Christy Moore - Live At Vicar Street 2002

Christy Moore said  the following about Live At Vicar Street 2002 "We were giggin’ again and I felt the performances were worth capturing. The response to this collection would indicate that many of you agree with me." A well recorded live album by a great live performer ably assisted by Declan Sinnott and Donal Lunny. Ends with a tribute to and a song by the marvellous late songwriter and singer Noel Brazil.Strongly recommended.

Continental Céili.

First Time Ever.

A Pair of Brown Eyes.

Biko Drum.

Quiet Desperation.

McIlhatton.

January Man.

Allende.

Johnny Don’t Go.

Wandering Aongus.

Lisdoonvarna.

Ride On.

Tribute To Noel Brazil.

Metropolitan Avenue.

link to the free album

Christy Moore - Live At Vicar Street 2002

Sharon Shannon And The Woodchoppers - Live In Galway

Recorded live at the Warwick Hotel, Galway in 2000, this performance which is no longer available  features 12 songs from various Sharon Shannon albums and two previously unrecorded tracks. From beginning to end, 14 tunes later, there isn't anything but great music from a superb band. The Woodchoppers are: Lloyd Byrne on drums, Ronnie O'Flynn, bass; Jim Murray, guitar; Liz Kane, fiddle; Yvonne Kane, fiddle; Mary Shannon (Sharon's sister) on mandolin, banjo, and fiddle; and Sharon Shannon, accordion, fiddle, and whistle.

1. Sandy River Belle

2. Mouth of the Tobique

3. Diamond Mountain

4. Bonnie Mulligan

5. Mighty sparrow

6. Hounds of Letterfrack

7. Polkas

8. Solo - Shannon, Mary

9. Fire in the bellies

10. Rathlin Island

11. Four Jimmys

12. Bungee jumpers

13. Costa de Galicia

14. Penguin

link to the free album

Sharon Shannon And The Woodchoppers - Live In Galway

Joe MacLean - Old Time Scottish Fiddle Music From Cape Breton Island

In the '50s and '60s Joe MacLean made a number of influential recordings. This album was recorded in 1977, but has only recently been released. As with all of Joe's recordings, the repertoire is inspiring. . His bowing seems to cut and slide across the strings with frolicking abandon, while his left hand fingering is precise and flowing. The result is a collection of 11 tracks, played in MacLean's distinctive style, which demonstrates the vibrant community into which today's fiddlers were born. It comes as no surprise that we now have the likes of Natalie MacMaster. Accompaniment is provided by Lila Hashem on Piano and Peter Dominic on drums, All the musicians work well together, recapturing on record some of the tunes Joe MacLean had learned throughout his life. "When you have a great gift," says MacLean, "you have a responsibility to share it with others to make their lives a little better if you can.".

1.  Nancy

2.  i. Inverness Strathspey (by Wm.Morrison)

    ii. Margaret MacDonald's Delight Reel

    iii. Atholian Hills

    iv. Miss Proud

3.  i. Mabou Jig

    ii. Orange and Blue

    iii. Annie Golletti ... Little Judique Donald

4.  i.Duke of Gordon's Birthday

    ii. Green Grow the Rushes

    iii. King of the Clans

5.  i. Memories of Joe MacInnis

    ii. Untitled strathspey

    iii. Reel

    iv. Stephanie Marie MacLean (Dan. R. MacDonald)

    v. Foxie Mary (aka Roaring Mary)

6.  i. Captain Campbell of Melford

    ii. Mrs. MacDonald

    iii. Untitled Jig (Maybe Dan R.)

7.  i. The Bonnie Lass of Headlake (Gordon MacQuarrie) march

    ii. Miss Stewart Menzies

    iii. ??? dancing strathspey (maybe composed by Joe)

    iv. Miss Gordon's Reel

    v. ...traditional

    vi. Dolmar Reel (Dan R. MacDonald)

8.  i. Mr. Able Banks

    ii. The Tweedale Club (Nathaniel Gow)

    iii. Lady Gordon of Gordonstown

    iv. Miss Jean Aberdeen

    v. Mrs Campbell of Lochnell (Robert MacIntosh)

    vi. traditional

    vii. Kelvack (sometimes high bass)

    viii. traditional

    ix. The Old Bog Hole

9.  i.Fiddlers Joy

    ii. Charlie Hunter (Bobby MacLeod)

    iii. Joe's Favourite Jig

10. i. The Headlands March (Ronnie Cooper)

    ii. Miller of Camserney

    iii. Killravock

    iv. Visits With Joe MacLean

    v. Old Bog Hole

11. Kitchen Party Medley

    i. traditional slow strathspey

    ii. strathspey ...Mr. MacAndrew

    iii. Jenny Pippin

    iv. trad reel

    v. The Trussel Reel

    vi. Wedderburn House, (Abraham MacIntosh)

    vii. General Stewart

    viii. Uist Lasses

    ix. Sir David Davidson (Lowe)

    x. Your Welcome Charlie

        xi. MacKenzie Fraser (Skinner) Scottish Maker

        xii Donald MacGuigan

        xiii Steer Gill

link to the free album

Joe MacLean - Old Time Scottish Fiddle Music From Cape Breton Island

Finbar & Eddie Furey - Lonesome Boatman

The Lonesome Boatman was released in 1969 by the Irish Folk music duo Finbar & Eddie Furey. The album followed on from the success of their 1968 debut album, It is best known for its title track which is played hauntingly on a tin whistle, as well as its magnificent version of the traditional ballad Carnlough Bay.

