Captain Moonlight - Captain Moonlight

Captain Moonlight were a Melbourne [Australia] based group consisting of Martin Hanley, Anthony O'Neill, Noel Murphy, Joe Paolacci and Peter Dwyer.  As their 1982 album Captain Moonlight highlights they were obviously very competent musicians with a markedly eclectic output but with an emphasis on Celtic instrumentals. They also include Bernard Bolan's "Not many Fish in the Harbour Today"

1. Bonny Ship the Diamond (English traditional)
2. McFarlane's Lament (air)/ Earl's Chair, Banshee, and Faral Gara (reels)
3. Mines of Australia
4. Hag's Reel and Longford Collector (reels)
5. Not Many Fish in the Harbour Today" (Bernard Bolan)
6. Humours of Ballyloughlin (jig) - Black Creek (reel by Anthony O'Neill)
7. Maryborough Miner
8. Ril Gan Ainm, Devil's Dream, and De'il among the Tailors (reels)
9. Green Groves of Erin and Granny's Gravel Walks (reels)

link to the free album

Captain Moonlight - Captain Moonlight

Tomas O'Ceannabhain - Fonn le Fonn [Traditional Irish Dance Music]

Tomas O'Ceannabhain - Fonn le Fonn. Traditional Irish Dance Music on The Uilleann Pipes & Flute. The tunes are well treated and cleanly rendered with bits of tasteful variation to keep them fresh. Solo Flute & Uilleann Pipes by Connemara man Tomas O'Ceannabhain with excellent Piano accompaniment by Eugene Kelly. All tracks are traditional and there is one slow air on the flute.

01. Hornpipes: The Harvest Home/ The Boys of Bluehill
02. Jigs: The Humours of Donny-Brook/ The Bride's Farewell
03. Reels: Rolling on the Ryegrass/ The Lady on the Island
04. Slow Air: Casadh an Tsugain
05. Reels: Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel / The First House in Connaught
06. Jig: Cherish the Ladies
07. Set Dance: Madame Bonaparte
08. Reels: The Flogging Reel/ The Morning Star
09. Hornpipes: The Atlantic Sound/ The Quarrelsome Piper
10. Reels: The Silver Spear/ Miss McLeod's
11. Reels: The Boys of the Lough/ The Scholar
12. Single Jig: The Ballintogher
13. Reels: The Teetotaler/ The Ash Plant
14. Jigs: The Mug of Brown Ale/ The Cook in the Kitchen
15. Reels: George White's Fancy/ Buckley's
16. Jigs: The Tongs by the Fire/ A Health to the Ladies

link to the free album

Tomas O'Ceannabhain - Fonn le Fonn [Traditional Irish Dance Music]

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

This album consists of all the commercial recordings made by Angus Chisholm, the finest exponent of traditional Scottish fiddling ever to record. His playing is defined by the exciting perfection of his brisk, articulate phrasing, each note shaped with total control and exquisite tone, the product of bowing almost too good to be believed. And too, the feeling, the rare eloquence of his music is without peer. Angus Chisholm's playing is the standard all Cape Breton fiddling is measured by. And more, it is esteemed now around the world for its artistry and beauty. [source Richard Nevins]

Personnel:
Angus Chisholm, fiddle;
Maybelle Chisholm, piano;
Bess Sidall MacDonald, piano;
Elizabeth Mellett, piano;
Mickey McIntyre, guitar

1. Newcastle, President Grant (hornpipes)

2. Medley of Inverness Jigs

3. Mrs Murray / The 10 Pound Fiddle / The Baker

4. Miss Lyall / Brother's Letter

5. Miss Minnie Foster / Fred Wilson's Clog

6. Glengarry's Dirk / Bonnie Lass of Fisherow / Bird's Nest

7. Rothermurches Rant / Braes of Auchertyre / Braes of Glencoe

8. Moonlight Clog / Hennessey's Hornpipe

9. Miss Cambell's / Jordie Jig

10. Lochaber Gathering / Bob Johnson's March & Reel

11. Tea Gardens / Mrs McGee

12. Irish Hornpipe / Marguirite McNeill / Joan McDonald

link to the free album

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

Nuala & Tomás Ó Canainn - Béal na Bláth

Recorded in 1982 on the Belfast "Outlet" label, this LP record featured traditional songs, airs and dance music played by "Na Fili" piper and singer Tomas O’Canainn with his daughter Nuala on fiddle. The 10 dance tunes are all original compositions by Tomas O’Canainn.

