The tunes on this recording come from a wide variety of sources. The first reel, Corney is coming, I associate with the Co. Clare piper Willie Clancy, though it was first brought to my notice by 'Box' player John Regan. The Merry Harriers, a reel from Co. Mayo, was one of the first tunes I learnt from Paddy Ryan the Co. Rosscommon fiddle player. Both tunes were played frequently by the Birmingham Ceili Band in the 1970's and can be found in 'Ceol Rince Na hEireann' (Cuid 2 & Cuid 3).

On the second track we have a blend of the new, Dancing Eyes, composed by Sean Ryan who passed away in 1985 and the old , The Humours of Drinagh also known as 'Farewell to Gurteen'. My source for both these fine reels, The Moveen Reel & Mary Delaney, was John Kelly Snr. of Capel St. Dublin. John, a native of Rehy a few miles from Loophead in West Clare, played both fiddle and concertina. His association with Sean O'Riada and regular weekend music sessions with Joe Ryan are now part of traditional folklore. John had a profound effect on my playing and understanding of traditional music.

Larry Redican was born in Dublin but grew up in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. He later emigrated to the USA.. A great fiddle player and composer, he dedicated The Culfodda Reel to his mother who hailed from the village of Culfodda in Co. Sligo. I was reminded of the second tune, The Haymaker , by Tom McGorman, who brought Paddy Cronin's wonderful rendition to my attention. And now for some fun ! This tricky hornpipe The Cuckoo was recorded by Michael Coleman, the renowned Co. Sligo fiddle player, in 1921. He called it 'Murray's Fancy'. However, I first heard this tune played on an old recording of John Joe Gardiner (fiddle) who called it 'The Cuckoo'. If you listen carefully you can hear the cuckoo in the turn of the tune ?

I first heard The Princess Royal, a beautiful Set Dance, played by Donegal fiddle player Tommy Peoples.Reputedly composed by the blind harper O'Carolan, the first few bars of the tune start similarly to another great set dance, 'Rodney's Glory.

Master McDermott's Reel was brought to prominence by virtuoso fiddle player Sean Maguire and Paddy Ryan suggests that Polly put the kettle on is a favourite of Co. Clare box-player Martin Connolly. The tune came into my head one evening as I was sitting in the kitchen ! And the next two tunes contrasting in mood. Brian O'Lynn is attributed to the playing of Willie Clancy. The tune is often called 'The Banks of Lough Gowna'. The Coachroad to Sligo, a tune associated with Paddy Killoran the great Sligo fiddle player, contrasts with the lonely mood of the first jig. The next set are hornpipes from the renowned fiddle player Bobby Casey who was such a major influence on the music scene in London. Bobby's father, Scully (John) Casey was from Annagh, Co. Clare.During an interview with Muiris O'Rochain and Harry Hughes, Willie Clancy said of him "His playing was full of feeling". The second hornpipe is also known as 'Sruthain Chait'. According to Bobby Casey The Road to the Goilin leads to Spanish Point

There are two tunes with the title The Gold Ring. This is the fiddle version which according to Paddy Ryan. was first recorded by Paddy Killoran in the 1930's. This is a powerful jig which expresses happiness and stability.It should be played with a swagger. The Dear Irish Boy (Air) was reputedly noted down from the whistling of James Connor, a Dublin porter. The version I play here is strongly influenced by the playing of West Clare fiddle player Joe Ryan from Inagh. I was taught this tune by Sean Potts following his kind invitation to play with the group 'Bakerswell'. The Kilrush set are lovely lilting tunes. They were played on an old recording by the Kilfenora Ceili band many years ago. I have no name for the first reel of the selection which follows but associate both these tunes with fiddle playing in New York, USA where there are many fine musicians. Hence the title The New York Session. The second tune Phelim's Frolic was brought to prominence by the great Andy McGann.

My source for Munster Grass (an Ed Reavy composition), is Seamus Connolly a great fiddle player from Killaloe, Co. Clare, now living in the Boston area, USA. Seamus was a frequent visitor to Birmingham in the early 1970's and gave me much advice and encouragement. The Gypsy Hornpipe also has an American connection being associated with the box playing of Joe Derrane though I think it most suitable on the fiddle also. A setting of The Moving Bog can be found in "O'Neill's Music of Ireland" under the title 'Miss Wallace'. James Morrison (1891 - 1947) the great Co. Sligo fiddle player recorded this lovely tune. I cannot recall where I got the second tune from - another of the many reels for which I have no name - though the turn of the tune has some similarities with 'The Bunch of the Green Rushes'.

 And to conclude. Lucy Campbell is one of my favourite reels. On this recording I offer my own interpretation which is greatly influenced by the playing of Michael Coleman. Apparently according to Reg Hall, the tune Lucy Campbell was first published in 1780 as 'Miss Laura Campbell's Delight. This tune was the first tune I ever heard Coleman play on an old record bought for me by my father one year when on our holidays. The shop owner, an elderly gentleman who also sold vacuum cleaners and bits of hardware, strongly favoured the playing of James Morrison, claiming that Coleman used too much bow! The debate still rages.

John McEvoy