Browse Content (297 total)

  • Subject is exactly "Folk dance music--Ireland"

Sporting Nell

09-02_Sporting_Nell-Reel.pdf
A fine version of 'Sporting Nell', played here for us by one of my favourite young fiddle players, the talented Tina Lech from Boston. I first heard this reel in Chicago in 1972 played by another of my favourite fiddle players, the great Johnny…

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Small Fox, Big Field

05-21_Small_Fox_Big_Field-Reel.pdf
One of the young musicians featured in this collection and for whom I have much admiration is Eric Eid-Reiner. In his own words he tells us about his composition's title: 'This tune has nothing to do with hunting, despite what one might logically…

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Silver Slipper, The

01-26_The_Silver_Slipper-Hornpipe.pdf
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…

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Shoemaker's Fancy, The

08-37_The_Shoemakers_Fancy-Jig.pdf
The young fiddle player Liam Lewis played this jig on a tape given to me by a friend one night after a concert. I stuck the tape into the cover of my fiddle case and forgot about it. Finding it later was a lovely surprise. My friend Laurel Martin…

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Shandon Bells

07-24_Shandon_Bells-Jig.pdf
Having lived in the beautiful and historic city of Cork in the 1960s, I often think back to the happy times I had while beginning to find my feet in the big world of city life. The clock tower of St. Anne's Church has special meaning for me because…

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Seán Óg

08-23_Sean_Og-Reel.pdf
Another composition of Larry Nugent, who plays a reel named for one of his twin sons, Seán. The contribution of the boy's father and his grandfather, Sean Nugent Sr., to Irish music and culture will have a lasting impact. Let's hope that…

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Seán McCusker's

04-17_Sean_McCuskers-Reel.pdf
Mentioned earlier in this collection was The Pride of Erin Céilí Band from Fermanagh, a group of wonderful people who loved to play their music. One of the band members was flute and button accordionist Seán McCusker. Seán…

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Séamus Connolly's

09-11_Seamus_Connollys-Reel.pdf
I am so honoured that my great friend, the prolific composer Bob McQuillen, wrote this tune for me. 'The Professor', as I call him, is a special person in my life and I have for many years admired his compositions and music. Bob is heard playing his…

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Séamus Connolly's

06-30_Seamus_Connollys-Hornpipe.pdf
I was honoured when Mrs. Matilda Murdoch from New Brunswick composed this hornpipe for me on her ninetieth birthday. After a night of playing music together at her daughter's home in Massachusetts, Matilda presented me with this very recording of…

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Scully Casey's

04-29_Scully_Caseys-Reel.pdf
John 'Scully' Casey, father to the great County Clare fiddle player Bobby Casey, was a well-known and respected fiddle player in his day. Bobby, in his generosity, recorded this reel for me years ago. It is played on this recording by Gráinne…

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Scolding Wife, The

02-15_The_Scolding_Wife-Reel.pdf
The royal welcome Sandy and I received when we visited the home of Geraldine Cotter outside Ennis, with the turf fire burning, really made us picture ourselves one day moving back to Ireland. As we set up our recording equipment, we happened to…

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Savage Paddy

06-09_Savage_Paddy-Reel.pdf
My nephew Damien Connolly plays his own composition on this track. I asked Damien for information on the tune and its title. He writes: 'I composed this tune on an old fiddle I purchased at an auction. The fiddle itself wasn't great, but it had a…

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Sarah's Wedding

05-15_Sarahs_Wedding-Reel.pdf
Paddy O'Brien from County Offaly made this tune for Sarah Kelly, the daughter of his friend and musical cohort, fiddle player James Kelly. All who attended Sarah's wedding had a wonderful day. Paddy, in his own unique style, performs it on this…

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Sarah's Valentine

06-17_Sarahs_Valentine-Jig.pdf
Eamon Flynn composed this slow jig for his daughter Sarah on Valentine's Day when she was five years old. Sarah asked her dad to 'do a song' for her. What a lovely present to get, one that will remain documented forever. This recording comes to us…

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Sandy's Reel

03-13_Sandys_Reel.pdf
The first time that I heard New England contra dance music was in 1972 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was on an LP recording of The Canterbury Country Dance orchestra from New England. Among the members of that band was Bob McQuillen, the prolific…

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Roving Bachelor, The

05-25_The_Roving_Bachelor-Reel.pdf
This tune was played for me by Johnny McGreevy in 1972 on my first visit to Chicago. It may be found in Ryan's Mammoth Collection and in O'Neill's Music of Ireland. My gratitude to Tina Lech for her interpretation of this fine old reel.

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Roseanne's Reel

04-23_Roseannes_Reel-Polka.pdf
The lovely fiddle music of Máire O'Keeffe is once again heard on this track. The tune was passed down from John Lenihan to Maurice O'Keeffe, who in turn gave it to Máire.

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Rolling Hills of Clare, The

03-05_The_Rolling_Hills_of_Clare-Reel.pdf
The rolling hills and valleys in east County Clare, close to the river Shannon, are known for their beauty. This area is well-known too for its music. Here Damien once again plays the fiddle on another of his compositions. Yes, as I've said, I am…

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Roger Casey's Reel

10-19_Roger_Caseys_Reel.pdf
One of the most gratifying experiences for any musician is to have the opportunity to play for good dancers. Roger Casey from New York, now an Irish stepdancing adjudicator, was an excellent competitive dancer. When he practiced for competitions back…

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Rock Point Lane

09-05_Rock_Point_Lane-Jig.pdf
'Rock Point Lane' is the name of the street in California where Sandy's parents live. One Christmas day, around 1990, when she and I were visiting them, the basic outline of this jig came to me. After working on it for a while and deciding which key…

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