Description

This collection of songs was recorded in Galway by Terry Yarnell during the early 1970s. Terry was performing in folk clubs, singing mainly English songs, although his style was being influenced by Irish sean-nós singing he was hearing on the radio. He joined the London based study group known as the Critics under the leadership of Ewan McColl and Peggy Seeger. They were very aware that the Irish traditional music scene was still vibrant while McColl described the English one as moribund. At this time the Connemara singer Joe Heaney (Seosamh Ó hÉanaí) was a regular participant at McColl and Seeger’s Singers’ Club in London.

It was suggested that a recording field trip to Connemara should be undertaken by someone from the Critics group with the possibility of producing an LP record (although this was never actually made). It was arranged that Terry would be accompanied by flute player Gabe O’Sullivan originally from Headford, Co.Galway and that they should conduct a two week sortie. So off they went – Gabe had made the contacts beforehand and in 1970 they made the first field trip and recorded Seán ‘ac Dhonncha in An Aird Thoir, Carna, Cáit Uí Chonluain in Baile an tSagairt, Spiddal and the Keane family in the townland of Carragh, Caherlistrane. Terry made more trips without Gabe particularly one in 1972 when he made contact with and recorded Tom Pháidín Tom (Tom Costello) in Baile an tSagairt, Spiddal, Pat Phádraic Tom in Leitir Péic, Spiddal and Colm Ó Caoidheáin (Colm Keane) in Glinsk (Glinsce).

Terry has created a remarkable body of recorded performances which, without his insight, might never have been heard. These are now safely deposited in the British Library Sound Archive.

The CD includes a 36 page booklet with song and biographical notes researched and written by Éamonn Ó Bróithe and John Howson.

Tracks

1. Mná Bán’ Deasa’ Bhaile Locha Riach (The Fair Lasses of Loughrea) – Seán ‘ac Dhonncha
2. Bruach na Carraige Báine (The Edge of the White Rock) – Pádraic Ó Conghaile
3. May Morning Dew – Rita & Sarah Keane
4. Bríd Thomáis Mhurchadha (Tom Murphy’s Bríd) –Colm Ó Caoidheáin
5. Mary Le More (The Maniac) – Tom Pháidín Tom
6. Saighdiúirín Singil (The Private Soldier) – Cáit Bean Uí Chonluain
7. Liam Ó Raghallaigh (Liam O’Reilly) – Seán ‘ac Dhonncha
8. The Home I left Behind – Rita & Sarah Keane
9. Eochaill (Youghal) –Pádraic Ó Conghaile
10. Seoladh na nGamhna (Herding the Calves) –Sarah Keane
11. The Green Linnet –Seán ‘ac Dhonncha
12. A Neainsín Bhán (Fair Nancy) –Pádraic Ó Conghaile
13. Hynes and Bold Dermody –Tom Pháidín Tom
14. Coinleach Glas an Fhómhair (The Green Stubble of Autumn) –Cáit Bean Uí Chonluain
15. The Month of January –Rita & Sarah Keane
16. Brídín Bhéasaigh (Brídeen Vesey) –Tom Pháidín Tom
17. The Bogs of Shanakeever –Seán ‘ac Dhonncha
18. Tá na Páipéir á Saighneáil (The Papers are Being Signed) –Pádraic Ó Conghaile
19. There was a Maid in Her Father’s Garden –Rita & Sarah Keane
20. Máire Ní Eidhin (Mary Hynes of Ballylee) – Tom Pháidín Tom
21. Máire Ní Eidhin – sung in English – Tom Pháidín Tom
22. An Abhainn Mhór (The Owenmore) – Seán ‘ac Dhonncha