Friday 31 July 2015

Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger‎ - Chorus From The Gallows

MacColl, in collaboration with partner Peggy Seeger, visits a number of traditional ballads of criminal misfortune, the underlying theme here is one of protest against the vagaries of the justice system. Despite the odd attempt of levity, the unremitting darkness of the material is likely to put some listeners off. For all that, this is a vital piece of work from the Celtic\British folk movement of the 1950s - 1960s. Chorus From The Gallows, released in 1960, opens with the tale of Craig and Derek Bentley and closes with "Go Down Ye Murderers," which relates the story of Timothy John Evans, convicted and executed for murders he did not commit, both true and awful stories from the annals of 20th century justice.            

Derek Bentley
The Black Velvet Band
Jamie Raeburn's Farewell
Johnny O' Breadiesley
Hughie The Graeme
Minorie
The Treadmill Song
Turpin Hero
The Crafty Farmer
McKaffery
Jimmy Wilson
The Lag's Song
Van Dieman's Land
Go Down Ye Murderers

link to the free album

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Boys of the Lough - Live at Passim

The Boys of the Lough are a Scottish-Irish Celtic band making fantastic sounding music since the early 1970's. Recorded live at the famed Cambridge, Massachusetts folk club Passim'sin 1974, this concert shows off The Boys' versatile take on Celtic folk music and their fine musical skills Live At Passim songs. As usual, the track list is a grab bag of songs from Ireland, Scotland, and Shetland, with emphasis on jigs and reels. Boys Of The Lough during this period where: Dave Richardson (mandolin); Aly Bain (fiddle); Cathal McDonnell (flute); Robin Morton (concertina, bodhran).


  1. The Kincora Jig/Behind the Haystack
  2. The Day Dawn (listening tune)/Pit Hame Da Borrowed Claes/Da Fashion O'Da Delting Lasses/Da Peerie House Under Da Hill (Shetland reels)
  3. General Guiness (song)
  4. The Boys of Twenty-Five/The Boyne Hunt/Chase Her Through the Garden (Irish reels)
  5. The Flower of Magherally (song)
  6. The Hound and the Hare
  7. The Cameron Highlanders/The Balkan Hills/The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering (Scots marches)
  8. The New Set: The Golden Slipper/The Streamstown Jig/Johnny McIljohn'Sreel /Sonny's Mazurka
  9. The Shores of Lough Bran (song)
  10. Ar Eirinn Ni' Neosfainn Ce Hi (slow air)/The Whinny Hills of Leitrim/Another Jig Will Do (slip jigs)
  11. The Darling Baby (song)
  12. The Nine Points of Roguery (Irish reels)
Link to the free album

Friday 24 July 2015

Ian Powrie - At Home

Celebrated Scottish fiddle player Ian Powrie emigrated to Australia twice, once in the 1960s and once, I think, in the late 1980s. This was recorded while he was back on home soil in Strathearn, Perthshire, in his farmhouse with his old musical partners Jimmy Blue and Mickie Ainsworth on accordions, and Dave Barclay on bass.

01 Ian Powrie's Comps to Sir Thomas Wardle/Jimmy Shand's Welcome to Corrieburn
02 A Lass from Glasgow Town/Lunan Bay/Mary Shaw
03 Sir Kenneth Alexander/The Clan McColl
04 Mrs Hamilton of Pencaitland
05 Scotty Wilson/Donald MacLellan of Rothesay
06 Jimmy and Mickie
07 The Wild Flowers of Barra
08 Highland Cathedral
09 Gaelic Reel/In the Gloamin'/Tigh Na Gorm
10 Mackworth/Kemmel Hill
11 Catherine & John Fraser's Diamond Wedding
12 The Old Scottish Waltz
13 Kenny Thomson's Comps to Ian Powrie/A Tribute to Stan Hamilton/Peerie Willie
14 Ellenbrook/The Black Boy/Georgina Catherine MacDonald/C M Hall
15 Annie's Song/Country Roads/Thank God I'm a Country Boy
16 The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain

link to the free album


Wednesday 22 July 2015

Karan Casey & Friends - Seal Maiden [A Celtic Musical]

Former Solas lead singer Karan Casey, Altan's Mairead Mi Mhaonaigh, and Afro Celt Sound System's Iarla O Lionaird are joined by members of Nomos and other Celtic music luminaries on The Seal Maiden: A Celtic Musical. Inspired by the Selkie (a sea spirit that can take the form of a seal or a beautiful young man or woman), the musical features authentic Celtic instrumentation, including penny whistles, fiddles, pipes, bodhrans, and concertinas on songs like "The Waves Down in the Ocean," "The Song of the Seal," "Seoithin," and "We're Going Sailing." Though many Selkie stories end sadly, The Seal Maiden adds some whimsical humor to the tale, making it a charming as well as poignant celebration of Celtic traditions.

