I am looking for solo recordings. Almost all of the "solo" albums out there have a backing band playing the main person on the album. Does anybody know of any solo recordings availible? By solo, I mean unaccompanied. I am looking particularly looking for fiddle or uilleann pipe recordings, but I would love to find out about others too. I know there is Kevin Burke, with his naked fiddle albums, and then there's always Johnny Doherty, but that's all I can really find. Thanks in advance!
The naked accordeon: Jackie Daly, 'Music from Sliabh Luachra', a recording from 1977, reissued on cd; can't remember the label, I think it was Green Linnet.
Kevin Crehan has an album of solo fiddle music, which I find to be terrific for practicing rhythm accompaniment or just playing along with.
John Skelton put out an instructional CD with tunes played on solo flute and whistle, but the tracks are only about 90 seconds or so long apiece (you can always set the program to repeat, I guess).
If I can't find any solo-performer albums, I look for duos or even ensembles with little or no accompaniment (i.e. guitar or piano). One of my recent favorites is "Racket in the Rectory" by Liz Doherty and Fiddlestix.
I've got three absolutely unaccompanied redordings.
One is "The Brass Fiddle: Traditional Fiddle Music from Donegal." You will hear the playings of Vincent Campbell, Con Cassidy, James Byrne, and Francie Bynre.
Others are not solo but fiddle and pipes duet albums. Davy Spillane and Kevin Glackin's "Forgotten Days" and Mick O'Brien and Caoimhin O Raghallaigh's "Kitty Lie Over." The last one is a quite new one and must not be missed. I've never come across such pure, beautiful traditional music in the recordings. There are some solo parts and a whistle duet track as well.
Is your problem that you wish to listen to unadulterated solo instrumentals per se, or that you just want to be able to pick out the melody instrument so that you can hear the ornamentation clearly. I have a lot of duet recordings on which the fiddle can still be clearly heard.
The only truly solo CD in my collection is RTE 174CD -The Sliabh Luachra Fiddle maste Padraig O'Keefe - madtered fro Acetate discs recorded in1948 and 1949.
Brilliant Duets for hearing Irish fiddle are:
GLCD 1155 Under the Moon, Martin Hayes + various guitarists, and the ocasional other instrument.(1995)
LEACD 2004, Martin Byrnes, with Reg Hall on Piano (1969)
Not Irish, but equally inspiring:
OBMCD04 Fidlers Fancy, the music of James Hill, Tom McConville with Chris Newman (guitar)
Rounder CD0197 Banging and Sawing - Bob Carling + a variety of fillders and guitarists - this Old Time record is unusual in that Bob, in order to demonstrate his amazing accompaniment style on a 'frailed' banjo, has used a diferent guest fiddler on each track to share the lead. Detailed sleeve notes tell what tunings are used on the fiddles, from GDAE up to an intruiging AEAC# on one track! If you think you only like Irish Music this album may make you think again!
and finally what I consider is the purest, most listenable album of Irish Music in my collection;
CNCD1001 The Session - Na Connerys - intruigingly little clue to the musicans involved on the sleeve notes, but an internet search reveals:
Paddy and Kevin Glackin: fiddles
Sean Og Potts: uilleann pipes, tinwhistle
John Regan: accordion
John Wynne: flute
Tom McDonagh: bouzouki
Mark Kelly: guitar
Mick O Brien's "May Morning Dew"; one of the best piping records I've heard in the past 10 years.
Anything by Seamus Ennis (but his Coyne pipes were pitched 1 whole step down in C)
The Kevin Crehan disc is "An Bhabog sa Bhadog"
Joe Cooley compilation "Cooley (but pitched in Eb)
Anything by Tony Mac Mahon, particularly the retrospective "Mac Mahon from Clare" (but pitched in Eb; he's playing on Cooley's old box)
Much of Tommy McCarthy's "Sporting Nell"
Brian MacNamara's "The Piper's Chair" (some in D and some in B); another "best-of" piping disc
The Mrs Crotty compilation "Elizabeth Crotty: Concertina Music from West Clare"
The 2 masterpieces by Ronan Browne (pipes) and Peadar O Loughlin (fiddle/flute): "The South West Wind" and "Touch Me if You Dare"
Hill and MacMahon "In Knocknagree"
The Nimbus discs from the Cork and Limerick Traditional Music Festivals: "Fiddle Sticks" (Donegal); "Dear Old Erin's Isle" (Irish-American players); "Across the Waters" (London Irish). All fantastic. Nimbus catalog is in limbo--if you find these ANYWHERE, grab them immediately.
