Is there anyone out there that can tell me if there are any other Martin Byrnes recordings (that one could get a copy of for love or money) other than Masters of Irish music and Paddy in the Smoke? The more I listen to his playing the more brilliant I think it is and am struggling with the concept that there may acutally not be any more to listen to! Whatever happend to the tapes of his recording with Reg Hall are there more tunes that did not make it onto the disc??? Are there other outtakes from Paddy in the Smoke?? Do we have to wait until getting to ITM heaven before hearing anymore of his awesome playing??
I agree ,He was the real deal.I had a tape of him playing with Bobby Casey and Brendan McGlinchey but some Smick borrowed it and never returned it. I`ll meet him at a fleadh some day and put him through a pub wall!!
I didn't realize his music was that scarce.
I have recently borrowed a CD from the library, entitled, I think, Under The Moon; with Randall Bays.
If no one else has more info, I will look up the details.
You're thinking of Martin Hayes, oldstrings.
At a session in Seattle someone remarked about another muso learning some tune from Paddy in the Smoke. The person relating the story had bought the LP 30 years ago and was certain the tune wasn't on it. Well, turns out the CD has stuff that didn't make it onto the original LP. Dunno if there's more Martin on there. I've never come across any new recordings of him.
Having collected my thoughts, and dug out my LPs of Paddy in the Smoke and MB Masters of Irish Music, I remember that I was working at Topic Records and attending all the Sunday sessions at The Favourite (the "London Pub"), where, in fact, the sleeve photographs of Martin were taken by John Harrison of the Watersons.
Bill Leader recorded both, and undoubtedly had more material left over. I have not been in contact with Bill for many years, so I don't know what might have become of it.
Cos - that it is a shocker that someone would walk off with your tape, sounds like they deserve what is coming to them.
Mike - that is the Masters of Irish Music recording which appears to Martin's only solo album (with Reg Hall of course)
Thanks John Bull for those sources - I will see if I can track them down.
Does anyone know Bill Leader or Reg Hall, if so could they ask about the presence of any outtakes or tracks that did not make it onto the records. There might be appetite for one of the specialist labels to release something, maybe...... here is hoping!
Mairtin used to attend the Churchtown Comhaltas sessions on a regular basis in the 1980s. He would arrive in mid-session, sans fiddle, and borrow someone else's (usually the late Sean Skehill's), and usually play "The Star of The County Down" in his own inimitable style. Mid-way through he would slow it down and give it the slow air treatment, then speed it back up to a big finale.
For years this was virtually the only tune I heard him play, though his reputation was obviously huge. He used to ask me to accompany him on TSOTCD, as I had some jazzy chords for the slow part, and Mairtin liked jazz a lot.
In the later '80s Mairtin played a lot more in Churchtown and it was only then that I realised the depth of his talent. I feel privileged to have known him and played with him an I cherished the respect he showed to me when I was a young musician, not really sure how to accompany ITM.
JOHN BULL: The Masters of Irish Music gramophone record was Leader LEA 2004, released in 1969 but recorded in 1967; so you are referring to the CD update. Leader and Trailer were names used by Bill for his own releases. He was also recording engineer for Topic.
Bill and Reg Hall were good friends, and would have shared all the information nick b is looking for.
Reg was leader of The Rakes and also musician for one of the Oxfordshire morris sides; and very well known in folksong and ITM circles. If he is still around, he shouldn't be hard to find.
I just happened on this site the other day when I googled Mairtin name, He was my uncle and I was wondering if there was anything about him on the internet, I am so pleased I found this and lots of other stuff, Its wonderful to read all the lovely things people say about him, he really was a wonderful person and had his own inimitable style of playing which I loved to hear when I was a kid, and still do to this day, It was an extremely sad occassion when Mairtin passed away at home on Jan 11th 1995. Thank you all for all the messages sent in his memory.
Martin Byrnes
Martin Byrnes
Is there anyone out there that can tell me if there are any other Martin Byrnes recordings (that one could get a copy of for love or money) other than Masters of Irish music and Paddy in the Smoke? The more I listen to his playing the more brilliant I think it is and am struggling with the concept that there may acutally not be any more to listen to! Whatever happend to the tapes of his recording with Reg Hall are there more tunes that did not make it onto the disc??? Are there other outtakes from Paddy in the Smoke?? Do we have to wait until getting to ITM heaven before hearing anymore of his awesome playing??
Nick
# Posted on March 7th 2006 by nick b
Re: Martin Byrnes
I agree ,He was the real deal.I had a tape of him playing with Bobby Casey and Brendan McGlinchey but some Smick borrowed it and never returned it. I`ll meet him at a fleadh some day and put him through a pub wall!!
# Posted on March 7th 2006 by cos
Re: Martin Byrnes
Playing with Bobby Casey and Brendan McGlinchey? I'd love to have heard that.....