Bill Hart's Favourite
Dance Around The Spinning Wheel
Let Me Go To The Mountains
McShane
Colonel Fraser
The Lonesome Boatman
Carron Lough Bay
The Prickly Bush
Bogy's Bonny Belle
The Fox Chase

link to the free album

Finbar & Eddie Furey - Lonesome Boatman

Paddy Cronin - Rakish Paddy

Recorded by in 1975, this is an exceptionally rare [and now ridiculously expensive] recording of the famous Sliabh Luachra fiddler and flute player Paddy Cronin. He is joined on the record by Mary Irwin, who provides unexceptional vamped piano accompaniment, in accordance with the standards of the day. Nonetheless, it's a nice record, with solid fiddling from an exceptional player. The highlight of the album for me is probably Paddy Cronin's unique rendition of the Maid Behind the Bar, which he calls the Haymaker Reel. It's closely related to the variant of the Maid commonly played in C major, which is known as Jimmy McBride's. 

1. Lucy Campbell [Reel]

2. The Humours of Ennistymon [Jig]

3. Eleanor Kane's/The Teetotaller [Reels]

4. Jenny's Welcome to Charlie [Reel]

5. The Glen Allen [Reel]

6. The Ballydesmond/Denis Murphy's [Polkas]

7. The Haymaker [Reel]

8. Drops of Brandy [Slip Jig]

9. The Drunken Sailor [Hornpipe]

10. The Green Fields of America/The Short Grass [Jigs]

11. Killaghbeg House [Reel]

12. The Bunch of Keys/The Steampacket [Reels]

13. Scully Casey's [Jig]

14. The Girls of Farranfore (The Game of Love ) [Reel]

15. The Congress [Reel]

16. Reavey's/The Old Maid at the Spinning Wheel [Jigs]

17. Crabs in the Skillet [Jig]

18. Tobín's Favourite [Jig]

19. Rakish Paddy [Reel]

20. The Gold Ring [Jig]

21. The Braes of Auchtertyre [Reel]

link to the free album

Paddy Cronin - Rakish Paddy

Neil Boyle - Fairy Fiddler Of Donegal

Neil Boyle [1889-1961] on this exquisite and very rare recording gives you the most interesting background to Irish Traditional music you may ever hear. He also gives you his account of learning to play the fiddle from the "wee folk", and in so doing, started to illustrate his talk. In this way Peter Kennedy [who compiled the album] succeeded in making this remarkable session by a legend who had  refused to make a recording. Because the house had no road access, Peter needed to use nearly half a mile of microphone cable in order to operate his tape machine from the car batteries, using the car horn as a signal. On playback, Neil was pleased with the result and gave his permission for publication. The sound quality is excellent and Neil's views forthright.....Stunning

[Non-commerical field recording recorded by Peter Kennedy, Dunloe, Co. Donegal 23rd August 1953. Edited by Peter Kennedy and first published on Folktrax Cassettes 1977]

01 Neil Boyle Talking About The State Of Irish Music (in 1953)

02 An Maighdean Mhara [The Lord of Mayo] with Introduction

03 Introduction to Tiarna Muigheo

04 Tiarna Muigheo [Air] [A Plague on the Sea]

05 Introduction to Miss McLeod's

06 Miss McLeod's [Reel]

07 Intro to Abhann Rua [Talk]

08 Abhann Rua [Air]

09 Cailin Deas Ag Cruaite Na Mbo with Introduction

10 The Harvest Home with Introduction

11 The Moving Cloud with Introduction

12 The Pigeon On The Gate with Introduction

13 Seán sa Cheo [Reel]  with Introduction

14 Farewell To The Green Hills with Introduction

15 The Song Of The Boxty with Introduction

16 The Loughinure  with Introduction

17 Caoineadh with Introduction

18 The Blackbird [Air]

link to the free album
Neil Boyle - Fairy Fiddler Of Donegal

Various Artists - Riches of Clare

Traditional Celtic music recordings from the 2009 Riches of Clare free lunchtime concerts, put together for a free CD which was handed out at the Riches of Clare concerts, and in libraries throughout County Clare.. It features brilliant playing, predominantly from  well established Clare musicians, as well as a number of musicians from further afield.

1. Maeve Donnelly, Geraldine Cotter, Charlie Harris & Conal Ó Gráda - 

The New Mown Meadow/The Dublin/The Steampacket [Reels]

2. Chris Droney, Michael Kelleher, Francis Droney and Aine McGrath - 

The Little Stack of Wheat/The Flowing Tide [Hornpipes]

3. Colm Healy, Eric Healy, Kieran Hehir and Seánie McGrath - 

Martin Wynne's/Tom Ward's Downfall/The Silver Spear [Reels]

4. Kevin Griffin, Eoin O'Neill & Quentin Cooper - 

The Green Mountain/The Humours of Westport/The Bucks of Oranmore [Reels]

5. Paul Madden, Maria O'Donnell, Sinéad Heagney & Eimear Howley - 

Fergal O'Gara's/The Duke of Leinster/The Cameronian [Reels]

6. John Moloney, Elaine Hogan, Sheila Garry & John Kelly - 

Kiss me Kate/Mayor Harrison's Fedora/Liz Carroll's [Jigs]

7. Shane Mulvey, Siobhán Peoples, Murty Ryan & Martin Dermody - 

Pat Mahon's/I Was Born for Sport/The Miller's Maggot [Jigs]

