Seán Ó Riada & Ceoltóirí Cualann   •   Ó Riada Sa Gaiety

image 
  • Ó Riada Sa Gaiety — Le Seán Ó Sé Agus Ceoltóirí Cualann
    • 1970 - Gael-Linn CEF 027 LP
  • Side One
    1. Marcshlua Uí Néll
    2. Mná Na Héireann
    3. Planxty Johnston
    4. Im Aonar Seal
    5. Cnocáin Aitinn Liatroma
    6. Marbhna Luimn
  • Side Two
    1. Do Bhí Bean Uasal
    2. An Ghaoth Aneas
    3. Máirseáil Rí Laoise
    4. An Chéad Mháirt Den Fhómhar & Na Gamhna Geala
    5. Iníon An Phailitínigh
    6. Ríl Mhór Bhaile An Chalaidh

  • Musicians
    • Seán Ó Sé: Amhránaí [Singer]
    • Mairtín Fay: Bheidhliní [Fiddle]
    • Seán Ó Ceallaigh [John Kelly]: Bheidhliní [Fiddle]
    • Seán Ó Catháin [Seán Keane]: Bheidhliní [Fiddle]
    • Paddy Moloney: Píb [Uilleann Pipes]
    • Seán Potts: Feadóg [Tin Whistle]
    • Mícheál Ó Tiobraide [Michael Tubridy]: Fliúit [Flute]
    • Eamon de Buitléar: Bosca Ceoil [Accordion]
    • Peadar Mercier:Bodhrán
    • Seán Ó Riada: Cruitchorda [Harpsichord]
  • Credits
    • Stiúrthóir agus cóiritheoir [Director and Arranger]: Seán Ó Riada
    • Taifeada [Recordings]: Studio Éamon de Buitléar beo ón Gaiety, Baile [Live from the Gaiety]
    • An Clúdach Dearadh [The Cover Design]: Liam Miller
    • Grianghraf, Síleáil Amharclann an Gaiety [Photo, Gaiety Theater ceiling]: James Maguire
    • Sleeve Notes Seán Mac Réamoinn
  • Notes
    • Information on this release comes from outside sources.

Sleve Notes

Music of the Nation, to honour one of the nation's poets. This record of the Ó Doirnín bi-centenary concert begins with the spirited Ulster cavalry tune Marcshlua Uí Néill, played by Ceoltóirí Cualann, and followed by one of Peadar Ó Doirnín's own picaresque songs, Mná na hEireann (The Women of Ireland'), sung by Seán Ó Sé, in a new setting, composed for the occasion by Seán Ó Riada. Still in 18th century Ulster, a piece by Carolan follows, an elegant Planxty dedicated to Mr, Baptist Johnston of Tully, Co. Monaghan, sometime High Sheriff of the County and member of the Irish Parliament from 1747 to 1753.

Next, one of the great Munster songs Im Aonar Seal by Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin, sung to its own noble traditional air by Seán Ó Sc: This is one of the finest examples of the aisling ('vision') genre, with a marvellous matching of lyric and melody.

From Connacht, The Whinny Hills of Leitrim, two slip-jig tunes skilfully blended in counterpoint. And then back to Munster for the majestic Marbhna Luimni ('Limerick's Lamentation'), first published by Neale of Dublin some thirty years after the great defeat which inspired it. The composition of this moving Munster lament is, in fact, attributed to an Ulster harper, Myles O'Reilly of Cavan, who was born in 1635 and may well have lived to see and recognise what was no mere local disaster, but the breaking of a nation's hopes, Curiously enough, the air seems to be the same as that of the lament known in Scotland as 'Lochaber no More', but its Irish provenance is well attested.

The second side of the disc begins with one of those songs which, wherever they were made, belong now to Ireland as a whole. This one is attributed to an Ulster poet, Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Gunna, but whether we call it Carrickfergus or Do bhí Bean Uasal ('There was a Lady'), whether we sing it in Irish or in English, or, as here, in a bit of both, it remains one of the best-known and best-loved of Irish ballads.

The charming air An Ghaoth Ó nEas ('South Wind'), which follows, may be from County Clare. Bunting credits it to one Domhnall Meidhreach Mac Conmara and it has been identified with a similar melody called 'I have a secret to tell thee'. The next item is also under two titles, but is of a very different category. This fine Leinster tune, Máirseáil Rí Laoise ('March of the King of Laoise') is sometimes called Rory O'Moore, apparently in honour of Ruairí Óg Ó Mórdha who played a prominent part in the war of the first Elizabeth of England.

A solo piece for harpsichord, again a cunning fusion of two airs — from Ulster this time — arranged and played by Seán Ó Riada, brings us to the two final bands on the disc. Here we have two performances which brought the Gaiety concert to a lively, not to say hilarious end. First, Seán Ó Sé sings an old favourite, Iníon an Phailitínigh ('The Palatine's Daughter') the story of a very early ecumenical encounter! — backed, if not indeed surrounded, by the Ceoltóirí. And finally one of the 'big' Kerry reels Ríl Mhór Bhaile an Chalaidh.

Mo cheol iad na Ceoltóirí!
SEÁN MAC RÉAMOINN