Almost all of the above are purely unaccompanied solo or duet playing. In addition, almost all are excellent basic repertoire sources.
Have a look at the tape/cd accompanying Paul McNevin's "A Complete Guide To learning The Irish Fiddle". He plays about 80 tunes, but obviously not as he would in a session. He plays in a teaching style so that the student can learn the tunes, but the tunes are none the worse for that.
Another cd also worth looking at is Rogha Órdha, published by Comhaltas (CL-57) to celebrate the 50th Scoil Éigse in 2001. It is a compilation of Scoile Éigse solos over the years, several of which are on the fiddle. For me, one of the most notable is Brendan McGlinchey on track #1 playing The Yellow Tinker and The Bag of Spuds.
Trevor
I actually have the Paul McNevin CD you are talking about. It is perfect for learning tunes. I'll take a look at that Scoile Eigse CD, it sound really neat.
There is a compilation of old gramophone recorded tunes (first recorded ITM fiddlers I think). Most of them have an awful piano behind but there are some tracks of solo fiddle. It's very interesting to listen those beginins of XX century fiddlers. I can't remember the title of the CD but I promise to post it tomorrow.
As a student at the 2001 Scoile Éigsi in Listowel I was given, as were hundreds of others, a free copy of the Rogha Órdha CD. They got it off the press and to Listowel from Dublin on the last day just before the final concert, and I remember a team of organisers working frantically in a back room putting the CDs and sleeves into the jewel cases. It was announced at the time that non-students could buy the CDs (for £5 I think).
The CD is unlikely to be in the stores, but I suggest you contact Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann at
32 Cearnóg Belgrave,
Balle na Manach,
Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath,
Ireland.
Tel +353-1-280 0295,
Fax +353-1-280 3759
(you'll have to insert the international code for Ireland, whatever that is for you).
The Comhaltas website is http://www.comhaltas.com
If you don't get any joy from any of these sourves, e-mail me and I'll see what I can do.
Trevor
Hi Max,
How about: Irish Piping,Flutes, and Whistles,by various artists.
Everything on it is completly solo,as far as I can remember.It's been awhile since I listened to it,but I'm pretty sure.
There are quite a few pipe tracks on it.
-Kelly
Hi, Max - I'll stick strictly to your request: solo playing, no accompaniment.
Uilleann Pipes: Two outstanding recordings come to mind, both compilations of piping on the Dublin "Claddagh" label. The titles are "The Drones & The Chanter", Volumes 1 & 2. The first one has "the old guard" on it - Leo Rowsome, Seamus Ennis, Tommy Reck, Willie Clancy( I think), and Paddy Moloney. The second was recorded more recently, and I think included Gabriel McKeon, Maire ni Ghrada, and possibly Davy Spillane.
Solo commercial recordings of Willie Clancy, Ennis, and Rowsome should not be difficult to find.
Fiddle: Jan Martin mentions "An Fhidil". That particular recording is excellent, and there is also a volume 2 which has Sean Keane, Seamus Creagh, Kevin Burke and possibly one other fiddler who I can't recall. The Gael Linn label, both of them.
Sean Keane's first solo LP on Claddagh is 100% fiddle. Title is "Gusty's Frolics". Some fiddlers don't like his style, but I do like this recording.
My own favourite would be a recording called "The Flags Of Dublin", which features solo playing from Paddy Glackin on fiddle, Mick O'Brien on pipes, and Mick Gavin on flute. ( If ever a traditional Irish flute player deserved more recognition, it's Mick Gavin).
If you'll permit one exception, the "Boston Fiddle Festival" CD - Green Linnet GLCD 1110- has some great playing. Some solo, some in various combinations, the only accompaniment being the occasional unobtrusive bodhran.
Most of these recordings are still available from specialist music shops which can be reached through the internet. If you can't find any of them, e-mail me through the web-site, and I'll see if I can help. Good luck!