Tomás Ó Canainn [died in 2013] was an Irish Uilleann piper, accordion player, singer, composer, researcher, writer and lecturer. He was a founder of the group Na Fili with fiddler Matt Cranitch and whistle player Tom Barry in the late 1960s and 1970s. They gained considerable popularity and recorded several albums. Tomás Ó Canainn, both an instructor and performing musician, writes about and collects traditional Irish music. His books include Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland (2005, Ossian), Traditional Music in Ireland (1997 Music Sales Corporation), Seán Ó Riada: His Life and Work (2004, Collins Press), Fifeanna and Feadoga (2001, Cló Iar-Chonnachta Teo), Home to Derry (2004, Appletree Press), Lifetime of Notes (1996, Collins Press), Sean Ó Riada (1993, Columbia Press), and Songs of Cork (1978, Gilbert Dalton). His original compositions of Irish music are published in Tomas’ Tunebook: ‘New Tunes for Old’ (1998, Ossian)

Personnel:
Nuala Ó Canainn - fiddle
Tomás Ó Canainn - pipes, vocals

01. The Lower Drum Roll - With Marley to Galicia

02. Ar Lan Y Mor (On the Seashore)

03. Conlach Ghlas an Fhomhair (The Fresh Stubble of Autumn)

04. The Ennismore Potter / Father Michael Ryan's

05. Uir-Chill a Chreagain (Creggan Churchyard) 

06. Goirtin Eornan (Little Field of Barley)

07. Nuala's Fiddle / The Glanmire Gallop

08. Falkland Frolics / Kinsella, File

09. The Stranger

10. A Stóir Mo Chroí (Tresure of My Heart)

11. Eibhlin, A Rúin (Evelyn, Darling)

12. Máire Ní Mhaoileoin (Mary Malone)

13. Johnny's 21st / Ger's 21st 

link to the free album

Nuala & Tomás Ó Canainn - Béal na Bláth

Horslips - Live In Philadelphia 1979

This excellent quality Bootleg was recorded in Philadelphia in 1979 by the groundbreaking Horslips. Horslips are an Irish Celtic rock band that composed, arranged and performs their music based on traditional Irish jigs and reels. They are regarded as the 'founding fathers of Celtic rock' for their fusion of traditional Irish music with rock music and went on to inspire many local and international acts. The group formed in 1970 and disbanded in 1980 [don't believe this bit as they are still going strong]. A must have for any fan of the genre especially the majestic rocking version of Dearg Doom.


Personnel
Jim Lockhart - keyboards, concert flute, tin whistles, uilleann pipes, vocals
Johnny Fean - guitars, banjo
Charles O'Connor - fiddle, mandolin, concertina, vocals
Barry Devlin - bass guitar, vocals
Eamon Carr - drums, bodhrán, percussion

01 - Daybreak

02 - Drive the Cold Winter Away

03 - Ride to Hell

04 - Sidways to the Sun

05 - Sword of Light - Intro

06 - Sword of Light

07 - Daybreak-Reprise

08 - Loneliness

09 - Speed the Plough

10 - Sure the Boy was Green

11- Dearg Doom

12 - The King of the Fairies

link to the free album

Horslips - Live In Philadelphia 1979

Wildgeese - Celtic Music Of The Northwest

The missing master of the out-of-print recording, "Wildgeese: Celtic Music of the Northwest" featuring Randal Bays, Bill Bulick, Kate Power, Jim Chapman and Barry Crannell, produced by Mícheál ÓDomhnaill and engineered by Michael O'Rourke at Grass Roots studio in Portland 1983, was rediscovered by a friend of the band, Alan Garren, in 2007. Although there was some degradation when the tape was played back, it was salvagable. They decided to do what could be done to preserve the recording. The unmistakable touch of the master in the Mícheál ÓDomhnaill mix remained reverently untouched during the restoration and now the reissue of the original Wildgeese debut album is ready to share.

