It Was Mighty
# It Was Mighty

"It Was Mighty!" The Early Days of Irish Music in London (TSCD679T) is the first album in the fourth series of The Voice of the People from Topic Records and comprises three CDs. The selections are taken from Topic Records back catalogue, the Peter Kennedy archive in the British Library and many private collections.

## Introduction

Topic records have issued compilations in the series The Voice of the People since 1998. The compilation has been selected by Dr Reg Hall who has selected all but four of the series so far. The theme of this and its companion volume, It Was Great Altogether, is the Irish music of London.

Reg Hall in the accompanying booklet defines the London-Irish as a distinct ethnic community of settled migrants and their offspring with topping up from a constant trickle of immigrants from Ireland. On this first compilation most of the musicians were raised in Ireland with a few from London, some of whom travelled to Ireland for holidays.

## The Compiler

Reg Hall has been active in Irish music in London since the 1950s, having been invited by Michael Gorman to join his band in 1956. His involvement in documenting the phenomena continued when he co-produced Paddy in the Smoke with Bill Leader in 1968, recorded in "The Favourite" public house in Holloway, London. A number of other recordings followed as well as continuing to play in sessions around London.

A large number of the tracks selected feature him providing accompaniment on either piano or keyboard for the dance tunes.

## Packaging

The album consists of a cardboard case with a card CD holder for the three CDs and a booklet for the sleeve notes.

### Cardboard case

The cardboard case does not detail the tracks in the compilation but does identify all the musicians and in the brief notes explains the place of Irish music in the lives of the migrant population in the 1950s. The notes then continue to explain that this album covers the period after the 1950s up to the present day.

### Booklet

The booklet consists of 100 pages and follows a similar sequence to the other albums in the series. The booklet was written by Reg Hall, except where stated below.

* "About the Editor" – written by Tony Engle, Managing Director of Topic Records
* "The Voice of the People – The introduction" details the concept and philosophy of the series of compilations and then continues with a history of Irish Music in both Ireland and London.
   * "'It was Mighty!' The Early Days of Irish Music in London." The section details the quote from the musician Gabe O’Sullivan about the music of the 1950s that provides the title of the album and then goes on to detail the wealth of musicmaking in London at the time.
   * "Music and dance in Ireland before emigration"
   * "Music and dance of the 'London Irish'"
   * "Irish traditional music and dance in London after 1945"
   * "The Pubs"
   * "The Dance Halls"
   * "Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann"
   * "Recordings and the Media"
   * "The Continuing Tradition of Irish music in London"
   * CD details. Detailing the content of each of the CDs with biographical notes on each of the performers in track sequence.
   * Full track list by CD.
   * "British Library", written by Dr Janet Topp Fargion (Lead Curator World and Traditional Music), gives details of the World and Traditional Music Collection and the access available through the internet. Peter Kennedy's recordings are now held within this archive.

## The Recordings

The three CDs cover recordings made between 1948 and 2001. These recordings were made in numerous different locations including Pubs, Stores, various flats and houses, recording studios and Cecil Sharp House the headquarters of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Many of the tunes were recorded by people who were only involved with the music but also included many people from the British folk music world, such as Ewan MacColl, Peter Kennedy, Bill Leader, Robin Morton, Peter Bellamy and John Tams.

### The CDs

**CD1**

This CD features recordings made between 1948 and 1972; 10 of the tracks were recorded by Bill Leader in "The Favourite" but do not appear on Paddy in the Smoke.

