Browse Content (338 total)
Quinn Family, The
Shannon and Matt Heaton give vibrant life to a barndance which I first heard on the long-playing record Music from the Glens. The album featured the talented Quinn family from New York, hence the title I've given the tune to honour this musical clan…
Swallows' Return, The
Another tune from the pen and heart of fiddle player Matilda Murdoch is the one played on this track by Maeve Donnelly. Maeve remains true to the spirit of Matilda's own style of playing, while giving it her own personal interpretation, weaving…
Harvest Field, The
I had a scratchy old 78 RPM recording of a band from Boston and could barely identify the tune they were playing. I believe the person playing the accordion on the track was Billy Caples, a well-known Boston accordion player and teacher. I sent it to…
Dominick McCarthy's
The many accordion styles in Irish and Scottish music have always held a fascination for me. The music of Mr. Dominick McCarthy is a mixture of the music of these neighboring countries. I first heard his music on Radio Éireann, and I remember…
Margaret Lawrie's Galliard
Margaret Lawrie wrote this third and final tune that she and Michael Burnham recorded for this collection. It may also be heard on their own CD Bygone Days, a recording dedicated to Meg's grandfather, fiddle player Michael Cullen from County…
John Doherty's
I loved the times that I visited with John Doherty, the fiddle master from County Donegal. Playing music with him was an inspiration. Hearing his stories and listening to him play made me ask myself why I even bothered to play the fiddle. Mr. Doherty…
Gearóid Ó Laidhigh's
Fiddle player Gearóid Ó Laidhigh and flute player John Darcy recorded this tune, a composition of Mr. Ó Laidhigh's, for Ciarán Mac Mathúna. Ciarán traveled throughout Ireland recording musicians and singers,…
Corney Drew's
This hornpipe as played on this recording comes to us courtesy of fiddle player Liz Knowles. The original sources for the tune, Denis Murphy and Charlie Mulvihill (fiddle and accordion, respectively), recorded it for Ciarán Mac…
Lynches and Wards of Clogher, The
Throughout its illustrious career, the celebrated Kilfenora Céilí Band from north County Clare has had various band members with the surnames Lynch and Ward, including P.J. Lynch, Tom Ward, and Jimmy Ward. This composition by the…
Silver Slipper, The
Dan Sullivan's Shamrock Band from Boston recorded this tune in 1929 on a 78 RPM record. I came to befriend the band's banjo player, Neil Nolan, back in the '70s, and we had many good times playing music. Neil played his instrument left-handed and was…
Wee Folk, The
David Curry was born in 1899 in Belfast, where he worked as a conductor, arranger, and broadcaster. He also played violin. I have always enjoyed listening to his music, which included his own arrangements of traditional melodies. I recorded some of…
McElligott's
Boston accordionist Billy Caples played this tune for me in the late 1970s. Billy was a well-known musician who played in the dance halls around Boston. When not performing, Billy spent his time teaching music. The tune is played on this recording by…
Fiddler Around the Faerie Tree, The
On the aforementioned occasion some forty years ago, Kathleen Lawrie played 'The Fiddler Around the Faerie Tree' for me as a set dance. Kathleen had learned the tune from dancing master Brendan de Glin from Derry. A shorter version of this tune may…
Tom Turkington's in A Major
Here is another tune from the playing of Tom Turkington of County Tyrone. I searched for its name, and I asked a number of reliable sources for a title, but I have come up empty-handed. So, what better name than 'Tom Turkington's in A Major'? Tom's…
Larry Lynch's
This next tune comes from the playing of another fiddle player from County Kerry, the great master Paddy Cronin. When Paddy lived in Boston he always had his fiddle on the dining room table next to one of O'Neill's collections of music. Most every…
Freddy Kimmel's
As the howling winds from the Atlantic Ocean blew into Kinvara Harbour, Máire O'Keeffe continued to play her fiddle into the night without interruption (see 'Maurice O'Keeffe's'). The tune that she plays here was learned from the playing of…
Brendan McCann's
Accordion player Brendan McCann lived near Hartford in the state of Connecticut. He had many fine tunes in his repertoire, including this hornpipe which he first heard in his hometown of Moate, County Westmeath, many years ago. I was thrilled when…
Cloonlish House
'Cloonlish House' was played for me years ago by its composer, Eddie Kelly. This hornpipe is played creatively and wonderfully here by Liz Carroll. Liz's masterful interpretation seems to slowly open the doors of Cloonlish House, inviting all of us…
Hetty's
This is another of master composer Bob McQuillen's tunes. It may be found in his seventh book of compositions. It was composed for Miss Hetty Thomae from Vermont. On this track I had the honour of playing it with Bob and his band, Old New England.
Fly by Night
I first heard this hornpipe in the early 1960s, played by Mr. Kieran Kelly, a wonderful accordionist from near Athlone, County Westmeath. The tune has been recorded by a number of musicians and has been given different titles, including 'The Low…