Personnel:
Randal Bays: fiddle
Kate Power: vocals, guitar, harmonium, percussion, 5-string banjo
Bill Bulick: flutes & whistles
Jim Chapman: whistles, bouzouki, harmonium
Barry Crannell: guitar, mandolin

01. Planxty Charles O'Connor / Kitty's Wedding / Sonny Brogan's

02. I Wish My Love Was a Red, Red Rose

03. Star Above the Garter / Saint Patrick's Day

04. Anach Cuain / The Blacksmith

05. Bush in Bloom / Maud Miller / Russ' Favorite / John in the Fog

06. Bridget O' Malley

07. Ryan's / Scotch Mary / Sweeney's Dream

08. Undressed Melody

09. Mist Covered Mountain / Monaghan's Jig

10. Verdant Braes of Screen

11. Wheels of the World / Maid in the Cherry Tree / Speed the Plow

link to the free album

Wildgeese - Celtic Music Of The Northwest

John Doherty - Taisce: The Celebrated Recordings

The late John Doherty was one of the greatest traditional musicians ever to record, and fortunately he was recorded extensively with examples of his work from the 1950s to just before his death in 1980 being issued commercially on many different labels. Sadly some are no longer available. These justly celebrated recordings were originally made in 1974 and subsequently issued by Gael-Linn on a double LP in 1978. This is of course a CD of Donegal fiddle music, as exemplified by the drive and speed of the bow work and the sparse but intricate and dexterous ornamentation. The music on this CD is unmistakably that of Donegal but John Doherty's repertoire shows all the signs of cross fertilization from other areas in Ireland and Scotland

Donegal music is generally recognised for its strong clear tone, skilful bowing with little finger ornamentation. Johnny’s style bore all those hallmarks but was made much more dramatic by his aggressive staccato bowing and frequent use of double stopping. He was entirely self taught, read music, and key changes seemed unchallenging to him, no matter how awkward fingering became. The influence of the strong highland piping tradition in his family was noticeable by his vast repertoire of marches and strathspeys.

