Shows
Toora LooraDeck The HallsDid you know that the writer of one of our most famous and joyful Christmas carols was fathered by a man called Ebenezer? He may have been Ebenezer, but was he a Scrooge?What are your favourite sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas? What are ours?How do you translate German songs if you don't speak German? Who is Thomas Oliphant, and how is today's song related to the early folk music of Wales? What are wax cylinder recordings and how do they work? What do they sound like?Join Josh and Kristian...2022-12-091h 20Toora LooraWill You Come to the Bower?Will you will you (will you) come back to the Toora Loora podcast!?Welcome back! Salutations! What's the craic and how are ye getting on!? You're all very welcome back to the show after a bit of a hiatus! Where have we been? What's been going on? How does a 19th Century war between Texans and Mexicans relate to an old Irish love song by Sir Thomas Moore? All these questions and more are about to be answered, so be sure to tune in and hear Josh and Kristian explore the old folk song 'Will...2022-12-021h 06Toora LooraA Folksy Yuletide Shortlist'Tis the season to be jolly! Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!Christmas is less than a week away, and Josh and Christy want to help you boost your holiday spirit. In this episode the lads give you their top picks for Christmas songs, both from the folk music world, and beyond. We have received a mystery video from Kelly and the Toledo Irish American Club. Join us as we watch it for the first time.Some of the Songs Mentioned in this Episode:Fairytale of New York https...2021-12-1954 minToora LooraWhen First Unto This Country (A Stranger I Came) - A Thanksgiving Retrospective"When First Unto This Country, A Stranger I came,I courted a fair maid, and Nancy was her name,I courted her for love, her love I didn't obtain,Can you think of any reason why I should complain"What are we thankful for? Did we buy anything nice for Black Friday? Why is Kristian putting Christmas porridge on the doorstep at night? For the what!? The Cow-Shed Elf!? Oh right....Join us for our delayed Thanksgiving Special (well, twas as good a thing to talk...2021-12-091h 03Toora LooraCoast of Malabar"We will miss the great Galway bard who loved Co Clare.. Slán Sean.." Eoin O'Neill. Josh and Kristian take a trip down down the spice trading routes of India to the "Coast of Malabar" in this episode, as they talk about the legendary Irish bard Sean Tyrrell, who past away Saturday October 30.Follow us on Instagram @tooraloorapodcastFind us on Facebook.com/tooraloorapodcastEmail us at tooraloorapodcast@gmail.comSean Tyrrell - Coast of Malabar: https://open.spotify.com/track/61qIX246NWPWGwBwrs1vxQ?si=b741c8fa6649473f2021-11-051h 00Toora LooraOíche Shamhna - Halloween SpecialIt's all Hallow's Eve - Oíche Shamhna, The Festival of Samhain - The night when the Ancient Celts believed that the old spirits came back to walk the face of the Earth once a year! Tonight explore the witchy song 'Burning Times', and discuss the burning of witches in the Middle Ages!What did they do about it? Who is Darby O' Gill? Why is Kristian cursing in the Church!? What did Sean Connery sound like with an Irish accent? And wtf is going on with Mr. Jack O' Lantern!?Tune into our 'Toora H...2021-11-011h 23Toora LooraBoolavogue"Father Murphy from old Kilcormack spurred up the rocks with a warning cry!" 'Boolavogue' tells the story of the fighting priest of the 1798 rebellion in Ireland, and has become somewhat of a Wexford Anthem. And who better to talk about it than Wexford native, uilleann piper, guitarist and member of The Kilkennys, Mick Martin.Check out Davy Spillanes rendition of the tune here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlegEH9PmVM 2021-10-161h 09Toora LooraThe Long Black VeilSpooky ghost-women crying over graves - Murder Most Foul - Hollywood Actors and their ghostly stalkers - Mistaken Identity - October Vibes!Since when is Mick Jagger a member of The Chieftains!?Come and join the lads this week as they discuss all the mad themes and topics surrounding 'The Long Black