Songs, Jigs, Reels

A cheapo compilation on Castle Communications. I can’t stop myself buying these when they’re on sale at bootfairs or whatever for less than a quid. This is a damn good listen, whatever the asking price!

Aye, you’re right, Aidan. The Kilfenora’s sets are great - less sure about the Glenside, though, and what about “Coming Back To Miltown” !? Incidentally, Tommy Peoples was one of the players with the Kilfenora on this recording.

Cod Liver Oil is a great song; I love sung jigs and Cod Liver Oil ranks alongside Johnny Jump Up, The Louse House Of Kilkenny and The Comical Genius in my humble opinion (mind you, since they share a tune, I’d be hard-pushed to say otherwise!).

I’ve provided “links” to the tunes played by the Kilfenora CB here:

https://thesession.org/recordings/1428

Kenny: “Incidentally, Tommy Peoples was one of the players with the Kilfenora on this recording…”

…and a 16-year old Kevin Burke (fiddle) was on the Glenside recording, alongside John Carty (flute) and Eddie Corcoran (flute).

Track 24:
The Glenside Number One is here as The Glenside Polka https://thesession.org/tunes/534
The Glenside Number Two is here as Cathy’s Favourite https://thesession.org/tunes/531

Bit dubious about your claim above, Nigel. What’s the source of your information ? Kevin Burke [ allegedly, “Wikipedia” ] - was born in 1950, - at 16 years old, the “Glenside Ceili Band ” recording would have been made in 1966, which I think would be about right. I saw John Carty - assuming we’re talking about the same John Carty - at the London Irish Festival in 1980, when according to Fintan Vallely’s “Irish Music Companion” he would have been 16, having been born in 1964. I’m also fairly certain that when he was introduced to the audience, his age of 16 was mentioned. Nevertheless, good as he is, I’m fairly certain he was not playing with the Glenside Ceili Band in 1966 at the age of 2 ! Over to you.

The source of my information is the original LP released in 1967. The John Carty (flute) I mentioned is the father of the John Carty you saw in 1980, and in his day he was well respected as a traditional musician. On the LP cover he is pictured playing what looks like a banjo mandolin, and he’s the spitting image of JC junior!

For your information I reproduce some of the sleeve notes:

"The members of the band are:
violinists
Tom McGowan from Gurteen, Co Sligo…
Eamonn Gorman from Goole, Co Westmeath…one of the younger generation of fiddle players…
Kevin Burke [from] New Eltham, London, who is only 16 years of age has learned his music in London and is already noted as a leading violinist. He is still at school studying for his A levels and he is also a follower of classical music. He takes his exams at the Guildhall School of Music.

flutes
John Carty who comes from Boyle, Co Roscommon. John as well as being one of the present day outstanding players on the flute is also an accomplished musician on…fiddle, banjo and bagpipes. He played in the Army Band as a piper and has won the All-Ireland Trios Championship at Mullingar in 1963.
Eddie Corcoran comes from Gurteen Co Sligo and is still in his teens…With Kevin [he] won the under-18 All-Britain Championship two years ago.

accordeons
Brendan Tyrrell from Mohill, Co Leitrim
Tony Ledwith from Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath

piano
Gerald Murphy from Welling, Kent

drums
Benny O’Connor from Oranmore

vocals
Eddie Hickey, Co Tipperary
Martin Dillon* from Co Tipperary"

* = Dillon did not actually sing on this recording.

Thanks for clearing that up, Nigel. All makes perfect sense now, and thanks for taking the time to post the sleeve notes. That’s quite a line up of musicians in the “Glenside” CB. I’ll need to listen to some of these tracks again, as I didn’t think them nearly as good as the “Kilfenora” when I first listened to it.
Incidentally, Tracks #1 - 14 are the “Kilfenora”. The tracks after that are “Glenside”.

Thanks Nigel & Kenny for taking the time, nicely done and much appreciated…