Jigs, Reels & Rock n' Roll

Frankie Gavin & De Dannan

TARA4024

Tracklist
  1. Wild Irishmen
  2. Heartbreak Pier
  3. Gasoline Alley
  4. Here Comes The Sun
  5. If You Love Me
  6. The Diamond Collection
  7. High On A Mountain
  8. G Minor Reel
  9. Bluesy Jigs
  10. Summer Of My Dreams
  11. Polkas
  12. Coleman Meets Killoran
  13. Down The Moor
  14. Planet Ireland
  15. Damo's Waltz

Sleeve Notes

MUSICIANS

Frankie Gavin – Fiddle, Viola, Flutes & Whistles.
Damien Mullane – Accordions.
Eric Cunningham - Bodhran, Snare, Flutes & Whistles.
Mike Galvin – Guitar & Bouzouki
Michelle Lally – Vocals.

This recording marks a special time in my musical life and follows a period where it wasn't possible for me to perform as part of De Dannan, a band I first formed and played with in Connemara in the early 1970's.
Over the past year I have assembled a fantastic group of performers to form a new De Dannan which maintains distinct references to the De Dannan sound of years gone by but importantly one which reflects Irish traditional music of the 21st century. I hope you the listener enjoys this collection of music and songs which I know will be the first of many to come.
Frankie Gavin (August 2010)

"This is the best incarnation of 'De Dannan' I have ever witnessed and I believe I have seen and heard all the line ups over the years...sensational."
Rob Fabroni, August 2010 (Producer of The Last Waltz)

Track Notes

Heartbreak Pier. (Paul McDonnell, Dave Molloy & Joe Csibi, Station House Music).
One time America was so far away
Ah but now you can go and be back in a day
So the leaving back then was a sad affair
And the fear of the unknown was a burden they shared
When the choices are few for the many who fly
And the future is held in the ticket you buy

There were heartache and roses, tissues and tears
One last goodbye for a thousand years
Over the ocean to a new frontier
Go the sons and daughters leaving heartbreak pier

Lily from Galway sailed during the war
Just to be with a soul mate who'd gone on before
He was enough to be giving up home
Just enough for sixty cold nights all alone
On Ellis Island as the ship rolled in
Her love awaits for a new life to begin
But a sickness on board meant no-one could depart
and the words were shared between broken hearts

There were heartache and roses, tissues and tears
One last goodbye for a thousand years
Over the ocean to a new frontier
Go the sons and daughters leaving heartbreak pier

Oh it's hard to imagine how life was then
I try ...... I can't take it all in
As I stand where the White Star Line used to be
I remember all those who took to the sea

There were heartache and roses, tissues and tears
One last goodbye for a thousand years
Over the ocean to a new frontier
Go the sons and daughters leaving heartbreak pier

If You Love Me. (Marguerite Monnot & Geoffrey Parsons, Worldwide Music Co.)
If the sun should tumble from the sky
If the sea should suddenly run dry
If you love me, really love me
Let it happen, I won't care
If it seems that everything is lost
I shall smile and never count the cost
If you love me, really love me
Then whatever happens, I won't care

Shall I catch a falling star
Shall I bring it where you are
If you want me to, I will
You can set me any task
I'll do anything you ask
If you only love me still

When at last our time on earth is through
I shall share eternity with you
If you love me, really love me
Then whatever happens, I won't care

High On A Mountain. (Olabella Reed, Midstream Music BMI).
As I look at the valley down below
It is green just as far as I can see
As my memory returns how my heart did yearn
For you and the days that used to be

High on a mountain living free
Thinking about the days that used to be
High on a mountain standing all alone
Wondering where the years of my life have gone

Oh I wonder if you ever think of me
Or if time has blotted out your memory
As I listen to the breeze blow gently through the trees
I'll always cherish what you meant to me

Summer Of My Dreams (David Mallett & Mae Robertson, Forerunner Music Inc.)
In the shade of this old tree
In the summer of my dreams
By the tall grass, by the wild rose
Where the trees dance and the wind blows
As the days go oh so slowly
As the sun shines oh so holy
On the good and gracious green
In the summer of my dreams

By the banks of this old stream
In the summer of my dreams
By the deep pool where the fish wait
For the old fool with the wrong bait
There's a field of purple clover
There's a small cloud passing over
And the rain comes washing clean
In the summer of my dreams

See the rain drops on the grass now
Like diamonds lying there
And the old road where I pass now
There's a twilight in the air
As the sun sets down before me
I see my true love waiting for me
Standing by the back door screen
In the summer of my dreams

Down The Moor. (Trad Arr by Frankie Gavin & De Dannan).
As I roved out the moor one day
It being fair and sunny weather
Some miles from home I chanced to roam
Across the bonny purple heather
Down the moor and across the heather
Down the moor and across the heather
Some miles from home I chanced to roam
Across the bonny purple heather
Down the moor