| Track | Title/Where recorded | Artist/Instrument | Length |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | The Jolly Tinker(Reel) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 1:28 |
| 1:28 ||
| 2 | Bonnie Kate(Reel) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 2:47 |
| 2:47 ||
| 3 | The Boys of Ballisadare(Reel) | Gerry Wimsey(flute). | 1:36 |
| 1:36 ||
| 4 | The Copperplate(Reel) | Gerry Wimsey( Clarke's tin whistle). | 1:01 |
| 1:01 ||
| 5 | Paddy Taylor's(Hornpipe) | Paddy Taylor(flute). | 1:39 |
| 1:39 ||
| 6 | The Cabin Hunter(Reel) | Paddy Taylor(flute). | 0:55 |
| 0:55 ||
| 7 | With Kitty I’ll Go(Slow Air) | Paddy Taylor(flute). | 2:00 |
| 2:00 ||
| 8 | Pat Hanley's No. 1 / Pat Hanley's No. 2(Slides) | Paddy Taylor(flute). | 2:32 |
| 2:32 ||
| 9 | Nan Landers’(Hornpipe) | Nan Landers(melodeon). | 1:26 |
| 1:26 ||
| 10 | Nan Landers’(Slide) | Nan Landers(melodeon). | 1:14 |
| 1:14 ||
| 11 | The Wild Irishman / The College Grove / Jenny Picking Cockles(Reels) | Jimmy Power(fiddle), Patsy Goulding(piano). | 2:42 |
| 2:42 ||
| 12 | Doherty's(Slip Jig) | Danny McNiff(flute). | 1:46 |
| 1:46 ||
| 13 | Danny McNiff's / Farewell to Whiskey(Polkas) | Danny McNiff(flute). | 2:22 |
| 2:22 ||
| 14 | The Streams in the Valley(Reel) | Danny McNiff(flute). | 0:56 |
| 0:56 ||
| 15 | The Beauty Spot(Reel) | Bobby Casey(fiddle). | 1:18 |
| 1:18 ||
| 16 | Poll Ha’penny(Hornpipe) | Bobby Casey(fiddle). | 2:04 |
| 2:04 ||
| 17 | Brian O’Lynn / The Maid in the Meadow(Jigs) | Bobby Casey(fiddle). | 2:06 |
| 2:06 ||
| 18 | The Girl that Broke My Heart / Dick Cosgrove(Reels) | Mick Gorman (nephew)(fiddle). | 1:44 |
| 1:44 ||
| 19 | The Copperplate / The Bunch of Keys(Reels) | Jimmy Hogan(accordion), Bobby Hall(piano), Brian Green(drums). | 2:17 |
| 2:17 ||
| 20 | St. Ruth's Bush / Paddy Kelly's Favourite(Reels) | Martin Byrnes(fiddle). | 3:17 |
| 3:17 ||
| 21 | Wallop the Spot / The Tongs by the Fire(Jigs) | Paddy Malynn(accordion) | 2:50 |
| 2:50 ||
| 22 | The Red-Haired Boy(Slow Air) | Julia Clifford(fiddle). | 1:15 |
| 1:15 ||
| 23 | The Cliffs of Moher(Jig) | Julia Clifford(fiddle). | 1:33 |
| 1:33 ||
| 24 | The Cuckoo's Nest(Hornpipe) | Paddy Breen(flageolet). | 1:56 |
| 1:56 ||
| 25 | Tralee Gaol(Polka) | Paddy Breen(flageolet). | 1:30 |
| 1:30 ||
| 26 | The Pipe on the Hob(Jig) | Paddy Breen(flageolet). | 1:10 |
| 1:10 ||
| 27 | Munster Buttermilk(Jig) | Bobby Casey(fiddle), Willie Clancy(uilleann pipes). | 1:40 |
| 1:40 ||
| 28 | The West Wind / Sean Reid's Fancy(Reels) | Bobby Casey(fiddle), Willie Clancy(uilleann pipes). | 2:24 |
| 2:24 ||
| 29 | The Humours of Scarriff(Reel) | Martin Byrnes(fiddle), Tony Howley(flute). | 1:04 |
| 1:04 ||
| 30 | The Galway Rambler / The London Lasses(Reels) | Martin Byrnes(fiddle), Tony Howley(flute). | 2:11 |
| 2:11 ||
| 31 | The Rose in the Heather / The Gold Ring / The Maid on the Green / Saddle the Pony(Jigs) | Martin Wynne(fiddle) | 3:18 |
| 3:18 ||
| 32 | The Boys of the Lough(Reel) | Michael Gorman & Martin Wynne(fiddles), Bill Rollison(piano). | 2:15 |
| 2:15 ||
| 33 | The Liffey Banks / The Shaskeen(Reels) | Jimmy Power(fiddle), Clancy(flute), Tommy Maguire(accordion), Paddy Furey(piano). | 2:20 |
| 2:20 ||
| 34 | When We Were Drinking(Jig) | Bobby Casey(fiddle), Willie Clancy(uilleann pipes). | 1:45 |
| 1:45 ||
| 35 | The Old Bush / The Chicago(Reels) | Bobby Casey(fiddle), Willie Clancy(uilleann pipes). | 2:31 |
| 2:31 ||