8. Tony Linnane, Jim O'Connor, Mick Conneely & Johnny McDonagh - 

The Wind that Shakes the Barley/The Reel with the Beryl [Reels]

9. Eimear Arkins, Damien O'Reilly, Brian O'Loughlin & Keith O'Loughlin - 

The Enchanted Lady/The Shaskeen/The Sailor's Bonnet [Reels]

10. Seán Vaughan, David sanders, Eddie Moloney & Ian Lambe - 

Lucy Campbell/The Green Gates/The Duke of Leinster's Wife [Reels]

11. Éamonn Cotter, Conor McCarthy, Oisín MacDiarmada & Padraic O'Reilly - 

The Yellow Tinker/Tim Moloney's [Reels]

12. Kieran Kissane, Edel Vaughan, Brian Mooney & Liam O'Flanagan - 

Jim Donoghue's/The Ashplant [Reels]

13. The Kilfenora Céilí Band - Ward's [Marches]

14. Pádraig Rynne, Noel O'Donoghue, Brian Mooney & Liam Murphy - 

Connolly's/The Chattering Magpie/Martin Ainsboro's [Reels]

15. Karol Lynch, Cyril O'Donoghue, Samantha Morris & Mickey Dunne -

The Limerick Lasses/Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel [Reels]

link to the free album
Various Artists - Riches of Clare

Uisce Beatha - Mystic Of The Baja

A bit more racy than my usual offerings but I dug this 1992 album out yesterday and released i still enjoy Uisce Beatha's take on Celtic music. Uisce Beatha were a Canadian Celtic Folk/Rock band in the 1990s. Formed in London, Ontario, the band consisted of Alan Glen on lead vocals and banjo, John Glen on mandolin and tin whistle, Paul Meadows on fiddle and harp, Damian Morrissy on bass guitar, Doug Watt on guitar and Marty Coles on drums later replaced by ex Gurriers drummer Patrick McLaughlin. The band took its name from uisce beatha, the traditional Irish name for whisky (literally "water of life" in Irish Gaelic). They were sued in 1997 by a Scottish distillery over rights to the band name, and subsequently changed their name to Red. They released one album under that name, but subsequently broke up in 1998.

Whose Child Is This

Promises

Lose That Skin

Maggie Coulter

Where The River

Take Me Now

Rod And Reel

This Is The Story

Strangers

Working Man

Purple Heather Meets The Sea

Tenderness Behind The Rage

Preparation For The Wake

link to the free album

Uisce Beatha - Mystic Of The Baja

The Ballad of Reading Gaol [by Oscar Wilde]

In 1895, Oscar Wilde was sentenced to 2 years of hard labor for acts of 'gross indecency'. During his time at Reading Gaol, he witnessed a rare hanging, and in the three years between his release and his untimely death in 1900, was inspired to write the following poem, a meditation on the death penalty and the importance of forgiveness, even for (and especially for) something as heinous as murdering one's spouse; for even the murderer, Wilde argues, is human and suffers more so for being the cause of his own pain, for 'having killed the thing he loved'; for everyone is the cause of someone else's suffering and suffers at the hands of another.

"The Ballad of Reading Gaol" was published in 1898 and would gain Wilde greater recognition as a poet (in addition to being a great playwright); although his only other volume of poetry, one of his earliest works that he'd published, was also well-received. Sadly, 'The Ballad' would be his last.

Librivox recording of the Ballad of Reading Gaol, by Oscar Wilde read by Linda Leu.

link to the free audiobook
The Ballad of Reading Gaol [by Oscar Wilde]

John Sherman and Dhoya [by W.B. Yeats]

In 1891, Yeats published "John Sherman", a novella, and "Dhoya", a Celtic mythologic story. Ganconagh, Yeats’s nom de plume for this work, is the name of a male faerie in Irish mythology that is known for seducing human women. This is a LibriVox recording of John Sherman and Dhoya, by William Butler Yeats. Read by David Wales.

link to the free audiobook

John Sherman and Dhoya [by W.B. Yeats]

Various Artists - Wheels Of The World Vol 1 [Early Irish American Music]

A long gone generation of Ireland's finest Celtic Traditional artists, including James Morrison, Packie Dolan and Michael Coleman. Lovingly collected from old 78's, with a very high quality sound considering the sources. A one off chance to hear how these greats performed in their day [1920's and 1930's] which was a golden age for Irish Traditional music.

1 Back in the Garden/The Flowers of the Red Mill [John McKenna]
2 Rakish Paddy/The Wheels of the World [James Morrison]
3 The Rambling Pitchfork [Edward Mullaney, Patrick Stack]
4 Lord McDonald/Ballinasloe Fair [Michael Coleman]
5 The Tap Room/The Moving Bogs [Peter James Conlon,]
6 Donovan's Reel (Morning Star/Lawson's Favorite) [Joe Maguire, Frank Quinn]
7 The Steampacket/The Morning Star/Miss McCleod [Patrick J. Touchey]
8 The Irish Girl/The Blue Breeches [Packie Dolan]
9 Arrah, Come in Out of the Rain, Barney McShane [James J Mullan, The Four Provinces Orchestr
10 Ah Surely/The Steeplechase [Paddy Killoran, Paddy Sweeney]
11 Maid in a Cherry Tree [Edward Mullaney, Patrick Stack]
12 Maggie Pickens/Cameron's Wife [Four Provinces Orchestra]
13 The Jolly Tinker [Michael Carney]
14 Gardiner's Favorite/Streams in the Valley [John McKenna, James Morrison]
15 Sailing Home [Joe Maguire, Frank Quinn]
16 Miss Langford's/The Milestone at the Garden Reels [James Morrison]
17 Tarbolton/The Longford Collector/The Sailor's Bonnet [Michael Coleman]
18 I'm Leaving Tipperary [Pat White]
19 On the Road to the Fair [Flanagan Brothers]
20 The Lady of the House/Ballinasloe Fair [Packie Dolan]
21 Money Musk/Johnny Will You Marry Me/Keel Row [James Morrison Orchestra]
22 The Moving Bogs/Miss Thornton [Flanagan Brothers]
23 Kilkenny for Me/Boys of Ireland [Martin Beirne And His Irish Blackbirds]