These recordings have very little backup, some not at all:
Ronan Browne (The Wynd You Know) most of this is in D
Ronan Browne & Peadar O Loughlin (The South West Wind) all in B-natural
Ronan Browne & Peadar O Loughlin (Touch Me If You Dare) most of this is in B-natural
Robbie Hannan (Traditional Irish Music Played on the Uilleann Pipes) -- pipes are slightly sharp of B-natural
Caoimhín O'Raghallaigh & Mick O'Brien (Kitty Lie Over) in B-natural and B-flat
Anything of Willie Clancy
Séamus Ennis (pipes are in C-sharp, not C-natural)
Paddy Keenan & Paddy Glackin (Doublin')
Tommy Reck (The Stone in the Field)
Tommy Keane (The Pipers' Apron)
Tommy Keane & Jacqueline McCarthy (The Wind Among The Reeds)
Brian McNamara (A Pipers' Dream) this is in D and C, not B.
Solo Recordings
Solo Recordings
I am looking for solo recordings. Almost all of the "solo" albums out there have a backing band playing the main person on the album. Does anybody know of any solo recordings availible? By solo, I mean unaccompanied. I am looking particularly looking for fiddle or uilleann pipe recordings, but I would love to find out about others too. I know there is Kevin Burke, with his naked fiddle albums, and then there's always Johnny Doherty, but that's all I can really find. Thanks in advance!
-Max
# Posted on December 13th 2003 by Max Becher
Re: Solo Recordings
The naked accordeon: Jackie Daly, 'Music from Sliabh Luachra', a recording from 1977, reissued on cd; can't remember the label, I think it was Green Linnet.
# Posted on December 13th 2003 by Henk Bos
Re: Solo Recordings
Tommy Peoples "The Quiet Glen" has some solo tracks. The others have very understated guitar accompaniament so you shouldn't be distracted too much
John
# Posted on December 13th 2003 by John J.
Re: Solo Recordings
If it's fiddle you're after, you can't go past 'The Liffey Banks' by Tommy Potts.
# Posted on December 13th 2003 by PCL
Re: Solo Recordings
Kevin Crehan has an album of solo fiddle music, which I find to be terrific for practicing rhythm accompaniment or just playing along with.
John Skelton put out an instructional CD with tunes played on solo flute and whistle, but the tracks are only about 90 seconds or so long apiece (you can always set the program to repeat, I guess).
If I can't find any solo-performer albums, I look for duos or even ensembles with little or no accompaniment (i.e. guitar or piano). One of my recent favorites is "Racket in the Rectory" by Liz Doherty and Fiddlestix.
# Posted on December 13th 2003 by sts
Re: Solo Recordings
I've got three absolutely unaccompanied redordings.
One is "The Brass Fiddle: Traditional Fiddle Music from Donegal." You will hear the playings of Vincent Campbell, Con Cassidy, James Byrne, and Francie Bynre.
Others are not solo but fiddle and pipes duet albums. Davy Spillane and Kevin Glackin's "Forgotten Days" and Mick O'Brien and Caoimhin O Raghallaigh's "Kitty Lie Over." The last one is a quite new one and must not be missed. I've never come across such pure, beautiful traditional music in the recordings. There are some solo parts and a whistle duet track as well.
# Posted on December 13th 2003 by slainte
Re: Solo Recordings
Is your problem that you wish to listen to unadulterated solo instrumentals per se, or that you just want to be able to pick out the melody instrument so that you can hear the ornamentation clearly. I have a lot of duet recordings on which the fiddle can still be clearly heard.
The only truly solo CD in my collection is RTE 174CD -The Sliabh Luachra Fiddle maste Padraig O'Keefe - madtered fro Acetate discs recorded in1948 and 1949.
