Kitty Hayes

I am saddened to learn that concertina player, and widow of flute and whistle player Josie Hayes, Kitty Hayes died at home in Shanaway Miltown Malbay this past Saturday. Her friend, Peter Laban, has posted a heartfelt obituary. Here are some wonderful videos of Kitty and Peter playing together. They also recorded a well-reviewed CD together, and Kitty recorded a solo CD, as well.

The Kitchen Sessions

Those of us who can't make the commute to an actual kitchen in Co. Clare for tunes and dancing can content ourselves with Clare FM's ongoing series of programs, presented by Paula Carroll and recorded in the homes of music lovers around the county.

I've said this before, but it bears repeating: Clare FM's trad archive is one of the best destinations for trad fans I've found on the Internet. They feature great music with knowledgeable presenters, and regularly include material not available anywhere else, such as visits from musically-talented local youngsters and the kitchen sessions mentioned above. It's all in MP3 format, so you can listen to the shows in whatever way is convenient for you.

Finally, here's one more way to hear tunes in a Co. Clare kitchen. Kitty Hayes is featured in the first track on the first kitchen sessions program, and Clare FM has done a program featuring her as the start of a new series on "different aspects of life for older people in Clare." It doesn't seem to be available online, though.