Irish American Music Part 1/2 – Rural

This week ( in the 1st half hour) Henrietta, Eli and guest host Bob Malenky play examples of the music of early immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, Protestant farmers who settled in Appalachia, and discuss the social conditions that gave rise to this music. Then in the second part of the program Eli plays some tracks he likes, but without changing the genre too much. Tune in again next week for the 2nd half of the program, featuring 19th and early 20th century popular music from the Northern urban Irish Catholic factory workers who emigrated later.

Of special note in this program is the connection between the church singing of the appalachan Primitive Baptists, and the Presbyterian church singing from the the Isle of Lewis off the coast of Scotland. They’re the same! Except one’s in English and the other’s in Gaelic. That style of singing is absolutely at the foundation of old-time, bluegrass and some early country vocal style.

Irish American Music Part 1/2 – Rural

Links:

Of special note in this program is the connection between the church singing of the appalachan Primitive Baptists, and the Presbyterian church singing from the the Isle of Lewis off the coast of Scotland. They’re the same! Except one’s in English and the other’s in Gaelic. That style of singing is absolutely at the foundation of old-time, bluegrass and some early country vocal style.

Isle of Lewis Wikipedia Article

Gaelic Psalm Singing webpage – Has audio clips

The Free Church of Scotland – Get converted