The Irish Ramblers [AKA The other Clancy Brothers] released only two albums in the early 1960's, this was their first released in 1963 and contains very early versions of Sean South from Garryowen and Follow Me Up to Carlow, pre-dating the Wolfe Tones and Planxty versions (respectively) by several years, also a fine cover of the Brendan Behan classic The Patriot Game. This album also appears on web searches due to the participation of Roger [Jim] McGuinn.
Taken from the sleeve notes
We are three brothers — Pat, Brendan and Eugene Clancy, coming from the small village of Charlemonton on the banks of the river Blackwater, separating the counties of Armagh and Tyrone. These two counties have always been havens of Irish- folk music, both vocal and instrumental. Although we have been singing songs all of our lives, our first real introduction to Irish folk music was in the instrumental field. "Ceilidh" or country dancing is still popular in Ireland and it was in a Ceilidh band that we learned a lot of Irish music. There are usually seven or eight people in such a band; two fiddles, two accordions, bass, drums and a piano. Some of the dances lend themselves to vocals, and it was one night while playing, singing, and enjoying ourselves to the full at the Irish Club, Dublin, that an American gentleman heard us and asked if the three of us would like to come to sing our songs and play our music in America. That was in March 1963 , and since then we have played Chicago's Gate of Horn, New York's Gerde's Folk City, Boston's Unicorn, Philadelphia's Second Fret, and many other clubs, including a memorable evening at Carnegie Hall.
Irish folk music is very hard to define. Where does it start and end? We people in the British Isles have a great similarity among our songs, and we can find different versions of the same song in many parts of Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. For years, Irishmen, mostly north of Ireland men, have been going over to the Lowland areas of Scotland to find employment at the harvest time. Naturally enough they brought back with them songs of the Scottish laborers. Some of these have become intermingled with Irish songs which they have known.
On this album we have a collection of songs and dances which cover most aspects of Irish life, and we all hope you enjoy them.
Sean South from Garryowen
Up Among the Heather
Follow Me Up to Carlow
Whiskey in the/a Jar
Bonnie Wee Girl
Captain Freeney
Jig Medley: Miss Bennett's Jig/Kenmure's On an' and Awa'/Willie Tobin's Favorite/Fancy
Patriot Game
Mormand/Mormond Braes
Mountains of Pomeroy
Day We Went to Rothesay, O
Moving Cloud [Reel]
Eggs and Marrowbone (Woman from Wexford)
Reynard the Fox (Tally Ho Hounds Away)
link to the free album
![Celtic Vital Signs [Reels, Rhymes & Rebellion]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAvrmY8LOsA/VVM5MGyp7_I/AAAAAAAAE1Q/-yejEU9LQgM/s1600/zooreka_celtic_river___updated_by_gypsyh-d2kyfm4%2B%25281%2529f.jpg)
Liam Clancy was the last surviving member of Ireland's premier Folk band The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem until his death in 2009. Liam wa the lead vocalist and played guitar on most of the groups 55 albums. This album is a terrific example of Liam's excellent ballad singing. It is an essential album to own for anyone who enjoys Irish music, or just plain great folk music. The songs The Dutchman and the Streets of London will haunt you forever they will always be playing in your heart and mind.