link to the free album

Various Artists - Wheels Of The World Vol 1 [Early Irish American Music]

Cathal McConnell & Robin Morton - An Irish Jubilee

An quality album from two of the original members of The Boys of the Lough, recorded in 1969, about two years before the band was formed. Many of the ballads have their origins in Ulster, home of both McConnell and Morton, who are from Fermanagh and Antrim respectively. This album, with arrangements of flute, concertina, whistle, voice and bodhrán, contains a number of fine songs, as well as many lovely tunes, the most interesting of which is 'The Blue Angel', a composition of the Belfast pianist Liam King, and a tune which has in recent years re-emerged as a session tune under the title of 'The Flying Crowbar'.

1. Nil se 'na La (It's Not Yet Day) [Air]/The Humours of Winnington [Jig]

2. The Hiring Fair at Hamiltownsbawn [Song]

3. Three out of One [Hornpipe/Jig/Reel]

4. Matt Hyland [Song]

5. The Dusty Miller/McDermott's [Slip Jigs]

6. On the Banks of a River Near Blackwatertown [Song]

7. McNamara's (Connie O'Connell's)/The Blue Angel (King's Fancy) [Jigs]

8. The Gauger's Song

9. Gather Round the Fire/Brereton's [Reels]

10. Mary from Murroogh [Song]

11. Tiocfaidh an Samhradh agus Fairsing Feir (Summer Will Come with Plenty of Hay) [Air]/Planxty Reynolds [Waltz]

12. Thousands are Sailing to Amerikay [Song]

13. Caoineadh Ui Dhomnaill (Lament for O'Donnell) [Air]

14. The Irish Jubilee [Song]/The Glass of Beer/The Longford [Reels]

link to the free album

Cathal McConnell & Robin Morton - An Irish Jubilee

Noel Hill And Tony Linnane - Noel Hill And Tony Linnane

This, for me, is the classic Irish folk album. Recorded at the end of the '70s by two brilliant musicians from Clare who were two young musicians just starting out, it's an album you must have if you have any interest in Irish music. Tony Linnane (fiddle) and Noel Hill (concertina) are joined by Matt Molloy, Alec Finn and Micheal O'Donhnaill. The result is a marvelous session of jigs and reels that'll have you rolling up the carpet to dance.

1. Humours of Ballyconnell/Drunken Landlady/Ryan's Reel
2. Geese in the Bog
3. Joe Cooley's Hornpipe/Miss Monaghan
4. Skylark/Foxhunter
5. Reevey's Reel/Golden Keyboard
6. Killoran's Reel/Mountain Road
7. Anderson's Reel/Carthy's/Sweeney's Dream
8. Johnny Cope
9. Scotsman over the Border/Tom Billy's Jig
10. A Pigeon on the Gate
11. Daniel O'Connell - The Home Ruler/Kitty's Wedding
12. Lady Ann Montgomery/Cooley's Reel

link to the free album

Noel Hill And Tony Linnane - Noel Hill And Tony Linnane

Men Of No Property - England's Vietnam

The name "The Men of No Property" is taken from a statement made by Wolfe Tone who is onsidered the father of Irish Republicanism: "The Men of No Property shall liberate Ireland.". It is not an album of rebel songs, more a social history and gathers only a small, yet important sampling of Folk songs detailing the hardships and historical events that occurred whilst still retaining a sense of  humour. The Men of No Property are Belfast born Barney Mc Ilvogue, Brian Whoriskey and Irene Clarke, Belfast college students in 1969, who took part in civil rights protests and marches in Northern Ireland.

The Falls Road Taximan

The Internee

England's Vietnam

Tuten Carson's Tomb

The Freedom Fighter

Paddy Reilly

The Leaving of Belfast

Crossmaglen

Jesus and Jesse

Twomey's Escape

Princess Anne

The Multi-Storey

The Island Men

Bloody Sunday

link to the free album

Men of No Property - England's Vietnam

The Tinker's Wedding [by J.M. Synge]

The Tinker's Wedding is a two-act play written by Irish playwright J. M. Synge. The author's only comedy, it is set on a roadside near a chapel in rural Ireland.

