Micho Russell (25 March 1915 – 19 February 1994) was an Irish musician and author best known for his expert tin whistle performance. He also played the simple-system flute and was a collector of traditional music and folklore.
Biography Russell was born in Doonagore, Doolin, County Clare, Ireland.Vallely (1999), p324 Russell came from a musically renowned family; his mother played the concertina,Michio Russell Family Weekend biography and his father was a sean-nós singer. He had two brothers, Packie and Gussie, who were also musicians. He also had two sisters. He never married.
Music Russell taught himself to play the tin whistle by ear, beginning at the age of eleven. The 1960s revival of Irish traditional music brought him attention and performance opportunities. In 1973, Russell won the All-Ireland tin whistle competition,The Russells which further increased demand for his performances. Like Séamus Ennis, Russell was also known for his spoken introductions to tunes in his live performances, which incorporated folklore and legend. His knowledge of tradition extended past music to language, stories, dance, herbal lore, and old country cures.Piggott
Death Russell died in a car accident on 19 February 1994 on his way home from a gig just prior to going back into the studio to record another CD.
Works
Original music "Micho Russell's Reel," his only known composition, is a variant of an older tune he called "Carthy's Reel." He told Charlie Piggott, "...So Carthy was beyond anyway, and he heard the old tune from a piper playing it, and he had the first part but only three-quarters of the second part. So when Séamus Ennis came around collecting music, I put in the last bit. That's roughly the story of the tune." The reel has been recorded by other artists such as Mary Bergin. His best-known songs were John Phillip Holland and The Well of Spring Water.Vallely (1999), p. 325
Discography
+Micho Russell performs on the following recordingsYearArtistTitleLabelNotes1975Micho, Pakie and Gusie RussellThe Russell Family of Doolin, Co. ClareTopic RecordsRecorded in O'Connor's Bar, Doolin January 1974. See track listing of 1993 reissue at Irishtune.info.1976Micho RussellTraditional Country Music of Co. ClareFree ReedReissued on CD by Free Reed in 2008.1979Aggie WhyteAggie WhyteSelf published.Micho plays with Aggie on tracks 2 and 3 of disc 2. See track listing at Irishtune.info.1982Micho RussellMicho RussellTriskellLP format.A copy is held in the Boston College library. See: . 1987variousIreland. Irlande.UNESCOSee track 12 in the track listing at Irishtune.info.1990Micho RussellUnder the Cliffs of MoherXeric1993Micho RussellThe Limestone RockGTD Heritage Recording Co. Ltd.See track listing at Irishtune.info.1993Micho RussellThe Man from Clare GTD Heritage Recording Co. Ltd.features duets with Eugene Lambe on Flute and Tin Whistle1993variousWooden Flute Obsession International Traditional Music SocietySee track 15 of disc 2 in the track listing at Irishtune.info.1994 John Williams John Williams Green Linnet RecordsSee track listing at Irishtune.info.1995Micho RussellThe Wind that shakes the Barley GTD Heritage Recording Co. Ltd. Features Music, Song and Folklore. See track listing at Irishtune.info.1995Micho RussellIn Our Own Dear Land GTD Heritage Recording Co. Ltd.A similar mix of Music, Song and stories. See track listing at Irishtune.info.1995Micho RussellIreland's Whistling AmbassadorThe Pennywhistler's PressIncludes a 28-page booklet with a biography and notes on his music. There is also a video release with different music. See track listing at Irishtune.info.2015Micho RussellRarities & Old Favorites 1949–1993: Tin Whistle, Flute & Songs From North Clare & BeyondThe Pennywhistler's PressA double-CD with forty-nine tracks that span Micho's entire career. Includes a 16-page booklet. Released both as a download and a physical CD. See track listing at Irishtune.info.
Books +Micho Russell wrote the following booksYearTitlePublisher1980The Piper's ChairOssian Publications1986The Piper's Chair No. 2Canal Press, N.Y.1988The road to Aran: Songs, Folklore and Music of West of IrelandMicho Russell, Doolin.1990Doolin's Micho RussellN.Y.1991. Micho's DozenEnnistymon Festival of Traditional Singing, Co. Clare.1992Music & Folklore of DoonagoreMicho Russell, Doolin.
See also List of Irish music collectors
References
External links Includes biographical abstract and select bibliography / discography.
Includes MP3 sound clips and extensive commentary on Russell's style.
A biography and four of Russell's albums are available from this site.