Coming back to remember Dennis as I've learned of his passing... this is still one of the best sets I've ever heard. I come back to it all the time, and I know I'll keep doing so for a long while yet. I'm a better musician and a happier person for having their work in my life.
This set is one of my favourites too I often come back here for a listen but I just learned of Dennis passing too so sad.. hope it wasn’t those blasted jabs!!!
0:00 Ríl Beara/Beare Island (Finbarr Dwyer) 1:12 The Night Before Larry Was Stretched 3:09 The Cavan Reel/Mike Flanagan's 4:45 The Torn Jacket (Connie O'Connell) 5:59 The Mountain Lark 7:43 Tom Doherty's
It’s so interesting how tunes are related by melody. The first faster reel, "The Cavan" Reel at 3:09, sounds very much like "The Congress" Reel mixed with "Gravel Walks". Then the "Mountain Lark" was definitely the inspiration for another reel, "The Road to Cashel", I’m sure of it.
Returning again to my favourite Martin and Dennis recording to find that Dennis has passed. Memories of a summer school concert in Limerick where they blew the roof off (it was a medieval cathedral roof so no mean feat) and having the privilege of being in a small guitar class for an afternoon talking tunes and playing with this fine player, teacher and really nice guy.
0:00-1:11 Ríl Beara/Beare Island [Finbarr Dwyer] 1:12-3:08 The Night Before Larry Was Stretched 3:09-4:44 The Cavan Reel/Mike Flanagan's 4:45-5:58 The Torn Jacket [Connie O'Connell] 5:59-7:42 The Mountain Lark [Version of the Steampacket] 7:43-end Tom Doherty's [as played by Trian]
I've heard no one better playing these great tunes. Martin puts all his heart and soul into his music. I've had over 100 hours of instruction in his classes. Learning about his vision of music and why and how it's played Is a fantastic experience. Even if you can't play a note yourself, it is worth it just to hear what he thinks. Annie
@@bothyrat More profound than accompaniment. Cahill and Hayes combined their playing to make one instrument, exploring the melody as if it were a landscape or a story. The deep rhythm suspends time, drawing out the mystery in music.
Several years ago, at the end of one of their concerts, I heard a woman make a comment that has always stuck with me because it was so perfect: I can't even SEE that fast!
These tunes are hella amazing! I went to valley of the moon camp right before I entered fifth grade :) I'm now 24 years old and dedicated to my fiddle! I hope to go back one day ^_^
Incredible playing with so much feeling, Love his style and always have.Brilliant! Pity there are zombies in the backround...hey ho some people very obviously are tone deaf
They're all students and faculty of the Valley of the Moon fiddle camp, in the California redwoods. I can tell you as someone who studied music in high school and college, your heart is there; but at times the amount of music you are processing mentally becomes almost redundant! I don't think they're zombies they're just kids. Besides listen to the whoops, hollers and the final applause. Every little improvisation Martin introduced had people shouting.
Wow! Full of energy. I understand his playing is pretty much love or hate but I'm certainly in the love category. His self-expression and passion about the simplest of tunes is second to none. I've read a lot of request for tune names and have decided to post them for the benefit of others. They are:
Well done to Martin & Dennis. My favourite tune of this set was "The Boys Of Mallin" Reminded me of the crashing Atlantic waves at the Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare, Ireland A favourite spot, no doubt, when Martin is relaxing in his home County after touring.
Hmm my Mom's Father's O'Dwyers were from Clare via Kilnamanagh in Tipperary... family tradition was that my Great x3 Grandfather Philip O'Dwyer (keep in mind the last O'Dwyer chief was a Philip O'Dwyer and his wife a Nora) and his wife Nora (Lenora) listed on records were descended from the O'Dwyers of Kilnamanagh... but I recently had autosomal DNA testing done and am picking up surname clustering with the Butler family of Ormond and FitzGeralds of Desmond via the cousin matches (important here because there is documentation for at least five O'Dwyer chiefs marrying Butler women over and over plus FitzGeralds in the mix)... I get a lot of other Irish names associated with the O'Dwyers and that area like O'Conner and O'Ryan also ;-). The fact that my Philip O'Dwyer grandfather was probably transplanted into Clare (or at least his family) also supports the tradition. I've been once to Clare and the Cliffs... though I didn't know all this when I was there... just that our O'Dwyers probably came from Clare... so I'd like to go back armed with the DNA research - that makes it very likely Grandfather O'Dwyer was a direct descendant of the O'Dwyer chiefs... I'd like to go back and find out who Philip O'Dwyers father was and if he was from Kilnamanagh... and whether his wife Nora was a Butler or not... etc. Cheers!
So odd to see the seated orchestra behind them ... I've been in the midst of a crowd, everyone on their feet, stomping, clapping, whooping, thoroughly enthralled by these two. Love them! Will miss them at Sebastopol Celtic Festival.
Not orchestra - They're all students and faculty of the Valley of the Moon fiddle camp, in the California redwoods. (This is a repeat comment I made) -- I can tell you, as someone who studied music in high school and college, your heart is there; but at times the amount of music you are processing mentally becomes almost redundant! I don't think they're zombies they're just kids. Besides listen to the whoops, hollers and the final applause. Every little improvisation Martin introduced had people shouting.
You've found the very definition of the great players. They're so fast yet they have so much time. A Scottish prime example are the Cunningham brothers, Phil on accordion and sometimes whistle, and brother the-late Jonny fiddler from Silly Wizard band. "Live in America" their album not easily found. The clip played here is brilliant also too.
Here here! Great phrasing and melodic sense...sadly so rare. The annoying thing is how few folk teach the basics for this style ...not to mention developing an awareness of its finer points and objectives.
@fgx900 The session dot org... but I suggest to learn every tune by ear, it will improve your knowledge of music, you musical ear and your feelings when listening to irish music
Snakemyth, I couldn't name them either. I think we need only dive into those sweet sounds and let them wash over us. Isn't it GRAND! Go Martin and Dennis!
Except on "Long Journey Home", a wonderful album of traditional Irish music I listen to very often, does anyone know if there's any way to find out a live version of "The Night That Larry Was Stretched", 7th song on the album and great jig played by a group of artists, including Johnny Cunningham? Thank you in advance!
@fgx900 Sorry, I'm not sure where you can find the sheet music. I just listen and learn from recordings. I think this is a better way anyway. If you want, you should pick up an album called "Trian" by Liz Carroll, Billy McComiskey and Daithi Sproule. The tune is on that and called "Tom Doherty's" :) Hope this helps.
@crankymcstab HAHA! It's not really anything I do consciously. When I learn a tune or hear one I like, I make it my policy to find out what the name is. And, when I find the name, I can usually retain it. Most people don't care about the names so don't know them to begin with. Others will learn the name and then forget it soon after. For some strange reason, I don't have that problem. I'm just weird :P
@crankymcstab Well, you have to really want to know the tune name. 99% of the tunes I play, I know the names of. I don't like not knowing tune names, especially if I play them. It's always nice having the name at hand should someone ask. I can't explain why I like knowing tune names, I just do. Reverends ABC search is a great tool. Sometimes you know that you've heard the tune before but can't place where. In my case, I look high and low for that recording, albeit sometimes unsuccessfully.
If he was trying to look good, he'd get a haircut. :P I've been at his performances a few times, and I think it's really just a byproduct of how deeply into the music he is while he is playing, so I'm not complaining. Incidentally, have you ever seen the foot work that goes into some Cape Breton fiddling?
