Toora Loora

" - Why didn't they call it Finnegan's Sleep?!"

What was considered a 'Pop' Song in the early 1900's? How did these songs become popular, without recordings?

What's the story with Irish Funerals?

What in the name of God is whiskey punch, and where can we find some?

What were the socialising habits of Irish Americans in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries?

Is Mrs. Finnegan a Molly or a Nancy?

Seriously, where's the whiskey punch!? And who's making the sandwiches?

Find out the answers to these questions and many more this week as we take the old favourite 'Finnegan's Wake' apart and discover what surprises lie within.

Join us for some 2020 nostalgia as we delve into the first episode we ever recorded!

Notable versions:

Christy Moore - https://open.spotify.com/track/0PMWnkMOVUinYFVUvp2Mmz?si=KBteqxe_R2aiEoHp2_W8zQ

The Clancy Brothers - https://open.spotify.com/track/67OFz5VND1Wk2vNztuQnHh?si=qMt4UnF_Q6mjK3QakxReKg

'Finnegan's Wake' by James Joyce (in his own words) -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8kFqiv8Vww

Where did seafaring songs originate? Why are they suddenly all over TikTok? What is Hugh Finn doing playing banjo on a pirate ship in the middle of the Atlantic!? And who the heck is Sally Brown?

Find answers to all these questions and more in our latest episode - A Sea Shanty Special with legendary Folk Duo from County Laois, The Finns!

The Finns are a highly successful folk music duo from Laois, Ireland - brothers Hugh (Booy) and Ciarán Finn. Their roots lie in traditional Irish music but their original songs have been described as alt-folk roots, or indie folk music, with strong hints of blues and rock.

They have incredibly catchy, lovable, and seriously impressive original songs that are easy to fall for. This has allowed them to travel the world with massive popularity especially in the USA. The Finns have released a host of successful singles off their debut and charting No. 1 album “Creations”, which has turned heads with the highest quality of production involved.

The Finns play banjos, guitars, percussion, bouzouki, tenor guitars and harmonicas making the live set very interesting and with their strong harmonies shining through, the brother vibe is very enjoyable to watch as they entertain very organically.

And above all else, they are advocates of Sea Shanties and songs of the sea - making them a fantastic asset for today's special episode - exploring the notion of seafaring folk songs!

Catch their live streaming gig on Facebook Live every Saturday night!

Notable Links:

The Finns Website : https://www.thefinnsmusic.com

The Finns Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefinnsmusic/

Folk Man : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk1h6wXF0Sk

What is a sea shanty? - https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/music-theory/what-is-sea-shanty-music-history-sailor-songs/

"Now and in time to be,

Wherever green is worn,

Are changed, changed utterly:

A terrible beauty is born."

-William Butler Yeats, 'Easter 1916'

This weekend we explore a song about what is probably the most significant event in Irish History - The 1916 Rising

Join us as we explore thoughts surrounding the public reaction to the rising in 1916, and the shifting mentalities in its aftermath. We discuss WB Yeats, Padraig Pearse, the lovers, the dreamers and me!

We also look into the concept of songs being used to preserve and depict martyrdom, the notion of many different songs sharing the same melody, and have a bit of a singsong of our own!

Follow us on @tooraloorapodcast and come say hello!

Conor McGregor's walkout at UFC 246 to The Foggy Dew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vzh9qjLNEc

The National Folk Orchestra of Ireland performing Michael Rooney's Macalla 1916 https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=194328385290872&ref=watch_permalink

Notable versions of The Foggy Dew:

The Chieftains and Sinéad O'Connor: https://open.spotify.com/track/61Tfx6zfjRe7XqJSFrXBR3

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones: https://open.spotify.com/track/1syYrI5A9kL4sr2mZ5H7d7?si=TtS7qBAMQ0C4ZBn3ZBl1Cg

The Dubliners: https://open.spotify.com/track/0P8opaGei1hqbdcSVZQcCG?si=m026JaXoQsqFyhwoCwnF-A

The Wolfe Tones: https://open.spotify.com/track/52bGJTusAslWsvpPguiFn6?si=KgsjKaHTSQama-P1L7IeJw

The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem: https://open.spotify.com/track/3eHHJTz0QbPBd6Qon4cf1h?si=j4Az8fKETUGukXTsgyUeEg

Join Josh and Kristian as they explore the mad dating customs of early Ireland. We discuss everything from flirting in 18th Century Ireland all the way to religious customs, the tomfoolery of Robert Burns, and the age old question - Lyons or Barrys ?! Join in for the laugh!

"Seventeen Come Sunday", also known as "As I Roved Out", "One May Morning" and "The Soldier and the Maid" belongs to a genre known as 'Night Visiting Songs' - it's one of many traditional folk songs about young men visiting young women in their bed chambers in the middle of the night, much to their mother's dismay.

The origin of the song is unknown, and it has been performed with several different melodies.

Notable versions:

The High Kings: https://open.spotify.com/track/7BSTuvVAfVdKcmp9f62add?si=Nv1RaoqaSPu3mDKBSvnfNg

Steeleye Span: https://open.spotify.com/track/5IbAG5vMY1XUQsVwKc9YOy?si=GEjmvWyBQPCo5mBUaOm2cw

Percy Grainger and Ambrosian Singers:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1bBFGbTd7BRbOkm7x1te5U?si=T0VwgoNSSoqnM48UhUzkXA

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Join us in our very first normal episode as we tackle whiskey, cider, early days viral advertising, and the ambiguity and madness surrounding the Irish Folk Song Tradition!

Notable versions

Jimmy Crowly: https://open.spotify.com/track/5V7AM4TjIt3DhTrQzenyC4?si=gQ23-Y5QSUaC0IHyq8fzOw

Christy Moore:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3JQ8kOXXR0rcQQah1DCif1?si=lJBCLwODTG-TIZTpaHGY5g

Welcome to Toora Loora, the Podcast where we explore Folk songs and find out what makes them tick!

Join us for our inaugural episode as we take a journey into the mad world of Folk Songs! In this episode we'll introduce the show and prepare you for the drinking, fighting, gambling, smoking, and much more besides, that comes with Folk Music.