**CD2**

This CD features recordings made between 1952 and 1974.

Track 14 features Michael Gorman playing his well-known composition, the jig The Strayaway Child.

| Track | Title/Where recorded | Artist/Instrument | Length |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | The Chicago / The Green Fields of America(Reels) | Roger Sherlock(flute), Liam Farrell(mandolin). | 2:33 |
| 2:33 ||
| 2 | Limerick Lasses / Come West along the Road(Reels) | Edmond Murphy(fiddle), Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 2:06 |
| 2:06 ||
| 3 | Cregg's Pipes(Reel) | Edmond Murphy(fiddle), Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 2:37 |
| 2:37 ||
| 4 | Farrell Gara(Reel) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 1:09 |
| 1:09 ||
| 5 | Miss McLeod's(Reel) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 3:53 |
| 3:53 ||
| 6 | The Red-Haired Lad(Hornpipe) | Paddy Breen(flageolet) | 0:56 |
| 0:56 ||
| 7 | The Orange Rogue(Set-Dance) | Paddy Breen(flageolet). | 1:31 |
| 1:31 ||
| 8 | Rodney's Glory(Set Dance) | Paddy Breen(flageolet). | 1:34 |
| 1:34 ||
| 9 | Green Grow the Rushes O(Fling) | Paddy Breen(flageolet). | 0:59 |
| 0:59 ||
| 10 | Katie's Reel | Paddy Breen(lilting) . | 1:01 |
| 1:01 ||
| 11 | Christmas Eve(Reel) | Sonny Murray(concertina). | 1:49 |
| 1:49 ||
| 12 | The Belfast(Hornpipe) | Jimmy Cleary(banjo), Margaret Barry(banjo). | 1:31 |
| 1:31 ||
| 13 | Put the Cake on the Dresser(Reel) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 1:52 |
| 1:52 ||
| 14 | The Strayaway Child(Jig) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 1:56 |
| 1:56 ||
| 15 | Jenny's Welcome to Charlie(Reel) | Michael Gorman(fiddle), Margaret Barry(banjo). | 4:39 |
| 4:39 ||
| 16 | Big Pat(Reel) | Michael Falsey(flute). | 1:34 |
| 1:34 ||
| 17 | Molloy's Wife(Jig) | Michael Falsey(flute). | 1:48 |
| 1:48 ||
| 18 | The Clay of Kilcreggan(Slow Air) | Seamus Ennis(uilleann pipes). | 2:04 |
| 2:04 ||
| 19 | The Ace and Deuce of Piping(Programme Piece) | Seamus Ennis(uilleann pipes). | 2:09 |
| 2:09 ||
| 20 | Paddy O’Rafferty / The Sixpenny Money(Jigs) | Seamus Ennis(uilleann pipes). | 3:06 |
| 3:06 ||
| 21 | Sean sa Ceo(Reel) | Bobby Casey(fiddle). | 2:08 |
| 2:08 ||
| 22 | The Frieze Britches(Jig) | Bobby Casey(fiddle), Sean Kenny(piano). | 2:53 |
| 2:53 ||
| 23 | The Flax in Bloom(Reel) | Bobby Casey(fiddle), Sean Kenny(piano). | 1:18 |
| 1:18 ||
| 24 | The Salamanca / The Yellow Tinker(Reels) | Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 2:46 |
| 2:46 ||
| 25 | The Newport Lass(Jig) | Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 1:23 |
| 1:23 ||
| 26 | The Flogging(Reel) | Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 2:12 |
| 2:12 ||
| 27 | The Kid on the Mountain(Hop Jig) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 2:36 |
| 2:36 ||
| 28 | Dwyer's(Hornpipe) | Michael Gorman(fiddle). | 2:53 |
| 2:53 ||
| 29 | The Lady on the Island(Reel) | Gabe O’Sullivan(fiddle). | 1:21 |
| 1:21 ||
| 30 | Maud Miller(Reel) | Gabe O’Sullivan(flute). | 1:06 |
| 1:06 ||
| 31 | The Mountain Pathway(Polka) | Liam Farrell(banjo). | 1:11 |
| 1:11 ||
| 32 | The Galway Rambler(Reel) | Michael Daly(flute), Liam Farrell(banjo). | 1:15 |
| 1:15 ||
| 33 | The Bunch of Keys / The Star of Munster(Reels) | Johnny Discin(fiddle). | 3:12 |
| 3:12 ||
| 34 | Mulhaire's / Father Kelly's(Reels) | Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 2:30 |
| 2:30 ||
| 35 | The Concert Reel(Reel) | Edmond Murphy(fiddle), Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 2.01 |
| 2.01 ||

