My friend Rich Trauth sent along a few pictures of the Eagles from their September concert at the United Center in Chicago. Thanks for sharing Rich.

Visit the Eagles online at www.eaglesband.com.

On Sunday, August 17th I had the opportunity to see Canadian fiddle player and step dancer April Verch and her band. April is from the Ottawa Valley of Canada and her music and dancing reflects the cultural influences of the area. The concert took place in the picturesque community of Long Grove, Illinois. Click here to visit the gallery.

Visit April online at www.aprilverch.com.

Driving to Irish Fest on this Sunny Saturday I thought there was no way that the music could compare to what I saw the day before. I guess I was wrong - it was everything Friday was and more.

I attended the show with my good friend Jim Fidler and Jim has graciously allowed me to post some of his pictures in the galleries from the day. Jim is one of the best photographers I know and is always willing to give me tips. Jim was shooting with his new Nikon DSLR.

The day started out again with us checking out a couple of the Scottish Sampler bands. We were able to see folk artists the Anna Massie Band and the Jenna Reid Band from Shetland, Scotland perform some great traditional Scottish music.

Solas performed another great show and we got to meet them afterwards. I am glad to report that they are as gracious and kind as talented. Below is a picture of Jim with Mick McAuley and a picture of me with Seamus Egan.

We were next off to see Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul and had the pleasant surprise to see the fiery Scottish band Bodega precede Eileen's set. Eileen put on a fantastic show that was combination traditional Celtic, World music with a touch of old fashion revival.

Once again it was another great Irish Fest.

Links:
Milwaukee Irish Fest - www.irishfest.com
Anna Massie Band - www.annamassie.com
Jenna Reid - www.myspace.com/jennareidfilskadochas
Solas - www.solasmusic.com
Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul - www.eileenivers.com
Bodega - www.woodenshipproductions.com

Once again Milwaukee hosted an excellent party that they call Irish Fest. Unlike last year there was not a special appearance by rain. This was very much appreciated. I was able to attend on both Friday and Saturday.

My goal was to see bands that I might not generally see appearing in the area along with two of my favorites - Solas and Eileen Ivers. Friday started by seeing the Kane Sisters from Letterfrack, County Galway, Ireland. These two sisters play a traditional style in a unison playing fashion. I have posted a few pictures from their performance.

Once again Solas and Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul put on first class performances.

Every year Irish Fest offers Celtic music beyond the shores of Ireland and the United States. This year they offered a Scottish Sampler that allowed me to see the talented band Lau. As I have noted before you can always tell a band is good when you see other performers from the festival in the audience.

I finished the evening by seeing the band Furry Village.

Links:
Milwaukee Irish Fest - www.irishfest.com
Kane Sisters - www.thekanesisters.com
Solas - www.solasmusic.com
Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul - www.eileenivers.com
Lau - www.lau-music.co.uk

According to the WTTW website REO will on Soundstage in Chicago on Thursday, July 3rd at 9 pm. There will be an encore airing on Sunday, July 6th at 11 pm. Here is my review from this show I attended last summer at the WTTW studios.

PBS has yet to announce a date for the REO Speedwagon taping of Soundstage I attended last summer. However, REO has released a version of "Find Your Own Way Home" from the show on their You Tube page. Check it out below or online at http://www.youtube.com/user/REOSpeedwagonMusic

If you said I went to a Celtic concert yesterday evening at the College of Lake County you would be right - but you would be wrong. Eileen Ivers and Immigrant of Soul not only play Celtic music but are a prime example of World music. Eileen and her band played an inspiring set that touched gospel, salsa and jazz among other genres. She can play a traditional Celtic song and turn around and play a blazing fiddle solo where you totally understand why the New York Times calls her "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin".

I look forward to seeing Eileen and her band again this summer at Irish Fest. They are a must see.

Visit Eileen Ivers and Immigrant of Soul online at www.eileenivers.com.

I had the opportunity to see Leahy again in concert on Thursday at the Raue Center in Crystal Lake and Friday at the McAninch Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Once again Leahy put on a first class show. Leahy has added some new songs to their set - instrumentals and vocals.

The highlight for me had to be the Friday evening show that I was not originally planning on attending. However, I was invited along as special guest of my friend's Jim, Karen and their daughter Kristen. Kristen was special guest step dancer of Leahy for the show. I do not know when I have seen people more nervous - not Kristen - it was her parents who were nervous. Kristen was cool and composed while her parents had the butterflies inside. Once she hit that stage she was a natural and her parents could not have been more excited and proud of their daughter. It sure was a highlight for this new year. I even got one of the first autographs of Kristen.

Visit Leahy online at www.leahymusic.com.

This afternoon I was fortunate to again see Natalie MacMaster in concert. I am struck how her shows vary in style every time I see her in concert. This year her band was augmented by a cello player. It is really interesting to listen to the fiddle, cello and bagpipes intermingle and compliment each other. Natalie is a definite must see in concert.

The highlight of the show was when Natalie asked if there were any Irish dancers who would like to come up on stage and dance. As Natalie played my favorite song of hers, the Olympic Reel, there was my friend Kristen keeping step to this electrifying song. As I looked over her parents were smiling from ear to ear. This was definitely a highlight of the young concert going year.

The picture below is courtesy of Karen F.

Visit Natalie MacMaster online at www.NatalieMacMaster.com.