More (Mostly) Folk Music

Sons of Erin   •   Progressive, Traditional, Revivalist Material

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  • Progressive, Traditional, Revivalist Material
    • 1970 - Dominion LPS 93065 LP (CAN)
  • Side One
    1. Liverpool Lou (D. Behan)
    2. McCarthy's Party (D. Gibbons)
    3. Mingulay Boat Song
    4. Sam Hall
    5. Kevin Barry
    6. Johnny Bucker
  • Side Two
    1. Tribute to Newfoundland (J. Cameron)
    2. Route to the Blue
    3. Seven Old Ladies (Locked in the Lavatory)
    4. Rattlin' Roarin'
    5. Danny Boy (F. Weatherly)
    6. Skipping Song

  • Sons of Erin
    • Ralph O'Brien: Vocals & Guitar
    • Robert (Bob) O'Donovan: Vocals, Fiddle, Viola, Mandolin & Whistle
    • Allan Flynn: Banjo, Guitar & Concertina
    • Frank McKenna: Vocals, Mandolin, Auto-Harp & Guitar
  • Credits
    • Produced by Mark Attman & Jury Krytiuk
    • Recorded at Sound Canada Recording Centre, Toronto
    • Engineer: Ernie Lyons
    • Mixed at Eastern Sound, Toronto
    • Engineer: Chris Skene
    • All tracks: Trad. Arr. Sons of Erin, unless otherwise noted.

Sleeve Notes

I first heard the sons of Erin two years ago at Toronto's Golden Nuggett. I was impressed with their obvious knowledge of the material they had chosen and set them above the dozens of other groups on the Irish Bandwagon. It wasn't until November 1970 that t had an opportunity to hear them again. By this time, a number of changes had occurred to make the group an even more interesting one than the group I had remembered. Still using the same carefully re searched materiel with the addition of auto-harp, live string banjo, mandolin and concertina, and most important introduction of good harmony, has given the group a depth of sureness which somewhat was lacking in the past.

Ralph O'Brien, both leader of the group and a fine lead singer, plays rhythm guitar.
Allan Flynn plays banjo, guitar and concertina with equal dexterity. His beautiful 100 year old concertina adds a special touch.
Frank McKenna, an adept guitarist and singer, also doubles on mandolin and auto-harp.

The group has a large following in the Maritimes where they have toured extensively. Future plans include a trip to Viet Nam for the U.S. Government. travels to Ireland and California among other places.

A man from Dublin, a Dubliner with a Scottish accent, an adapted Wicklow man. and a man from Cork, together they became the Sons of Erin, an Irish group I think you should hear.

OWEN McBRIDE
Well known Irish Traditional Folk Singer in Canada


  • Notes
    • For some reason, Bob O'Donovan is not specifically mentioned in Owen McBride's sleeve notes.
      • He is pictured on the front and back sleeve, but only listed as "a man from Cork".