01. The Salamanca/The Flood on the Holm

02. The Cat That Kittled in Jamie’s Wig

03. Arthur Darley’s Jig

04. Kitty’s Gone a’Milking/The Dogs Among the Bushes/The Merry Sisters

05. My Love She’s But a Lassie Yet

06. Green Grow the Rushes-o

07. The Hen’s March over the Midden

08. McFarley’s Reel

09. Talk on learning the fiddle and his father’s criticism (omitted from CD version)

10. Bonny Kate

11. The Bluebells of Scotland

12. Miss Crawford

13. The Atlantic Roar

14. Easter Snow

15. The Drunken Piper/Lough Isle Castle

16. The High Level

17. The Low Level

18. King of the Pipers

19. Talk – John’s family and fellow musicians

20. Cathair Rua

21. Mammy’s Plaidie/The Boyne Hunt

22. The Japanese Hornpipe

23. The Old Man Rocking the Cradle

24. The Moving Bogs/The Fairy Reel

25. The Loughside

26. The Blacksmith’s Fancy/Mooney’s Favourite

27. The Donegal Reel

28. The Policeman’s Holiday

29. Air Gan Ainm/Stirling Castle

30. Lord Mayo

31. The Harvest Home

32. Lord Gordon’s

33. Miss Cunningham

34. The Liverpool Hornpipe/The Derry Hornpipe

link to the free album

John Doherty - Taisce: The Celebrated Recordings

Dwayne Côté - Introduction

Fiddler and composer Dwayne Côté was raised in a family deeply rooted in all aspects of Cape Breton, Irish and Scottish music traditions--his mother being a renowned dancer, instructor, and performer and his father, the late Gordon Côté, a celebrated Celtic fiddler and teacher. Dwayne has been performing since he was four years old and has played all over the world with artists like John Allan Cameron, Graham Townsend, Sean McGuire, Buddy MacMaster, Jerry Holland and Dave MacIsaac. A composer with more than 200 tunes registered with SOCAN, Dwayne is recognized as one of the most unique violinists and fiddlers in Atlantic Canada. This was his first release which came out on tape only in 1991.

 01-Top Of Cork Road

02-Blue Stocking Clog

03-Bog An Lochan

04-Dean Brig O'Edinburgh

05-Loch Earn Reel

06-The High Bridge Jig

07-Mrs. Ferguson Of Rath March

08-Ledy From Cavan Reel

09-Auld Robin Grey

10-Christie Campbell

link to the free album

Dwayne Côté - Introduction

Gerry McFadden - Irish Traditional Uilleann Pipes

Gerry McFadden is an excellent Uilleann Piper from belfast and is the Grandson of famous pipemaker Frank McFadden.Recorded in 1976 and rereleased on the Outlet label in 1996 Irish Traditional Uilleann Pipes is a very nice album of solo unaccompanied piping. Gerry has another album out called Drones from the Black Mountain. OAS 3032.

01. John Ryan's Polka/The Lark In The Morning
02. The Belfast Hornpipe/Derry Hornpipe
03. The Coulin
04. Merrily Kiss The Quaker
05. Fox Hunter's Jig/Fermoy Lassies
06. Roisin Dubh
07. Ace And Deuce Of Piping
08. March Of The King Of Laois
09. The Boys Of Bluehill/Chief O'Neill's Favourite
10. The Croppy Boy
11. Drops Of Brandy
12. Planxty Irwin/Si Beag, Si Mor
13. The Lark In The Clear Air
14. The Heather Breeze/The Boys Of The Town/Off To California
15. Cronin's Hornpipe/The Joy Of My Life
16. The Floggin' Reel/Drowsy Maggie

link to the free album

Gerry McFadden - Irish Traditional Uilleann Pipes

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

The Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm: Legendary performances of traditional Scottish Fiddling, Shanachie Records, 1978. Angus Chisholm was one of the first fiddlers from Cape Breton to record a commercially available album. Decca released the recording 14004 on November 18, 1934: Rothermarches Rant, Braes of Auchertyre, Moonlight Clog & Hennessey Hornpipes. This album consists of all the commercial recordings made by Angus Chisholm, the finest exponent of traditional Scottish fiddling ever to record. His playing is defined by the exciting perfection of his brisk, articulate phrasing, each note shaped with total control and exquisite tone, the product of bowing almost too good to be believed. And too, the feeling, the rare eloquence of his music is without peer. Angus Chisholm's playing is the standard all Cape Breton fiddling is measured by. And more, it is esteemed now around the world for its artistry and beauty.

Players:
Angus Chisholm, fiddle;
Maybelle Chisholm, piano;
Bess Sidall MacDonald, piano;
Elizabeth Mellett, piano;
Mickey McIntyre, guitar

1. Newcastle, President Grant (hornpipes)

2. Medley of Inverness Jigs

3. Mrs Murray / The 10 Pound Fiddle / The Baker

4. Miss Lyall / Brother's Letter

5. Miss Minnie Foster / Fred Wilson's Clog

6. Glengarry's Dirk / Bonnie Lass of Fisherow / Bird's Nest

7. Rothermurches Rant / Braes of Auchertyre / Braes of Glencoe

8. Moonlight Clog / Hennessey's Hornpipe

9. Miss Cambell's / Jordie Jig

10. Lochaber Gathering / Bob Johnson's March & Reel

11. Tea Gardens / Mrs McGee

12. Irish Hornpipe / Marguirite McNeill / Joan McDonald

link to the free album

Angus Chisholm - Early Recordings of Angus Chisholm

De Danann - Live in Bielefeld 1989

The mighty De Danann captured live in Bielefeld Germany in 1989 for a local FM radio broadcast. This album was recorded live at the Museum Bochum, Bochum; the Ravensberger Spinnerei, Bielefeld; the Schloss Kirchheim, Kirchheim/Bayerisch Schwaben; in Germany December 10, 1989. That's all i know about this gem and would appreciate any additional information.


