Browse Content (119 total)
- Collection: Reels
Old Torn Petticoat
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…
Old Wheels of the World (Johnny McGreevy's version)
Some of the lovely variations in Shannon Heaton's playing of this reel came from Johnny McGreevy, the Chicago fiddle master. They were given to Shannon by the one and only Liz Carroll, who also comes from that City by the Lake.
Old Wheels of the World (Larry Redican's version)
'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…
One-Horned Buck, The
Another tune from the legendary Cathal McConnell. He gave me this tune, and the others in this collection, during that visit to Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, over thirty years ago (see 'Cathal's Reel').
Paddy Cronin's Reel
Paddy Cronin was always very eager to learn new tunes. Paddy loved 'going through the books' with his fiddle in hand. He had a vast store of old tunes and an amazing repertoire, including this reel, played here for us by the lovely ladies of music,…
Paddy the Piper
Brendan Bulger plays a lovely version of 'Paddy the Piper' on this track. Another version may be found in Ryan's Mammoth Collection. I first heard the tune played by Paddy Cronin, who loved playing tunes from that wonderful nineteenth century…
Patsy Hanly's
I played a recording of this reel for my friend Jimmy Noonan. The identity of the player was a mystery to me, but Jimmy's astute judgment identified the musician as Patsy Hanly, the flute player from County Roscommon. Who better, then, to play this…
Peggy Monaghan's
Peggy Monaghan was Sean Nugent's sister, and he honoured her with this fine reel. It is played here by his son Larry Nugent. Thanks, Larry, for the tunes!
Rakish Highlander, The
Larry Redican, the great New York fiddle player and composer, once told me he loved going through old books and manuscripts 'looking for strange tunes'. The reel on this track is certainly a version of the tune found in Ryan's Mammoth Collection,…
Reel Bus, The
On this track we hear a lovely reel performed by its composer, Barbara MacDonald Magone. Barbara tells us in her own words below how the tune came to be: 'In the spring of 2005, the San Francisco Fiddle Club (of which I am a member) took a tour of…
Riverview Cabin A
Barbara MacDonald Magone composed this tune on a trip to one of the best-known and best-loved fiddle camps. She writes, 'This reel was written for the great cabin I inhabited (with many good musician friends) over the many years that I taught at the…
Road to Athens, The
The wise man of traditional Irish music, Paddy O'Brien from County Offaly, composed this tune and graciously recorded it for me for inclusion in this collection. The Athens mentioned in the title is in southeastern Ohio, along the Hocking River.…
Roger Casey's Reel
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…
Rolling Hills of Clare, The
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…
Roving Bachelor, The
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.
Sandy's Reel
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…
Sarah's Wedding
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…
Savage Paddy
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…
Scolding Wife, The
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…
Scully Casey's
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…