Traditional Music of Ireland

by Paddy O'Brien, James Kelly, Daithi Sproule, Kelly/O'Brien/Sproule

Overview

This disc might look overwhelming to the neophyte or casual listener: 53 traditional tunes spread out over 27 tracks, 74 minutes of music in all, played by a bare-bones ensemble of fiddle, accordion, and guitar. And indeed, it's not an easy album to sit through all at once; while the featured instrumental combination is a lovely one, it's a sound that starts to wear after 45 minutes or so and makes this disc most effective when taken in measured doses. But that shouldn't deter lovers of Irish music -- or even those who are simply interested in it -- from diving in headfirst. James Kelly, Paddy O'Brien, and Daithi Sproule are all virtuosic players who invest these tunes with an almost offhand grace that flirts with sloppiness but never gives in to it. Sproule's singing voice is good if not perfect (as opposed to his guitar playing, which is), and he chimes in at opportune moments, just before the fiddle/accordion/guitar texture gets monotonous. Best of all, this album works as an extensive catalog of traditional jigs, reels, and airs, from familiar numbers like "The Rights of Man" and "The Rakes of Kildare" to more obscure tunes, all played at moderate tempos with consummate taste and without grandstanding or pyrotechnics. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/21/1995
Label:	Shanachie
UPC:	0016351341426
Rank:	41634

Tracks

1. The Monahan Twig/John in the Mist
2. Humors of Kilkenny/Drops of Spring Water
3. The Foxhunter's
4. Lovely Willie
5. The Rakes of Kildare/The Horse's Leotard
6. The Rights of Man/McGibbney's Fancy
7. The Small Hills of Offaly/Farewell to Old Decancy
8. The Jolly Seven/Megettrick's
9. Paddy Taylor's/Anderson's
10. Molly Bawn (White Haird Molly)/The Sandpiper
11. Cul Tiubh Na bPearlai
12. Paddy Kelly's/John Doherty's
13. The Stage/The Western
14. John Doherty's/The Antrim Rose
15. Man of the House/Ryan's Rant
16. Bracken's/Mrs. Cooty's (The Horse That Made a Haymes of His Winders)/Th
17. Jim Coleman's/Patsy Touhey's/Rodney Miller's
18. The Boys of Mullaghbawn
19. John Kelly's/The Green Cottage/Cuil Aodha
20. The Gravel Path/The Wild Irishman
21. Moving Cloud/Paddy Kelly's
22. Down the Hill
23. McCarthy's Favorite/Spring in the Air/Miss Emily
24. Hughie the Graeme
25. The Duke of Leinster's Wife/Boys of Ballisadare
26. John Doherty's/Kitty Come Down to Limerick
27. Sarah's Delight/Sean Sa Cheo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Daithi Sproule   Primary Artist,Guitar
Paddy O'Brien   Primary Artist,Accordion
James Kelly   Primary Artist,Fiddle
Kelly/O'Brien/Sproule   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

James Kelly   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Richard Nevins   Producer
Daniel Michael Collins   Producer
Richard LePage   Engineer