Nick, if you have any joy with finding recordings, please let me know!!!
# Posted on March 7th 2006 by Jamie
Re: Martin Byrnes
Martin also appears on the Dolores Keane/Reel Union album released by Claddagh - CC23CD.
All the best,
Geoff
# Posted on March 7th 2006 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Martin Byrnes
There's this recording of him with Reg Hall I got in Custy's this past summer: <http://www.custysmusic.com/mall/CustysTraditionalMusicShop/products/product-616745.stm>;
Mike
# Posted on March 7th 2006 by mimcgann
Re: Martin Byrnes
I didn't realize his music was that scarce.
I have recently borrowed a CD from the library, entitled, I think, Under The Moon; with Randall Bays.
If no one else has more info, I will look up the details.
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Martin Byrnes
You're thinking of Martin Hayes, oldstrings.
At a session in Seattle someone remarked about another muso learning some tune from Paddy in the Smoke. The person relating the story had bought the LP 30 years ago and was certain the tune wasn't on it. Well, turns out the CD has stuff that didn't make it onto the original LP. Dunno if there's more Martin on there. I've never come across any new recordings of him.
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by KLR
Re: Martin Byrnes
Thanks for jogging my memory, Kevin.
Now, where was I?
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Martin Byrnes
Having collected my thoughts, and dug out my LPs of Paddy in the Smoke and MB Masters of Irish Music, I remember that I was working at Topic Records and attending all the Sunday sessions at The Favourite (the "London Pub"), where, in fact, the sleeve photographs of Martin were taken by John Harrison of the Watersons.
Bill Leader recorded both, and undoubtedly had more material left over. I have not been in contact with Bill for many years, so I don't know what might have become of it.
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Martin Byrnes
MARGARET BARRY & MICHAEL GORMAN HER MANTLE SO GREEN TSCD474
This CD has Martin Byrnes playing fiddle behind Michael Gorman:
More details here:
http://www.topicrecords.co.uk/Index_Link_Files/barry_gorman_topic_records.html
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: Martin Byrnes
I'm also finding intriguing references to this recording:
"I gCnoc na Graí." Leader LEACD 2004, "Martin Byrnes" (1969).
but can't find it on sale anywhere.
One stepdance is played by Martin Byrnes on this CD:
VT136CD The Yellow Handkerchief
but that's the only track with him playing on the whole CD.
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: Martin Byrnes
Thanks everyone that is very helpful.
Cos - that it is a shocker that someone would walk off with your tape, sounds like they deserve what is coming to them.
Mike - that is the Masters of Irish Music recording which appears to Martin's only solo album (with Reg Hall of course)
Thanks John Bull for those sources - I will see if I can track them down.
Does anyone know Bill Leader or Reg Hall, if so could they ask about the presence of any outtakes or tracks that did not make it onto the records. There might be appetite for one of the specialist labels to release something, maybe...... here is hoping!
Nick
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by nick b
Re: Martin Byrnes
Mairtin used to attend the Churchtown Comhaltas sessions on a regular basis in the 1980s. He would arrive in mid-session, sans fiddle, and borrow someone else's (usually the late Sean Skehill's), and usually play "The Star of The County Down" in his own inimitable style. Mid-way through he would slow it down and give it the slow air treatment, then speed it back up to a big finale.
For years this was virtually the only tune I heard him play, though his reputation was obviously huge. He used to ask me to accompany him on TSOTCD, as I had some jazzy chords for the slow part, and Mairtin liked jazz a lot.
In the later '80s Mairtin played a lot more in Churchtown and it was only then that I realised the depth of his talent. I feel privileged to have known him and played with him an I cherished the respect he showed to me when I was a young musician, not really sure how to accompany ITM.
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by lysaghtm
Re: Martin Byrnes
JOHN BULL: The Masters of Irish Music gramophone record was Leader LEA 2004, released in 1969 but recorded in 1967; so you are referring to the CD update. Leader and Trailer were names used by Bill for his own releases. He was also recording engineer for Topic.
Bill and Reg Hall were good friends, and would have shared all the information nick b is looking for.
Reg was leader of The Rakes and also musician for one of the Oxfordshire morris sides; and very well known in folksong and ITM circles. If he is still around, he shouldn't be hard to find.
# Posted on March 8th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Martin Byrnes
I just happened on this site the other day when I googled Mairtin name, He was my uncle and I was wondering if there was anything about him on the internet, I am so pleased I found this and lots of other stuff, Its wonderful to read all the lovely things people say about him, he really was a wonderful person and had his own inimitable style of playing which I loved to hear when I was a kid, and still do to this day, It was an extremely sad occassion when Mairtin passed away at home on Jan 11th 1995. Thank you all for all the messages sent in his memory.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Mandy Byrnes