Readings

Marriage Equality & Presidents

Karen J McDonnell

Yes Tá

On the day of the Marriage Equality and Presidential referendums my colleague Julie Flavin and I visited a rural polling station to record a vox pop ‘exit poll’.

When we head off to do vox pops, we never know what we are going to get … in terms of material and/or abuse! Actually, a lot of the time people are shy. And no more so than when you are trying to find out how they have voted. So, thank you to everyone who spoke to us so freely.

But there is one voice that I cannot forget; she was the person I first thought of as the results came through the next day.

She came out of the polling station with her father (I presume) – who gestured with a wave of his arm to her that here we were … at her disposal … that she could speak out in any way she liked. And we were delighted to record her.

In fact, it was a privilege to hear this young woman – voting for the first time – for whom that day was so important.

The vox pop was first broadcast on Tuesday 26 May on Wild Atlantic Waves Radio, as part of the Midday Show during our News in Focus slot.

It was mixed down by Julie, and she did a fantastic job. The excerpt here includes intro and outro clips on either side of the vox pop:

 

Trekking Through Laurel Canyon – on the Western Skyline

Karen J McDonnell

My solo radio show on wildatlanticwaves.wordpress.com on May 27 was inspired by an article in Vanity Fair by Lisa Robinson. You can read ‘An Oral History of Laurel Canyon’  here.

laurel canyon

This time around on the Western Skyline, I journeyed to Laurel Canyon of the 60s and 70s and played tracks by Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills & Nash and others.

You can listen to the show here:

The playlist is below:

For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield,  Buffalo Springfield 1966 Atco Records

Monday, Monday – The Mamas & Papas, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears 1966 Dunhill Records

A Case of You – Joni Mitchell, Blue 1971 Warner Bros. Records

Woodstock – Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Dejá Vu 1970 Atlantic Recording Corp.

Cathedral – Crosby Stills  & Nash, CSN Greatest Hits 1977, 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp.

Carey  – Joni Mitchell,  Blue 1971 Warner Bros. Records

Home Again – Carole King, Tapestry 1971 Ode Records

I Feel the Earth Move – Carole King, Tapestry 1971 Ode Records

Earlybird – The Eagles, Eagles 1972 Asylum Records

Marrakesh Express – Crosby Stills & Nash, CSN Greatest Hits 1977, 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp.

 

Speakin’ the words …

Karen J McDonnell

Just a quick thank you to everyone who turned up last Friday night to the Record Break Café in Ennis for Poetry Corner readings by myself and Donal O’Conaill,  & music and song from Emer O’Flaherty.

At the Record Break. photo C. The Poetry Collective
At the Record Break. photo C. The Poetry Collective

I really appreciated the reaction to the poems. Some were new poems on their first night out; they were very shy.

Now, my lovelies, you should go to Sinéad’s café when you are next in Ennis. The coffee is stonkin’ and the chocolate & caramel cake looks divine.  I’m heading back there soon for a slice.

In other writing matters – I’ve just posted a blog about the Walter Macken centenary. You can click on ‘blog’ above, or here.  I’d be glad to get your comments.

 

What have we ever done for the Romans?

Karen J McDonnell

The title of this post paraphrases a famous line from The Life of Brian. 

romans life of brian

Well, here is someone who is doing something for the Romans … and the ancient Greeks.

Meet sixteen year old Oscar McHale – who had me smiling broadly as I drove into class this morning. Oscar was on the John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio 1 – talking Classics and all things classical. It was fantastic to hear someone of Oscar’s age make a case for Classics in the classroom at secondary level, and to echo comments common in the corridors of our universities right now: that most of the funding in education in this country focuses on science; to the detriment of the arts.

Oscar obviously adores the subject – he started lectures for friends who were interested in learning more about Classics. Now, there is a society for young Irish Classics fans – with support from Trinity College and Oscar’s teacher. Check them out on Twitter @CYSI_ and on their Facebook page.

And if you want something to make you smile in these dark days of the 1% majority and the dark deeds of global markets capitalism – listen to the podcast of today’s radio interview here

http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=9%3A20768420%3A4502%3A24%2D04%2D2015%3A

As someone who graduated in Classics and History, I was delighted to hear Oscar express such an interest in both subjects.  Best of luck to him in the years ahead. And good luck to the CYSI

Mr Burns for President!

Karen J McDonnell

As part of my radio work for my diploma I had to do a short interview with someone.

I decided to speak to one Mr Charles Montgomery Burns, from Springfield (aka Scott D).  Mr Burns has just announced that he will be running in the 2016 American presidential election.

Mr Burns

But – how safe will America be in the hands of Mr Burns?

YOU decide!

