Celtic  

 

 

A CELTIC SOJOURN

A Celtic Sojourn 08/11/2012


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This week hear Ivan's Waltz from Anna Falkenau and music by Colm Gannon, a Dorchester native with a new album called The Rights of Man. Also Runa's new album and the whistle player Mary Bergin.
A CELTIC SOJOURN

A Celtic Sojourn 08/04/2012


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This week music from the Brock McGuire Band off their album Green Grass Blue Grass, music by Archie Fisher from his album Windward Away, and new music from Chris Wood and Andy Cutting.
Folk Music

Brian O'Donovan Pays Tribute to John McGann


HEAR THE PROGRAM
By Brian O'Donovan
On April 6, musician John McGann passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind a wife and young daughter. He was known in the Irish, bluegrass and jazz worlds locally and abroad, and taught at Berklee.
Celtic

A Celtic Sojourn 3/24/2012


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The song Barbara Allen is one of the oldest in Anglo-Celtic Music. Brian O’Donovan examines two distinct versions with Maighjread and Triona ni Domhnaill, and Jefferson Hamer (Photo: jeffersonhamer.com)
CELTIC

WGBH Presents: The Chieftains and The Low Anthem


The Chieftains and The Low Anthem performed live at WGBH's Fraser Studio on March 12. Watch video and hear a full audio recording from the show.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

The Night is But a Pup!


GET TICKETS: A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn
VIDEO: The Chieftains and The Low Anthem
The Chieftains stopped by WGBH's Fraser Studio to share some tunes and meet with fans and members of the WGBH Celtic Club.
CELTIC

You Don't Have to be Irish to Enjoy Celtic Music


GET TICKETS TO A ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELTIC SOJOURN
By Annie Shreffler
Brian O'Donovan, WGBH host of the weekly radio show A Celtic Sojourn, on connecting to traditional Irish music. 
Celtic

A Celtic Sojourn 3/10/2012


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GET TICKETS: A St. Patrick's Day Sojourn
On this edition of the program: Cathy Jordan's new album All the Way Home (Photo by Peter Cra) as well as Hannah Reid, Sara McQuaid, Ryan McGiver and many others.
Ireland

Celebrating the Sounds of St. Patrick's Day


By Annie Shreffler
The Chieftains performed live this week in WGBH's Fraser Studio as part of their 50th anniversary world tour. And WGBH's own Brian O'Donovan hosts a live St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn event.
Live Performances

Yanni Live at El Morro


WATCH A PREVIEW & VIEW SCHEDULES
THANK-YOU GIFTS AVAILABLE
Join Yanni for an inspiring concert performed at the historic 16th-century Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Airs this month on WGBH
Contemporary

A Celtic Sojourn 2/18/2012


St. Patrick's Day Sojourn
LISTEN
Join host Brian O'Donovan for another Celtic Sojourn, with tunes from Altan, Solas, Dervish, The Chieftains with Low Anthem, Susan McKeown, Jeremy Kittel and more.
Contemporary

A Celtic Sojourn 1/14/2012


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Join host Brian O'Donovan for another Celtic Sojourn, featuring a sneak preview of the new Chieftans album, Voice of Ages, with collaborations from Bon Iver (photo by DLAnderson), Carolina Chocolate Drops, Secret Sisters and many others.
Traditional

A Celtic Sojourn 2/11/2012


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Join host Brian O'Donovan for another Celtic Sojourn, with tunes from Alyth McCormack (photo http://alyth.net), La Lugh, Anna Massie, Jen Butterworth, Mairead Green, Danu, Michael Cooney and many more.
Acoustic

A Celtic Sojourn 12/17/2011


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Join host Brian O'Donovan for another Celtic Sojourn, this week featuring Brendan Larrissey (photo in Greenes Pub, Kinvara), Marla Fibbish, Jimmy Crowley, Kyle Carey and many more.
Traditional

A Celtic Sojourn 1/7/2012


LISTEN
Join host Brian O'Donovan for another Celtic Sojourn, this week featuring the Alan Kelly Gang (photo by Con Kelleher), Denis Liddy, Elvie Miller, Paul McKenna Band, Dan Gurney and many more.
Celtic

A Celtic Sojourn 12/3/2011


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Brian O'Donovan brings you the best in music from Scotland, Ireland, and other Celtic regions.
On-Demand
Celtic

A Celtic Sojourn 11/26/2011


LISTEN
Brian O'Donovan brings you the best in music from Scotland, Ireland, and other Celtic regions.
On-Demand
Celtic

A Celtic Sojourn 11/19/2011


LISTEN
Brian O'Donovan brings you the best in music from Scotland, Ireland, and other Celtic regions.
On-Demand
Celtic

A Celtic Sojourn 11/12/2011


LISTEN
Brian O'Donovan brings you the best in music from Scotland, Ireland, and other Celtic regions.
On-Demand
Celtic

A Celtic Sojourn 11/5/2011


LISTEN
Brian O'Donovan brings you the best in music from Scotland, Ireland, and other Celtic regions.
On-Demand
GREATER BOSTON