**CD3**

This CD features recordings made between 1957 and 2001.

The musicians in the Hibernian Ceili Band are Brendan McGlinchey(fiddle), Roger Sherlock(flute), Raymond Roland(accordion), Liam Farrell(banjo), PJ Hines(piano), Brian Green(drums)

| Track | Title/Where recorded | Artist/Instrument | Length |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | The Dublin(Reel) | The Hibernian Ceili Band. | 1:43 |
| 1:43 ||
| 2 | The Duke of Leinster & his Missus(Reels) | Bobby Casey(fiddle). | 1:53 |
| 1:53 ||
| 3 | The College Grove(Reel) | Bobby Casey(fiddle). | 2:30 |
| 2:30 ||
| 4 | Kitty in the Lane(Reel) | Oliver Roland(accordion). | 2:24 |
| 2:24 ||
| 5 | The Rookery / The Cliffs of Moher(Jigs) | Oliver Roland(accordion). | 2:12 |
| 2:12 ||
| 6 | Night in Ennis / The Maid behind the Bar(Reels) | Vincent Griffin(fiddle). | 2:15 |
| 2:15 ||
| 7 | Paddy Ryan's Dream / Mamma's Pet(Reels) | Vincent Griffin(fiddle). | 1:44 |
| 1:44 ||
| 8 | The Galway Rambler / The London Lasses(Reels) | Roger Sherlock(flute). | 2:06 |
| 2:06 ||
| 9 | The Old Bush / The Galty(Reels) | Roger Sherlock(flute), Raymond Roland(accordion), Liam Farrell(mandolin). | 2:32 |
| 2:32 ||
| 10 | Speed the Plough(Reel) | Martin McMahon(fiddle), Teresa McMahon(guitar). | 2:41 |
| 2:41 ||
| 11 | The Bucks of Oranmore(Reel) | Martin McMahon(fiddle) , Teresa McMahon(guitar). | 2:47 |
| 2:47 ||
| 12 | The Star of Munster(Reel) | Martin McMahon(accordion) , Teresa McMahon(keyboard) . | 1:39 |
| 1:39 ||
| 13 | The Laurel Tree(Reel) | Tommy McCarthy(concertina). | 1:13 |
| 1:13 ||
| 14 | The Miners of Wicklow / Paddy Taylor's(Jigs) | Tommy McCarthy(uilleann pipes). | 2:19 |
| 2:19 ||
| 15 | Garrett Barry's Favourite / The Luckpenny(Jigs) | Sean Maguirefiddle. | 2:39 |
| 2:39 ||
| 16 | The Eel in the Sink(Reel) | Raymond Roland(accordion), Benny O’Connor(drums). | 1:16 |
| 1:16 ||
| 17 | Sean sa Ceo / Come West along the Road(Reel) | Raymond Roland & Kit O’Connor(accordions), John Joe Doyle(fiddle), Paddy Taylor(flute), Benny O’Connor(drums). | 2:04 |
