Once again, the Irish Arts Center — in partnership with Carnegie Hall — held the 7th annual Celtic Appalachian Celebration at Symphony Space (at Broadway and 94th St.) on March 15, 2019. Hosted by renowned musician-folklorist Mick Moloney, this incredible musical love letter was part of the citywide Migrations series which showcases all kinds of international musical styles.Moloney, noted for both his musicological scholarship and deft playing skills, has been as much an advocate and activist for a love of global music as he is an adept player. Limerick born, he joined the Dublin folk revival of the ’60s but in 1973, moved to Philadelphia, where he gained early fame as a member of The Emmet Folk Group and The Johnstons. He has since performed and recorded with lots of others, including Eugene O’Donnell, Séamus Egan, Marie & Martin Reilly and he worked closely with The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem.
So his rousing concert of traditional, old-time, and American folk music explored a shared lineage between Irish, West African, and Appalachian traditions, with performances by the Green Fields of America, New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters (featuring 2018 NEA National Heritage fellow Eddie Bond), Jerron “Blind boy” Paxton, and others. On banjo, octave, mandolin, and vocals, Moloney led the ensemble performing with fiddler Athena Tergis at his side.
The first section of the evening included a set of snappy compositions played with The Green Fields of America (Brendan Dolan, piano, flute; Liz Hanley, fiddle, vocals; Billy McComiskey, accordion) who were joined by dancer Niall O’Leary and and an equally skilled woman dancer. After a half-dozen rousing jigs and re
els, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton (banjo, harmonica, and vocals) took the stage and played a charming set of traditional blues tunes and songs of the South.
els, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton (banjo, harmonica, and vocals) took the stage and played a charming set of traditional blues tunes and songs of the South.Next up came Little Nora Brown, on banjo and expressive vocals paired with fiddler Stephanie Coleman who provided a link to a younger generation of performers.
After intermission, the second half of the evening featured The New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters — Caroline Noel Beverley, mandolin, vocals; Bonnie Bond, bass, vocals; Eddie Bond, fiddle, vocals; Josh Ellis, banjo, vocals; and band leader/guitarist Dennis Hall. Playing lots of pure old timey Mountain music and authentic bluegrass, audibly establishing a link to its earlier Celtic traditions. They closed out the evening with a sessun of all the musicians on stage alternating between various sounds showcased throughout the evening. By exploring Ireland’s connection to the music and dance of West Africa and Appalachia, this rip-roaring concert of various musical sounds wowed the audience while enlightening it.