It Was Great Altogether TSCD680T subtitled The continuing tradition of Irish music in London is the second album in the fourth series of The Voice of the People from Topic Records.
Introduction This compilation follows the development of London-Irish music from the 1950s to the present time and presents recordings from Topic records back catalogue and many private collections.
Reg Hall defines the booklet of the other compilation in the series, the 'London-Irish' as a distinct ethnic community of settled migrants and their offspring with topping up from a constant trickle of immigrants from Ireland. On this second compilation most of the musicians were raised in Ireland with a few from London, some of whom travelled to Ireland for holidays.
The Compiler Reg Hall has been active in Irish music in London since the 1950s having been invited by Michael Gorman to join his band in 1956. His involvement in documenting the phenomena continued when he co-produced Paddy in the Smoke with Bill Leader in 1968, recorded in The Favourite public house in Holloway. A number of other recordings followed as well as continuing to play in sessions around London.
A large number of the tracks selected feature him providing accompaniment on either piano or keyboard for the dance tunes.
Packaging The album consists of a cardboard case with a card CD holder for the three CDs and a booklet for the sleeve notes.
Cardboard case The cardboard case does not detail the tracks in the compilation but does identify all the musicians and in the brief notes explains the place of Irish music in the lives of the migrant population in the 1950s. The notes then continue to explain that this album covers the period after the 1950s up to the present day.
Booklet The booklet consists of 106 pages and follows a similar sequence to the other albums in the series. About the Editor – written by Tony Engle Managing Director of Topic Records The Voice of the People – Detailing the concept and philosophy of the series of compilations It Was Great Altogether – A commentary on the album and the social context of the Irish music within London. The first and second CDs cover music produced by the original migrants and the third is recordings made more recently with some older migrants together with second and third generation Londoners. CD1, CD2 and CD3. These three sections details the tunes being played on the CDs together with a brief biography of each of the musicians and a history of the recordings in track order. Track lists. The track lists for the three CDs are listed with the artist details and running time.
The Recordings The album consists of three CDs of recordings made of London Irish Musicians who have worked and played in London from 1964 to 2014. The majority of recordings were made in London. Many of the recordings were made by private individuals with a number from various organisations and individuals including Bob Davenport, Bill Leader, Reg Hall, Peter Bellamy, Resonance 104.4 FM, RTÉ and Radio na Gaeltachta.
CD1 The CD contains recordings from 1965 to 1998.
A number of the tracks on the CD were recorded in The Favourite, Holloway. 7 of the tracks recorded by Bill Leader in addition to the tracks on Paddy in the Smoke, with 2 other tracks recorded by Edward Tise.
Tom Cussen both plays on and records track 13.
Tracks 1 and 2 were originally released on the Topic records album Memories of Sligo which is available as a download. TrackTitle/Recording Details Artist/| Instrument Length 1 Tarbolton / The Longford Collector / The Sailor’s Bonnet(Reels)Johnny Duffy(fiddle), Tommy Healy(flute), Reg Hall(piano).3:10Recorded by Tony Engle at Reg Hall’s house, Croydon, London, 15 February 1977. 2Martin Wynne’s No. 1 / Martin Wynne’s No. 2(Reels) Johnny Duffy(fiddle), Tommy Healy(flute), Reg Hall(piano).2:50Recorded by Tony Engle at Reg Hall’s house, Croydon, London, 15 February 1977. 3Whelan’s / The Lark in the Morning(Jigs) Jimmy Power(fiddle), Reg Hall(piano).2:35Recorded by Tony Engle at Tangent Studio, Shepherd’s Bush, London, 1 July 1976. 4Jackie Coleman’s / The Castle(Reels) Jimmy Power(fiddle), Reg Hall(piano), Gerry Wright, (bodhran).2:13Recorded by Tony Engle at Tangent Studio, Shepherd’s Bush, London, 1 July 1976. 5The Flax-dresser(Highland)/ The Limerick Races(Single Jig) Danny Meehan(fiddle), Michael Hynes(flute), Dermot Kearney(piano).2:50Recorded in the club room at the Empress of Russia, Islington, London, 25 April 1985. 6 Billy Brocker’s / The Humours of Tulla(Reels)Michael Hynes(flute), Dermot Kearney(piano).1:52Recorded in the club room at the Empress of Russia, Islington, London, 25 April 1985. 7Cherish the Ladies(Jig) Danny Meehan & Bobby Casey(fiddles), Reg Hall(piano), John McLaughlin(spoons).2:20Recorded by Bill Leader at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 12 February 1967. 