De Dannan: 
Eleanor Shanley (vocals);
Alec Finn (guitar, bouzouki);
Frankie Gavin (fiddle, flute);
Aidan Coffey (accordion);
Colm Murphy (bodhran).

01 Announcement.

02 The Rights Of Man & The Pride Of Petravore

03 Announcement

04 Joe Derrane's Reel, Galway Rambler, Jerry Hollands Reel

05 Announcement.

06 Taim I Mo Shui.

07 Frankie Goes To Degen.

08 Announcement.

09 Rambles Of Bach.

10 Announcement.

11 Widowed & DEad.

12 Announcement.

13 Up And Away, Patsy Towhey's Jig, Doberman's Wallet

14 The Call And The Answer.

15 Announcement.

16 Hard Times.

17 [Unknown Instrumental].

link to the free album

De Danann - Live in Bielefeld 1989

John Doyle - Wayward Son

John Doyle’s gifts as a guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and producer have played an essential role in the ongoing renaissance of Irish traditional music. Doyle first rose to international prominence with Solas, the all-star Irish/American band whose emergence heralded the arrival of a new generation of bold, inventive traditional musicians. Guests on Wayward Son include Alison Brown, Seamus Egan, John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick, Kate Rusby, Danny Thompson and Linda Thompson.

  1. The Gallant Poacher
  2. Jack Dolan
  3. The Glad Eye/The Wayward Son (Jigs To Reel)
  4. Captain Glenn
  5. Bitter The Parting
  6. Old Bush/Expect The Unexpected (Reels)
  7. The Apprentice Boy
  8. Tie The Bonnet/Monahan Twig/A Fair Wind/The Convenience Reel (Reels)
  9. The Month Of January
  10. Little Sadie
  11. Eddie Kelly's/Reavy's Tribute To Coleman (Reels)
  12. The Cocks Are Growing

link to the free album

John Doyle - Wayward Son

Altan - Horse With A Heart

When Altan released Horse With A Heart in May 1989 on the Green Linnet Records label, it served as a welcome reminder that Irish music that hewed close to tradition still had a place in the world. Although this was Altan’s second CD, it was the first where they gelled as a band. The wife-and-husband team of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy are the emotional center of the group. When they play the fiddle and flute together you feel as if you are overhearing an intimate conversation [source Michael Simmons]

Band;
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, vocals, fiddle
Frankie Kennedy, flute
Paul O’Shaughnessy, fiddle
Ciarán Curran, bouzouki
Mark Kelly, guitar
With: Marie Askin, Phil Cunningham, Dónal Lunny, Colm Murphy, Steve White

The Curlew/McDermott's/Three Scones of Boxty/Unnamed Reel {= McConnell's}

The Lass of Glenshee

Con Cassidy's & Neil Gow's Highlands/Moll and Tiarna/Mcsweeney's Reels

The Road to Durham

An t-Oileán Úr

An Grianán/Horse With a Heart

A Bhean Udaí Thall

Welcome Home Gráinne/Con McGinley's

Tuirse Mo Chroí

Come Ye by Atholl/Kitty O'Connor

An Feochán

Paddy's Trip to Scotland/Dinky's/The Shetland Fiddler

All titles are traditional, except the following:

