Drops of Brandy - “Folk And Traditional”
1980 - Release BRL 4419 LP
Side One
Drops Of Brandy
Pigeon On The Gate/Morning Dew
Limerick Rake
Slainte Brea Hewlitt/Charles O Connor
When I Was A Fair Maid
John Barleycorn/The Old Grey Goose
Side Two
Reynard The Fox
Wearin Of The Britches/Nine Points Of Roguery
The Flower Of Northumberland
Bobby Caseys/Star Of Munster/The Maid In The Meadow
Farewell To Tramore
Cuanla/Drops Of Brandy
Credits
Pat O'Brien: Tenor banjo and mandolin
Denis Maher: Vocals, guitar and five-string banjo
Ben Delaney: Vocals, guitar and bodhran
Michael O'Brien: Bass
Tom O'Sullivan: Fiddle
Arranged and produced by Drops of Brandy
Recorded at Fiona Studios, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Engineered by Brian O'Reilly
Photography: Terry Murphy
Sleeve Design: Noel Cusack
Sleeve Notes
Since their formation in 1978. Drops of Brandy have become a major force on the Irish folk traditional scene. Within six months of their formation they were voted the top folk group in the South East in an annual awards poll. They also won the same award in 1980.
Although this is their first album, they have previously recorded two singles, both of which are featured here. The first one was released in the Summer of 1979 - a song called "Farewell to Tramore" which was written by one of the group members, Denis Maher with the help of John Costello. Their most recent single was a song which was written specially for the group by the well known Dublin songwriter, Pete St. John. This song was called "Drops of Brandy" and was a big success nationally for the group, getting a lot of play on the airwaves.
It was this song and an Irish version of "Cuanla" (also on the album) which they performed on their T.V. debut in March 1980.
The group have brought excitement to their traditional and folk music, a point they emphasised on this album by including a large proportion of rarely heard material.
This concept is reflected in the arrangement and enthusiasm with which it is played.