What’s up with Irish ‘backing’? How does accompaniment fit in the melodic Irish tradition, and how does it feel to invent chords for Irish tunes and songs? Accompanists Matt Heaton, Neil Pearlman, Keith Murphy, and John Doyle talk about share their thoughts on culture, conversation, and the role that guitar, bouzouki, piano, and harp (and flow state) play in Irish music.

There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below.

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Special thanks to Patrick O’Leary, Art Costa, Paul Willson, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!

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Visit IrishMusicStories.org

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Music Heard on IMS Episode 06 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated

Song: “Lily of the West,” from Lovers’ WellArtist: Matt & Shannon Heaton (this track with Keith Murphy)

Tune: “Mist Covered Mountain and Tell Her I Am,” from DeargaArtist: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Tune: “Run to Fly,” from Run to FlyArtist: Alba’s Edge (feat. Neil Pearlman)

Tune: “The Phoenix,” from January EPArtist: Assembly (feat. Keith Murphy)

Song: “Buonaparte,” from Bound for CanaanArtist: Keith Murphy

Tune: “The Rock Reel Set,” from Lake EffectArtist: Liz Carroll with John Doyle

Tune: “Johnny Going to Ceilidh,” from DemoArtist: Matt Heaton, Flynn Cohen