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Acclaimed Irish musicians to appear at Traralgon

Traralgon’s Little Theatre will come alive to the foot-tapping sounds of traditional Irish jig music, when acclaimed musicians, Seamus Begley and Jim Murray play live on Wednesday 10 March from 8pm.

By Latrobe City Council - 25th February 2004 - Back to News

"He won Ireland's prestigious National Entertainment Award for Traditional Music for his acclaimed CD Meiteal (Working Together), recorded with Steve Cooney, and in 2000 the album Ragairne was acclaimed Folk/Traditional album of the Year by The Irish Times and Hot Press, the leading music magazine in Ireland," Ms Roberts explained.

"Recorded with Jim Murray, the CD Ragairne includes duets with world acclaimed Irish singer Mary Black, as well as a host of other famous names in Irish traditional music.

"Seamus is the quintessential Irish musician, an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out tune after tune at all-night sessions. He plays with energy, belting out jigs, slides and polkas before making a sudden key change into a bitter-sweet air, sung or played on the accordion. His style is unique and he is the finest player of the dance music of West Kerry, and never happier than when people are dancing to his music," Ms Roberts said.

"Jim Murray is the hottest young guitarist to emerge from Ireland in recent years. Only 24 years old, he plays with a passion and maturity that many older musicians can only shake their heads at. While studying civil engineering at University College in Cork he formed his own band, The Living Tradition, and met Seamus Begley after playing support for him. After that gig the two formed a friendship that has since seen them play together regularly.

"Jim has quickly gained a reputation for his exciting style of playing and firmly established himself on the scene in Ireland. His use of nylon strings, unusual in Irish music, gives a very percussive sound to his guitar. Using nylon as opposed to steel strings also allows him to create a more mellow sound on the slower, lyrical tunes," Ms Roberts continued.

"Their collaboration on the CD Ragairne is a snapshot in time that captures two musicians at their creative peak. It is a taste of the rakish lifestyle of the travelling musician. Murray somehow manages to meld seamlessly with the feisty nonchalance of Begley's accordion and vocals. A must see for traditional music enthusiasts," Ms Roberts concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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