Neil Boyle, Fairy Fiddler of Donegal: The Moving Clouds, Folktracks (60-170)
A remarkable documentary recording of a very unique character and performer recorded by Peter Kennedy, Dunloe, 1953.
Neil believed that he learned to play his embellishments from the wee folk.
As well as demonstrating a variety of Styles of Donegal music including his fairy music, and examples of keening Neily gives an Account of the Present State of Irish Music, with particular reference to Popular or Jungle Music.
A1. Talking about Irish Music (7.25)
A2. Pleoid ar an Fharraige (A Plague on the Sea), Talk/Song/Tune on fiddle (1.55)
A3. Tighearna Mhuigheo (Lord Mayo), Talk/Song/Tune on fiddle (4.55)
A4. Talk about Embellishments & Miss McCloud's Reel (2.45)
A5. The River Roe, Talk and tune 2. 35'
A6. Cailin Deas Cruidhte na Mbo (Pretty girl milking her cow), Talk & tune (2.10)
A7. The Harvest Home Hornpipe, Talk & tune (2.50)
A8. The Moving Clouds (Reel composed by Neil Boyle) (3.25)
B1. Talk first about previous item & the reel: The Pidgeon on the Gate (5.55)
B2. Sean sa Cheo (John in the Mist), Pipe-tune (3.00)
B3. Farewell to the Green Hills, Slow Air (3.55)
B4. The Song of the Boxty, Talk/Song in Gaelic (2.00)
B5. Rathad ma Mburchach (Burke's Street), Verse of poteen, Song in Gaelic/Tune (1.50)
B6. The Loughanure Tune, Talk/Song/Tune lilted/Played on fiddle (2.35)
B7. The Keening Song, Talk/Song/Played on fiddle (3.00)
B8. The Blackbird, Talk about song air/Tune with variations & imitations (4.10)
NEIL BOYLE (1889-1961) born 26th. November, 1889 to Paddy Boyle and Nancy Sweeney at Easton, Pennsylvania, died at Dungloe on the 8th. August, 1961.
It was another family of Donegal fiddlers, the Doherty's , who insisted that Peter Kennedy should do everything possible to make a recording of Neily because of his quite exceptional style. In he first place, he had learned much from his grandfather, the famous Padraig McSweeney; secondly, he claimed to have learned a great deal of fiddle technique from "the little people" he had met at a fairy wedding and could quote the names of two of them. In addition John, Michael and Simie Doherty told us that he had written a number of his own compositions, which were very much sought after by other fiddlers but jealously guarded by Neily himself.
In fact, although he had previously made a number of 78 rpm records for Regal Zonophone he was now refusing to record for radio in Britain or Ireland. In fact it was because he finally agreed to give his talk about "The Present State of Irish Music" and started to illustrate his talk that Peter succeeded in making this remarkable recording, using a half a mile of microphone cable, coupled to a tape machine in the car and working off the batteries. On playback, Neil was pleased with the result and finally gave his permission for publication, assigning his arrangements and recording rights to Folktracks.
