In this remastered and enhanced CD release of the 1970s Topic/Free Reed archives of Clare concertina playing, we present classic examples of the playing of eight musicians from various parts of Ireland who play the Anglo concertina. Today, the richest store of traditional concertina playing is still to be found in County Clare, and at the time of recording, five of these musicians lived and worked in that county.
However, the instrument's popularity has been more widespread, and Mrs Ella Mae O'Dwyer, who learnt to play in County Limerick as a young girl, tells of many players in that county.
Even by 1974, the instrument was regaining popularity amongst the newer generation of musicians, and items from two younger Dublin concertina players were featured on the original recordings.
This CD release, and the other five remastered Clare concertina recordings now made available, marks the re-issue of these definitive 1974 recordings that surveyed Irish traditional concertina styles, styles that may still be heard in and around County Clare, and includes historic selections from the younger musicians of the time, as well as some of the finest traditional players of the concertina in Ireland. |
