Ed Reavey, Paddy Fahey, Josie McDermott, Vincent Broderick, Aidan Crossey, Squire Jackson, Charlie Lennon, Mairtin Mulhaire, Paddy O'Brien (the younger).
Who's your fave? Mine has to be Reavey, although I can understand why fiddle players would go for Fahey, or flute players for Broderick.
Thanks for the namecheck above. Although I'm not worthy of mention in the same illustrious company.
From my neck of the woods, Josephine Keegan is a tunesmith worth checking out.
She published a selection of her tunes in last year's double CD and accompanying book - "The Keegan's Tunes".
Her march "Glassdrummond", which I've included in the tunes database here is a cracking tune. And her "Lament for Michael Delargy" one of the most moving slow airs. I'd set it out in abc if only I could get my head around the dots since, like most airs, there's a welter of time quirks, etc.
Also Brendan O'Leary (who joined us all the way from Aberdeen) at the Duke of Edinburgh session a few weeks back, is a crafter of some pretty fine melodies. I was very impressed with - amongst others of his tunes, his hornpipe, "Along The Ocean Road". A lovely, loping, tune. I'll post a version of it here some day once I've checked out with him whether he's OK about that.
Don't forget Junior Crehan, who was a true craftsman when it comes to tunes.
His tune which I've heard referred to under two names - "Her Lovely Hair Was Flowing Down Her Back" and "Her Golden Hair Was Brown"(!) is next on my "to learn" list!
Some things change and grow very slow: I still know not much more than one percent of Ed Reaveyīs tunes - but I like them all very much ( http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/120 ). Reavey sure is on my list of favourite composers.
Lately Liz Carrol got my attention more and more as a composer - I still like the Diplodocus very much and my momentary #1-tune is Thatīs Right Too.
Some excellent composers and compositions came out of the East Galway Loughrea area. Paddy Kelly, a fiddle player wrote some wonderful tunes. Father PJ Kelly, no relation, has a number of his tunes in general circulation. And one could not leave the area without mention of the master of the minor chord himself Paddy Fahy. Then theres Martin Mulhaire, box player living in NY city.
But speaking of box players, some of the most wonderful and complex tunes were composed by West Cork accordianist Finbarr Dwyer. And Tipperary Paddy O'Brien and. . . . . .
So many tunes, so little time.
FIDDLECASE
Junior Crehan is my favorite composer. There are a couple of his tunes on the new Lunasa CD: "I Have A House of My Own With A Chimney Attached", and "Stacks of Rye." "Mist Covered Mountain" is a great tune.
Of the younger set, I particularly like the tunes of Donogh Hennesy of Lunasa, and John McCusker. Seems like most of the better players have written some great tunes (Kevin Burke's "Up in the Air," James Kelly's "Touching Cloth," Kevin Crawford's "Rosie's Reel," Phil Cunningham's "Mairtin O'Connor's Flying Clog," etc.). I'm partial to the tunes of Sean Ryan myself, but the tradition would be poorer without any one of these people.
Jeez!! I counted 40 composers on those entries so far, including yerself Aidan! Most of these are contemporary or near enough. I reckon that's the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who says we play museum-music, just laugh at them and walk away.
Paddy Killoran (not seen his name yet!) and Brendan McGlinchey (Splendid Isolation played by Mike Ward was the first reel to bring a tear to my eye). Brendan apparently might be at the Scoil Eigse... ...hope so.
We play a lovely tune in E minor called "Johnny Harling's" in our session. It's widely known in these parts, but not posted on this site. It's one of those tunes that will cause some players to pull their fiddles out of their cases and play one more before going home.
If we're spotlighting Altan's folk for tunes which they've written, then let's swing it in Mark Kelly's direction. "The Snowy Path" is one of my favourite tunes. I find myself playing it from time during those moments when the jigs and reels just aren't doing it for me. That melancholy slow 9/8 vibe is a killer!
Aaaaaarrrgh. Wishes I was in the house at the moment instead of at work, then I could alpha-wave along to it for a few minutes!
And what about Fintan McManus' Guns of the Magnificent Seven. It always seems to add a bit of sparkle at sessions. In answer to Geb I think Tommy Potts wrote The Butterfly. What a beautiful tune that is too.
What I meant to say was, is there any way of knowing what tunes with a person's name in the title, are actually composed by the named person, or otherwise? do we just have to "know"?
For example, if I woke up one day and found myself to be a top flute player, the same day pigs learn to fly, and started playing the Monaghan Twig around sessions, it might eventually get renamed Danny Mackay's Favourite. (wasn't the Twig actually composed by Paddy "Offaly" O'Brien {the Younger}?)