Childsplay: The Sound Is In The Wood


FROM OUR STUDIOS: CHILDSPLAY
MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Jared Bowen
Members of the "fiddle choir" Childsplay come from many different musical backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: all of the group’s instruments were made by the same craftsman.
Celtic

A Celtic Conversation


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WGBH’s Brian O’Donovan and Edgar Herwick ruminate on all things Celtic.
A Celtic Sojourn

Sept. 3: Iarla O' Lionáird


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Iaral O' Lionáird (pronounced ear-lah o-linnard) is a well known Gaelic singer from the West Cork Gaelic speaking area of Ireland. His recording Music of Dreams is featured on this edition of the program.
A Celtic Sojourn

August 27: Ed Reavy


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Ed Reavy, who hails from County Cavan in Ireland, made his home in Philadelphia and spread the magic of traditional fiddling by artfully composing new tunes in the traditional style. A selection of those now well-established songs, is explored on this edition of the program.
A Celtic Sojourn

August 20: Loreena McKennitt


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"Fear no more the heat of the sun" begins William Shakespeare's classic sonnet of the same title. On this edition of the program, hear how Loreena McKennitt sets the Bard's poem to music.

A Celtic Sojourn

August 13: English Vocal Harmonies


LISTEN
The use of harmony in vocals is not common or traditional in Ireland and Scotland. In England however, this marks a very distinct feature of traditional songs. Coope, Boyes and Simpson, Beggar's Velvet, the Watersons are all featured in this segment of A Celtic Sojourn.
A Celtic Sojourn

August 6: Irish Baroque


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A collection of what is essentially chamber music but yet has a distinct Irish flavor is explored on this edition of the program.
A Celtic Sojourn

Brian O'Donovan Hosts The Lowell Folk Festival


DETAILS
By Brian McCreath
Among the stellar lineup of world musicians coming up at the Lowell Folk Festival on July 30 is the Irish band Dervish. Brian O'Donovan will be hosting Dervish on the main stage at the festival and will be broadcasting live from Lowell all afternoon on July 30. If you are there, come by and say hello.
A Celtic Sojourn

July 30: Live From The Lowell Folk Festival


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WGBH continues its long standing tradition of broadcasting from the Lowell Folk Festival in Lowell, Mass. Brian O’Donovan hosts a day of music from Dervish, the terrific Sligo-based big band of Irish traditional music. The rest of the afternoon features, the Quebe Sisters Band from Quebec and blues standout, Shamika Copeland!
A Celtic Sojourn

July 23: Eamonn Coyne


LISTEN
Eamonn Coyne is originally from Dublin but makes his home in Scotland.He plays tenor banjo and has recorded a wonderful CD called Through the Round Window. It's featured extensively on this edition of A Celtic Sojourn.
A Celtic Sojourn

July 16: Clannad


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Listen to some of the ground-breaking recordings from the Celtic band Clannad.
A Celtic Sojourn

July 9: Songs of Roy Orbison

Surprised? A Celtic Sojourn features Roy Orbison? Well a group called Celtic Passion, took the songs of Roy Orbison and performed them in celtic style. And it works!
A Celtic Sojourn

July 2: The Lennon Family


LISTEN
Tracing their proud musical heritage deep into the history of Co. Cavan, brothers Charlie and Ben Lennon have been at the forefront of traditional Irish music for decades. Also on this program; a tribute to the late iconic English folk-singer, Mike Waterson.
A Celtic Sojourn

June 25: Capercaillie


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An examination of the long recording history of one of Scotland's leading contemporary bands.
A Celtic Sojourn

June 18: Ewan MacColl


LISTEN
Hear the poltical songs of Britsh folk legend, Ewan MacColl.
A Celtic Sojourn

June 11: Winifred Horan


LISTEN
Listen to the fiddling genius of long time Solas member and New England Conservatory graduate, Winifred Horan.
A Celtic Sojourn

June 4: Prosperous


LISTEN
The seminal group Planxty which released their first album in 1971, actually originated as Prosperous. A Celtic Sojourn explores the seminal recording on this edition of the program.
A Celtic Sojourn

May 7: Lúnasa


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Lúnasa has become one of the most sought-after bands on the international Irish music scene. The band’s inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves are steering Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory.
A Celtic Sojourn

May 28: Best Of Celtic And Guest Street Sessions


LISTEN
Host Brian O'Donovan highlights excerpts from A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, St. Patrick's Day programs, and Guest Street Sessions.
A Celtic Sojourn

May 14: Sinead O'Connor


LISTEN
This iconic and enigmatic rocker has taken on the role of punk-folksinger, priest, social gadfly, and spiritual interpreter of traditional Irish songs.
A Celtic Sojourn

May 21: Songs Of Cork


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Brian O'Donovan is from County Cork, the largest county in Irealand and one that is steeped in traditional music. On this program, Brian highlights the traditional songs, both Irish Gaelic and English, of city and county Cork.
A Celtic Sojourn

April 30: Len Graham


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Len Graham, who hails from Northern Ireland, is recognized as one of Ulster's finest singers. On this program, Brian O'Donovan explores his many recordings.
A Celtic Sojourn