Francie and Mickey Byrne, Ceol Na dTéad, Clo Iar Chonnachta (CIC078)
TAOBH 1
1. Ri na bPiobairi (2 40")
2. Caislean Dhun na nGall (Cornphiopa) (1' 15")
3. Sean o Laidin (Jackson's Reel) (2'19")
4. Ril Sheain Parnell, An Cailin Rua (Take Your Pick)
5. Highland: Dulaman na Binne Bui (1'30")
6. On the Road (Ril) (1'40")
7. Fonn Mall: Maire Mhaitiu (2'13")
8. Cornphiopa Gan Ainm (0'47')
9. Ril gan Ainm (1'40'")
10. Bairseach Mna (The Scolding Wife) (1'15")
11. Toss the Feathers (1'26")
12. Ril Ui Ruairc (1'52")
13. Fonn Mall: Cluine Meallta (1'27")
TAOBH 2
1. Caislean loch Eil (1'23")
2. Na Cosain Ghraibheil (2'09")
3. Ril Phadai 'n Atharaigh (1'30")
4. Northern Lights (1'16")
5. Cornphiopa Nell (1'20")
6. T. Morrison's Reel (1'05")
7. Limerick House (Ril) (1'22")
8. Miss Patterson's Slipper (1'05")
9. Stirling Castle (0'48")
10. Highland: Agnes Campbell (0'51")
11. Ril: Dinky's (1'06")
12. The Glory Reel (1' 13')
13. An Bunnan Bui (An Sean Leagan) (1'40")
14. Port Aodha Ui Ghallchoir (1'40')
James Byrne, The Road to Glenlough, Claddagh Records (CC52)
Side one
1 Con McGinley's (reel 1.10)
2 Paddy Hudai's Jigs (slip jig and double jig 2.06)
3 An Londubh (The Blackbird) (air 2.21)
4 The Fickle Lad (jig 1.47)
5 The Wild Irishman (reel 1.29)
6 Muineal a' Bhardail (The Drake's Neck) (reel 1.10)
7 The Road to Glenlough (waltz 2.06)
8 The Devil's Dream (reel 1.11)
9 McConnell's Barndance (2.02)
10 John Byrne's (jig 1.49)
11 The Glory Reel (1.22)
12 Jig na Mire (The Mad Jig) (1.35)
Side two
I Jimmy Lyons's (highlands 2.34)
2 Johnny Boyle's (jig 1.23)
3 Mick Carr's (barndances 3.55)
4 Tripping Upstairs (reel 1.10)
5 Sein Parnell's (reel 1.15)
6 Maidin Fhomhair (One Harvest Morning) (air 2.25)
7 Mick Carr's Highlands (2.07)
8 The Heather Breeze (reel 1.30)
9 The Sportin' Belles (reel 1.48)
10. Dulaman na Binne Buidhe (The Seaweed at the Yellow Cliff (highland 1.10)
11. Ril na Drithleog (The Reel of Sparks) (reel 1.48)
James Byrne: fiddle
with
Dermot McLaughlin: fiddle (side one tracks 4 & 5)
Peter Carr: fiddle (side one track 1, side two tracks 5 & 10)
Dermot Byrne: accordion (side two tracks 1 & 9)
Sean Byrne: guitar (side two tracks 1 & 3)
Johnny Doherty, Comhaltas (CL10) (December 1974)
SIDE ONE
1. HIGHLAND SCHOTTISCHE
As a result of the seasonal migration to Scotland and particularly to rural parts, a great amount of Scottish music was brought back to Donegal and became an integral part of Donegal's musical heritage. This tune is an example of John Doherty's versatility; his execution affords us the chance to hear how Scottish music should be played on a fiddle.
2. TRIM THE VELVET (Reel)
This is a well known reel amongst traditional musicians throughout Ireland, and is given a new lease of life here by Doherty. Note that instead of playing this tune in the key of G it is played in the key of D; it also starts on what is now regarded as the last part of the tune. Notice also the great attacking spirit of the Co. Donegal reel tempo.
3. DESCRIPTIVE PIECE, THE FOUR POSTS OF THE BED
(Story and Tune) Introduced by John Doherty
The man who composed this tune was Anthony Halferty a well known fiddler in Donegal in bygone days. Note the high standard of technique attained by John particularly in his execution of the pizzicato which is perhaps the main feature of this tune.
4. BAILE NA FINNE (Reel) Introduced by John Doherty
This tune is also known locally as "Maire na Sop'. It is a Donegal version of the well known reel "Scotch Mary" otherwise "Knocknagow"
5 GUSTYS FROLICS (A Slip Jig)
A recurring feature of Donegal music is that after playing two parts of a tune the first part is repeated an octave higher and played as a third part. Here is a fine example of this; we find that the repeated part serves as a very effective link with the fourth part. Notice also the very striking modulation in the fourth part of this tune.