"An Grianán" and "Horse with a Heart" – composed by Frankie Kennedy
"The Curlew" – composed by Josephine Keegan
"McDermott's" – composed by Josie McDermott
"An Feochán" – composed by Tommy Peoples
"The Road to Durham" – composed by Armin Barnett and David Molk

link to the free album

Altan - Horse With A Heart

Sharon Shannon - Diamond Mountain Sessions

Sharon Shannon is perhaps best known as a talented fiddle and accordion player in Celtic circles, The Diamond Mountain Sessions should broaden her appeal. This album finds her joined by a multitude of talent, including luminaries such as John Prine, Jackson Browne, and Steve Earle. Since Shannon is primarily a musician and not a singer, the album also contains a number of fine instrumentals. Things get started with "A Costa de Galicia," a lovely jig full of intricate accordion work, and the pipes of Carl Nunez. Next up is a hard, driving Earle song, "The Galway Girl," that is immediately likable and will remind many of his best acoustic work. Browne's vocal on "Man of Constant Sorrow" is enriched by the addition of Mary Staunton on backing vocals, while Dessie O'Hollaran offers a more traditional take on "Say You Love Me." It is probably inevitable that Americana radio will push the vocal tracks, and while this isn't a bad thing, the instrumental tracks have just as much to offer. The Woodchoppers join Shannon on the lovely "The Pernod Watlz," while Liz and Yvonne Kane join her on the medley of tunes titled "Fire in the Bellies." Even though a number of players are present on each track, the arrangements are never crowded. Instead, the sound is open and airy. It is nice that artists like Shannon have been given the freedom to make albums that are stylistically all over the map like The Diamond Mountain Sessions. This broad musical palette serves to show that Americana and Celtic have a lot in common, and gives fans of either style a nice way to expand their tastes. One of my all time favourite albums in case you ask.

1 A Costa De Galica [with Carlos Núñez Muñoz]

2 The Galway Girl [with Steve Earle]

3 The Diamond Mountain

4 Slan Le Van

5 The Four Jimmys (The Fitz Theme)

6 A Man of Constant Sorrow [with Jackson Browne]

7 Say You Love Me [with Dessie O'Halloran]

8 The Pernod Waltz [The Woodchoppers]

9 The Hounds of Letterfrack

10 On the Banks of the Old Pontchertrain [with Hothouse Flowers]

11 Love Love Love [with John Prine, Mary Staunton]

12 Jota do porto do cabo [with Carlos Núñez Muñoz]

13 Fire in the Bellies with Liz & Yvonne Kane]

14 14 - Northern Lights

link to the free album

Sharon Sessions

John Bowe & Mary Conroy - John Bowe & Mary Conroy

Recorded in 1977 on Brendan Mulkere's Inchecronin label, Bowe's vigorous and inventive button accordion playing is pleasantly accompanied by Conroy's muted, almost piano-like, chord progressions on the guitar. It's a lovely accordion album altogether, and Mulkere was obviously on form when he wrote the sleeve notes: 'This record is especially for those who want to listen for construction, continuity and balance in the music.

1. Ryan's Rant/Fahy's [Reels]
2. The Sailor's Cravat/The Reel of Bogey [Reels]
3. The Monaghan/In Memory of McKeigue [Jigs]
4. The Downfall of Paris [Set Dance]
5. John Bowe's Favourite/Mulhair's [Reels]
6. The Repeal of the Union/The West Clare [Reels]
7. Thomond Bridge [Hornpipe]
8. The Pensioner who Kissed his Granny/The Scottish Four Courts [Reels]
9. The Ashplant/The First House in Connaught [Reels]
10. Bowe's/Seán Ryan's [Reels]
11. The Drunken Sailor [Hornpipe]
12. Eleanor Kane's/Paddy on the Railroad [Reels]
13. The Thatched Cabin/The Maids of Castlebar [Reels]
14. The Japanese Hornpipe
15. The Teetotaller/Paddy Taylor's [Reels]