As I rolled along to the hunting song
My heart was light as any feather
When I saw a lass coming o'er the grass
Tripping the dew from off the heather
Down the moor and across the heather
Down the moor and across the heather
Some miles from home I chanced to roam
Across the bonny purple heather
Down the moor

I said my lass where are you going
Hill or dale oh tell me whither
I'm going to the banks of the bonny brown braes
For the feeding of my lambs together
Down the moor and across the heather
Down the moor and across the heather
Some miles from home I chanced to roam
Across the bonny purple heather
Down the moor

So up she got and away she went
Her name or place I ne'er did gather
But if I were king, I'd make her queen
That bonny wee lass across the heather
Down the moor and across the heather
Down the moor and across the heather
Some miles from home I chanced to roam
Across the bonny purple heather
Down the moor

Notes On The Tunes

Wild Irishmen. (Jig & Reel)
The first jig was a great favourite of Sean McGuire, the legendary fiddle player from Belfast.
I was taught this tune by Martin Rabbitt, who taught me how to hold the fiddle properly and how to 'read' music.
The second jig came from the Irish American box player Danny Smith. It's called 'The Rakes of Clonmel'. The reel is a well known traditional tune the 'Wild Irishman'.

Gasoline Alley. (Ron Wood / Rod Stewart. EMI publishing, Warner/Chappell Music ltd.).
This is an instrumental version of the song written by Ronnie and the man himself performs Lap Steel on this track

Here Comes the Sun. (George Harrison, Harrisongs Ltd.)
This is our version of the well known Beatles song. The notion of performing it as an instrumental was the brain child of Mike Galvin and both Damien and I gave the original melody a few twists and turns to shape it into a hornpipe and a reel. I hope Mr. Harrison approves!

The Diamond Collection. (Barndance)These tunes we got from the one and only Joe Diamond from Meghera, Co. Derry.
Joe has been a dear friend to De Dannan over the years and has given us many great songs and tunes from his enormous collection of '78 recordings.
People like Joe Diamond and Seamus O'Kane are scarce, so we would like to thank Joe and Seamus for the constant support and encouragement.

G Minor Reel.
This tune is known as both 'Dream of home' and 'Maid in the Meadow' but will always be known to us as the G Minor Reel.

Bluesy Jigs.
This set comprises two well known slip jigs entitled 'Red Haired Mary' or 'Maire Rua' and 'Hardiman The Fiddler'. We have been playing these with a bluesy feel for a while so hence the title!

Kerry Polkas. (Polkas).
Three Kerry polkas from the Sliabh Luachra region of the Kingdom of Kerry and a nod to the two Kerry based musicians in the band.

Coleman Meets Killoran. (Jigs)
Michael Coleman and Paddy Killoran were two of the finest fiddlers from Co. Sligo and were recording in the USA in the 1990's
We don't know if they met or not but the title came about by accident.
'The Green Fields of Woodford' and 'Killoran's' would perhaps be the more appropriate titles for these jigs.

Planet Ireland.
This is a selection of reels which Eric Cunningham strung together for the band. We also perform these reels with orchestras from time to time. The name stems from a concert series we undertook with the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Damo's Waltz. (Damien Mullane)
Written by the band's box player, Damien Mullane. Damien enjoys playing waltzes and marches and this is one he penned in January 2009.

CREDITS
All tracks arranged by Frankie Gavin & De Dannan ( F. Gavin, D. Mullane, E. Cunningham, M. Galvin & M. Lally) Vocal tracks produced by Mike Galvin.
All tracks published by Celtic Collective except where noted otherwise.
Photography by mike Bunn, Colm Hogan & Michael Nestor
The band photo with the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra was taken by Mick Langan (www.micklanganphotography.com)
Recorded and mixed by Tony O'Flaherty at Sonas Studios, Killarney except for 'Planet Ireland' recorded at Trend Studios Dublin and mixed by Michael Nestor 'Down the Moor' was recorded live at Beijing Opera House.
Mastered by Ruain O'Flaherty at Sonas Studios, Killarney
Sleeve Design by KPW Design & Print. 'Frankie Gavin & De Dannan' branding by Design Associates

Jigs, Reels & Rock n' Roll
Produced by Frankie Gavin
Executive Producers: Eric Cunningham & Frankie Gavin

THANK YOU
Thanks to special guest Ronnie Wood who performs on 'Gasoline Alley' & 'If You Love Me'. Thanks also to Rob Fabroni for his kind sleeve note. Thanks to the band's sound engineer Michael Nestor, for his never ending enthusiasm and professionalism. Special thanks to the families, friends and followers of the band members .... Your support doesn't go unnoticed.

Eric Cunningham plays bodhrans & tippers by Rolf Wagels & Christian Hedwitschak and flutes by Chris Dawson.
Mick Galvin plays Paul Doyle bouzoukis
Michelle's wardrobe is supplied by Yvonne Byrne of Okinara house of Fashion and her hair is styled by Pat O'Neill, The Style Studio.