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