8 Lucy Campbell / The Bucks of Oranmore / Rakish Paddy(Reels)Bobby Casey(fiddle), Andy Boyle(fiddle).5:10Recorded by Bill Leader & Reg Hall at Bill Leader’s flat, Camden Town, London, 19 April 1967. 9 Connemara Stockings / Ships Are Sailing(Reels)Bobby Casey(fiddle), Tommy McCarthy(concertina).1:50Recorded by Bill Leader at Leader Sound Studio, Cecil Sharp House, Camden Town, London, 1972. 10The New Century / Caroline O’Neill’s(Hornpipes) Finbarr Dwyer(accordion).3:02Recorded in a private house in London, late 1960s. 11 Kitty in the Lane / Maude Miller(Reels)Finbarr Dwyer(accordion).2:25Recorded in a private house in London, late 1960s. 12 The Mouse in the Cupboard / Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part(Jigs)Jimmy Power, Paul Gross & Lucy Farr(fiddles), Tommy Maguire(accordion), Reg Hall(piano).2:12Recorded by Reg Hall at the Admiral Duncan, Deptford, London, 14 February 1965. 13 The Glenside No.1 / The Glenside No. 2(Polkas)Maureen Minogue(fiddle), Tadgh Kearney(accordion), Tom Cussen(banjo), Jimmy Hogan(piano).2:02Recorded by Tom Cussens(sic) at Jimmy Hogan’s house, Finsbury Park, London, 1969. 14Eddie Maloney’s / Lady Gordon(Reels) Lucy Farr(fiddle), Tommy Healy(flute), Reg Hall(piano).2:05Recorded by Keith Summers in the club room at the Empress of Russia, Islington, London, 6 June 1985. 15Sweet Flowers of Milltown / The Boys of Knock(Schottisches)Lucy Farr(fiddle), Tommy Healy(flute), Reg Hall(piano).2:29Recorded by Keith Summers in the club room at the Empress of Russia, Islington, London, 6 June 1985. 16The Knights of St. Patrick / Paddy in London(Jigs) Jimmy Power(fiddle), Paddy Malynn(accordion), Frank Blaney(banjo), Reg Hall(piano).2:01Recorded by Edward Tise at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 14 June 1979, on the occasion of the filming of The Bolden Lad (director: John Tchalenko; music advisor: Bob Davenport). 17The Humours of Tullycrinme / Mickie Callagher’s(Hornpipes) Joe Whelan(accordion), Liam Farrell(banjo), Reg Hall(piano).3:51Recorded by Paul Marsh in the bar of the Waterman’s Arts Centre, Brentford, London, 15 February 1998. 18The Siamsa(March)Joe Whelan(accordion), Liam Farrell(banjo), Reg Hall(piano).3:17Recorded by Paul Marsh in the bar of the Waterman’s Arts Centre, Brentford, London, 15 February 1998. 19The Fly in the Porter / Burning Brakes(Jigs) Joe Whelan(accordion), Liam Farrell(banjo), Reg Hall(piano).3:50Recorded by Paul Marsh in the bar of the Waterman’s Arts Centre, Brentford, London, 15 March 1998. 20 The Pride of Rathmore / The Girls of Farranfore(Reels)Con Curtin & Edmond Murphy(fiddles), Reg Hall(piano).2:20Recorded by Bill Leader at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 13 March 1968. 21 The Derrycrag / Tie the Bonnet / The Abbey Reel(Reels)Con Curtin & Edmond Murphy(fiddles), Reg Hall(piano).4:49Recorded by Bill Leader at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 13 March 1968. 22Strike the Gay Harp / Brendan Tonroe’s(Jigs) Tommy Maguire(accordion), Father O’Keefe(mandolin), Reg Hall(piano).2:47Recorded by Bill Leader at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 21 April 1968. 23 The Stoney Steps / The Hare’s Paw(Reels)Tommy Maguire(accordion), Father O’Keefe(mandolin), Reg Hall(piano).1:54Recorded by Bill Leader at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 21 April 1968. 24 The Carracastle Lasses(Reel)Martin Byrnes(fiddle), Reg Hall(piano).1:45Recorded by Bill Leader at Reg Hall’s house, Croydon, London, 23/24 June 1967. 25The Frieze Britches(Jig) Martin Byrnes(fiddle), Reg Hall(piano).2:44Recorded by Bill Leader at Reg Hall’s house, Croydon, London, 23/24 June 1967. 26 The Heathery Breeze(Reel)Sean O’Shea(fiddle), Bobby Casey(fiddle), Reg Hall(piano).1:47Recorded by Bill Leader at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 5 March 1967. 27 O’Callaghan’s / The Hare’s Foot(Reels)Con Curtin, Denis McMahon & Julia Clifford(fiddles), Reg Hall(piano).1:57Recorded by Bill Leader at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 12 March 1967. 28 Cooley’s / O’Rourke’s / The Pigeon on the Gate(Reels)John Whelan(accordion), Jimmy Power(fiddle), Tommy Healy(flute), Frank Blaney(banjo), Big John Gray(bodhran), Reg Hall(piano).3:12Recorded by Edward Tise at The Favourite, Holloway, London, 14 June 1979, on the occasion of the filming of The Bolden Lad (director: John Tchalenko; music advisor: Bob Davenport).
CD2 The CD contains recordings from 1964 to 2014.
1 track was recorded by Lucy Farr in The Favourite, Holloway. Tom Cussen both plays and/or records on a number of tracks.
The musicians in the Thatch Ceili Band are Bobby Casey, Brendan Mulkere & Adrian Bourke(fiddles), Roger Sherlock & Paul Gallagher(flutes), Tommy Keane(uilleann pipes), John Bowe(accordion), Mick O’Connor(banjo), Kevin Taylor(piano), Mick Whelan(drums).