Traditional Irish music from America
“On ‘Once Through the Hall’, Caitlin and Will present a compelling exploration of Irish music from the early twentieth century. Unaccompanied pipes, fiddle and flute feature throughout and from the first few notes the listener is immediately drawn into a pulsating, energetic musical world.
The music is jaunty and fast paced but never rushed, as both musicians demonstrate impeccable musicianship and control of their instruments. The deft use of regulators lends harmonic weight without clutter, while the fiddle’s octave work introduces a tonal richness that subtly reshapes familiar material. Delicate variations on old favourites, such as ‘The Plains of Boyle,’ rewards attentive listening.
There is a strong sense of conviction throughout the album, echoing the influence of past masters, but delivered in a manner which shows Caitlin and Will are truly masters in their own right. Music, full of passion and drive. Music, both to listen and dance to. An ideal combination. Whether performing solo or in duet, this recording gives the listener a chance to hear supreme musical talent and versatility. Clearly, Will and Caitlin really enjoy playing their music and no doubt you will enjoy listening too.”
Will Woodson (flute, uilleann pipes) and Caitlin Finley (fiddle) play sparky and driving traditional Irish music that’s grounded in the textures and rhythms of the rich Irish-American soundscape of the 1920s and 30s. With roots in the living Irish musical cultures of Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, and a tremendous admiration for the first generation of recorded Irish musicians, the duo conjures up the sounds of the dance halls, vaudeville theaters, and house sessions central to Irish-American music from the first half of the twentieth century. Their sophomore album, Once Through the Hall, released in May 2026, is a celebration of this music, and features fiery duet playing on uilleann pipes, fiddle, and flute. The entirety of the material is sourced from early wax cylinder and 78 recordings, “echoing the influence of past masters, but delivered in a manner which shows Caitlin and Will are truly masters in their own right” (John McEvoy).
An East Coast native, Will Woodson lived in Glasgow, Scotland and New York City before moving to Portland, Maine, where he’s grown to become a stalwart of the thriving Irish traditional music scene around New England. On the flute, he’s heavily influenced by the music of the older generations of North Connacht flute players, particularly those who recorded in America in the 1920s and 30s; on the pipes, he’s inspired by the Irish-American tradition of pipers such as Patsy Touhey, Michael Carney, Bernard Delaney, and Michael Gallagher. Will performs extensively with his duet partner, fiddler Cait Finley. The two released an album, "The Glory Reel", accompanied by Chris "Junior" Stevens in 2019. Over the course of the pandemic, Will and Caitlin produced a regular online video series, “The Phonograph Project”, featuring music drawn from Irish musicians recorded in America in the 1920s and 30s. Will has taught and performed at a number of music festivals and summer schools in North America, including the Northeast Tionól, the St. Louis Tionól, the Patsy Touhey Weekend, and recently presented alongside Cait at the Ward Irish Music Archives “Archiving Irish America” conference. When he’s not performing and teaching, Will keeps busy as a maker of uilleann pipes.
“Caitlin Finley is a ferociously brilliant player, her fiddle-music a powerful blend of rich influence and imaginative new rendition.”
Born in Philadelphia to a family with roots in Renvyle, Connemara, Cait Finley learned much of her music from the great traditional players in the area, including box player Kevin McGillian and flute player Paddy O’Neill. Caitlin’s playing is greatly influenced by the music of the Sligo fiddlers who recorded in New York in the 1920s and 30s, including James Morrison, Paddy Killoran, and Michael Coleman. As a teenager, she studied fiddle with Rose Flanagan and Brian Conway, which situated her firmly within the New York Sligo tradition. Caitlin has performed throughout the East Coast, including frequent performances alongside Mick Moloney’s Green Fields of America; recently, she’s taught and performed at the St. Louis Tionól and Boston’s Patsy Touhey Weekend, and presented alongside Will at the Ward Irish Music Archives “Archiving Irish America” conference. Since leaving Philadelphia, Caitlin has lived in New York and Boston, where she played an active part in both cities’ superb traditional music scenes.
Photography by Louise Bichan