Personnel: 
Karan Casey (vocals, concertina, keyboards);
Iarla O Lionáird,
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (vocals);
Dennis Cahill, Mick Daly, Robbie Overson (guitar);
Dezi Donnelly, Martin Hayes (fiddle);
Michael McGoldrick (flute, Uilleann pipe);
Niall Vallely (concertina, keyboards);
Mel Mercier (percussion).

1. We're Going Sailing
2. Dialogue
3. The Cradle Song
4. Dialogue
5. The Silkie Song
6. Dialogue
7. The Seasons
8. Dialogue
9. The Wriggly Eels
10. Dialogue
11. The Waves Down In The Ocean
12. Dialogue
13. Port Na Bpucai
14. Dialogue
15. The Song Of The Seal
16. Dialogue
17. Taim Cortha Bheith Im Aonar Im Lui
18. Dialogue
19. Seoithin
20. Dialogue
21. Maidin Aiseach
22. Dialogue
23. The Loony Moon
24. We're Going Sailing (Reprise)

link to the free album


Sunday 19 July 2015

Various Artists - Home I Left Behind

A recording made by the musicians from the  tour of the USA in 1974. Paddy Berry is on form, though betraying signs of a slight cold that adds to his already nasal style, and his song is a favourite in Wexford, his particular treatment having set the mould for many of the younger generation of traditional singers from that part of the country. Other tracks of interest are the slides, played by Dónal de Barra on whistle rather than accordion, the beautiful air played by Eugene Nolan, and the fiddling of Denis Ryan and Brendan McGlinchey, who plays a fiery version of the 'Star of Munster' in G instead of the usual key of A. [source Ceolalainn]

Musicians
Bobby Gardiner – Accordion
Peg McGrath – Flute
Paddy Berry – Voice
Deirdre Collins – Whistle
Marie Grimes – Voice
Brendan McGlinchey – Fiddle
Dónal de Barra – Accordion/Whistle
Anne Mulqueen – Voice
Pádraig Ó hlarnáin – Accordion
Eugene Nolan – Flute
Denis Ryan – Fiddle
Gabriel McKeon – Pipes
Brendán Mac Eachráin - Piano

1. Bobby Gardiner – The Dublin Reel/Rip the Calico [Reels]
2. Peg McGrath – The Castlebar Races/Old Tipperary [Jigs]
3. Paddy Berry – Balllyshannon Lane [Song]
4. Deirdre Collis – MacDermott's/Moloney's Favourite [Reels]
5. Marie Grimes – An Buachaill Caol Dubh [Song]
6. Céilí Band – The Cook in the Kitchen/Whelan's [Jigs]
7. Brendan McGlinchey – The Salamanca/The Star of Munster [Reels]
8. Ceilí Band – Lucy Campbell/The Jolly Tinker [Reels]
9. Dónal de Barra – The Tidy Girleen/The Templeglantine [Slides]
10. Anne Mulqueen – The Home I left Behind [Song]
11. Pádraig Ó hlarnáin – The Bunch of Keys [Reel]
12. Eugene Nolan – Caoine an Spailpin [Air]
13. Denis Ryan – Reevey's [Hornpipe]
14. Gabriel McKeon – The Gander in the Pratie Hole/Sixpenny Money [Jigs]

link to the free album

Thursday 16 July 2015

Flook - Flatfish

Flatfish was the second album, and debut studio recording, by Anglo-Irish celtic music group Flook, released in 1999 on Flatfish Records. This album introduced master bodhran player John Joe Kelly to Flook's line up of flutists Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen and guitarist Ed Boyd. Flatfish was hailed as "stunning", "remarkable" and "little short of miraculous".

Calico
E flat Reels
The Gentle Giant
Sligo Reel
Flatfish
Happy Jigs
Bruno
Waltzes
Flutopia

link to the free album

Monday 13 July 2015

Margie Butler - Magic Of The Celtic Harp

The harps that Margie Butler  plays are based on the ancient harps of the Celtic lands. These harps were carried by the harpers throughout the countryside, bringing music and tales to the people. In much the same manner, Margie tours worldwide with Golden Bough, bringing this music to the modern audience.  Magic Of The Celtic Harp was her 1995 solo release.

1 False Love
2 Parting Of Friends / The Piper's Hut
3 Beauty Of The North / Glen Of Copsewood
4 The Knight's Blessing
5 Marsh Of Rhudlands
6 Is Trua Gan / Cuaichin
7 Mrs. McDermott's / Planxty George Brabazon
8 I'll Go No More To Yon Town / Amelia Murrys
9 Limerick Is Beautiful / Kilcash
10 Siege Of St. Malo / Flitter Dance
11 I Will Leave This Country
12 Carolan's Draught
13 The Maid From The Parish Of Penderyn
14 Pointe Du Van

link to the free album

Sunday 12 July 2015

Seamus Ennis - Wandering Minstrel

There is a saying that it takes seven years of learning, seven years of practice and seven years of playing to become a uilleann piper. Seamus Ennis must have studied diligently during his 21-year apprenticeship because he is one of the pipe's true masters. The Wandering Minstrel presents a collection of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and airs--traditional Irish music played in the ancient manner, without accompaniment. Too often solo performance degenerates into a display of technical prowess at the expense of the music. Ennis, however, never lets his ability on the pipes overpower the music. Storyteller, tune collector, linguist, radio producer, and folklorist, Ennis is most fondly remembered as an uilleann piper of rare distinction, a standing that's illustrated with The Wandering Minstrel. [review by Michael Simmons]

