Quick Takes
Here are short snippets of information on many celtic groups and musicians
which haven't yet been given a detailed write-up. Even more than usual, your
comments, corrections and additions are very welcome.
Gerard Manning
Copyright (c) Ceolas, 1995-1997
One of Scotland's best known and long-lived traditional groups. The Band was
founded in Glasgow, in 1969 by Alan Reid, and has continued, with a varying
lineup to the present. Past members include Ged Foley, Brian McNeill and
Dougie Pincock, while the current (1994) crew are:
Alan Reid Keyboard, vocals, harp
John McCusker Fiddle, mandolin, cittern, whistles, keyboards
Alistair Russell Guitar, vocals
Iain MacDonald Highland pipes, flute, whistles
The Batties play mostly traditional pieces, with some syths and rock motifs,
and nowadays more tunes than songs. Of the songs, many of them are new.
Home is Where the Van Is FF 250
The Story Fo Far FF 274
After Hours TP 2001
There's a Buzz TP 2007
Anthem for the Common Man TP 2008
On the Rise TP 2009
Music in Trust, Vol.1 TP 2010 (with Alison Kinnaird)
Celtic Hotel TP 2002
Home Ground, Live from Scotland TP 2034
New Spring TP 2045
Quiet Days TP 2050
Opening Moves Topic 468
(TP=Temple, FF=Flying Fish)
Bill Bourne joined Alan McLeod and the Tannahill Weavers in 1980, and left in
1985 to concentrate on songwriting, at the same time as Alan retired from the
group. His new songs were enough to grab Alan back from his new career as a
painter and Bourne & McLeod was born. Concentrating on Bills songs rather than
the traditional fare of the Tannahills, the duo put together the album Dance
and Celebrate, which won the 1991 Juno award for best roots/traditional
recording. Moonlight Dancers followed, but the duo broke up soon afterwards.
Alan McLeod moved to Vancouver to play with the Paperboys, who have also since
disbanded (and maybe rebanded again, from recent reports).
Dance & Celebrate ACD 1314
Moonlight Dancers ACD 1343
Breton guitarist, who rose to fame in Alan Stivell's band, of which he was a
part for some 11 or so years. He also played with British folk group Fairport
Convention (1976-78) and Silly Sisters (1988-?) and has been leader of a
number of bands, as well as having a prominent solo career.
Discography
1992 Les Iles de la Memoire (compilation) KLM 32
1992 Xavier Grall chantŽ par Dan Ar Braz
1992 Reve de Siam (film score) KLM 33
1991 Frontieres de Sel KLM 23
1990 Songs KLM 14
1988 Septembre Bleu
1985 Musiques Pour Les Silences A Venir
1981 Acoustic Green Linnet 3035
1979 The Earth's Lament
1978 Allez Dire a La Ville
1977 Douar Nevez
19?? Irish Reels, Jigs, Airs & Hornpipes Shanachie 9701
A dynamic young fiddler from Chicago, she is rapidly making a place for
herself in the Irish traditional scene. She is also a member of the group
Trian, along with Billy McComiskey and Daithi Sproule.
1978 A Friend Indeed Shanachie 29013
(Irish Fiddle and Piano)
1978 Kiss Me Kate Shanachie 29010
1988 Liz Carroll Green Linnet 1092
1992 Trian Flying Fish 586
Long before the likes of Planxty or the Bothy Band, the Clancy Brothers were
the popular side of traditional Irish music. Their strength has been in strong
chorus ballad singing, with more emphasis on gusto and spirit than on
technicalities.
A hot young multi-instrumentalist from Philadelphia (stomping ground of Mick
Moloney and Eugene O' Donnell), Egan has won all-Ireland championships on four
different instruments. His banjo playing, in an uilleann-pipe style is
particularly energetic. He has recorded with Mick Moloney in a few
incarnations.
