Fusions of Irish Music

1. Fusions of Irish Music One of the most interesting developments in recent times is the way in which other previously unrelated musical styles have interacted and fused with Irish traditional music. This has led to the development of several different categories of music with Irish influences

2. Fusions of Irish Music • Traditional/classical This involves a classical music ensemble such as a string quartet or chamber orchestra accompanying a traditional musician. • In Micheal O Suilleabhain’s work Oilean, he combined traditional Irish flute with orchestra in a work or three movements. Other composers who use this combination include Sean O Riada and Shaun Davey. 

3. Fusions of Irish Music • Traditional/Folk • This type of fusion is played by groups such as the Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners who play popular ballads and Irish songs in an upbeat tempo with guitars and bouzouki. They also play Irish dance music between songs. • The group Altan seek out unheard Irish songs and put their own stamp on them. Their instruments include fiddle, guitars and bouzouki’s. • De Dannon use mix guitar, bouzouki, Irish instruments and a cello. Frankie Gavin (fiddle) has experimented with popular songs for example Hey Jude which was sped up to the time of a reel.

4. Fusions of Irish Music The Dubliners: Molly Malone A popular Irish song, with an upbeat tempo. Note the guitars and bouzouki

5. Fusions of Irish Music Altan: A Stor, A stor, a ghra Altan seek out unheard Irish songs. The lead singer is Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh. They originated in Donegal.

6. Fusions of Irish Music De Dannon: Hey Jude A popular song (The Beatles) which was sped up to the time of a reel.

7. Fusions of Irish Music Traditional/Rock • Clannad were a very progressive group in the 70s. They combined traditional with contemporary music. Their instrumentation includes synthesisers, drums, guitars mixed with the Irish instruments the harp, whistle and fiddle. • Thin Lizzy is famous for his Jimmy Hendrix style of electric guitar playing. He mixed traditional with rock in his music for example Whiskey in the Jar where the melody is on electric guitar and he sings it in a heavy metal style • The Corrs are a successful international pop group who use bodhran, fiddle and tin whistle in their music.

8. Fusions of Irish Music Thin Lizzy: Whiskey in the Jar • Melody: electric guitar • Vocals: Heavy rock style

9. Fusions of Irish Music The Corrs: Irish Instruments

10. Fusions of Irish Music Traditional/Jazz Sharon Shannon blends Irish music with Jazz on her accordion. She mixed Irish dance tunes with reggae jazz syncopated accompaniment. Micheal O Suilleabhain mixes Jazz rhythms and improvisations with Irish Jigs and reels on the piano.

11. Fusions of Irish Music • Traditional/World Ethnic Music These include more exotic fusions of music with traditional Irish music for example Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. • The Afro-Celt Sound System mix African music with Irish with influences of Irish dance music and Sean nós singing strong elements of their sound. Bill Whelen combined Irish music with Eastern European music in his work Riverdance. It uses uneven metres for example 7/8 instead of the traditional 6/8 time but still uses the traditional 32 bar round of Irish Dance tunes.