Listen here to Mr Burn’s first public interview since his campaign manager, Mr Waylon Smithers announced the candidacy on social media on Sunday 13th April.

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Western Skyline – with Karen McDonnell

Karen J McDonnell

bothy band

From now on I will broadcast my solo shows with Wild Atlantic Waves Radio under the programme title Western Skyline. Most likely, each show will have a different theme.

So, here is the first one – a selection of Irish traditional and ‘prog. trad’ music: some of the finest musicians in the world.

Listen to Clannad, Planxty, The Chieftains, Horslips, Martin Hayes and many of the people with whom he collaborates.

The chieftains stamp

Hope you enjoy the show as much as I did compiling it.

And, if you wonder about a reference to Marilyn Moroe on the sign off – we had a live Happy Birthday sung for our Chris in the studio. I edited that out of the podcast!

PLAYLIST

Clannad: Brian Boru’s March – ‘Clannad’ 2014 Spectrum Music

Planxty: As I Roved Out – ‘The Well Below the Valley’ 2005 Shanachie Records

Planxty & Bill Whelan: Timedance Eurovision 1981 Interval Act – see youtube

The Chieftains & Sting: Mo Ghile Mear (excerpt) – ‘The Long Black Veil’ 1995 BMG Music

The Chieftains: Carolan’s Concerto – ‘The Essential Chieftains’ 2006 BG Intl

The Bothy Band: The Kesh/Give us a drink of water… – ‘Bothy Band Live’ 1994 Windsong Intl

The Bothy Band: Farewell to Erin – ‘Bothy Bank Live’ 1994 Windsong Intl

Horslips: Dearg Doom – ‘The Táin’ 1973 RCA (UK)

Martin Hayes: The Star of Munster – ‘Martin Hayes’ 1992 Green Linnet

Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill: Martin Rochford’s/The Green Gowned Lass – ‘Live in Seattle’ 1999 Green Linnet

The Gloaming: Samhradh Samhradh – ‘The Gloaming’ 2011 prod. T Bartlett.

Solo run – Classical Easter: A Radio Show

Karen J McDonnell

eggs free online

Hello listeners!

Below is a link to my radio show from Thursday 2 April 2015 – broadcast on Wild Atlantic Waves Radio online. Classical Easter is a mix of classical music (now, there’s a surprise). There’s some chat about Easter, the Emperor Constantine, Tenebrae, plus the food we like to eat around this time of the year. What is simnel cake?

I’ve also given the playlist below. Hope you enjoy it . Comments are welcome.

hot cross buns - bbc.co.uk

PLAYLIST:

Intro and last track: Beethoven’s Allegro # 3 from the Pastoral Symphony performed by Orquesta Lírica de Barcelona

‘Christ is Risen’ (Arabic) performed by St Symeon Orthodox Church Choir, Birmingham Alabama.

‘Alleluia’ (Georgian/Znamenny Chant) performed by Stretenye: The Ensemble of Old church Music, Kharkov

‘Responsories for Holy Saturday’ by Tomás Luis de Vittoria performed by Sepulto Domino

‘He was Despised and Rejected of Men’ from Handel’s Messiah, performed by Les Arts Florissants

Excerpt from And the Trumpet Shall Sound from Handel’s Messiah, performed by The Monteverdi Choir

Ach Herr lass dein lieb Engelein from J.S Bach’s St. John’s Passion, performed by Joanne Lunn, Katherine Fuge conducted by JE Gardiner.

‘Sprin’g from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi performed by the London Philharmonic with Pieter Schoeman

‘That Sheep May Safely Graze’ by J.S Bach, performed by the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester

‘The Easter Hymn’ from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, performed by Julia Varady and the London Opera Chorus

 

 

On the Wireless Again

Karen J McDonnell

 

brekkie show

JOIN ME & MY CO-HOSTS

The Breakfast Show with Julie, Lorraine & Karen this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 31 March – 2nd April.

On the Menu

The Mini Feature

Movie Moments Quiz

What’s RIGHT with Ireland?

On this day

News updates

And – of course – some great music.

Bígí linn!

PODCAST of TUESDAY’S SHOW 31 March 2015

PODCAST of WEDNESDAY’S SHOW 1 April 2015

PODCAST of THURSDAY’S SHOW 2 April 2015

 

‘What’s Love got to do with it? Radio

Karen J McDonnell

Radio Programme – 1 hour.

First broadcast online on Wild Atlantic Waves Radio  12 February 2015.

Opening Verse - Shelley's 'Love's Philosophy' c. etsy.com
Opening Verse – Shelley’s ‘Love’s Philosophy’ c. etsy.com

An hour dedicated to all aspects of love: with music; poetry; requests, and food for Valentine’s Day dinners in!