Whereas Junior Crehan's Favourite was more than likely composed by Junior.
Any way to tell?
favourite composers
favourite composers
Ed Reavey, Paddy Fahey, Josie McDermott, Vincent Broderick, Aidan Crossey, Squire Jackson, Charlie Lennon, Mairtin Mulhaire, Paddy O'Brien (the younger).
Who's your fave? Mine has to be Reavey, although I can understand why fiddle players would go for Fahey, or flute players for Broderick.
Danny.
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by Alf Tupper
Y'oul flatterer
Danny, a chara ...
Thanks for the namecheck above. Although I'm not worthy of mention in the same illustrious company.
From my neck of the woods, Josephine Keegan is a tunesmith worth checking out.
She published a selection of her tunes in last year's double CD and accompanying book - "The Keegan's Tunes".
Her march "Glassdrummond", which I've included in the tunes database here is a cracking tune. And her "Lament for Michael Delargy" one of the most moving slow airs. I'd set it out in abc if only I could get my head around the dots since, like most airs, there's a welter of time quirks, etc.
Also Brendan O'Leary (who joined us all the way from Aberdeen) at the Duke of Edinburgh session a few weeks back, is a crafter of some pretty fine melodies. I was very impressed with - amongst others of his tunes, his hornpipe, "Along The Ocean Road". A lovely, loping, tune. I'll post a version of it here some day once I've checked out with him whether he's OK about that.
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
And ...
Don't forget Junior Crehan, who was a true craftsman when it comes to tunes.
His tune which I've heard referred to under two names - "Her Lovely Hair Was Flowing Down Her Back" and "Her Golden Hair Was Brown"(!) is next on my "to learn" list!
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: favourite composers
Ah yes - Josephine Keegan - The Curlew composer. Good addition.
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by Alf Tupper
Re: favourite composers
Some things change and grow very slow: I still know not much more than one percent of Ed Reaveyīs tunes - but I like them all very much ( http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/120 ). Reavey sure is on my list of favourite composers.
Lately Liz Carrol got my attention more and more as a composer - I still like the Diplodocus very much and my momentary #1-tune is Thatīs Right Too.
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by crannog
Re: favourite composers
Oh.... forgot to mention Tommy Peoples.
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by Alf Tupper
Re: favourite composers
Simon Bradley
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by llig leahcim
Re: favourite composers
and Sean Ryan
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by Dow
Re: favourite composers
Some excellent composers and compositions came out of the East Galway Loughrea area. Paddy Kelly, a fiddle player wrote some wonderful tunes. Father PJ Kelly, no relation, has a number of his tunes in general circulation. And one could not leave the area without mention of the master of the minor chord himself Paddy Fahy. Then theres Martin Mulhaire, box player living in NY city.
But speaking of box players, some of the most wonderful and complex tunes were composed by West Cork accordianist Finbarr Dwyer. And Tipperary Paddy O'Brien and. . . . . .
So many tunes, so little time.
FIDDLECASE
# Posted on June 29th 2003 by fiddlecase
Re: favourite composers
Joe Liddy
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Henk Bos
Re: favourite composers
Junior Crehan is my favorite composer. There are a couple of his tunes on the new Lunasa CD: "I Have A House of My Own With A Chimney Attached", and "Stacks of Rye." "Mist Covered Mountain" is a great tune.
Brendan McGlinchey is another favorite.
Jim
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Jiml
Re: favourite composers
Don't forget Jerry Holland.
I personally think Orcadian fiddler Jennifer Wrigley and Clare piper Diarmaid Moynihan represent fine young composers.
Not all of his compositions, but I love Michael McGoldrick's slip jigs, Baby Rory's and Farewell to Whalley Range.
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by slainte
Re: favourite composers
Of the younger set, I particularly like the tunes of Donogh Hennesy of Lunasa, and John McCusker. Seems like most of the better players have written some great tunes (Kevin Burke's "Up in the Air," James Kelly's "Touching Cloth," Kevin Crawford's "Rosie's Reel," Phil Cunningham's "Mairtin O'Connor's Flying Clog," etc.). I'm partial to the tunes of Sean Ryan myself, but the tradition would be poorer without any one of these people.
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Will CPT
Re: favourite composers
Larry Redican wrote some real nice ones too
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Mad Baloney
Re: favourite composers
Jerry Holland, Brenda Stubbert and Brian Pickell have all written wonderful tunes that get played in our session on a regular basis.
Tomorrow is Canada Day, so I thought I'd wave the maple leaf a bit here :>)
Cheers,
Greg
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by octogreg
Re: favourite composers
Liz Carroll has written brilliant tunes along with Zoe Conway who's cd is brilliant.