6. THE FANTASTIC REEL Introduced by John
This tune is also known as "The Dispute at the Crossroads." Again the great vitality of Donegal reel playing is in evidence. This tune is ideally suited to John's style of fiddling and one can sense his musical personality in every note.
7. TUAM m FARRAIGE
(Story and Hompipe) Introduced by John Doherty
Like 'The Four Posts of the Bed' this tune was composed by Anthony Halferty who was inspired by the sound of the Atlantic waves as he slept near the shore at Gleann Columcille. Note how Doherty captures the mood and the atmosphere of this tune by using drones to convey the sound of the thundering surf.
8 RAKISH PADDY (Reel)
Here is a version of the popular reel which, like so many other tunes, is given a now lease of life in the Doherty idiom. Here John demonstrates his great bowing technique to the full; he settles in with great vigour from the very first note and maintains the vitality throughout.
SIDE TWO
1. Miss RAMSEY Reel Introduced by John Doherty
John's very effective use of the droning technique is again in evidence here in yet another fine example of the great attacking spirit of the Donegal reel tempo.
2. THE KING OF THE PIPERS
(Single jig) Introduced by JD
This old Donegal jig finds echoes in at least two other tunes which are popular with musicians today. John associates this tune with the playing of his brother -- the late Mickey Doherty who was a very fine fiddler.
3. THE GLEN ROAD TO CARRICK (Reel and Story)
This is one of several five part tunes in the Doherty repertoire and is, in fact, the second setting of the Glen Road to be made famous by John. Having played the tune in great style John then tells us how the tune came to be named.
4. THE REPEAL OF THE UNION (AND)
THE COLLEGE GROVES (Reels)
Here are two well known reels which again are given a distinctive Donegal flavour. In the more intricate passages of the second reel, in particular, his tremendous command of the bow is very much in evidence.
5. AN OLD DONEGAL MAZURKA
The Mazurka has been danced at house dances and parties in Donegal for a century or more, so the style and tempo of this tune come very naturally to John.
6. BONNY KATE (Reel
This is John's version of the 'classic' tune immortalised by the playing of the late Michael Coleman. Unlike Coleman, however, all the embellishment is here executed with the bow, so that throughout the tune there is a great amount of single bowing.
7. THE LANCERS
The Lancers is another one of the dances which were popular in Donegal in the old days. Again the playing here is rich with a complete absence of irrelevant embellishment.
8. MISS MONAGHAN (Reel)
This tune is already well known in a very fine Piping setting. In this exciting fiddle version John quickly captures and establishes the mood and atmosphere of Donegal music. Note the intricate bowing particularly in the first part of the tune.
Notes by Padraig o Glacain
John Doherty, Master Fiddler of Donegal: Bundle & Go, Ossian (OSS 17)
Side A
