harp Congress, Sheila Larchet Cuthbert talks about her distinguished musical career.

Programme 2: 7th July 2005
NO TONGUE CAN TELL

Neil Martin talks about his new concerto for uilleann pipes and orchestra

Programme 1: 30th June 2005
The Pipes of Galicia: Galician virtuose musician Carlos Nunez.

This is a programme in company with the famous piper Carlos Nunez from Galicia in the North of Spain. He is the foremost player of the Galician bagpipe, the gaita, and also a very accomplished player of Galician folk music on the flute. He has recorded many albums and has collaborated with internationally renowned folk musicians such as Alan Stivell and the Chieftains.

In the programme he talks to Peter Browne about his own music, how he learned and also gives information about the instruments and history of Galician music and gives musical examples of various pieces hes has played over the years. It was recorded last November when Carlos was a visitor at the William Kennedy Festival of Piping in Armagh.

Further information http://www.carlos-nunez.com