link to the free album

John Bowe & Mary Conroy - John Bowe & Mary Conroy

Susan McKeown - Bushes & Briars

For her foray into traditional music, Irish singer Susan McKeown hasn't chosen the safe path. By including instruments like tabla, French horn, and clarinet--none of which are associated with Celtic music--she's stretching the boundaries of the genre. But the fascinating, often daring arrangements serve merely to frame her voice, which is often shown starkly, even unaccompanied. With guests like Morocco's Hassan Hakmoun, former Planxty man Andy Irvine, and Solas's Seamus Egan, she has a first-class crew behind her, but she, and her haunting voice, remain the real stars of the show, offering a radiant path to the heart of the songs here. Her selection of material (both in English and Gaelic) veers far from the tried and true, but even on a song like "Bonny Boy," she marks it with her own identity. Bushes and Briars is a complete triumph, establishing McKeown as one of the top contemporary Celtic singers. [source Chris Nickson]

1 Bushes & Briars

2 In London so Fair

3 Seoladh na nGamhna

4 H-Ó Abha-ínn

5 Bonny Boy

6 The Mountain Streams Where the Moorcocks Crow

7 Banks of Claudy

8 Craigie Hill

9 A Mháire Bhruinneall

10 Dónal Óg

11 After Aughrim

link to the free album

Susan McKeown - Bushes & Briars

Terry Teahan & Gene Kelly - Old Time Irish Music In America

Terry Teahan, of Kerry and Chicago, and Gene Kelly, of Kilkenny and Washington DC, were old- style Irish musicians in their 70's when this album was recorded in 1976. Both had been resident in the Us since the 1920s. Gene Kelly plays accordion, Terry Teahan melodeon and concertina. Though each had worked extensively in band settings, this record of solo performances concentrates on old-fashioned dance music. Most of the tunes are played on their own, with a few sets from the unusual accordion playing of Gene Kelly, who admits to possessing a 'totally haphazard' approach to bass acompaniment... Many of the tunes will be well-known, particularly to those who are fond of music from Sliabh Luachra, but the settings are often unfamiliar, granting a glimpse into the dance music of the region in the 1920s. More information can be found in the original liner notes, which are included in the download.

01. Gene Kelly – The Corner House/The Broomstick [Reels]
02. Terry Teahan – Tom Looney's [Slide]
03. Terry Teahan – Reagan's [Slide]
04. Gene Kelly – The Sweep's/Hennessey's [Hornpipes]
05. Terry Teahan – The Kerry Mills [Barndance]
06. Terry Teahan – Mike Howard's [Polka]
07. Terry Teahan – The Bird's [Hornpipe]
08. Gene Kelly – Blind Mary [Air]
09. Terry Teahan – The Barrel Organ [Slide]
10. Terry Teahan – The Evening I Spent with Mick [Slide]
11. Terry Teahan – The Paper Plate [Slide]
12. Gene Kelly - Fahey's/Gerry's Beaver Hat [Jigs]
13. Terry Teahan – The Lonesome Road to Dingle [Slide]
14. Terry Teahan – Mickey Chewing Bubble Gum [Polka]
15. Gene Kelly – Seán Hayes/If There Weren't Any Women in the World [Barndances]
16. Terry Teahan – Tadgh's Ailment [Hornpipe]
17. TerryTeahan – Going for Water [Slide]
18. Gene Kelly – The Old Caubeen [Story & Air]
19. Terry Teahan – Tadgh and Biddy [Waltz]
20. Terry Teahan – Poll Ha'Penny [Hornpipe]
21. Terry Teahan – Paddy Kenny's [Polka]
22. Gene Kelly – Father O'Flynn/The Connaughtman's Rambles [Jigs]
23. Terry Teahan – Jack Mitchell's [Polka]
24. Terry Teahan – Gan Ainm [Sword Dance]
25. Terry Teahan – The Road to Gleanntán [Fling]
26. Gene Kelly – The Swallow's Tail/Miss McLeod [Reels]

