DOWN THE LANE (2019)
In making this recording, we decided to prioritize trying to capture the energy we aim for when we play live. It is a studio recording, but the basic tracks of all the instrumental selections were done playing together in the same room, without separation, without headphones, just rolling the tape (or whatever the digital equivalent is) and playing. We generally did three or four takes of each set of tunes and then picked the best. Other instruments, such as bodhrán or pipes, were added to the mix after we did the base recording. Recording the songs is a somewhat different process, as the vocals need to be recorded separately from the instruments. Certain “bits of tarnish” were left for the sake of honesty, as that was the best take we could get. We think the result captures the energy of our group dynamic, and sounds like us on a good night. We hope you enjoy it!
Below, you’ll find short excerpts from each piece, along with credits and notes about the tunes and songs. For dancers, we have included the tempo (beats per minute) after each of the instrumental tracks.
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about
We heard the song Right Tearnin’ at a session in Jordan’s (Clarinbridge, Co. Galway) in 2016 and immediately fell in love with it. The song names so many places that we’ve visited on our trips to Ireland that we felt an instant connection – and took one small liberty with the lyrics to include Kilgarvin, Co. Kerry, where we enjoyed a mighty session on our first trip to Ireland together in 2012. The song was written by the late Tony Small, the brother of the wonderful Jackie Small, a musician in Westport, Co. Mayo with an encyclopedic knowledge of the tradition. Jackie told us Tony was inspired to write it after a conversation he had on a train with a man who was a Traveler.
Another brilliant musician in north Mayo we have been fortunate to meet and to play in sessions with is a box player named Joe Carey. Rick and Morgan also had the pleasure of playing with Joe and Julie Langan at the wedding of Joe’s son.
Not long after coming home from the trip on which we first met Joe, we were working on some new tunes to play at dances. Don brought Dympna’s Waltz to our attention, a tune which he had heard on a recording of the concertina player Dympna O’Sullivan. We all took to it right away. It was only after adopting it that we learned it was written by none other than Joe Carey! Connections of that type tend to make us feel like this was music we were meant to play.
lyrics
I will not speak unkindly of solder and tin,
Of the great traveling craftsmen John Martin and Jim,
Not lazy or polished like some settled men,
Who envy our freedom our ways and our women.
Right Tearnin’, Right Tearnin’, Tearnin’ away!
There’s a fair in Belaghy this fine summer’s day
Farewell to the Coveys ‘round Westport Mayo,
We’ll travel through Shamtown to Ballinasloe,
To the walled town of Galway then southward Hooray!
We’ll speed through the Banner to Miltown-Malbay.
We’ll deal at the Spancil and then we’ll head south
To the Kingdom of Kerry, Kilgarvin [Kilorglin] no doubt,
We’ll talk of our travels with our own kith and kin
Aunts uncles and cousins, there’s hundreds of them
Right Tearnin’ full Tearnin’ Tearnin’ away!
There’s a fair in Belaghy this fine summer’s day.
We’ll make no great hurry North Kerry or Clare,
There’s no need to worry we always get there,
To fulfill the promise we’re destined to go,
To spend the wild winter on the bogs of Mayo.
Right Tearnin’ Right Tearnin’ Tearnin’ away!
There’s a fair in Belaghy this fine summer’s day.
credits
from Down the Lane,
released July 1, 2019
Right Tearnin': Words and music by Tony Small
Dympna's Waltz: Joe Carey
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