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Celtic1234
Re: favourite composers
Also Maire Breathnach, Dougie MacDonald (Cape Breton), and Dougie MacLean.
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Will CPT
Re: favourite composers
Jeez!! I counted 40 composers on those entries so far, including yerself Aidan! Most of these are contemporary or near enough. I reckon that's the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who says we play museum-music, just laugh at them and walk away.
Danny.
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Alf Tupper
Museum musician with pride
yes, it is the tip of the iceberg! anotherone: John Harling
(I know only one tune by him - The Dusty Windowsill - but this one is good and goes around, so you hear it in more and more sessions)...
we play museum music, but this museum has a huge and prospering contemporary department....
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by crannog
Re: favourite composers
well put Crannog
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Alf Tupper
Re: favourite composers
John Harling also wrote a reel called "With Ourselves", in 3 parts and a very nice tune indeed. I've always wondered about the title...
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Dow
Re: favourite composers
I don't know about you guys, but I make a point of rescuing the stuff I play from museums, old or contemporary
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by llig leahcim
Re: favourite composers
Yeah - ours is an interactive display.
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by Alf Tupper
Re: favourite composers
michael confuses museum and morgue? to me a museum is no dead road .... but to hell with this: donīt we mean the same?
# Posted on June 30th 2003 by crannog
Re: favourite composers
Paddy Killoran (not seen his name yet!) and Brendan McGlinchey (Splendid Isolation played by Mike Ward was the first reel to bring a tear to my eye). Brendan apparently might be at the Scoil Eigse... ...hope so.
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by Jamie
Re: favourite composers
and then you've got Ciaran Tourish with his reel, the Windmill, and Mairead's penned a few great tunes--Tune for Frankie, the Red Crow, etc.
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by Will CPT
Re: favourite composers
gan ainm as well. i'm not being funny either.
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by biggus dave
Re: favourite composers
We play a lovely tune in E minor called "Johnny Harling's" in our session. It's widely known in these parts, but not posted on this site. It's one of those tunes that will cause some players to pull their fiddles out of their cases and play one more before going home.
Cheers,
Greg
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by octogreg
Re: favourite composers
Big Dave's right--the collective composer of all the folks who shape this stuff by playing it...it's a remarkable process.
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by Will CPT
Re: favourite composers
Greg, I think we're talking about the same tune - "With Ourselves" aka "Johnny Harling's" (I've just posted it).
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by Dow
Re: favourite composers
Tommy Potts made up a few good tunes though I dont know wether he wrote them.
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by geb
Re: favourite composers
If we're spotlighting Altan's folk for tunes which they've written, then let's swing it in Mark Kelly's direction. "The Snowy Path" is one of my favourite tunes. I find myself playing it from time during those moments when the jigs and reels just aren't doing it for me. That melancholy slow 9/8 vibe is a killer!
Aaaaaarrrgh. Wishes I was in the house at the moment instead of at work, then I could alpha-wave along to it for a few minutes!
# Posted on July 1st 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: Johnny Harling's
Hi Dow,
You're right. Same tune. We usually play one called "The Curvy Road to Corinth" before it. What sets do you build around it?
Cheers,
Greg
# Posted on July 2nd 2003 by octogreg
Re: favourite composers
And what about Fintan McManus' Guns of the Magnificent Seven. It always seems to add a bit of sparkle at sessions. In answer to Geb I think Tommy Potts wrote The Butterfly. What a beautiful tune that is too.
The Fiddler
# Posted on July 2nd 2003 by The Fiddler
A side issue!
A
# Posted on July 3rd 2003 by Alf Tupper
A Side Issue!
Oops!!...What happened there?
What I meant to say was, is there any way of knowing what tunes with a person's name in the title, are actually composed by the named person, or otherwise? do we just have to "know"?
For example, if I woke up one day and found myself to be a top flute player, the same day pigs learn to fly, and started playing the Monaghan Twig around sessions, it might eventually get renamed Danny Mackay's Favourite. (wasn't the Twig actually composed by Paddy "Offaly" O'Brien {the Younger}?)
Whereas Junior Crehan's Favourite was more than likely composed by Junior.
Any way to tell?
Danny.
# Posted on July 3rd 2003 by Alf Tupper
Re: Favorite Composers
I like these reels by Jackie Daly:
Fly Fishing Reel, The Allow and The Dualloa.
Jackie also recorded "McIllHatton's Retreat" a reel composed by Maire O'Keeffe.
Bob
# Posted on July 7th 2003 by Laughtonb