Awarded 'Best Research in the Field of Recorded Folk or Ethnic Music' for Recorded Sound Collections (1992) Accompanied by a very informative 80 page booklet written and curated by Harry Bradshaw formally of RTE,(surely the world's foremost chronicler of early recordings)

Track Listing: CD 1 1. Lord McDonald Reels 2. Cherish the Ladies Jig 3. The Boys of the Lough Reels 4. The Liverpool, O'Neill's Hornpipes 5. The Shaskeen Reels 6. Jackson's Jigs 7. Farrell O'Gara Reels 8. James Gannon's Barndances 9. The Crooked Road to Dublin Reels 10. Lord Gordon Reel 11. The Frost is all Over Jigs 12. Reidy Johnson's Reels 13. The Job of Journey work Set Dance 14. Rakish Paddy Reels 15. Tobin's Fancy Jigs 16. Crowley's Reels 17. Casey's Polkas 18. The Kerryman's Daughter, The Bird in the Tree Reels 19. Up Sligo Jigs 20. Lucy Campbell Reel 21. McDermott's Hornpipes 22. Doctor Gilbert, The Queen of May Reels 23. The Humours of Ennistymon Jigs 24. The Green Fields of America, The Swallow's Tail Reels CD 2 1. The Grey Goose Jig 2. The Morning Dew, The Woman of the House Reels 3. Murray's Fancy Hornpipe 4. The Foxhumer Slip Jigs 5. The Duke of Leinster, And His Wife Reels 6. Larry O'Gaff Jigs 7. The Real Blackthorn Stick Reels 8. Murphy's Hornpipe 9. Jackson's Morning Brush, The Rambling Pitchfork Jigs 10. Tarbolton, The Longford Collector, The Sailor's Bonnet Reels 11. The Sailor on the Rock Reels 12. The Monaghan Jig 13. The Pigeon on the Gate Reels 14. Apples in Winter Jigs 15. Bonnie Kate, Jenny's Chickens Reels 16. The Frieze Britches Jig 17. The Stage, The Western Hornpipes 18. Paddy Ryan's Dream Reels 19. Tell Her I Am Jigs 20. The Kerry Reel, The Boyne Hunt Reels 21. Tommy Hill's Favourite Hornpipes 22. Killarney Wonder Schottisches 23. Farewell to Ireland Reels 24. Mrs. Kenny's Barndance Click on underlined titles to hear MP3 sound samples Some nice scenes from Coleman country, South Sligo from You Tube the music is not Michael!

We are delighted to announce our release of this historic twin CD set.

MICHAEL COLEMAN 1891 - 1945
Gael Linn CEFCD 161

Michael Coleman's records, issued in America between 1921 and 1936, set new standards of excellence in fiddle playing and immortalized him as the most influential figure in Irish music in the twentieth century.

This package presents 48 of Coleman's 78rpm discs, remastered on 2 compact discs and totalling two and a half hours of his music, together with an 80 page book written by Harry Bradshaw formerly of RTE, (surely the world's foremost chronicler of early recordings) providing a detailed account of his life and music, along with a full discography of all his commercial recordings.

Remastered by Harry Bradshaw and released by Gael Linn, Ireland's oldest and most prestigous record label.

In 1991 Harry Bradshaw brought out a cassette set of the music of Michael Coleman, it was on the Viva Voce label and in 1992 it was awarded Best Research in the Field of the Recorded Folk or Ethnic Music by the American Association for Recorded Sound Collection. Twenty years later and Harry has re-mastered the work for the digital age, packaged it with a superb 80 page booklet and this time it is on the excellent Gael Linn label.

Michael Coleman is without doubt the giant of 20th century Irish fiddling. That he came from a family steeped in music and a locality rich in tradition has been well documented. His influence on the tradition has been immeasurable, his style and above all the fluidity and feeling in his playing has been captivating generations of players since his 78rpm discs began appearing in Ireland in the 1920s.

The booklet is as important as the two CD themselves. Here, Harry Bradshaw pieces together the life of Coleman which would end tragically early at the age of 54 in Manhattan. Bradshaw builds the story from printed sources, newspapers articles and firsthand accounts, through these we get a sense of the man Coleman was. He often played like an angel but his private life was bedeviled with darkness.

The Coleman Centre in Sligo has this to say about him on their website "Although he has had many imitators, Coleman 's combination of superb technical ability and deeply expressive playing has had few, if any equals."

Harry Bradshaw's magnificent work for Gael Linn will. leave you in no doubt that The Coleman Centre's words are right on the money.

"This is the benchmark for every recording of Irish music. Essential is too flippant a word for its importance; it should be in your collection, no excuses".
Sean Laffey Irish Music Magazine (August 2011)

Press Reviews

www.LiveIreland.com Christmas Recommendations.
5.Michael Coleman 1891-1945 is out on Gael Linn. There are 48 tunes played by the Master. If you need an explanation of who Michael Coleman is, you should not be reading this column. The foundation stone for all Irish fiddle players, everyone who is in the music or loves the music, stands on his shoulders, and this is a wonderful collection of most of his recorded work. The brightest star in the firmament.