And mine Stuart. It’s a truly transcendent composition. Has me hovering between tears of longing, and tears of sheer joy. It’s matchless ascending and descending air never tires. It has inspiration and reflection, the apogee of white mans soul music. From a top Regimental Highland Band to the earnest passion from Mary Black to the Scots fiddlers of the 1800’s and Dougie McLean, and a whole bunch of Irish and Scots vocalists too numerous to mention. To a time 14 yrs ago when a 12 yr old angel singing in Gaelic accompanying herself on a Classarch, ( a small steel stringed harp) had every eye moist in Oban one Saturday evening. Upon enquiring to a local, does everyone realise how good she is, a local inimitably cocked his head and said simply oh aye. From Ross Stuart McIntyre Australia.
Thank you so much for posting this. It is my favorite O'Carolan tune AND my favorite version. It is a song to get lost in the ebb and flow of its progression. I used to have "Close to the Wind" on vinyl and would love to find it on CD.
Thank you SO much for posting this piece. I used to see these guys play in London many years ago and this tune reduced me to tears it is so beautiful. I have this album but it skips on this track!
listen to him and then the same song years later with richard thompson. he was one of the best but like too many others had too many cigs. i have been listening to fairport but until youtube had no idea how big he was for the group always smiling and pouring out energy. then ther was sandy
I saw Simon and Strawb doing some club dates in NYC back then, and got to hzaang with them between sets. Splendid folks, both, Dave Pegg, in town playing with Jethro Tull, popped up at the late show with a magnum of champagne and sat in. Swarb and {egg smoked like chimneys. Swarb always_ had a cigarette in his mouth. His later requiring full lung transplants was not a surprise. I wonder how much more we'd have beewn graced with from Swarb had he not had that affliction..
@@vincentmurphy7847 Yeah it's from the album Close to the Wind, released on Wormwood Records some time in the 80's. One of Swarb / Nicol's best albums for my money but which sadly has vanished into the ether and never been released.
But they are inovating on rhe melody and arrangement as they go so i dont think it is too long...many wonderful versions of Si Bheag Si Mhor and this is up with the best in my opinion
