“THE CLARE SET”
Free Reed: FCLAR-01 to 06
The definitive 6-CD archive of the
CONCERTINA TRADITIONS OF CO CLARE
Free Reed is proud to release this lavish set of enhanced and remastered CD recordings of the entire classic series of 1970s LPs that documented the legendary players of Clare concertina music. All six original LPs, each with additional recordings from the original ’74 sessions, are now available, both as a luxury 6-CD box set “THE CLARE SET” (AnClar-07) – and as individual CDs with extensive booklets and extra tracks. The original notes have new articles from John Tams and Neil Wayne, who recorded these classic LPs in 1974, and have up to date information of the music of Clare, and the many festivals of Clare concertina playing and concertina tuition gatherings now so popular.
The Recordings now released in ‘The Clare Set’ are:
FCLAR 01 - THE RUSSELL FAMILY of Doolin, Co Clare – Miko, Pakie and Gussie Russell: recorded at O’Connor’s Bar, Doolin, 1974 http://www.free-reed.co.uk/fclar01
The fame of the legendary Russell Brothers - Micho, Pakie and Gus - brought legions of music enthusiasts to Doolin, Co Clare throughout the ’60s and ’70s. The brothers had learned much from iconic Clare musicians such as Johnny Doran, Willie Clancy, and concertina players Martin Kiloughery and Paddy Murphy, and the trio were finally recorded in 1974 by Neil Wayne & John Tams for a classic Topic LP, now released here on CD as part of the Clare Set of archive recordings, with many extra tracks from the original 1974 Russells sessions.
FCLAR 02 - CLARE CONCERTINAS: Bernard O'Sullivan & Tommy McMahon – an unique duo of tradition bearers http://www.free-reed.co.uk/fclar02
In the 1970s, Cree-Cooraclare was very much ‘concertina country’. Such names as Bernard O'Sullivan, Tommy McMahon, Solus Lulls, Tommy McCarthy, Gerald Haugh, Sonny Murray, Michael Tubridy and Tom Carey were well known as concertina players from this area, many still active today. This record highlights the unique playing and ensemble style of two of these players - BERNARD O'SULLIVAN AND TOMMY MCMAHON: their huge repertoire embodies the best of the Clare tradition.
FCLAR 03 - THE FLOWING TIDE: Chris Droney. Classic Concertina repertoire of the All-Ireland champion http://www.free-reed.co.uk/fclar03
Chris Droney, a farmer from Bellharbour, near the Burren area of north Clare, came to the forefront of Irish music in 1956, when he won the Fleadh Cheoil All Ireland Championship at Ennis, with further All-Ireland concertina championships in 1959, 1960, and so on until 1967, when he retired “to give the others a chance”! Concerts in the USA followed, and Chris was much in demand for house dances all over Clare. Much of his repertoire came from his father, and his dance-oriented, driving style, free of over-decoration, is pure Clare playing. This CD release includes many extra tunes from the original Tams & Wayne 1974 recordings.
FCLAR 04 - JOHN KELLY. FIDDLE AND CONCERTINA PLAYER: The noted Co Clare source musician with fiddle and Concertina classics http://www.free-reed.co.uk/fclar04
John Kelly was born in the district of Rehy West, County Clare, and for over thirty years was a force in Irish music – he was a member of Seán Ó Riada’s Ceoltóirí Cualainn, of the Castle Ceilidh Band, and of Ceoltóirí Laighean, and regular musician at respected Dublin sessions.
John's fiddling is in the relaxed Clare style and his concertina playing is spikier, with subtle variations of notes, the occasional harmonic effect, and again that off-beat emphasis.
John taught at the Willie Clancy Scoil Éigse, and supported the Tradition Club held on Wednesdays at Slattery's just a few doors away from his Dublin home: he was recorded by John Tams and Neil Wayne January 1974 and by Tony Engle and Patrick Hayes in March & April 1975, and extra tracks are here included from these sessions.
FCLAR 05 - IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC OF COUNTY CLARE. Bernard O'Sullivan & Tommy McMahon: More classics and rarities from these west Clare tradition-bearers http://www.free-reed.co.uk/fclar05
This re-released recording from 1974 further highlights the unique playing and ensemble style of these two great players - BERNARD O'SULLIVAN AND TOMMY MCMAHON: Their repertoire was immense, and the younger Tommy (24 at the time of recording) had learned much from the playing of his friend and mentor Bernard O’Sullivan: they were neighbours in Cree-Cooraclare, and still played together until Bernard’s death in August 2006. We celebrate his memory in this sublime music.
FCLAR 06 - IRISH TRADITIONAL CONCERTINA STYLES: Rare tracks from many great Clare and Dublin-based players: Paddy Murphy, Solus Lillis, Gerald Haugh, Tom Carey, Sonny Murray, Sean O’Dwyer and more. http://www.free-reed.co.uk/fclar06
In this remastered CD release of the original 1974 recordings, we present classic examples of the playing of eight musicians, now from various parts of Ireland who play the Anglo concertina. 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.
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.
Special Boxed Set edition of
THE CLARE SET SERIES
of CLARE CONCERTINA Archive recordings – also available!!
Free Reed AnClar-07 see: http://www.free-reed.co.uk/anclar-06
All 6 CDs of this important re-release of the Co Clare archive of traditional concertina players of Co Clare were released singly during 2007, but the entire 6-CD set, in a special Limited Edition display-case Case, is now also available at a special price. |