ClearAED Arists
1. Bright & Slivery Light of the Moon - Mick & Michael Dublea
Mick Snr. on accordion & vocals, Michael Jnr. on accordion & spoons. A father & son team. Mick has been playing the accordion throughout life & is passing on the tradition to Michael Jnr.
2. April Skies - James Gubbins
Coming from a musical family, there is no doubt about his singing abilities but James has also shown himself to be a fine song writer. With a country feel, this song is beautifully penned & sung from the heart.
3. November - Gemma Hayes
While working on her third album, Gemma took time out to record this song during a visit home. A thought provoking piece, this is the first time this song has become available on CD. Vocals & guitar unmistakably Gemma Hayes.
4. Ballyporeen (Valley of Home) - Monorail
Monorail is music brought to you by Seamus Hennessy. Seamus wrote two verses & the chorus of this song while living in the Netherlands in the 1990's. There are also two verses from the original Ballyporeen song which was written by Fr. Ned Sheehy in the 1920's, while living in America.
5. Japanese Horn Pipe / Peter Feeney's Dream - Bobby Gardiner
These tunes were recorded live at a midday concert in the University of Limerick. Donnchadh Gough later added the bodharan in the studio. Bobby, a renowned musician, captures the live feel and spontaneity of traditional music in this recording.
6. World of Possibilities - Red Rum
Red Rum is made up of Maurice O'Brien & Brendan Meade. The band reformed for one weekend to record this rockin' number penned by Maurice. Oh 'twas a late one that night.' Turn it up!
7. Motherland - Sandra Gubblins
Another example of the immense talent that is hidden within the boundaries of Ballyporeen & Skeheenarinky. Sandy's voice captures the emotion that comes with this Natalie Merchant song. Simply Brillant.
8. The Blarney Stone - Pat Treacy
Pat has been playing in this locality for many's the year and has started some of the best music sessions to be seen in these parts. A fine tune to get the toes tapping & the hands clapping. A pleasure to listen to at any time.
9. Bewitched - Grace McMahon & Band
Grace brings jazz to Ballyporeen. Accompanying her are four fellow students from U.C.C. - Dave Ryan, Dave Duffy, Dave Carville & Alan Buckley. With a full jazz band, this song relaxes & enchants, a fine piece of music.
10. The Beautiful People - Shadow Puppets
This young rock band is made up of Sam, Alex & Amy Rose Hayes. If you could bottle the energy that is in this song, you could light up Ballyporeen & Skeheenarinky for the next hundred years. Rockin'.
11. Scottish Airs - Tom Cleary
Tom plays a selection of his favourite Scottish tunes on the bagpipes. Tom is also accomplished on the mouth organ (Gob Iron) & the banjo. His love for music is evident in these powerful tunes.
12. Don't Know What to do - Fox & Hound
Deirdre Fox & Carl Gill-Blyth, who recently returned to live in Ballyporeen, picked up this song on their travels & made it their own. Dee, on vocals/guitar & Carl, on mouth organ/backing vocals, perform this song with great talent & humour.
13. Colcannon - Pat Hennessy
This is one of Pat's party pieces and gets pulled out of the bag whenever there is a gathering of eager listeners. When the noble call comes his way, 'tis a toss up between this one & Johnny Jump Up.
14. For - Aisling Fitzgerald & Martin Sheehan
Another beautiful & original piece. Alisling & Martin play with the band 'The Hollowtones'. Alisling, now based in England, took time on a trip home to play piano & sing this number. She is accompanied by Martin on the guitar.
15. Yellow Bird / La Paloma / Jealousy - Jerry Hayes
Jerry plays this selection in his own inimitable style. Formerly of 'The Hillbillies', Jerry has played more gigs than you could shake a stick at. His love for music, and in particular this style of ballroom dance music, is evident in this selection.
16. Grace - Frank McMahon
While singing with the 'Emerald All Stars' Frank's singing talents became known to a widespread audience. Accompanied by Jimmy O'Donoghue (Sundance) on this track, this song is taken from the text of a letter written by Joseph Mary Plunkett to his wife before his execution for his part in the 1916 Rising.
17. Three Leaf Shamrock - Seanie Crotty
A well known singer from Skeheenarinky. Seanie has a distinct & powerful voice with a style of solo singing that stirs the listener. This song tells a story of heartbreak that is all to familiar in Irish history.
18. We'd Better 'Bide the Wee' - Rogder Farrell
Rodger brings his own brand of fireside accordion playing to this album with a beautiful Scottish tune. A translation of the title from a Scottish slang tells us "We cannot leave the old folk now."
19. Let the Healing Take Hold - Ballyporeen Church Choir
The members of the Ballyporeen church choir took time out from their busy Christmas carol service preparations to record this piece. An uplifting hymn choreographed by Mary O'Gorman, this music is food for the soul.
20. Nocturn in Eb - Siobhan Maher
This beautiful piece by Frederic Chopin is classical music at it's finest. Siobhan has a diploma from the London College of Music and teaches piano in Skeheenarinky. She has been playing the piano since the age of seven & still loves every minute of it.