Cast:
Michael Byrne: mb
Mary Byrne: Elizabeth Klett
Sarah Casey: Arielle Lipshaw
A Priest: Algy Pug
Narrator: Frances Brown
Audio edited by Arielle Lipshaw

link to the free audiobook

The Tinker's Wedding [by J.M. Synge]

Celtic Fiddle Festival - Celtic Fiddle Festival

Celtic Fiddle Festival are a group of Celtic fiddlers active since 1993. Representing three of the main branches of Celtic culture, the members were Johnny Cunningham [late of Silly Wizard] of Scotland, Kevin Burke [best known for the Bothy Band] of Ireland, and Christian LeMaitre [member of Kornog] of Britanny. Since Cunningham's death in 2003, the group has continued to perform, replacing him with Andre Brunet [formerly of La Bottine Souriante] from Quebec. This is their first album released in 1993, it's a bit of a master class.

Cutting Bracken/Brisk Bob/Laird of Drumblair

Melodie/Rondes de Loudeac

Garrett Barry’s/Cliffs of Moher

Dionne Reel/Mouth of the Tobique

Larides de Pontivy et de Josselin

Mist Covered Mountains of Home

Pigeon on the Gate/Lafferty’s/Morning Dew

Suite de Loudeac

Music For A Found Harmonium/La Partida/Roumanian Tune/Calgary Polka/Leaving Brittany

Canyon Moonrise 11 Blair Atholl/The Cairdin O’t/Lexy McAskill

http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/gilcraft.html

link to the free album

Celtic Fiddle Festival - Celtic Fiddle Festival

Seamus Kennedy - Let The Music Take You Home

Seamus Kennedy is an Irish Folk singer from Belfast that has released numerous live albums in addition to an album of children songs entitled, Gets On Everybody's Nerves. His albums often include humorous songs and/or sets of jokes. The jokes here are quite funny but the songs are sensational. Kennedy's versions of The Band Played Waltzing Matilda and Emigrant Eyes are as good as i have ever heard.....enjoy

1. Introduction By Kevin Freel
2. The Dublin Fusiliers
3. Thoughts On Guinness
4. General Guinness
5. Murphy and O'brien 1
6. A Walk in the Irish Rain
7. Oro! Se Do Bheatha 'bhaile and the Rights of Man
8. The Shearin's No' For You
9. When the Boys Come Rolling Home
10. Kitty Bawn O'brien
11. Murphy and O'brien 2
12. The Old Dun Cow
13. Ae Fond Kiss
14. Old Mcdonald's Deformed Farm
15. Fishin' For Chickens
16. Emigrant Eyes
17. The Convert
18. William Bloat
19. The Bodhran
20. The Town of Ballybay
21. The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
22. Let the Music Take You Home

link to the free album

Seamus Kennedy - Let The Music Take You Home

Livingstones - Livingstones In Concert [Live]

Suave dressers the Livingstones camefrom the Hamilton and Blantyre areas of Scotland. The "anchor man" was Frank McKay, while his brother Ken McKay was the most versatile musician with several instruments in his battery. David McCabe had one of the most glorious singing voices in folk music, played chanter and was an expert in Burns, and John Dempsey. They toured throughout Britain during 1965-68, appeared on television, and supported Tom Paxton on tour. In 1968 they recorded this excellent Scottish Traditional album live from Hamilton Town Hall.

Ye Jacobites By Name

The Buroo Song

The Wild Rover

Wha'll Be King But Charlie

The First Time

The Yellow Haired Laddie

Bonnie Dundee

High Dunn

My Johnny Is a Shoemaker

Tramps and Hawkers

San Miguel

The Irish Rover

link to the free album

Livingstones - Livingstones In Concert [Live]

Crossways [by W. B. Yeats]

Crossways [1889] was the first collection of poetry by Irish-born poet William Butler Yeats. Many decades before his mysterious and austere Modernist verse earned him a nobel prize, Yeats achieved renown as one of the last major poets in the High Romantic tradition. These poems showcase his Celtic imagination, his love for Irish folk-tales, and his commitment to the Romantic ideal of love.

01 - The Song of the Happy Shepherd
02 - The Sad Shepherd
03 - The Cloak, The Boat and The Shoes
04 - Anashuya and Vijaya
05 - The Indian Upon God
06 - The Indian To His Love
07 - The Falling of the Leaves
08 - Ephemera
09 - The Madness of King Goll
10 - The Stolen Child
11 - To an Isle in the Water
12 - Down by the Salley Gardens
13 - The Meditation of the Old Fisherman
14 - The Ballad of John O'Hart
15 - The Ballad of Moll Magee
16 - The Ballad of the Foxhunter

link to the free audiobook

Crossways [by W. B. Yeats]

Cormac Breatnach - Musical Journey

Cormac Juan Breatnach comes from an Irish and Spanish background, a mix which makes Musical Journey quite unique. Cormac has been playing whistles and the timber flute for over 20 years now and now concentrates on playing plastic and low (aluminum) whistles, he released Musical Journey in July 1998, on his own label, Dioscaí Mandala. It is a personal journey exploring the musical and cultural colors which influence his performance style, repertory and characteristic swing, which he brings to the music. A varied selection of pieces ranging from his favored polka form to songs carrying forth his Irish and Spanish identity, the pieces unite to portray an artist who is deeply rooted in his musical tradition Cormac is not the first musician to add modern rhythms and jazz-style improvisations to Irish Traditional music but he has taken the concept further than anybody else.”