April 23: The Albion Band


LISTEN
Enjoy the music of one of England's famed folk rock bands.
A Celtic Sojourn

April 16: Napoleon Bonaparte


LISTEN
Using all traditional tunes and songs, the Chieftains assembled a brilliant suite celebrating and chronicling Napoleon's rise and fall as seen through the aspirations of the Irish.
A Celtic Sojourn

April 9: John McCormack


LISTEN
This week's edition of A Celtic Sojourn features songs of the great Irish Tenor John McCormack, who drew on traditional Celtic material for his most successful recordings. Host Brian O'Donovan explores some of these recordings dating back to the 1920s.
A Celtic Sojourn

April 2: T With The Maggies


LISTEN
Four iconic women in the traditional Irish music scene during the past 30 years combine forces for this wonderful and innovative CD.
A Celtic Sojourn

March 26: Pub Session


LISTEN
Irish traditional music if often played "session" style in pubs around the world.  Brian O'Donovan explores a few on this afternoon's edition of the program.
A Celtic Sojourn

March 19: Annbjorg Lien


LISTEN
Annbjorg Lien is one of the great practitioners of Norway's Hardanger fiddle.
A Celtic Sojourn

St. Patrick's Day


LISTEN
Host Brian O'Donovan examines the state of Irish music at home and abroad.
A Celtic Sojourn

March 5: Teada


LISTEN
Host Brian O'Donovan features recordings by Teada, young musicians from Ireland who have been touring now for more than 10 years. in anticipation of their performance at this year's St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn series of concerts in Cambridge, and New Bedford.
A Celtic Sojourn

Feb. 26: Beoga


LISTEN
Listen to music by Beoga: A new, young traditional band from the North of Ireland.
A Celtic Sojourn

Feb. 19: Celtic Cello


LISTEN
Hardly known as a traditional Celtic sound, the cello is fast becoming a key instrument in many Celtic ensembles
A Celtic Sojourn

Donal Lunny


LISTEN
TIX FOR A ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELTIC
Brian O'Donovan spotlights Donal Lunny. Long a stalwart of the Celtic music scene, this multi-instrumentalist was a founding member of seminal groups such as Planxty, the Bothy Band, and the ground-breaking rockband, Moving Hearts.
A Celtic Sojourn

Feb. 5: Celtic Music By Contemporary Artists


LISTEN
Host Brian O'Donovan plays Celtic Music by contemporary artists including Donovan, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, and Mark Knopfler.
A Celtic Sojourn

Jan. 29: The Poet And The Piper


LISTEN
Liam O'Flynn, the well known Uileann Piper teamed up with Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney, a number of years ago to create a very special recording of poetry and music. Host Brian O'Donovan explores that recording and other work by Heaney on this edition of the program
A Celtic Sojourn

Jan. 22: The Chieftains In China


LISTEN
The Chieftains in China. Twenty-five years ago, this iconic group of Irish musicians traveled to China to present a series of concerts in a country that is very different than what we see today. On this program, host Brian O'Donovan explores the musical collaborations that came from that trip.
A Celtic Sojourn

Jan. 8: Andy Irvine


LISTEN
Andy Irvine: Long a stalwart in the Irish traditional singing scene and founding member of the seminal group Planxty, Andy Irvine has just released a new CD called Abocurragh. Brian O’Donovan explores it extensively on this edition.
A Celtic Sojourn

Jan. 1: The Year in Celtic Music


LISTEN
A look back at the year in Celtic Music. Brian's annual exploration of the year that was, in Celtic music releases and live concerts.
A Celtic Sojourn

Dec. 25: A Christmas Sojourn


LISTEN
Brian O'Donovan creates a backdrop for Christmas with a seamless smorgasbord of songs, instrumentals, stories, poems, and sentiments of the season.
A Celtic Sojourn

Nov. 20: Songs of Thanksgiving


LISTEN
Brian O'Donovan compiles a selection of Celtic music celebrating Thanksgiving.
A Celtic Sojourn

Oct. 30: Joe Derrane


LISTEN
Brian O'Donovan talks with 80-year-old accordion player Joe Derrane who just released a new CD called Grove Lane.
A Celtic Sojourn

Oct. 23: Martin Simpson Plays Holywell


LISTEN
On this edition of A Celtic Sojourn, Brian O'Donovan brings you a concert guitarist Martin Simpson recorded at the beautiful Holywell Music Room at Oxford University in England.
A Celtic Sojourn

Harvest Home


LISTEN
An important and usually celebratory time in all agrarian societies, Harvest songs and tunes are common throughout Celtic culture. This edition of A Celtic Sojourn explores that theme.
A Celtic Sojourn

Orchestral Celtic Music


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Host Brian O'Donovan features orchestral arrangements of traditional Celtic music.
Arts

Center Stage


WATCH
Watch Center Stage with Jared Bowen, and see what other fans of the program are saying.
Foodie Blog

Irish Moonshine, Colcannon, and Christy Moore on Celtic Sojourn


By Cathy Huyghe

My task for last Saturday’s segment on WGBH’s own A Celtic Sojourn radio program was to discuss the history of beverages in Ireland, as well as contemporary iterations of Irish cuisine.

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