What Makes Me Such an Expert?

If an expert is defined as someone with academic credentials, I don't have any (at least not in Irish music. I do have one bachelor's degree and two master's degrees in other fields, for what that's worth). If, however, an expert is defined as someone who knows something about a subject, keeps his eyes and mind open, and is continually learning, then I am something of an expert on Irish singing. I have been listening to Irish songs for 40+ years (just ask my poor long-suffering wife)! I have been singing Irish songs for almost as long (although I have tended to concentrate on the more traditional stylings for far less time). Also as a librarian with 25 years experience, I have opportunity to draw on the wisdom and expertise of others, some of whom are included in the bibliography below. Finally I was the founder of the Rochester (New York) Singers' Session. Those who wish to dispute either my facts or my interpretation are welcome to do so. I make no claims to omniscience.  All comments and constructive suggestions are welcome; flames, however, will be ignored. My email address is provided below. A brief bibliography follows for those interested in learning more about traditional singing and traditional songs.

Bibliography

Arthur Colahan: He Saw the Sun Go Down Over Galway Bay, Galway Advertiser August 22, 2002, p. 50.

The Companion to Irish Traditional Music, ed. by Fintan Vallely
(New York: New York University Press, c1999).

Cronin, Elizabeth. The Songs of Elizabeth Cronin, Irish Traditional Singer: The Complete Song Collection, edited by Daibhi O'Croinin (Dublin: Four Courts Press, c2000).

Henigan, Julie. "Sean Nos in Donegal: In Search of a Definition" Ulster Folklife 37 (1991), 97-105, reprinted on Musical Tradition website, October 21, 2002.

Henry, Sam. Songs of the People, edited by Gale Huntington and Lani
Herrmann (Athens: University of Georgia Press, c1990).

IRTRAD-L, the Traditional Irish Music Listserv. Those who wish to subscribe to this electronic discussion list are instructed to go to this web site. At the site, supply your name and email address and click on Join IRTRAD-L. A couple of warnings: one, conversation is not just on singing; all aspects of traditional Irish music (singing, traditional instrumental music, sometime dancing, certainly history and the social contexts of the tradition, etc.) are discussed. Second, the volume of the list (both in terms of the volume of messages received and the ardor with which the tradition is discussed) can be quite high. Discussions can be quite fascinating, but they are not for those without some initial background in the tradition.

Kennedy, Peter. Folksongs of Britain and Ireland (London: Cassel, c1975).

McCann, Anthony. Sean Nos Singing - A Bluffer's Guide The Living Tradition,
no. 24 (June-July 1998).

McCourt, Malachi. Danny Boy: The Beloved Irish Ballad (Philadelphia:
Running Press, c200).

Moulden, John, "Song," in The Companion to Irish Traditional Music, ed. by Fintan
Vallely (New York: New York University Press, c1999).

Moylan, Terry (ed.). The Age of Revolution in the Irish Song Tradition, 1776 to 1815 (Dublin: Lilliput Press in Association with Goilín Traditional Singers Club, c2000).

O'Boyle. The Irish Song Tradition (Dublin: O'Brien Press, c1976).

O'Canainn, Tomas. Traditional Music in Ireland (London: Routledge & K. Paul, c1978).

Robinson, Michael. Danny Boy-- The Mystery Solved!
http://www.standingstones.com/dannyboy.html

Shields, Hugh. Narrative Singing in Ireland: Lays, Ballads,
Come-All-Yes, and Other Songs (Blackrock, Co. Dublin : Irish Academic
Press, c1993).

Shields, Hugh. Shamrock, Rose, and Thistle: Folk Singing in North
Derry (Belfast : Blackstaff Press, c1981).

Wallis, Geoff and Sue Wilson. The Rough Guide to Irish Music (London: Rough Guides, c2000).

Weatherly, Frederick Edward. Piano and Gown (London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926).

What is Irish Traditional Music: Definitions and Characteristics (Dublin: Irish Traditional Music Archive, c1996).

Comments:
If you have comments you'd like to make, or constructive suggestions as to how the page can be improved, send me an email at cristoir@optonline.net

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