01 Sporting Paddy/Adele

02 Tommy Whelan’s/Oíche Nollaig

03 Na Ceannabhain Bhana/A Perpignan/Fasten The Legging In Her/The Legacy

04 Port na bPucaí

05 The Humours Of Tullycreen/The Princess Royal

06 Mujeres (Women)

07 The Britches Full Of Stitches/The Toda Klop/The Step Ahead Polka

08 La Molinera

09 The Tailor Small’s Jig/The Battering Ram

10 Maidin Luan Chincise/Sabhbh/Song For Sabhbh

11 The Belles Of Tipperary/Connie Connell’s/Cooley’s/Jennie Tie The Bonnet

link to the free album

Cormac Breatnach - Musical Journey

Various Artists - Jigs & Reels

Some of Cape Breton's finest musicians featured here serving up a delicious blend of Celtic Traditional music on this fine a,bum Jigs & Reels. The tracks originate from Cape Breton, Ireland & Scotland. Very little info is available on line regarding this album other than it was released on the small Canadian Cavalcade label, who were active in the 1970's. Otherwise it's a mighty good Cèilidh Cape Breton style.

01-Johnny Mooring-Pembroke Reel
02-Reg Hill-Kiddy Car Reel
03-Graham Townsend-East York Jig
04-Cye Steele-Blind Man's Reel
05-Reg Hill-Logger's Jig
06-Reg Hill-Musty Muldoon's Irish Jig
07-John Woods-Ploughboy's Reel
08-Reg Hill-Sleigh Ride Reel
09-Reg Hill-Short Grass Jig
10-Johnny Mooring-Trapper's Jig
11-Reg Hill-Timber Raft Jig
12-Graham Townsend-Rippling Water Jig
13-Joe MacIsaac-Big John McNeill
14-Graham Townsend-Buckingham Reel
15-Graham Townsend-Sunset Jig
16-Rodgers Brothers-St. Ann's Reel
17-Johnny Mooring-Clayton Poirier Reel
18-Jimmy Chapman-Todd's Island Breakdown
19-Jim Mayhew-Nellie's Jig
20-June Eikhard-Journeyman's Jig
21-Graham Townsend-Prince County Jig

link to the free album

Various Artists - Jigs & Reels

Critics Group - Ye Mariners All

The Critics Group, also known as The London Critics Group, was a group of people who met to explore 'how best to apply the techniques of folk-music and drama to the folk revival' under the direction of Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, with some participation from Bert Lloyd and Charles Parker. Running for eight years from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s this was not a conventional musical group as it had no permanent line-up.

Personnel:
Ewan MacColl,
Peggy Seeger
Sandra Kerr
Aldwyn Cooper,
John Faulkner,
Brian Pearson,
Dick Snell,
Terry Yarnell,
Phil Colclough

1. Ja Ja Ja (pumping shanty) - Dick Snell and chorus

2. The Indian Lass - Brian Pearson (Dick Snell: whistle; Peggy Seeger: concertina; Sandra Kerr: guitar; John Faulkner: fiddle)

3. The Cruel Ship's Captain - Ewan MacColl

4. Paddy Get Back (capstain shanty) - Aldwyn Cooper and chorus

5. Jack The Jolly Tar - Ewan MacColl and chorus (Peggy Seeger: concertina)

6. The Ship In Distress - Terry Yarnell

7. Cheer'ly Man (halyard shanty) - Ewan MacColl and chorus

8. The Spanish Fight - Brian Pearson (Peggy Seeger: dulcimer; Sandra Kerr: whistle; John Faulkner: fiddle)

9. Andrew Rose - Terry Yarnell and chorus (John Faulkner: fiddle)

10. Bangidero (capstain shanty) - John Faulkner and chorus

11. The Mermaid (Child 289) - Ewan MacColl

12. Goodbye, Fare You Well (capstain shanty) - Dick Snell and chorus (Peggy Seeger: concertina; John Faulkner: fiddle; Sandra Kerr: whistle)

13. The Bold Princess Royal - John Faulkner

14. Clear The Track (capstain shanty) - Ewan MacColl and chorus

15. Captain Ward And The Rainbow - Ewan MacColl (John Faulkner: fiddle)

16. The Sea Martyrs - Terry Yarnell; John Faulkner; Dick Snell

17. Cruising Round Yarmouth - Phil Colclough and chorus

18. Ye Mariners All - John Faulkner

19. Galloping Randy Dandy Oh (capstain shanty) - Ewan MacColl and chorus

20. Leave Her Johnny (capstain shanty) - Ewan MacColl and chorus

link to the free album

Critics Group - Ye Mariners All

Eleanor Townsend - Lark Of The Morning

Eleanor Townsend studied classical violin from age 8 to 18 before turning to Celtic Traditional fiddling. She won the women's class of the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers' Contest in 1967, 1969, 1970, and 1974, and in 1979 became the first woman to win the open class; she remained the only female champion until 1998. Eleanor made several excellent albums and Lark Of The Morning released in 1976 remains my favourite.

01-Road To Lake Dore, Ridgeway Merchant, Tuck Your Shirt In
02-Cornhusker's Reel, White House Reel, The Lone Fiddler
03-Montgomery's Farewell
04-Rosebud Of Avondale
05-Social Sixty, Peeler's Jacket, The Lame Fisherman
06-Bayview Reel
07-Route To Ripley
08-Lakes Of Kildare, Lark Of The Morning
09-Toronto Waltz
10-Spirit Of Springhill, Port Severn Breakdown,Coldwater Reel

link to the free album

Eleanor Townsend - Lark Of The Morning

Rita Eriksen And Dolores Keane - Tideland

Tideland brings together  Norwegian singer Rita Eriksen with Irish singer Dolores Keane. However, the real meeting here seems to be of the musicians, as the vocalists only come together on the atmospheric final track, "The Great Northern Ocean." Eriksen has the clearer voice, but Keane's throatiness offers a deep character that brings her material, like the old "The Low, Low Lands of Holland," to life. In truth, however, at times the pair of them are outshone by their accompanists, especially the wonderful guitarist Knut Reiersrud, whose slide solo on "Kvi Gjeng Du Sa Einsleg Og Stundar" positively shimmers with invention and taste. So while it's not exactly the union it claims to be, the whole album is definitely class all the way.

