https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Reels+%28music%29&output=atom <![CDATA[The Séamus Connolly Collection of Irish Music]]> 2024-03-28T17:12:31-07:00 Omeka https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/572 <![CDATA[Old Torn Petticoat ]]>
As I look back now, I realise that it was an act of musical generosity to a young musician, which perhaps contained within it the inspiration not only for this project, but also for how I, throughout my life as a musician and teacher, have been driven and encouraged to do my utmost in passing along to others this incredible and astonishing oral and aural tradition. For that I say, 'Thank you, Julia; thank you, Billy'. Little did you both realise fifty years ago when you made that tape for me how much influence your music would have on today's musicians and students alike.]]>
2016-10-12T08:09:04-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

I believe it is important to feature master fiddle player Julia Clifford and her son Billy playing the first dance tune in this collection. It was the first reel that they recorded for me that night in Tralee over fifty years ago, when Julia invited me to record herself and Billy playing tunes she thought I might not have. When they played a tune I admitted to never having heard, she would ask me in surprise, 'You don't have it, do you?'

As I look back now, I realise that it was an act of musical generosity to a young musician, which perhaps contained within it the inspiration not only for this project, but also for how I, throughout my life as a musician and teacher, have been driven and encouraged to do my utmost in passing along to others this incredible and astonishing oral and aural tradition. For that I say, 'Thank you, Julia; thank you, Billy'. Little did you both realise fifty years ago when you made that tape for me how much influence your music would have on today's musicians and students alike.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/573 <![CDATA[Humours of Toonagh]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:04-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

This reel first came to my attention when it was played by a group of wonderful young musicians from Dublin. Their band, known as The Castle Céilí Band, made a big name for themselves in the 1960s and were much admired throughout Ireland for their rhythm, phrasing, and selection of tunes. James Keane and his brother Seán – the fiddle player with The Chieftains – were central to the success and popularity of the band, so who better than accordionist James Keane from Dublin and New York to play this tune for us?

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Relation

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/574 <![CDATA[Martin Woods' Reel]]>
Johnny McCarthy, the accordion player and great hurler from County Clare, recorded this tune on his CD Solo Run. Thanks, Johnny, for all those solo runs on the playing pitch and for your mighty accordion music. Thanks also to Laura Byrne, flutist; Donna Long, pianist; and Billy McComiskey on accordion for their excellent rendition of this reel.]]>
2016-10-12T08:09:04-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

A fine fiddle player from County Clare was Martin Woods. I had the honour of playing with him often in the early 1960s. Both of us were members of a céilí band known as The Lough Derg. That was so long ago! Martin Woods had fine old tunes which he loved playing for me.

Johnny McCarthy, the accordion player and great hurler from County Clare, recorded this tune on his CD Solo Run. Thanks, Johnny, for all those solo runs on the playing pitch and for your mighty accordion music. Thanks also to Laura Byrne, flutist; Donna Long, pianist; and Billy McComiskey on accordion for their excellent rendition of this reel.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/575 <![CDATA[McGreevy's Tansey's]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:04-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

Johnny McGreevy from Chicago played this reel for me in 1972. I have given it this title because it reminds me of 'Tansey's Reel', a tune recorded by the Sligo fiddle player Paddy Killoran. My good friends Jimmy Noonan and Dan Gurney recorded this version at my home in Maine. Thanks, lads. Well done: great swing!

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/576 <![CDATA[Flowery Hills of Scotland, The]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:04-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

According to Nicky McAuliffe, Michael Coleman and James 'Lad' O'Beirne, master fiddle players from County Sligo, recorded this reel on a 78 RPM recording machine in Mr. O'Beirne's home on November 5, 1941. I have not had the opportunity to hear that old recording, but Brendan Bulger's playing on this track reminds me of the lilt and swing of yet another County Sligo man's music, that of flute player Eugene Preston, from whom I learned the tune.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/577 <![CDATA[Jack Coughlin's]]>
Incidentally, Sean Moloney, in his notes on the CD recording of his father's music, tells us that Eddie learned many tunes, including the one featured here, from Tommy Whelan. A flute player, Tommy was a member of the Ballinakill Traditional Players and a composer of many fine tunes. In all probability then, these masters from the past, Jack Coughlin, Eddie Moloney, and Tommy Whelan, played this tune often. This amazing flute tradition from in and around Ballinakill, County Galway made its way across the Atlantic Ocean, brought to America by two other masters from East Galway, Mike Rafferty and Jack Coen. Both these gentlemen were awarded National Heritage Fellowships for their contributions to the living arts and culture of the United States. What an amazing life's journey in the name of music. Enjoy the tune and decide for yourself which part you would prefer to begin the tune on!]]>
2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

