Rating:
Genre:
World
Release Date: 02/14/2006
This powerful collection of traditional
Irish folk songs has been issued several times under various titles, including CD releases as
The Lark in the Morning in 1996 from
Tradition Records and again under that title by
Empire Records in 2006, and as
Celtic Classic Treasures from
Legacy Records in 1999. The original recordings were made between August and December on a field trip that song collectors
Diane Hamilton,
Liam Clancy, and
Catherine Wright made to Ireland in 1955. Although they are technically
field recordings, the sound on these tracks (most of which were recorded at
Mrs. Sarah Makem's home in Keady) is clear and spacious sounding. Highlights include the great
Paddy Tunney singing
"The Lark in the Morning," an early recording of fiddler
Padraig O'Keefe (
"Jig"),
Sarah Makem's spell-binding
"In the Month of January," and the high, sweet tenor of
Thomas Baynes singing
"Barbara Ellen." Liam Clancy first met
Tommy Makem (
Sarah Makem's son) at these sessions, and they ultimately formed
the Clancy Brothers, an extremely successful Irish traditional singing group.
~Steve Leggett, All Music Guide