1 Falkovor Lomansson

2 The Moorlough Shore

3 Kvi Gjeng du So Einsleg Og Stundar

4 The Month of January

5 Den Dag Kjem Aldra

6 Thúas Ag Gort a Chármáin

7 Blåmann

8 The Low, Low Hands of Hollard

9 Villemann Og Magnhild

10 Jimmy Mo Mhile Stór

11 Ung Åslaug

12 The Great Northern Ocean

link to the free album
Rita Eriksen And Dolores Keane - Tideland

Welsh Fairy Tales And Other Stories [by P.H. Emerson]

These tales were collected by P.H. Emerson whilst living in Anglesea during the winter 1891-2. With the exception of the French story, they were told him and he took them down at the time. In most cases Emerson has done very little editing, preferring to relate the stories as they where originally told to him.

link to the free audiobook
Welsh Fairy Tales And Other Stories [by P.H. Emerson]

Kieran Fahy - Woman From Tuam

Kieran Fahy samples a variety of Traditional styles, some flavored as a result of his 14-year residency in Belgium. The opening selection, "McHughes," is a set of Irish reels in which Fahy is joined by Pat Kilbride on cittern and guitar. Kilbride's trademark rhythm is detectable on two other cuts and is a perfect complement to Fahy's expressive and melodic playing. "The Teetotaller" is a delightful piece displaying Fahy's fondness for and developing skill at lilting. He is accompanied only by percussionist Stephan Pougin on derbouka. The air "John O'Dwyer of the Glen" features the delicate guitar work of Duck Baker, which leads into "Chief O'Neill's Favourite," a hornpipe in which Baker's accomplishment is evidenced. The beautiful Shetland air "The Auld Resting Chair" features Belgium fiddler Luc Pilartz and guitarist Noel Harris. Those three round out the album with the contrasting "Reels from Quebec."

1 McHugh's

2 The Woman from Tuam

3 The Teetotaller

4 Sergent Early's Dream/Peacock's Feather

5 Betty McNeil

6 Paddy Kelly's/Le Train de 19 Heures

7 Valse Ronde - live

8 The Sailor's Polkas

9 John O'Dwyer of the Glen/Chief O'Neill's Favourite

10 Auld Resting Chair, The

11 The Butterfly

12 Paddy Fahy's

13 Reels from Quebec

link to the free album

Kieran Fahy - Woman From Tuam

Celtic Twilight [by WB Yeats]

The Celtic Twilight consists of 42 Irish and Celtic folklore tales. Read by Shakira Searle; Arie; Russell Hughes; Jordan Heron; John O'Riordan; Luna Pierson; KHand; Tim Rainey; Anusha Iyer; Robert Dixon; John Van Stan; Simon Smoke; Kathy Wright; JamesMcAndrew; Glenn O'Brien; MaryAnne; ImkeStevens; Max Wainer; MaryAnn; and Erin B. Lillis.

Yeats makes no secret of his fascination and even belief in the world of the occult and the existence of faeries. His passion in these tales comes forth through the pages and adds a new dimension to these age-old tales.


"Let us go forth, the tellers of tales, and seize whatever prey the heart long for, and have no fear. Everything exists, everything is true, and the earth is only a little dust under our feet". W. B. Yeats

link to the free audiobook

Celtic Twilight [by WB Yeats]

Various Artists - Ulster's Flowery Vale

This my friends is Irish Traditional music as it should be. these tracks were recorded for two BBC radio programmes broadcast in 1968 and feature some of the best traditional musicians and singers of the time. These are the artists that first got my toes tapping as a child, especially Tommy Gunn, Sean McAloon and Barney McKenna. Barney seems to have slipped across the border to join in on this otherwise all Northern Irish affair. The album is flawless the songs are simply stunning and the tunes are even better..

Artists:
Sarah Makem from Keady, Co. Armagh - Grandmother, singer of a thousand songs.
Tommy Gunn from Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh - Fiddler, Hirer, dancer.
David Hammond from Belfast - Performer and producer.
George Hanna from Derrytresk, Co. Tyrone - Coalminer, head of a singing family.
Jerry Hicks from Armagh - Teacher, singer, poet.
Sean Maguire from Belfast - Musician extraordinary, virtuoso on the fiddle.
Sean McAloon from Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh - “Ireland's natural piper”.
Michael McCann from Dromore, Co. Tyrone - A delightful lilter.
Cathal McConnell from Ballinaleck, Co. Fermanagh - Flute player, quietly and totally comitted to music.
Barney McKenna from Dublin - “Banjo Barney”, lifelong student, superb instrumentalist

[First broadcast N.I.H.S. July and August 1968]

