Hello,
I´m researching on the subject: irish music in America. Until now I have not found any information about female irish musicians in the U.S. in the 19./20 Century.
It would be great if somebody had suggestions for me about helpfull webpages or names.
Thanks
Female/musicians? Surely a contradiction in terms!
Grin
Joe
Bodhran players/musicians? Surely, a contradiction in terms! 🙂
Sometime in the 1980s, the Limerick banjo/mandolin player Mick Moloney did a project- in fact, I think a Ph.D. - on this very subject. It resulted in 2 LP recordings I know of. Aberdeen City library has the 1st on CD, and I have a copy of the 2nd. If you like, I can get the CD, photocopy the notes from the CD and my LP and send them to you. Please contact me through this website if this is of any interest. The title of the 1st recording was “Cherish The Ladies”, and this directly resulted in the formation of that group, which, despite several personnel changes over the years, is still performing.I’m sure there are several people on this site who will be able to help as well. Good luck.
Indeed, John. They tend to drown out my bodhràn solos. HRRRMphphphphphphh
Obviously a starting point is “Cherish the Ladies” ie, the original project by Mick Moloney. This is the current band site
http://www.cherishtheladies.com/band.html
Mick Moloney’s page is
http://www.mickmoloney.com/
Mick’s research led to the original “Cherish the Ladies” project which showcased the best Irish woman musicians of the time with complete with “potted histories”. Featured on the first album were young Eileen Ivers, Liz Carroll, Joannie Madden and many more.
So, maybe you could check up on the research done by Mick at that time.
Sorry, Kenny. Great minds think alike. 🙂
One of the really tremendous fiddle players from the usa was Kathleen Collins, also an All Ireland Fiddle champion. She has one recording on the Seannachie label. yours worzel
There is also the “Bringing It All Back Home” TV series which produced a book, a video and a CD. I’d recommend all 3.
if you can find a copy of francis o‘neill’s 1913 book ’irish minstrels and musicians,’ he lists a few women who played irish music in the US in the late 19th and early 20th eenturies. i remember being pleasantly surprised to find some women there the first time i ran across the book. there was a reprint of the book in the 1980s, so it shouldn’t be totally impossible to find.
sarah in portland (well, seattle temporarily)