Veil', and we'll ring in Spooktober with style!Notable versions:Mick Jagger + The Chieftains - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F-4rY4g4DoJohnny Cash - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5...2021-10-101h 08Toora LooraA Halfway HouseWe realise that we've passed the six month mark, and have published a total of 28 episodes. Not too bad for two procrastinators!We thought that this would be the perfect time to take a breather, and talk about the things we've done so far and the future!We want to invite you to help us shape the Toora Loora road ahead. What do you want us to do more of? What hasn't worked? New ideas we could incorporate in the podcast?Contact us on our email tooraloorapodcast@gmail.comOn facebook...2021-09-241h 00Toora LooraLaunch Night Throwback (St. Patrick's Day 2021)Music, Shite Talk, Special Guests, Singing, Dancing, Drinking, Fighting, Smoking - Our Special Live Launch Night in March 2021 had a little bit of everything, and if you missed it, today's your lucky day!With Josh being away on tour we've decided to have a bit of a throwback to our first ever episode of Toora Loora, which until now was only available on Facebook! Tune in and have a listen!Special Guests on the evening included:Colum King (of Ceolplay on Charity Radio Ireland)Camillus Hiney (of 'The Fureys')...2021-09-191h 47Toora LooraBold Thady Quill“Some people say hurling isn’t very important in the scheme of things. But to hurling people hurling is the scheme of things.” – Ger Loughnane, former Clare Hurler and Clare Hurling Manager.Bold Thady Quill is a traditional humours song about a Cork hurler, and it's the perfect backdrop for an episode all about the 3000 year old stick and ball game.Join Josh, Kristian and their very special guest, good friend and member of The Boxty Gang, Rory Costello, in this deep dive into Irelands national sport, Hurling. The Clancy Brothers - Bold Thady Qu...2021-09-101h 07Toora LooraThe Molly Sessions (Vol. 1) - 'Whiskey In The Jar' Vs. 'Molly Malone'Who in the Jaysus is Molly, and why is she the Queen of Songs?Welcome to a very special episode, and a new concept to explore ! Classic Toora Loora - Testing the boundaries with every passing week!This week, Kristian and Josh battle it out, and start us off on an ongoing journey to decide which Molly will be crowned the Queen of Songs - who will be the winner!? That's entirely up to you good folks in the public - head to our social media pages to find out how to vote for your...2021-09-031h 02Toora LooraWhen You Were Sweet Sixteen"I Love You As I Never Loved Before"A couple of weeks ago we had a request to do the immortal "When You Were Sweet Sixteen". Naturally we were delighted to, as Josh has made many an eye tear up playing it across the UK and Europe with The Fureys.Join us for another trip down vaudeville lane, talking about love, romance and stories from the road!The Fureys: https://open.spotify.com/track/4UWHOgf4uXQabSrodHOrvf?si=684f3c2704bd4d2c2021-08-271h 12Toora LooraBurns Night 2021 Throwback"The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth; Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,The hills of the Highlands for ever I love." Continuing on the Scottish Theme (Much to Kristian's delight!), we're taking another trip back in time to the Pre-TooraLoora era and relive our first live stream, celebrating Robert Burns. Grab yerself a Haggis and a wee dram, sit back and listen to us talk Scottish Turkey.2021-08-201h 30Toora LooraScotland the Brave"Grade 1, first place, winner of the RSPB Jubilee Trophy and Banner, and World Champions for 2021 ... Toora Loora Pipe Band"This week we dive into the world of Great Highland Bagpipes, as we talk about one of Scotlands unofficial National Anthems. It's safe to say Kristian is excited.Pipe Major Nikolai Hagen Huse of the Oslo Caledonian Pipe Band, where Kristian is a member, joins us in this bagpipe extravaganza. 2021-08-131h 35Toora LooraBelfast Mountains (Live)Diamonds in the Belfast MountainsLovely MollyThe Legend that is Alan BurkeThat 'magic' moment when you hear a song for the first time and just have to make it your ownTune in for all this and more, in this special Live Episode of 'Toora Loora' with Josh and Kristian, as they chat and research the song 'Belfast Mountains' Live from Facebook on 6th August 2021Notable Versions:Alan Burke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCVAbD57WUYThe Rapparees...2021-08-071h 21
