For this third episode I’m diving into my very special interview with the late Paddy Moloney, frontman of the legendary Irish band The Chieftains, that took place in January 2020.
To say that the Irish band The Chieftains are one of the longest running bands in musical history is an understatement. The folk band started in the 60s. And in that vast career, they’ve expanded the genre of Irish music by partnering with a slew of musicians outside the bailiwick of that country’s musical output, including heavyweights such as Van Morrisson, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones and Ry Cooder.
But they’ve also worked with lesser known musicians, such as the Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Decemberists, the Punch Brothers and even with the U.S. Astronaut Cady Coleman, who was loaned one of Paddy Moloney’s tin whistles and played it on the International Space Station.
In the interview, Moloney says he’s always learning more and wanting more when it comes to playing music. Dubbing this tour the "Irish Goodbye," which is a term that means you're sneaking out of a party without telling anyone to avoid any awkward so longs, is a clever way of (perhaps) capping off a long, historic career. Moloney says he still has several albums lined up that he wants to work on, which could allow for more shows.
Sadly, he passed away in October 2021. For this Interview, Moloney was in a hotel room in Vancouver while I was in the studios of the public radio station I worked for. We had paid for an audio producer to go record him while I spoke to him on the phone. At the same time, I was recording myself. It was like I was there.
Check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud. For 17 years, I had a world music show on a local public radio station. Be sure to check out my other podcasts: History Reinvented, which covers the history and future of places in the city, including the Mayo Bridge and Island and the area known as Pine Camp in Richmond ,VA; And the Mechanics of Transportation/RVA Bike Scene. I’m also on YouTube at IanStewartCycles.
Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.
The World Music Show — Interviews from the archives podcast is a Big Soap Production. I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along.
Music by: dance-with-the-masters-joe-montague-main-version-28682-02-09 and was downloaded with permission at Upbeat Music
Follow me on social media at: just_ianstewart on Threads