Side One

1. Mrs. McLeod's Reel - Sean McAloon (Uileann Pipes), Tommy Gunn (Fiddle) & Cathal McConnell (Flute)
2. The Lowlands of Holland - Sung by David Hammond
3. Jig: Drops of Brandy - Barney McKenna (Banjo)
4. Red Red Rose - Sung by Sarah Makem
5. Pair of Jigs: The Maid in the Meadow/The Battering Ram - Sean McAloon (Uileann Pipes), Tommy Gunn (Fiddle) and Cathal McConnell (Flute)
6. The Maid Behind the Bar - Lilted by Michael McCann
7. Old Arboe - Sung by George Hanna
8. Reel: The Mason's Apron - Barney McKenna (Banjo) & Sean Maguire (Fiddle)
9. True Lovers' Discourse - Sung by Jerry Hicks
10. Pair of Reels: O'Rourke's Reel/The Wild Irishman - Sean Maguire (Fiddle) & Barney McKenna (Banjo)

Side Two

1. Jig: Paddy's Return - Lilted by Michael McCann
2. Slow Air: Tá Sí Na Codhladh - Cathal McConnell (Flute)
3. Reel: The Maid Behind the Bar - Sean McAloon (Uileann Pipes)
4. Dobbin's Flowery Vale - Sung by Jerry Hicks
5. Pair of Jigs: The Lark in the Morning/The Wandering Minstrel - Sean McAloon (Uileann Pipes), Tommy Gunn (Fiddle) and Cathal McConnell (Flute)
6. The Lisburn Lass - Sung by George Hanna
7. Hornpipe: The Black Swan - Sean Maguire (Fiddle)
8. The Blackbird of Mullaghmore - Sung by David Hammond
9. March: The Pikeman - Cathal McConnell (Flute) and Tommy Gunn (Fiddle)
10. Sailor Cut Down in his Prime - Sung by Sarah Makem
11. Pair of Reels: Hunters' Purse/The Copperplate - Sean McAloon (Uileann Pipes), Tommy Gunn (Fiddle) and Cathal McConnell (Flute)

link to the free album

Various Artists - Ulster's Flowery Vale

The Happy Prince And Other Tales [by Oscar Wilde]

A collection of five stories by Oscar Wilde, all incorporating his inimitable style and wit. Sometimes sweet and uplifting, sometimes caustic and pointed, they all are well worth listening to. The Happy Prince is a beautiful tale about a statue of a prince, but one who can now see his city and kingdom and the sadness of his people. With the help of a little swallow he does what he can to help others. The Nightingale and the Rose is a tale of self sacrifice, selfishness and misunderstanding. The Selfish Giant learns a valuable lesson about the laughter of children, The Devoted Friend is a caustic tale about false friendship, and The Remarkable Rocket explores the self delusion of people (and rockets) who think the world revolves around them.

Read by Phil Chenevert

link to the free audiobook
The Happy Prince And Other Tales [by Oscar Wilde]

Harry Hibbs - Harry Hibbs At The Caribou Club

The one and only Harry Hibbs dealing out a grand selection of Scottish, Irish and Newfoundland Traditional/Folk tunes on his trusty auld Accordion. Though the album is called At The Caribou Club it does not appear to be a live set. Never mind this 1968 album hits the spot....so lets sing alomg with Harry

"There was Barney McGee from the banks of the Lee

There was Hogan from County Tyrone

There was Johnny McGurk who was scared stiff of work

And a man from Westmeath called Malone"

01-Road to the Isles.

02-Isle of Newfoundland.

03-Cook In the Galley.

04-Haste to the Wedding.

05-The Irish Rover.

06-The Black Velvet Band.

07-Off to Dublin.

08-Off to California.

09-I'se the B'y.

10-Twiggle Toe.

11-Squid Jiggin' Ground.

12-Sweet Sixteen.

link to the free album

Harry Hibbs - Harry Hibbs At The Caribou Club

Jimmy Power - Irish Fiddle Player

Jimmy Power was one of the finest Irish Traditional Fiddle players. He was also one of the most familiar and best-respected figures on the London-Irish music scene of the 1970s. His exceptional repertoire was developed playing for dancing in English pubs and at the grueling feisanna competitions. Power was a very individual player with a unique style embracing short, sharp bowing and plenty of trebling. Power is accompanied on all tracks by Reg Hall, and on one track by Gerry Wright on bodhrán on this fine 1976 album.  Tunes like Tommy Potts' version of 'The Rambling Pitchfork', and Michael Gorman compositions 'The Strayaway Child' and 'The Mountain Road' are played with an obvious relish for the subtleties of variation that are available to the precise and imaginative fiddle player, and the tune selections in general are fresh and interesting.

1. Tommy Potts' Rambling Pitchfork/The Strayaway Child [Jigs]

2. The Chorus/McKenna's [Reels]

3. Jockey to the Fair/Miss Brown's Fancy [Set Dances]

4. Coleman's Favourite/The Promenade [Hop Jigs]

5. Dwyer's/The Harvest Home [Hornpipes]

6. Jackie Coleman's/The Castle [Reels]

7. The Nine Points of Roguery/The Crib of Perches [Reels]

8. Whelan's/The Lark in the Morning [Jigs]

9. The Mountain Road [Reel]

10. Follow Me Down to Limerick/Hardiman the Fiddler [Slip Jigs]

11. Youghal Harbour [Set Dance]

12. The Walls of Liscarroll [Jig]

13. The Jug of Punch/The Moving Bogs of Powelsborough [Reels]

14. Statia Donnelly's [Waltz]/Statia Donnelly's [Jig]

link to the free album

Jimmy Power - Irish Fiddle Player