Toora LooraBound for CaledoniaRise up, me bonny lassie - Make haste and come away! There's a Podcast about 'Bound For Caledonia'! (See what we did there!?)Join the lads this week as they discuss seafaring, fair maidens posing as soldiers, blackmail, and true love (with a bit of deception and shameless self-promotion thrown in for good measure!)Bound For Caledonia is an old sea-faring song about a lovely young girl and her true love dreaming of returning home to Scotland. But how does it all pan out? Tune in and find out!Notable Versions:...2021-07-301h 02Toora LooraEasy and Slow with Billy TreacyYou've neatly and tenderly tied up my shoe!Join Josh and Kristian today as they talk life, music, and 'Easy and Slow' with the wonderful Dublin Balladeer Billy Treacy of 'Billy Treacy and The Scope'! "Billy Treacy is a Folk singer/songwriter from Dublin's Inner City. A modern day Balladeer with contemporary story songs using traditional instruments it neatly welds the past with the present.His first Album "Head Above Water" was produced by Conor Brady and featured a host of musicians that Billy has played with around town. It contains thirteen tracks...2021-07-231h 19
Toora LooraLanigan's BallHe stepped out, I stepped in again. I stepped out and she stepped in again.By popular demand, here it is: Lanigan's Ball!What did they actually do at that party? Was six months learning a set dance time well spent? And who was the mysterious Galway Poet that supposedly wrote the song?Josh and Kristian also explain the etymology of the much talked about Feakle Festival, and dive into regional differences in playing styles, instrument choices and tune selection across Ireland.Join the craic!Notable...2021-07-161h 07Toora LooraLisdoonvarnaFlutes and Fiddles Everywhere, If it's Music You Want - Go To Clare!Up The Banner and All That!This week Josh and Kristian discuss Christy Moore's famous classic, written all about the infamous Lisdoonvarna Festival of the 1980's.Tune in to hear chats about Clare, Music, Tunes, disappearances, festivals, Moose Burgers (wtf!?) and much much more! Don't forget - everybody needs a break. So come and join us for yours and have a bit of craic with us as we take a journey to County Clare!2021-07-121h 09Toora LooraWorking on a BuildingKristian has been working on a building lately. Josh thought old American Spiritual 'Working on a Building' was a fitting song to look in to, as the lads went live on Facebook - Completely unprepared. Join the craic!Notable versions: The Finns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxEFLLCkMLMBill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBDZ3G4RCHc2021-07-0258 minToora LooraThe Rare Aul TimesRing a Ring a Rosey, as the light declinesI remember Dublin City in The Rare Aul Times.Join Kristian and Josh today as they talk about the good old days busking with Molly Malone, eating 2 Euro Chicken Rolls, drinking cheap pints, reminiscing about Burritos of days gone by, and exploring some local Dublin History! Come and join in the craic, and don't forget to send us a message with all of your old memories of Dublin City! :) Notable versions:Luke Kelly...2021-06-251h 12
Toora LooraThe Wind That Shakes The Barley"I'll join the brave united men while soft winds shake the barley"Today Josh and Kristian tackle the famous song that has lent its title to the famous Ken Loach movie. We dive into the 1798 rebellion in Ireland, explore the significance of Barley, and sing Sean-nós about Covid.Notable versions of The Wind That Shakes The Barley:Solas: https://open.spotify.com/track/7MGEaVNwpog9jzVsXp7Wda?si=816069af61b94eb5Máire Ní Shúilleabháin: https://www.youtu...2021-06-181h 04Toora LooraLord of The DanceIt's hard to dance, with the Divil on your back!Begolly and Begorra, Josh and Kristian are with ye today to bring the chats and anecdotes surrounding the old classic, 'Lord of The Dance'.Who was the original Lord of The Dance? Were 'The Shakers' a 1950's Rock n' Roll Band? Why shouldn't you use the word 'Riverdance' as a verb? Find out all this and much more by tuning in now! Hop, Skip, and Jump into this episode just like Kristian and be...2021-06-111h 05
