Two
Miles to Tulla
Traditional Irish Music from East Clare.
Larry Gavin, Micheál
O'Rourke & Charlie Lennon
COPP015
Two
Miles to Tulla
Traditional Irish Music from East Clare.
Larry Gavin, Micheál
O'Rourke & Charlie Lennon
COPP015
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Tracks:
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We
are delighted to announce our release of this fine recording.
Two
Miles to Tulla
Traditional Irish Music from East Clare.
COPP015
Larry Gavin, accordion
Micheál
O'Rourke, fiddle
& Charlie Lennon, piano.
"A worthy successor to The Banks of the Shannon".
Irish
Music Magazine: "This is an excellent recording displaying lots of musical
charm and interest". Edel McLaughlin
Introduction.
Larry Gavin and Michaél O'Rourke are neighbours living in the townland
of Caherlohan, two miles from the village of Tulla in the eastern part of Co.
Clare. This is an area steeped in the tradition or Irish music and was seen
as a source for music from the earliest written records until modern times.
Capt. Francis O'Neill in his written works refers to Patrick Powell from Tulla
as a friend and advisor who he used widely in compiling his wonderful collections.
In more modern times five musicians from East Clare namely Paddy Canny, Seamus
Connolly, Vincent Griffin, Martin Hayes and Micheal have won the Senior All
Ireland Fiddle Championship, a remarkable achievement for one community. Awards
have not been confined to fiddlers in East Clare as musicians and groups from
the area have achieved nation and international recognition. The Tulla Ceili
are perhaps the most widely recognised Ceili Band of ail time and the names
of members and former members reads like a list of masters of the traditional
music craft.
In this musical enviornment Larry and Michaél have been playing together
for a number of years. From an early age Micheal visited Larry regularly to
play music and together tthey learnrd their music from all available sources.
They are joined on this album by Charlie Lennon on piano. They regard Charlie
as the accepted master of the craft of accompaniment and are honoured that he
has agreed to assist them in this their first album together.
Larry Gavin.
Larry was born in Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath, moved to Ballina, Co Mayo with
his parents in his teens and to County Clare when he commenced employment. His
earliest musical influences came from his father, Paddy, who played fiddle with
the Moate Ceili Band in the 1930s. While living in the west of Ireland he was
influenced by many of the great great Sligo masters, Johnny Henry, Mick Joe
Ryan and Joe Dowd. In later years he became friendly with the great accordion
master from Newtown, Nenagh, Paddy O'Brien. He spent
many years in Paddys company and learned a lot of music and accordion techniques
from him. He plays a 1956 Paolo Soprani two row B/C diatonic accordion on this
album.
Micheal O'Rourke
Micheal comes from a musical family and has been playing fiddle and piano from
an early age. He began his musical studies on piano as a young boy and having
proceeded through all grades on that instrument began to study fiddle under
the excellent tutor Maureen Glynn-Connolly. He has won Senior All Ireland titles
on both piano and fiddle. He is a keen admirer of the piano style and the compositions
of Charlie Lennon. He is greatly influenced by the fiddling styles of Andy McGann,
Seamus Connolly and his neighbour Paddy Canny.
Charlie Lennon
Charlie is accepted as one of the greatest musicians of our time. He is respected
nationally and internationally for his vast contribution to Irish music and
his orchestral works have been performed worldwide to worldwide acclaim. Originally
from Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim he now lives in Spiddal, Co Galway where he continues
his lifetime pursuit of playing and composing wonderful music.
Charlie's piano accompaniment is unique and combines the valued traditions of
his native Leitrim with innovative, bright and masterful techniques which enhance
anv performance.
Press
Reviews
Irish Music Magazine
08.09
Here's a recording that was overdue for a long time - Accordion player Larry
Gavin features in a duet album with Micheal O'Rourke on fiddle, ably assisted
by their favourite accompanist in the business, Charlie Lennon on piano. Originally
from Co. Westmeath, Gavin moved to Mayo before settling in the town of Tulla
in East Clare. Having now spent most of his lifetime in Tulla, it was here that
he struck his musical partnership with young fiddler Mfcheal O'Rourke. They
have now been playing music together for many years and the wealth of experience
they both have acquired comes across very strongly on this album.
The music is extremely rich and strong, yet it still retains a wonderful sweet
sound throughout. Interestingly, Larry's box dates back to 1956 - a Paolo Soprani
B/C diatonic accordion. It blends very well with Micheal's smooth fiddle music.
Although considerably younger in years than Larry, Micheal brings a unique talent
to this album, himself having won the prestigious Senior All-Ireland titles
on both fiddle and piano. One of the points that attracted me to this album
is that the sound is quite mellow, flowing naturally from these naturally gifted
musicians. There's no excess post-production here; the album reflects exactly
how the duo would sound at home playing in a session. They have essentially
captured the essence of their unique sound. There are some gems of tunes here
also; they have delved into the canon of tunes to dig up some great melodies
- and some lovely versions I might add as well. With regard to tune types, there's
a fine mix of tunes here including a melodious set dance, slip jigs, reels and
double jigs. There are also some outstanding playing of hornpipes reflecting
the highly technical skills of both Larry and Micheal.
This is an excellent recording displaying lots of musical charm and interest.
Edel McLaughlin