From the extensive liner notes written for the cassette by Becky Miller, just the first paragraph of many:
"Born on April 11th, 1913, in Mountcharles, Co. Donegal, Tom Doherty is one of the few remaining exponents of the melodeon - a single-row button accordion. He plays in an old style common to the north of Ireland and possesses a store of rarely played tunes learned from a diversity of sources. Tom Doherty and his music offer a glimpse into a way of life which is fast disappearing: a rural lifestyle steeped in oral tradition and a culture where music, song and dance serve as a cohesive community force."
I have always loved the old single row boxes and the lift their players gave and give to the dance in the music...
I just found this on eMusic.com after looking for years. I used to have it on cassette, I think he made it in the 1980s. Great banjo on some tracks too, from his daughter I think. Solid stuff.
By the way, does anyone know the name of the second polka in this set? It was familiar from something I'd heard before, possibly not Irish. I've tried searching for it with abc but can't find it, but when I play it at a session, people seem to know it.
It's in D with 2nd part in A
By my poor abc reckoning, it starts A/B/A/G/FA|def
Tom Doherty ~
From the extensive liner notes written for the cassette by Becky Miller, just the first paragraph of many:
"Born on April 11th, 1913, in Mountcharles, Co. Donegal, Tom Doherty is one of the few remaining exponents of the melodeon - a single-row button accordion. He plays in an old style common to the north of Ireland and possesses a store of rarely played tunes learned from a diversity of sources. Tom Doherty and his music offer a glimpse into a way of life which is fast disappearing: a rural lifestyle steeped in oral tradition and a culture where music, song and dance serve as a cohesive community force."
I have always loved the old single row boxes and the lift their players gave and give to the dance in the music...
# Posted on November 19th 2005 by ceolachan
I just found this on eMusic.com after looking for years. I used to have it on cassette, I think he made it in the 1980s. Great banjo on some tracks too, from his daughter I think. Solid stuff.
# Posted on May 6th 2007 by Bren
Oh. Not by his daughter (she's in Cherish the Ladies and plays whistle & flute on this recording). but banjo is by Mick Moloney and Mary Coogan
# Posted on May 6th 2007 by Bren
Bridge O'Learys(Sweeneys)
By the way, does anyone know the name of the second polka in this set? It was familiar from something I'd heard before, possibly not Irish. I've tried searching for it with abc but can't find it, but when I play it at a session, people seem to know it.
It's in D with 2nd part in A
By my poor abc reckoning, it starts A/B/A/G/FA|def
# Posted on March 7th 2008 by Bren