I met Jack Coughlin only once, sometime in the early '60s. Jack was a lovely flute player in the lyrical and flowing style associated with East County Galway. He was living in London when I was introduced to him by my lifelong friend, master musician Joe Burke. Joe also gave me this reel and told me that it was a favourite of Jack Coughlin's. My nephew Damien Connolly plays the tune on this track on his two row button accordion. It is interesting to note that he begins the tune on what might at first seem to the listener to be its second part, or as we say in Ireland 'the turn of the tune'. When one listens to the wonderful double CD recording of master musician Eddie Moloney, a neighbour of Jack Coughlin's, one hears Eddie play on flute this same reel with the parts reversed. One could ask the question then, which is the first part of the tune, and which is the second part? My answer would be that, delightfully, the parts work beautifully when played either way.

Incidentally, Sean Moloney, in his notes on the CD recording of his father's music, tells us that Eddie learned many tunes, including the one featured here, from Tommy Whelan. A flute player, Tommy was a member of the Ballinakill Traditional Players and a composer of many fine tunes. In all probability then, these masters from the past, Jack Coughlin, Eddie Moloney, and Tommy Whelan, played this tune often. This amazing flute tradition from in and around Ballinakill, County Galway made its way across the Atlantic Ocean, brought to America by two other masters from East Galway, Mike Rafferty and Jack Coen. Both these gentlemen were awarded National Heritage Fellowships for their contributions to the living arts and culture of the United States. What an amazing life's journey in the name of music. Enjoy the tune and decide for yourself which part you would prefer to begin the tune on!

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/578 <![CDATA[Visit to Chicago, A]]> A Few Tunes, Now and Then, where she named it in Johnny's honour.]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

Johnny McGreevy had an amazing repertoire of Irish music. He kept so many tunes circulating in his native city, and he was always generous in passing them along. The prolific composer, fiddle player, and pianist Josephine Keegan graciously recorded this tune for the collection, and I was delighted when she also included it on her 2011 recording, A Few Tunes, Now and Then, where she named it in Johnny's honour.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/579 <![CDATA[Jenny Dang the Weaver]]> Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody. Thanks to Johnny McGreevy, who introduced this tune to me, and thanks to one of America's wonderful young musicians, Tina Lech, for playing it for this project.]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Alternative Title

Tom Fitzgerald's

Has Part

Description

This tune is also known as 'Tom Fitzgerald's'. A version may also be found in O'Neill's Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody. Thanks to Johnny McGreevy, who introduced this tune to me, and thanks to one of America's wonderful young musicians, Tina Lech, for playing it for this project.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Relation

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/580 <![CDATA[Whistler and His Dog, The]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

Rose Murphy, a sister of accordionist Peter 'P.J.' Conlon, recorded this reel for fiddle player Paddy Ryan from County Roscommon. Kevin Burke, my good friend and wonderful fiddle player, plays the tune on this recording with his lovely swing and lift. Thank you, Kevin.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Relation

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/581 <![CDATA[Tom Turkington's in C Major]]>
Knowing the close connection the music of Northern Ireland has with Scottish music and the music of Cape Breton Island, I asked Kimberley Fraser, the great young fiddle player from Cape Breton, to give her interpretation of this and some of the other tunes that Tom Turkington played that night. Kimberley's remarkable blending of her own Cape Breton style with a Northern Ireland fiddle style on these recordings produces powerful, driving, and rhythmic music much in the spirit of the way Tom Turkington himself played. Thanks, Kimberley, for your splendid fiddle playing.]]>
2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

I met Tom Turkington, a fiddle player from Cookstown, County Tyrone, only once. It was at the beginning of the 1960s at a County Clare Fleadh Cheoil, when he performed at a celebrity concert with his son David on the piano. Musicians love talking about and trying one another's instruments, and on that occasion Tom played a number of tunes – none of which I knew at the time – on my fiddle. This experience reinforced a fascination I have always had with regional styles of music.