Brilliant Duets for hearing Irish fiddle are:
GLCD 1155 Under the Moon, Martin Hayes + various guitarists, and the ocasional other instrument.(1995)
LEACD 2004, Martin Byrnes, with Reg Hall on Piano (1969)
Not Irish, but equally inspiring:
OBMCD04 Fidlers Fancy, the music of James Hill, Tom McConville with Chris Newman (guitar)
Rounder CD0197 Banging and Sawing - Bob Carling + a variety of fillders and guitarists - this Old Time record is unusual in that Bob, in order to demonstrate his amazing accompaniment style on a 'frailed' banjo, has used a diferent guest fiddler on each track to share the lead. Detailed sleeve notes tell what tunings are used on the fiddles, from GDAE up to an intruiging AEAC# on one track! If you think you only like Irish Music this album may make you think again!
and finally what I consider is the purest, most listenable album of Irish Music in my collection;
CNCD1001 The Session - Na Connerys - intruigingly little clue to the musicans involved on the sleeve notes, but an internet search reveals:
Paddy and Kevin Glackin: fiddles
Sean Og Potts: uilleann pipes, tinwhistle
John Regan: accordion
John Wynne: flute
Tom McDonagh: bouzouki
Mark Kelly: guitar
enjoy!
Tim
# Posted on December 14th 2003 by timbrooks
Re: Solo Recordings
Mick O Brien's "May Morning Dew"; one of the best piping records I've heard in the past 10 years.
Anything by Seamus Ennis (but his Coyne pipes were pitched 1 whole step down in C)
The Kevin Crehan disc is "An Bhabog sa Bhadog"
Joe Cooley compilation "Cooley (but pitched in Eb)
Anything by Tony Mac Mahon, particularly the retrospective "Mac Mahon from Clare" (but pitched in Eb; he's playing on Cooley's old box)
Much of Tommy McCarthy's "Sporting Nell"
Brian MacNamara's "The Piper's Chair" (some in D and some in B); another "best-of" piping disc
The Mrs Crotty compilation "Elizabeth Crotty: Concertina Music from West Clare"
The 2 masterpieces by Ronan Browne (pipes) and Peadar O Loughlin (fiddle/flute): "The South West Wind" and "Touch Me if You Dare"
Hill and MacMahon "In Knocknagree"
The Nimbus discs from the Cork and Limerick Traditional Music Festivals: "Fiddle Sticks" (Donegal); "Dear Old Erin's Isle" (Irish-American players); "Across the Waters" (London Irish). All fantastic. Nimbus catalog is in limbo--if you find these ANYWHERE, grab them immediately.
Almost all of the above are purely unaccompanied solo or duet playing. In addition, almost all are excellent basic repertoire sources.
chris smith
# Posted on December 14th 2003 by coyotebanjo
Re: Solo Recordings
Jerry Holland: "Crystal Clear" solo fiddle.
Sound clips, some notation and opportunity to purchase it here:
http://www.cranfordpub.com/index.htm
Great album of Jerry's tunes, plus Scottish & some Irish tunes.
Greg
# Posted on December 14th 2003 by octogreg
Re: Solo Recordings
"An fhidil" with Martin Hayes, Maurice Lennon, Seamus Thompson, Sean Montgomery, Seamus Glackin.
# Posted on December 14th 2003 by Clear Drops
Re: Solo Recordings
Have a look at the tape/cd accompanying Paul McNevin's "A Complete Guide To learning The Irish Fiddle". He plays about 80 tunes, but obviously not as he would in a session. He plays in a teaching style so that the student can learn the tunes, but the tunes are none the worse for that.
Another cd also worth looking at is Rogha Órdha, published by Comhaltas (CL-57) to celebrate the 50th Scoil Éigse in 2001. It is a compilation of Scoile Éigse solos over the years, several of which are on the fiddle. For me, one of the most notable is Brendan McGlinchey on track #1 playing The Yellow Tinker and The Bag of Spuds.
Trevor
# Posted on December 15th 2003 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Solo Recordings
I actually have the Paul McNevin CD you are talking about. It is perfect for learning tunes. I'll take a look at that Scoile Eigse CD, it sound really neat.
Thanks everybody, for helping me out.
-Max
# Posted on December 15th 2003 by Max Becher
Re: Solo Recordings
Does anybody know where to find a copy of Rogha Órdha, mentioned above? I can't find it anywhere. Thanks!
-Max
# Posted on December 15th 2003 by Max Becher
Re: Solo Recordings
There is a compilation of old gramophone recorded tunes (first recorded ITM fiddlers I think). Most of them have an awful piano behind but there are some tracks of solo fiddle. It's very interesting to listen those beginins of XX century fiddlers. I can't remember the title of the CD but I promise to post it tomorrow.