Toora LooraLong Ago And Far Away - An Origin StoryJosh and Kristian first met in a classroom in a Steiner school in Bærum, Norway, on a hot summers day in 2011. How did Kristian become obsessed with Ireland and how did he gain the title of Honorary Clare Man and where does the name Christy Barry Murphy come from? In this episode of Toora Loora we bring you the full, unedited back story of Josh and Kristians friendship, in the form of a mini radio documentary Kristian made in 2011. Want to reach us? e...2021-06-0438 minToora LooraDrinking Songs #1 - Live Stream SpecialDrink, Drink, the country's on the brink!Join us for our first ever special Live Stream Episode of Toora Loora! Streamed Live on Facebook on 28.05.21Kristian and Josh took to zoom to share some thoughts and anecdotes around the mad world of drinking songs.There's drinking, fighting, gambling, smoking, special guest features (Kelly and Pearse!) and much more besides. Tune in and hear what we got up to.A few honourable mentions - 'Drink...2021-05-301h 58Toora LooraHard Times (Come Again No More)'Let us pause in life's pleasures'We've all experienced hard times in life - with luck, there'll always be light at the end of the tunnel to guide us out of the darkness.What is a pale drooping maiden? What is Kristian's favourite tea? How can one song seemingly 'originate' from so many different places all at once? And how did the banjo travel from Africa all the way to the USA before heading back to Ireland, losing a string in the process? Join...2021-05-221h 04Toora LooraThe Sick Note'Dear sir, I write this note to youTo tell you of my plight.At the time of writing it, I'm not a pretty sight.My body is all black and blue,My face a deathly grey,And I write this note to say why Paddy's not at work today'.This week we explore a humorous song with some dark connotations.Tissues at the ready! Some serious topics hiding in here today amongst the fun and games!2021-05-081h 14Toora LooraWild Mountain Thyme (Go Lassie, Go)Gowan Lassie! Will ye go?Did John Lennon really play the Uilleann Pipes? If so, who taught him?How is Hollywood ruining the Internet presence of some of our best loved Folk Songs?Why do rural Irish folk still leave saucers of milk on their doorstep at night? And what in the Jaysus is a Piseóg?Find answers to all this and more as we explore the coming of Summer and the world-renowned song 'Wild Mountain Thyme' !2021-04-301h 01Toora LooraThe Irish RoverWe all have that one friend that always have to outdo everyone else! You never know whether if they're telling the truth, of if they're bullshitting.Join Josh and Kristian as they explore The Irish Rover, the most elaborate bullshit drunken bar story ever told.What are "Bales of nanny goats' tails"? What is the soul of an Irish bar? And who's shoving cailíns around the field?Notable versions of The Irish Rover:The Dubliners & The Pouges: https://o...2021-04-2353 min
Toora LooraFinnegan's Wake" - 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? 2021-04-1650 minToora LooraSea Shanty Special with The FinnsWhere 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 b...2021-04-091h 03
Toora LooraThe Foggy Dew"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 RisingJoin 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!2021-04-0245 min
Toora LooraSeventeen Come SundayJoin 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...2021-03-261h 05
Toora LooraJohnny Jump UpJoin 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 versionsJimmy Crowly: https://open.spotify.com/track/5V7AM4TjIt3DhTrQzenyC4?si=gQ23-Y5QSUaC0IHyq8fzOwChristy Moore:https://open.spotify.com/track/3JQ8kOXXR0rcQQah1DCif1?si=lJBCLwODTG-TIZTpaHGY5g2021-03-1751 min
Toora LooraWhat's the Craic with Toora Loora?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.2021-03-1322 min