I thought some of you folks might like to know what Johnny Moynihan is getting up to these days.
Last year I saw him perform at the Ulster American Folk Park, Co Tyrone in a wonderful 3 piece Old Time Music outfit & I'm pleased to report that they have just launched a CD entitled Moonshine - First Run. It is wonderful music & well worth checking out.
Here's the line up:
Johnny Moynihan, singer, songster, instrumental innovator, itinerant minstrel, hardly needs introduction as he has made a towering reputation in Irish traditional and folk music circles, further enhanced by occasions and stories of his lingual wit. In this combo, Johnny indulges his fondness for American traditional music while adding his own stamp, and—though not the first to do so—another instrument to another tradition, in this case, the box to old-timey music.
Frank Hall began to learn the art of the bow, playing for square dances in southern Indiana in the early 1970s. He journeyed with various old-time bands (The Monks, Easy Street Stringband, Indiana Raincrows) and dance troupes (Rhythm In Shoes, Shuffle Creek Dancers), occasionally dabbling in traditional Irish and Mexican fiddle styles. He has been coming regularly to Ireland since 1991, when he first met and played with Johnny and Lena. In addition to fiddle he plays stand-up bass, a little guitar, and writes the odd tune.
Lena Ullman’s playing and singing has been widely appreciated around the country since the founding of the Higglers Jug Band in the 1980s. Introduced to the 5-string banjo and American music at age 15, she has since become a masterful player of old-timey tunes and ‘high lonesome’ songs. As an innovator Lena has adapted the quintessentially American ‘clawhammer and frailing’ on banjo to various styles including traditional Irish dance music, and can often be found in sessions around East Clare. She has also written a number of gorgeous tunes.
They launched the CD in the summer, Dick.
I think I've said here before that I've seen Johnny, Frank, and Lena a few times in South Clare. What a wonderful trio!
Lena's banjo playing is just breath-taking, Frank plays a mean fiddle - and a lovely small Martin guitar - and he sings beautifully, and Johnny just does his thing with the box or bouzouki or mandolin and adds a certain groove to it. All three have a great wealth of tunes and songs, so each time they play, it's something new, and always a delight.
i actually had thre pleasure of doin three gigs with johnny during the summer, the man doesnt get the credit he deserves, he is a feckn genius! and thats just him on his own, he had a deadly little "the gibson" mandolin, thats what gibson were called before ww2 i think?? no? as for the moonshine, thats pure old tiume tunes and bluegrass stuff, the finest! long live moynihan!
Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
I thought some of you folks might like to know what Johnny Moynihan is getting up to these days.
Last year I saw him perform at the Ulster American Folk Park, Co Tyrone in a wonderful 3 piece Old Time Music outfit & I'm pleased to report that they have just launched a CD entitled Moonshine - First Run. It is wonderful music & well worth checking out.
Here's the line up:
Johnny Moynihan, singer, songster, instrumental innovator, itinerant minstrel, hardly needs introduction as he has made a towering reputation in Irish traditional and folk music circles, further enhanced by occasions and stories of his lingual wit. In this combo, Johnny indulges his fondness for American traditional music while adding his own stamp, and—though not the first to do so—another instrument to another tradition, in this case, the box to old-timey music.
Frank Hall began to learn the art of the bow, playing for square dances in southern Indiana in the early 1970s. He journeyed with various old-time bands (The Monks, Easy Street Stringband, Indiana Raincrows) and dance troupes (Rhythm In Shoes, Shuffle Creek Dancers), occasionally dabbling in traditional Irish and Mexican fiddle styles. He has been coming regularly to Ireland since 1991, when he first met and played with Johnny and Lena. In addition to fiddle he plays stand-up bass, a little guitar, and writes the odd tune.
Lena Ullman’s playing and singing has been widely appreciated around the country since the founding of the Higglers Jug Band in the 1980s. Introduced to the 5-string banjo and American music at age 15, she has since become a masterful player of old-timey tunes and ‘high lonesome’ songs. As an innovator Lena has adapted the quintessentially American ‘clawhammer and frailing’ on banjo to various styles including traditional Irish dance music, and can often be found in sessions around East Clare. She has also written a number of gorgeous tunes.
Yes, they have a MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/kinvaramoonshine
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
Very different, not sure what Id call it. It's good... jazzy in a way.
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by The Merry Highlander
Re: Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
Just to let you know they played in the Cherrytree pub
Walkinstown Dublin last Sarurday night so keep your eye
out for them, They are around
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by celtic strings
Re: Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
They launched the CD in the summer, Dick.
I think I've said here before that I've seen Johnny, Frank, and Lena a few times in South Clare. What a wonderful trio!
Lena's banjo playing is just breath-taking, Frank plays a mean fiddle - and a lovely small Martin guitar - and he sings beautifully, and Johnny just does his thing with the box or bouzouki or mandolin and adds a certain groove to it. All three have a great wealth of tunes and songs, so each time they play, it's something new, and always a delight.
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by RockyRoader
Re: Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
i actually had thre pleasure of doin three gigs with johnny during the summer, the man doesnt get the credit he deserves, he is a feckn genius! and thats just him on his own, he had a deadly little "the gibson" mandolin, thats what gibson were called before ww2 i think?? no? as for the moonshine, thats pure old tiume tunes and bluegrass stuff, the finest! long live moynihan!
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by fishtyfiddle
Re: Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
Thanks for the info guys.
N.B. You can check out the details of their CD & listen to clips here:
http://www.cdworld.ie/product-detail/254702/MOONSHINE/FIRST+RUN
By it before your neighbour!
# Posted on November 27th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: Johnny Moynihan & "Moonshine"
Did you catch Johnny Moynihan on Geantrai last night, singing - 'The Lucky Elopement'? .... very tasty singing.
http://www.tg4.ie/Bearla/inte/geantrai/g3.htm
# Posted on December 3rd 2007 by Ptarmigan