# Posted on December 15th 2003 by fer
Re: Solo Recordings
Max,
As a student at the 2001 Scoile Éigsi in Listowel I was given, as were hundreds of others, a free copy of the Rogha Órdha CD. They got it off the press and to Listowel from Dublin on the last day just before the final concert, and I remember a team of organisers working frantically in a back room putting the CDs and sleeves into the jewel cases. It was announced at the time that non-students could buy the CDs (for £5 I think).
The CD is unlikely to be in the stores, but I suggest you contact Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann at
32 Cearnóg Belgrave,
Balle na Manach,
Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath,
Ireland.
Tel +353-1-280 0295,
Fax +353-1-280 3759
(you'll have to insert the international code for Ireland, whatever that is for you).
The Comhaltas website is http://www.comhaltas.com
If you don't get any joy from any of these sourves, e-mail me and I'll see what I can do.
Trevor
# Posted on December 15th 2003 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Solo Recordings
Hey, thanks Trevor!
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Max Becher
Re: Solo Recordings
Hi Max,
How about: Irish Piping,Flutes, and Whistles,by various artists.
Everything on it is completly solo,as far as I can remember.It's been awhile since I listened to it,but I'm pretty sure.
There are quite a few pipe tracks on it.
-Kelly
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by seisflutes
Re: Solo Recordings
"Draw the Bow" -- Malachy Bourke, an outstanding solo fiddle album
"Darby's Farewell" -- Josie McDermott (flute and whistle)
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by moregan
Re: Solo Recordings
Hi, Max - I'll stick strictly to your request: solo playing, no accompaniment.
Uilleann Pipes: Two outstanding recordings come to mind, both compilations of piping on the Dublin "Claddagh" label. The titles are "The Drones & The Chanter", Volumes 1 & 2. The first one has "the old guard" on it - Leo Rowsome, Seamus Ennis, Tommy Reck, Willie Clancy( I think), and Paddy Moloney. The second was recorded more recently, and I think included Gabriel McKeon, Maire ni Ghrada, and possibly Davy Spillane.
Solo commercial recordings of Willie Clancy, Ennis, and Rowsome should not be difficult to find.
Fiddle: Jan Martin mentions "An Fhidil". That particular recording is excellent, and there is also a volume 2 which has Sean Keane, Seamus Creagh, Kevin Burke and possibly one other fiddler who I can't recall. The Gael Linn label, both of them.
Sean Keane's first solo LP on Claddagh is 100% fiddle. Title is "Gusty's Frolics". Some fiddlers don't like his style, but I do like this recording.
My own favourite would be a recording called "The Flags Of Dublin", which features solo playing from Paddy Glackin on fiddle, Mick O'Brien on pipes, and Mick Gavin on flute. ( If ever a traditional Irish flute player deserved more recognition, it's Mick Gavin).
If you'll permit one exception, the "Boston Fiddle Festival" CD - Green Linnet GLCD 1110- has some great playing. Some solo, some in various combinations, the only accompaniment being the occasional unobtrusive bodhran.
Most of these recordings are still available from specialist music shops which can be reached through the internet. If you can't find any of them, e-mail me through the web-site, and I'll see if I can help. Good luck!
# Posted on December 17th 2003 by Kenny
Re: Solo Recordings/Pipes or/& Fiddle
These recordings have very little backup, some not at all:
Ronan Browne (The Wynd You Know) most of this is in D
Ronan Browne & Peadar O Loughlin (The South West Wind) all in B-natural
Ronan Browne & Peadar O Loughlin (Touch Me If You Dare) most of this is in B-natural
Robbie Hannan (Traditional Irish Music Played on the Uilleann Pipes) -- pipes are slightly sharp of B-natural
Caoimhín O'Raghallaigh & Mick O'Brien (Kitty Lie Over) in B-natural and B-flat
Anything of Willie Clancy
Séamus Ennis (pipes are in C-sharp, not C-natural)
Paddy Keenan & Paddy Glackin (Doublin')
Tommy Reck (The Stone in the Field)
Tommy Keane (The Pipers' Apron)
Tommy Keane & Jacqueline McCarthy (The Wind Among The Reeds)
Brian McNamara (A Pipers' Dream) this is in D and C, not B.
Here's some for you!
*Jonathan*
# Posted on December 23rd 2003 by j.hohl.kennedy