| 2:04 ||
| 18 | The Congress / The Bag of Spuds(Reels) | Andy Boyle(fiddle), Michael Falsey & unidentified(flutes) | 2:37 |
| 2:37 ||
| 19 | Dinny O’Brien / Farewell to Connacht(Reels) | Joe Ryan(fiddle). | 2:05 |
| 2:05 ||
| 20 | Tommy Potts's(Reel) | Joe Ryan(fiddle). | 1:46 |
| 1:46 ||
| 21 | Maud Miller(Reel) | Tommy McCarthy & Bobby Casey(fiddles). | 1:11 |
| 1:11 ||
| 22 | The New Custom House(Reel) | Tommy McCarthy & Bobby Casey(fiddles). | 1:19 |
| 1:19 ||
| 23 | I’m Waiting for You & The Bag of Spuds(Reels) | Gerry Clancy(accordion), unidentified(bodhran). | 2:51 |
| 2:51 ||
| 24 | Carmel O’Mahony(Reel) | Johnny Hynes(Clarke's tin whistle). | 1:39 |
| 1:39 ||
| 25 | The Boys of the Town / We Drink and Kiss the Ladies(Jigs) | Johnny Hynes(Clarke's tin whistle). | 1:15 |
| 1:15 ||
| 26 | Scotch Mary(Reel) | Johnny Hynes(Clarke's tin whistle). | 1:08 |
| 1:08 ||
| 27 | The Stoney Steps(Reel) | Frank Mahoney(fiddle). | 1:08 |
| 1:08 ||
| 28 | Bill Black's / O’Byrne's(Hornpipes) | Julia Clifford(fiddle), Billy Clifford(flute), John Clifford(piano-accordion). | 3:00 |
| 3:00 ||
| 29 | Old Hag, You Have Killed Me / Old Tipperary(Jigs) | Tommy McCarthy(uilleann pipes). | 2:18 |
| 2:18 ||
| 30 | Father Kelly's(Jig) | Raymond Roland & Kit O’Connor(accordion), John Joe Doyle(fiddle), Paddy Taylor(flute), Benny O’Connor(drums). | 1:31 |
| 1:31 ||
| 31 | The Little Thatched Cottage / Down the Strand(Reels) | Raymond Roland(accordion), Kevin Taylor(drums). | 1:42 |
| 1:42 ||
| 32 | Sporting Paddy(Reel) | Michael Falsey(flute). | 1:21 |
| 1:21 ||
| 33 | Cregg's Pipes(Reel) | Michael Falsey(flute). | 1:55 |
| 1:55 ||
| 34 | Imelda Roland's(Reel) | Oliver Roland, accordion. | 1:16 |
| 1:16 ||
| 35 | Colonel Roger's / Happy Days of Youth(Reels) | Edmond Murphy(fiddle), Mick Gorman (nephew)(flute). | 2:26 |
| 2:26 ||
| 36 | The Friendly Visit / The Cuckoo(Hornpipes) | The Hibernian Ceili Band | 2:55 |
| 2:55 ||
| 37 | The Merry Harriers / The Hut in the Bog(Reels) | The Hibernian Ceili Band | 1:46 |
| 1:46 ||