Knowing the close connection the music of Northern Ireland has with Scottish music and the music of Cape Breton Island, I asked Kimberley Fraser, the great young fiddle player from Cape Breton, to give her interpretation of this and some of the other tunes that Tom Turkington played that night. Kimberley's remarkable blending of her own Cape Breton style with a Northern Ireland fiddle style on these recordings produces powerful, driving, and rhythmic music much in the spirit of the way Tom Turkington himself played. Thanks, Kimberley, for your splendid fiddle playing.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/582 <![CDATA[Kathleen Lawrie's]]> We all had a big laugh when Kathleen discovered herself playing the reel on her accordion! That was my way of reminding her that she did indeed know the tune. I was thrilled to have Kathleen perform it with me for this collection, even though she had not played the piano for thirty-five years. She practiced for two days on a piano we borrowed from Kevin McElroy and his wife Kate Butler in order to give us this performance. I was delighted to have a chance to play with her, and I am happy to say that she has returned to the music and once again plays her beloved piano.

]]>
2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

Kathleen Lawrie, Bobbie's sister, recorded this reel for me when she visited me in Limerick in the early '70s. When Kathleen and her husband Tommy Boyle visited Sandy and me in Maine just a few years ago, I played the tune for her on the fiddle and asked her if she had any idea where it came from. To my surprise, she told me that she had never heard it before, so to remind her I played that old tape back to her.

We all had a big laugh when Kathleen discovered herself playing the reel on her accordion! That was my way of reminding her that she did indeed know the tune. I was thrilled to have Kathleen perform it with me for this collection, even though she had not played the piano for thirty-five years. She practiced for two days on a piano we borrowed from Kevin McElroy and his wife Kate Butler in order to give us this performance. I was delighted to have a chance to play with her, and I am happy to say that she has returned to the music and once again plays her beloved piano.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/583 <![CDATA[Larry Redican's in F Major]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

I am delighted to feature the fiddle playing of composer Larry Redican, who lived in New York City. This music comes to us from a recording he made for his friend Roger Casey, an Irish dancer from New York. Both of these gentleman would get together and Larry would play his fiddle as Roger danced and practiced his steps. Roger is now an Irish dance adjudicator, and during the years that I played for the feiseanna, Roger kindly gave me the recordings that he had of Larry Redican. It seems likely that Larry composed this tune, as I have never heard anybody else play it.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Relation

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/584 <![CDATA[Old Wheels of the World (Larry Redican's version)]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:05-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

'The Wheels of the World' is known to musicians as the title of both a reel and a jig. The two tunes are not related musically, and both are unrelated to the tune presented here. I learned 'The Old Wheels of the World' from pianist Eleanor Kane Neary when I visited Chicago in 1972. It is played on this track by fiddle player Larry Redican, slightly differently from the way I heard Eleanor playing it.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Relation

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/585 <![CDATA[John Egan's]]>
The reel played on this recording is named for him. It is played by flutist Kevin Crawford. Kevin had spent a few hours recording tunes for me in the home of my brother Martin and his wife Pauline in Ennis, County Clare. The tea was made, and we all sat down to listen to the recordings Kevin had just completed. Somehow, unfortunately, the digital recorder had been unplugged before the tracks could be saved (the electric kettle of course had needed to be plugged in and the water boiled!) with the sad result that every tune that Kevin had recorded was erased. I was so upset at the time, but the wonderful person that Kevin is just said, 'What harm, we'll do them again', and he did! Thanks, Kevin, for being so gracious and understanding.

P.S. It has come to our attention that the composer of this reel is Sligo flute player James Murray.

]]>
2019-12-12T13:21:27-08:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

John Egan from County Sligo lived in Dublin, and he had a distinctive West of Ireland style of playing the flute. He and his musical colleagues formed a music club in that city, made up mostly of fiddle and flute players. John Egan's repertoire was much admired and he was most generous in passing these tunes to some of the younger musicians who played alongside him.