link to the free album

Terry Teahan & Gene Kelly - Old Time Irish Music In America

Tommy Peoples & Paul Brady - High Part Of The Road

Tommy Peoples is justly regarded as one of Ireland's greatest fiddlers who plays in the unique fiddle style of East Donegal. He has been a member of well-known traditional Irish music groups, including 1691 and The Bothy Band as well as performing solo since the late 1960's. Tommy Peoples has a unique style, particularly his way of executing bowed triplets, one of the signatures of his playing. What makes his playing great is the combination of his mastery of the fiddle, the power and emotionalism that run through his playing, and his fluid bowing. He is accompanied on this rare 1976 album by the superb guitarist Paul Brady on a collection of reels and jigs that have become standards of the Irish fiddle repertoire.

1 The Oak Tree, The Pinch Of Snuff

2 The Kid On The Mountain, O'Farrell's Welcome To Limerick

3 The Wheels Of The World, Toss The Feathers

4 Ard An Bhothair (The High Part Of The Road), Port an Bhrather (The Monk's Jig)

5 The Band Of Ireland, The Dairy Maid

6 The Nine Points Of Roguery, Bean An It Ar Lar (The Mistress On The Florr)

7 The Green Groves Of Erin, The Pigeon On The Gate

8 Port Shean Tseain (Old John's Jig), The Queen Of The Fair

9 The Salamanca, Lucy Campbell

10 The Silver Slipper, The Old Hag In The Kiln

11 Farewell To Ireland

12 McCahill's Reels

link to the free album

Tommy Peoples & Paul Brady - High Part Of The Road

Pádraig O'Keeffe - Sliabh Luachra Fiddle Master

A long deleted and now extremely rare recording of the Sliabh Luachra fiddle player and teacher Pádraig O'Keeffe taken from RTÉ archive (RTÉ - CD174 - 1993) recordings made by Séamus Ennis between 1947 and 1949. This is absolutely brilliant Sliabh Luachra music, and the final set of tunes - a duet with Denis Murphy - is a classic [source ceolalainn]

1. Quinn's/Callaghan's [Reels]
2. Gallagher's [Jigs]
3. The Banks of the Danube [Air]
4. O'Sullivan's/O'Callaghan's [Polkas]
5. Johnny Cope [Hornpipe]
6. I'd Rather be Married than Left/Chase me Charlie/The Kilcummin [Slides]
7. The Old Man Rocking the Cradle [Air]
8. George White's Favourite/Kennedy's/The Road the Newbridge [Reels]
9. Gleanntán Frolics/The Hare in the Corn [Slides]
10. The O'Rahilly's Grave [Air]
11. The Humours of Ennistymon/I Will if I Can [Jigs]
12. John Quinn's [Hornpipe]
13. The Donaghmore [Reel]
14. Caoineadh Uí Dhomhnaill (Lament for O'Donnell) [Air]
15. The Kilcummin/If I Had a Wife [Slides]
16. As I Went Out Upon the Ice/Campdown Races/Tom Billy's/Jimmy Doyle's [Polkas]

link to the free album

Pádraig O'Keeffe - Sliabh Luachra Fiddle Master

Michael Dwyer - Traditional Music of Ireland

Recorded on his brother Finbarr's Silver Hill label in 1975, this is a lovely EP of Irish music played on the simplest of instruments by Michael Dwyer, and accompanied very tastefully by Kevin Taylor on piano. There was wear on the record, so there are some surface noises here and there, but this is a lovely recording of a great player, and it's well worth a listen. Sadly Michael died tragically a number of years ago, and there is very little of his sweet whistle playing left behind [source ceolalainn].

1. Richard Dwyer's/Seán Sa Cheo [Reels]
2. The Sunshine [Hornpipe]
3. The Flax in Bloom/The Castle [Reels]
4. The Laurel Tree/Speed the Plough [Reels]
5. The Kid on the Mountain [Slip Jig]
6. The Heather Breeze/The Chattering Magpie [Reels]

link to the free album

Michael Dwyer - Traditional Music of Ireland