1. Hudie Gallagher's March/Untitled Reel
2. The Black Mare of Fanad (reel)
3. The March of the Meena Toiten Bull
4. Kiss the Maid Behind the Bier/The Bargain is Over (jigs)
5. The 21 Highland
6. Untitled March
7. Untitled Reel
8. The Paps of Glencoe (march)
9. The Hare in the Corn (reel)
10. Untitled March
11. The Knights of St. Patrick (jig)
12. The Dispute at the Crossroads (reel)
13. Roaring Mary/Stormy Weather (reels)
Side B
1. Miss Patterson's Slippers (reel)
2. The Cat that Kittled in James' Wig (highland)
3. Welcome Home Royal Charlie (march)
4. Darby Gallagher (jig)
5. Untitled Mazurka
6. Untitled Reel
7. The Teelin Highland
8. Untitled March
9. The Heathery Breeze (reel)
10. Untitled Highland
11. The Monaghan Switch (reel)
12. Untitled Highland
13. The Black Haired Lass (reel)
14. Paddy's Rambles Through the Park (air)
Folktracks 074 Johnny Doherty: Pedlar's Pack (60 min) (1952)
Side A
1 Stirling Castle/Grey daylight
2. The blackbird
3. The Atlantic Roar
4. Murlough Mary (song)
5. The Postman's knock
6. The girl's croon (story and air)
7. The speaking waltz
8. Tighearna Mhuigheo
9 talk about father: McSweeney's reel
Side B
1 Sheilg a' madhaidh rua/ sheilg a' ghearrfhaidh (fox chase/hare and hounds)
2 Rocking the cradle
3. Dark girl dressed in blue (Hpe)
4. Irish washerwoman
5. Wounded hussar (air)
6. High level/Madam Vanoni (hpe)
7. The old hag and the churn (story and jig)
8. Four posts of the bed
9. The three O'Donnell's (song)
10 Oro se/ de bheata a' bhaille (march)
Folktracks 073 (60 min) John and Michael Doherty: The Fiddler and the Fairy (c 1953 recordings)
(Stories and Fiddle Tunes)
Side A (John Doherty) Tracks 1-7
1.. Flowers of Edinburgh
2. An muilti/n
3. Paddy's Rambles
4. Easter Snow
5 Sheilg a' Mhadadh Ruadh (Fox Chase)
6. The wee weaver
7. Biddy from Muckros
8. The poor boy and the millionaire's daughter (Michael Doherty))
Side B (all Mickey D)
1. Casadh an tsugain
2. The fiddler and the fairy
3. St Columkille and the Rope
4. Peter Street
5. St Columkille and the three week sleep
6. a The Hare and the Hounds
b The Foxhunter's jig
7. St Columkille's two curses
8. Mrs McLeod's/ The Broken Bridge
The Gravel Walks: Mickey Doherty (Comhairle Bhealoideas Eireann) CBE002
(Recorded 1949) (Double Cassette)
SIDE I
1. THE SWALLOWS TAIL, DROWSY MAGGIE: REELS
2. FISHER'S HORNPIPE: WITH DANCING BY CONALL MAC AN LUAIN
3. THE HOUNDS AFTER THE HARE: DESCRIPTIVE PIECE
4. THE FIDDLER AND THE FAIRY: STORY
5. STIRLING CASTLE: STRATHSPEY
THE FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH: REEL
6. THE JOB OF JOURNEYWORK: SET DANCE
7. NORA CRIONNA: JIG; MISS MCLEOD: REEL
SIDE 2
1. THE CUCKOO'S NEST: HORNPIPES
PADDY'S TRIP TO SCOTLAND
2. QUADRILLE TUNES MARCHES
3. THE SLIGO MAID REELS
MALLOY'S FAVOURITE
4. THE STACK OF BARLEY HORNPIPES
THE CORN RIGS
5. BONNIE KATE REEL
6, DULAMAN NA BINNE BUI HIGHLAND
7. THE CAMERONIAN REEL
SIDE 3
1. THE FERMOY LASSES REELS
THE WILD IRISHMAN
2. THE IRISH WASHERWOMAN JIG
3. THE SCHOLAR HORNPIPE