1990 A Week in January Shanachie 65005 Egan on flute and banjo
Traditional Music of Ireland Shanachie 29020 with sisters Siobhan and
Rory Ann
The late Seamus Ennis was a a top-rated uilleann piper and tin whistler, as
well as a major figure in Irish folklore, a storyteller and singer.
1977 Feidlim Tonn Ri's Castle Claddagh
1977 Forty Years of Irish Piping Green Linnet 1000
The Wandering Minstrel Topic, Green Linnet 3078
Dynamic harp and guitar duo from Ireland. They play Irish traditional music,
the obligatory Carolan and some original, pretty jazzy stuff. Technically
very good, from the little I've heard of their work.
An American group out of Niwot (near Boulder), Colorado, playing original and
Irish traditional music, lead by Donegal man Mick Bolger. Still touring
regularly in 1996.
Mick Bolger bodhran and vocals
Jean Harrison fiddle and accordion
Mike Fitzmaurice bass and guitar
Brian Mullens mandolin, guitar, bouzouki, mandocello and flute
Rod Garnett flute, fifes and whistle
They have made three CDs (Oxford Hotel, Some Foreign Land, Life of Riley's
brother) and may have more albums on tape.
Contact address: Colcannon, 1055 Colina Drive, Laramie, WY 82070, or
email Rod Garnett
One of the major figures in the Scottish and British folk revival. Born in
Scotland, he sung a great repretoire of traditional tunes and wrote many
classics himself. On top of that he was a playright and actor. He made several
albums with his wife, Peggy Seeger (sister of Pete Seeger).
1991 Black and White Green Linnet 3058 (retrospective)
Two or more brothers, who play in the Rochester, New York area. They have one
recent (1994?) CD called 'Soul Lilt' as well as one vinyl album and several
tapes. Soul Lilt is entirely instrumental.
Contact address: Dady Brothers Music, 355 Lake View Park, Rochester, NY 14613.
716-254-3704
Despite the name, not a traditional group, rather a death-metal band from
Switzerland.
Davey is a composer who makes orchestral arrangments based on traditional
themes, in a very tasteful manner. His "Granuaile" and "Brendan Voyage" suites
have been extremely successful, both critically and popularly.
19xx The Brendan Voyage Tara 3006
19xx The Pilgrim Tara 3011
19xx Granuaile Tara 3017
19xx The Relief of Derry Tara 3024
One of the most popular of Irish button accordionists in the 1950s, several of
his original "78" recordings have been remastered and issued by Rego Records
(800-854-3746). He played at the 1994 Washington Irish Festival in 1994, after
decades of silence: up to recently he didn't even own an accordion any more.
Reports from that performance say he has lost nothing in the intervening
years.
Probably the most successful uilleann piper playing today. He first came to
fame in the landmark group Planxty, where his piping provided a solid
traditional foundation for the other more folky instruments. In recent years
he has moved in the direction of chamber music, both in some of his solo work
("Out to another side") and in collaboration with Shaun Davey, in his
orchestral suites.
Baltimore, US trio, playing good Irish trad.
Billy McComiskey Accordion
Brendan Mulvihill Fiddle
Andy O' Brien Vocals, Guitar
1978 The Corner House Green Linnet 1016
1985 The Times We've Had Green Linnet 1063
Scottish traditional 'supergroup' of individual solo artists. At least one
album, "Mairidh gaol is ceol" on Temple records, containing mostly accompanied
songs, with several purit-a-beul's. Their vocal harmonies have been described
both positively and negatively as 'smooth'.
Christine Primrose Vocals
Eilidh McKenzie Vocals
Art McCormack Vocals
Alison Kinnaird Clarsach (Harp), cello
Blair Douglas Accordion, Keyboards
The three sons of Tommy Makem have teamed up with neighbour Brian Sullivan for
the past few years. They play somewhat in the style of their father, and
appeared with him on a PBS special called 'Songs of the Sea'. They have made
one tape and are currently (1994) apparently working on a CD. Brian Sullivan
has now left the band, and the continue as a trio.