The reel played on this recording is named for him. It is played by flutist Kevin Crawford. Kevin had spent a few hours recording tunes for me in the home of my brother Martin and his wife Pauline in Ennis, County Clare. The tea was made, and we all sat down to listen to the recordings Kevin had just completed. Somehow, unfortunately, the digital recorder had been unplugged before the tracks could be saved (the electric kettle of course had needed to be plugged in and the water boiled!) with the sad result that every tune that Kevin had recorded was erased. I was so upset at the time, but the wonderful person that Kevin is just said, 'What harm, we'll do them again', and he did! Thanks, Kevin, for being so gracious and understanding.

P.S. It has come to our attention that the composer of this reel is Sligo flute player James Murray.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/586 <![CDATA[Scolding Wife, The]]> O'Neill's 1001 collection, this tune is named 'The Scolding Wife'. I was delighted to hear it again. It was in 1974 that I first heard it played by Tipperary accordionist Paddy O'Brien. Paddy and I had considered recording it for our The Banks of the Shannon record that we made back then.]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:06-07:00

Dublin Core

Alternative Title

Clare Reel, The

Has Part

Description

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 record (as they say in Ireland, 'accidentally on purpose') Geraldine's playing of what she called 'The Clare Reel'. As it is printed in the O'Neill's 1001 collection, this tune is named 'The Scolding Wife'. I was delighted to hear it again. It was in 1974 that I first heard it played by Tipperary accordionist Paddy O'Brien. Paddy and I had considered recording it for our The Banks of the Shannon record that we made back then.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/587 <![CDATA[Bridie's Joy]]> 2019-05-10T10:02:21-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

Peadar O'Loughlin's name seems to be eternally present in the world of Irish music. His music brought much joy to the Connolly household when I was growing up in County Clare. It was such a heartwarming pleasure to have him visit the home of Geraldine Cotter the afternoon that he and Geraldine recorded 'Bridie's Joy' for Sandy and me. Years earlier, on an LP record issued by Ceirníní Cladaigh, he and piper Ronan Browne played this same reel. A great tune that's worth hearing again.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/588 <![CDATA[Minnie's Favourite]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:06-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

Here, we hear one of Sean Nugent's many fine compositions, played by his son, Larry. Sean named it for his sister, Minnie.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/589 <![CDATA[Varney House]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:06-07:00

Dublin Core

Alternative Title

Miss Johnson's

Has Part

Description

The unique musical heritage of County Kerry has had a profound impact on the survival of traditional music. Paddy Cronin from Sliabh Luachra gave the above title to a reel more commonly known as 'Miss Johnson's'. It is played here by uilleann piper Jerry O'Sullivan of New York.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/590 <![CDATA[Thirteen Arches]]> St. Patrick, piloted it underneath the largest of the arches. The young fiddle player Kelsey Lutz, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, was sixteen years old when she recorded the tune for this project. Irish music will forever remain vibrant when young people play our music as Kelsey does.]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:06-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

A thirteen-arched bridge spans the majestic River Shannon as it flows through my hometown of Killaloe, County Clare. On the opposite side of the bridge is Ballina, County Tipperary. As a child I had fun saying, 'I can stand in Killaloe and Ballina at the same time'. I composed this tune in remembrance of my father, Michael 'Mick' Connolly, who, when working as the skipper of a tugboat named the St. Patrick, piloted it underneath the largest of the arches. The young fiddle player Kelsey Lutz, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, was sixteen years old when she recorded the tune for this project. Irish music will forever remain vibrant when young people play our music as Kelsey does.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>
https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/591 <![CDATA[Maude Miller]]> 2016-10-12T08:09:06-07:00

Dublin Core

Has Part

Description

Nicky McAuliffe is an expert on the history and names of Irish music, as well as being proficient on many instruments and a noted teacher. Nicky and his wife Ann, herself a teacher and champion on a number of instruments, recorded this version of 'Maude Miller' for me in their home in County Kerry. We first heard it played by master accordionist Joe Burke in the early 1960s.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

Type

Some transcriptions are based on historical source recordings. More info.
]]>