4. THE STAR OF DONEGAL AIR
BELPHEGOR (BREPSANT) MARCH
5. THE FOUR POSTS OF THE BED REEL
6. THE LIVERPOOL HORNPIPES
THE DERRY
7. THE TEMPLEHOUSE REELS
T'HE FLOGGING REEL
SIDE 4
1. KITTY'S GONE A-MILKING REEL
2. TA MO MHARGADIH DEANTA JIG
THE MERRY SISTERS REEL
3. TUNE LEARNT FROM THE FAIRIES SLIP JIG
4. THE HARVEST HOME HORNPIPE
THE GRAVEL WALKS REEL
5. MAGGIE PICKINS WITH DANCING BY CONALL MAC AN LUAIN
6. THE ENCHANTED LADY REEL
TATTER JACK WALSH JIG
7. MISS MCLEOD REELS
PHILIP O'BEIRN'S DELIGHT
[Available on special order only - supply capricious]
The Fiddle Music of Donegal volume one Cairdeas CNF001
(Recorded August 1995)
Martin McGinley
Jimmy Campbell
Michael McMenamin
Mick Brown
Proinsias O Maonaigh
Danny McCarry
Peter Tracey
Paul O Shaughnessy
1 The Bunglas Lass and Mrs. McGinley (Hornpipes)
2 Con Cassidy's Waltz and The Speaking Waltz
3 Feargal O'Gara and The Cliffs of Glencolmcille (reels)
4 Mac Eoghan Sheain agus Inion John Chit (polka)
5 The Marine (Single Jig)
6 Maggie Pickie (Highland)
7 Shanie Mulhearne's (reel)
8 Moneymusk (Jig
9 Untitled Mazurka
10 The Cock's Tail (single reel), The Five Mile Chase
and George White's Fancy (reels)
11 An t-Eas and McCahil's (hornpipes)
12 Con Cassidy's and John Glackin's (germans)
13 The Fintown Girl's Lament
14 The Quaker's Wife (single jig) and The Boys of the Town (Double Jig)
15 The Humours of Baile ne Fead and the Wee Pickle Tow (double jigs)
16 Nellildh o Baoighill's, Banrion na Bealtaine and
Dulaman na Binne Buidhe (highlands)
17 Roise Bhaeg Roise Moire's and Phroinnsias O Maonaigh's (germans)
18 The Soldier's Joy (hornpipe)
19 The '21 and. The Iron Man (highlands)
20 The Drunken Sailor and The Dungorman (hornpipes)
21 The Green Fields of Glentown and Leslie's (reels)
22 The Frost is All Over and Frank Cassidy's (double jigs)
23 McSweeney's Lament
24 The Black Fanad Mare and Drowsy Maggie (reels)
The Donegal Fiddle RTECD196 (RTE)
(Recordings from 1949-1957) issued 1996
Track List
1 Ri na bPiobairi- Double Jig (2'41"
Francie Dearg & Mickey Ban 0 Beirn
2 Untitled Reel (1'45")
Francie Dearg & Mickey Ban 0 Beirn
3 The Donegal Castle Hornpipe (1' 7")
Francie Dearg
4 Agnes Campbell's Highland (0'52")
Francie Dearg
5 Briseadh Eachdhruim - Lament (1'13")
Francie Dearg & Mickey Bun 0 Beirn
6 Dinkey Dorrian's - Reel (1'07')
Francie Dearg
7 Cornphiopa an Naileir - Hornpipe (1'25")
Francie Dearg
8 McKenzie's Reel (1'26")
Francie Dearg & Mickey Ban 0 Beirn
9 An Bunnan Bui - Air (1'42')
Francie Dearg & Mickey Ban 0 Beirn
10 The Drummer - Reel (1'23")
Francie Dearg & Mickey Ban 0 Beirn
11 Untitled Hornpipe (0'48")
Francie Dearg
12 Miss Patterson's Slippers - Reel (1'06")
Francie Dearg
13 Ril na nGlor - Reel (1'15")
Francie Dearg & Mickey Ban 0 Beirn
14 George the Fourth - Highland (1'11")
Mickey Simi Doherty
15 The Glendowan Reel (1'41")
Mickey Simi Doherty
16 Hopping Biddy - Highland (1'26')
Mickey Simi Doherty
17 The Shamrock - Reel (1'21"
Mickey Simi Doherty
18 The Old Oak Tree - Reel (2'28")
Mickey Simi Doherty