1. The Wandering Minstrel/Jackson's Morning Brush
2. The Boys Of Bluehill/Dunphy's Hornpipe
3. The Glen-Nephin Cuckoo/The Little Fair Cannavans
4. The Frieze Britches
5. The Flags Of Dublin/The Wind That Shakes The Barley
6. The Little Stack Of Barley/Cronin's Hornpipe
7. The New Demesne
8. The Blackbird
9. Gillan's Apples/The Walls Of Liscarroll/The Stone In The Field
10. Molly O'Malone
11. Kiss The Maid Behind The Barrel
12. Happy To Meet And Sorry To Part

link to the free album

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Humblebums - Open Up the Door

The Humblebums were a Scottish folk band, based in Glasgow. Its members included Billy Connolly, guitarist Tam Harvey and Gerry Rafferty. The band was active from the mid-1960s until the early 1970s. Connolly co-founded the band with Harvey in 1965 and played in the pubs and clubs around the city, most notably the Old Scotia Bar. Connolly sang, played banjo and guitar, and entertained the audience with his humorous introductions to the songs. Harvey was an accomplished Bluegrass guitarist. Rafferty joined later and for a short time they performed as a trio. However, the nature of the act had changed and Harvey departed shortly afterwards. The remaining duo broke up in the early 1970s after recording two albums of material: The New Humblebums and Open Up the Door,

My Apartment
I Can't Stop Now
Open Up The Door
Mary Of The Mountains
All The Best People Do It
Steamboat Row
Mother
Shoeshine Boy
Cruisin'
Keep It To Yourself
Oh No
Song For Simon
Harry
My Singing Bird

link to the free album


Saturday 4 July 2015

Various Artists - Breeze From Erin

The Breeze From Erin is a classic album of Irish instrumental Traditional & Folk Music played on Wind Instruments. The recording features several generations of musicians. All in all they add up to a vital collection, real examples of a live, healthy tradition.”

Musicians
Willie Clancy : bagpipes and whistle
Festy Conlan : whistle
Eddie Corcoran : whistle
Tim Lyons : accordion
Tony McMahon : accordion
Seamus Tansey : flute, whistle and tambourine
Reg Hall : piano

1   The Choice Wife (slip jig) Clancy, bagpipes
2  Banish Misfortune (jig) Conlan, whistle
3  The Bag of Potatoes : Sligo Maid (reels) Conlan. whistle, Lyons, accordion
4  Róisin Dubh (air) Tansey, flute, Dublin Reel : The Steampacket (reels) Tansey, flute, Hall, piano
5  Boil the Breakfast Early (reel) Tansey and Corcoran, whistle
6  Bean Dubh an Ghleanna (air) : The Ewe (reel) McMahon, accordion
7  The Morning Dew : The Woman of the House (reels) Clancy, whistle
8 The Queen of the Rushes (jig) Conlan, whistle Lyons, accordion
9  Paddy Ryan’s Dream : Mamma’s Pet (reels) Tansey, flute, Hall, piano
10  An Raibh Tú Ar an gCarraig (air) Conlan, whistle
11 The First House in Connacht : Miss McLeod (reels) Conlan, whistle
12 Bonny Kate : Jenny’s Chickens (reels) Corcoran, whistle, Tansey, tambourine
13 Taimse im Chodladh (air) Clancy, bagpipes

Recorded by Bill Leader
First issued by Topic Records 1969

link to the free album

Wednesday 1 July 2015

John Doonan - At The Feis

John Doonan was born and bred in Newcastle of an Irish father and mother and brought up in an atmosphere strictly Irish. His father was a well respected traditional fiddle player in the Newcastle area and it was through his strong influence that John inherited his fine style of flute-playing.

1 Reels: Jackie Coleman’s/Paddy Cavanagh’s/John Brennan’s
2 Slip jigs: Any Old Jig Will Do/The Butterfly
3 Set Dance: Rodney’s Glory
4 Slow jigs: The Idle Road/The Frost is All Over/The Black Rogue
5 Air: The Spalpeen’s Lament
6 Jigs: The Kesh / Morrison’s / Old Joe’s
7 Reels: The Shannon Breeze/Heathery Breeze/The Green Fields of America
8 Set Dance: The Blackthorn Stick
9 Set Dance: Hurry the Dance
10 Set Dance: Rub the Bag
11 Air & Set Dance: The Blackbird
12 Hornpipes: Spellan the Fiddler/The Rights of Man
13 Jigs: The Irish Washerwoman/Father O’Flynn/The Lilting Fisherman

link to the free album