 |
 |
Notes on side one: Track 1, Seán Ryan's version of The Wheels of the World. Track 3, 2 Reels I learned from a recording of Paddy Killoran. Track 5, John Stenson is an accordeon player from Co. Sligo and he is the first person I heard playing these tunes, so they are named after him. Track 6, all these tunes I learned from Jackie Daly and the harmony lines were written by Dónal Lunny.
Notes on side two: Track 1, Caisleán na nÓr is a hornpipe I learned from Martin Rochford of Bodyke, Co. Clare. The second hornpipe I learned from Bobby Casey also of Co. Clare.
A special thanks to Eddie Clarke, Nicky Ryan, Patrick Ditesheim, and to the man From whom I got my fiddle, Tony Martin.
Although this album combines modem arrangements and recording techniques, I have tried to retain as much as possible, the old traditional moods of Irish music, as it used to be played long ago in rural areas by small groups of musicians. Many of these older musicians used to play by themselves and for themselves as an expression and a relaxation, just like the negro bluesmen. At other times it meant relief from more worldly troubles, a therapy. Today impact and communication are regarded as essential and I feel that at times people forget that the musician often plays for his own enjoyment. Traditional music in Ireland sometimes suffers from an overdose of severity. This probably brought about by the tense atmosphere of competitions in which so many young people in the last 20 years have been forced to play. Something I'll always remember about the Irish musicians that I met when I was a child, was that there was always an element of fun, pure fun, in their playing and their music. Sometimes this gave way to a plaintive wistful mood, but the fun was never far away. Good humour is something I've always liked in music, and I hope this record leaves you happy.
Kevin Burke