19 The Hare in the Corn & The Irish Washerwoman - Double Jigs (1'57")
John Gallagher
20 The Bunch of Keys & The Yellow Heifer - Reels (2'47")
John Gallagher
21 Mooney's Reel (1'08")
John Gallagher
22 The High Level Bridge & McCormack's Hompipe (1'53")
John Gallagher & James Josie McHugh
23 The Moving Cloud - Reel (1'10")
John Gallagher & James Josie McHugh
24 The Tarbolton - Reel (1'16")
Paddy &John Gallagher
25 Moneymusk - Highland (1'21")
Jimmy Lyons
26 The Pinch of Snuff - Reel (2'28")
Jimmy Lyons
27 When Sick is it Tae You Want? - Double jig (1'51")
Jimmy Lyons
28 The lnishmurray Hompipe (2'34")
Jimmy Lyons
29 The Merry Blacksmith - Reel (2'09")
Jimmy Lyons
30 Frank Cassidy's Hornpipe (1'46")
Jimmy Lyons
31 Australian Waters - Double Jig (1'44")
Jimmy Lyons
32 Cusan an Aon Duine - Hornpipe (1'45")
Jimmy Lyons
33 Glenlivet Whiskey - Highland (1'04")
Jimmy Lyons
34 Jimmy Lyons' Highland (1'20")
Jimmy Lyons
35 Piobaire a Cheididh - Reel (1'40")
John Simi and Simon Simi Doherty
36 The Pigeon on the Gate - Reel (1'41")
John Simi and Simon Simi Doherty
37 Slan le Ceol - March/Hornpipe Descriptive Piece (3'11")
John Simi and Simon Simi Doherty
FIDDLE STICKS Irish Traditional Music from Donegal
Side 1
The Boys of Malin, The Gravel Walks - Reels 3.18
Claran Tourish, Dermot McLaughlin
Stirling Castle, Miss Ramsey - Strathspey & Reel 3.17
Claran Tourish, Dermot McLaughlin, Seamus Glackin, Kevin Glackin
Farrell O'Gara, Ciaran O' Reilly - Reels 2.35
Tommy Peoples, Seamus Gibson
Two jigs 2.34
Tommy Peoples
Gustys Frolicks - jig 2.07
Claran Tourish, Dermot McLaughlin, Seamus Glackin, Kevin Glackin
The Glen Road to Carrick - Reel 2.12
Seamus Glackin
The King of the Pipers, Frainc A'Phoill - jigs 3.51
Claran Tourish, Dermot McLaughlin, Seamus Glackin, Kevin Glackin
The Jug of Punch, John Stewart - Reels 2.18
Tommy Peoples
The Pinch of Snuff, The Wild Irishman - Reels 3.31
Ciaran Tourish, Dermot McLaughlin, Seamus Glackin, Kevin Glackin
The Lord of Mayo - Air 3.41
Kevin Glackin
The Mullingar Races, 3.22
The Pigeon on the Gate - Reels
Proinsias 0 Maonaigh, Mairead NiMhaonaigh, Paula Doohan, Liz Doherty
Side 2
The Turnpike, The Shetland Fiddler, The Boys of Malin - Reels 4.27
Paula Doohan, Liz Doherty
Two Mazurkas 3.21
Proinsias 0 Maonaigh, Meiread Ni Mhaonaigh
The Silver Spire, The Boys of Ballisadare - Reels 2.15
Tommy Peoples
Tripping up the Stairs, The Gravel Walks - Reels 3.27
Claran Tourish, Dermot McLaughlin
The Wedding jig 2.09
Dermot McLaughlin
The Fantastic Reel, McFarley's Reel, 4.52
Miss Ramsey - Reels
Claran Tourish, Dermot McLaughlin, Tommy Peoples, Seamus Gibson, Seamus
Glackin, Kevin Glackin
The Jig of Slurs, The Irish Washerwoman, The Atholl Highlanders - jigs 5.08
All*
The Wise Maid, Macleod's Reel, The Boys of Malin - Reels 4.27
All*
*with Tom, Colin, John Robert and Andrew Deyell, Davy Tulloch
Daniel Lapp, Alan Clark (Bass) and Dave Jackson (Guitar)
Total playing time 62.52
Recorded 18th and 19th January 1991
Nimbus Records Ltd. NC5320