Brian Sullivan Lead Guitar
Shane Makem Rhythm guitar, Bodhran, vocals
Conor Makem Electric Bass, vocals
Rory Makem Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Harmonica, vocals
Contact address: Kevin O'Shea, 2 Longmeadow Rd., Dover, NH 03820, (603) 742-
3880
Another name that crops up frequently, Matt is best known as the virtuosic
flute player with the Chieftains, but he has also had spells with the Bothy
Band and Planxty, and has several excellent solo albums. He owns a very
musical pub somewhere in Westport, Co. Mayo where "Music at Matt
Molloy's" was made, to mimic the pub session atmosphere
Heathery Breeze Shanachie 79064
Stony Steps Claddagh, CCF18
The Fire Aflame Claddagh CCF30 (with Sean Keane and Liam O'
Flynn)
Molloy, Peoples, Brady Green Linnet 3018
Contentment is Wealth Green Linnet 1058(with Sean Keane, Arty
McGlynn)
Music at Matt Molloys CDRW26
Matt Molloy with Donal Lunny Green Linnet 3008
From Limerick, but now living in Philadelphia, Mick is a major figure on the
Irish-American music scene. He is the moving force between the Greenfields of
America group, and has recorded with several shorter-lived collaborations. He
is now Dr. Moloney, and is due to publish his thesis on Irish music in
America.
1973 We have met together Transatlantic,
1978 Mick Moloney with Eugene O' Donnell Green Linnet 1010
1980 Strings Attached Green Linnet 1027
1984 Uncommon Bonds Green Linnet 1053
Three Way Street Green Linnet 1129
(with Seamus Egan, Eugene O' Donnell)
For more info, see the full Mick Moloney page
Scottish folk group who play celtic, cajun, folk and a bit of rock.
Sally Barker Vocals, guitar
Karen Tweed Accordion
Patsy Seddon Harp, fiddle?
Mary MacMaster Harp
They have one album 'Chantoozies' out on BMG/Ariola (1993), and apparently
another (Danceoozies?) in the works (1994)
Contact: Stonyport Music, +44 131 660 2344
An early and important group showcasing the O' Domhnaill siblings Micheal,
Triona and Mairead from Donegal and Derryman Daithi Sproule. Micheal and
Triona later founded the Bothy Band and Relativity and are currently playing
in Nightnoise; Mairead is currently playing in Ireland and Daithi is now a
fulltime member of Altan. In this quartet, all sang, while Micheal and Daithi
played guitar and Triona harpsichord.
19xx Skara Brae Shanachie.
Scottish harp duet of Mary MacMasters and Patsy Seddon, who also comprise half
of the Poozies, and are both members of Clan Alba.
Delighted with harps
Beating Harps
File under Christmas (cassette)
Harpbreakers
Contact: Stoneyport Music, +44 131 660 2344
Touchstone, based in North Carolina mixed Irish traditional music with the
Irish-derived folk traditions of bluegrass and old-time. The lineup consisted
of Triona Ni Domhnaill, Claudine Lagnille, Zan McLeod, Mark Roberts and Skip
Parente. The band is now defunct, I think it existed in the early eighties
The New Land Green Linnet 1040
Jealousy Green Linnet 1050
Joemy Wilson is best known in the celtic world for her interpretations of O'
Carolan's music on hammered dulcimer. Her five albums feature her playing,
backed by the 'Carolan consort', giving back to the music the chamber-music
feel for which they were originally composed. Her debut album, 'Dargason-A
Dulcimer Sampler', also features mainly Irish music, and led to the fouding of
her independent label, Dargason Records.
Dargason-A dulcimer Sampler DM101
Carolan's Cup DM 102
Carolan's Cottage DM 104
Celtic Dreams DM 107
Celtic Treasures (1993) DM ???
Contact Address: Dargason Music, PO Box 189, Burbank, CA91503, USA
Groups with expanded profiles
(maintained here for the sake of link to this page).
Copyright (c) 1993-1995 Ceolas.
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