Local Tapes & CDs
  
 
 
Cassettes
  
     
 
 
 
     
 
I produced these two cassettes to showcase some of the fine old tunes associated with North Antrim, and show off some of the excellent traditional musicians from, or associated with, this beautiful area.
 
     
 
There’s a set of tunes written by Ballycastle fiddler 'Frank McCollum'. Check out the 'Irish Music Magazine' Vol 7 No 10. June 2002, for an article I wrote on Frank & his tunes. Plus old traditional tunes like 'The Road to Ballintoy', 'The Ballycastle Polka', 'The Boys of Ballycastle', 'The Flowers of Antrim', 'The Humours of Ballycastle', Rathlin Air and Reel, plus the old traditional Ballintoy song 'The Flower of Craiganee'.
  
     
 
 
 
 
Some of the fine local Co. Antrim musicians at the launch of the tapes
     
 
From the archives, with the help of John Moulden, I've resurrected old forgotten tunes like the Ballycastle and Mosside Quadrilles, the Turfahun Barndance, plus an old untitled hornpipe I nicknamed The Savage Hornpipe in memory of Ballycastle fiddler Archie Savage.
  
     
 
The Tapes include twenty of my own tunes, some in memory of old friends, and others to celebrate the people and places of the magnificent Causeway Coast. A song in memory of Rathlin Ferryman ‘Tommy Cecil’, and tunes in memory of Campbeltown friend Logan Mackie-Campbell, Broughshane fiddle maker 'Sam Stevenson', my musical predecessor 'Jim McGill', Armoy’s All Ireland Champion fiddler 'Sean McLaughlin' (The Shadow), plus others for local heroes like 'Dusty Rhodes', 'The Black Nun', 'The Witch of Glentow', & local villain 'Half-hanged McNaughten'. Some tunes were named after scenic places of interest in the North Antrim area, like Rathlin Sound, and Murlough Bay, while others were named after objects of interest, eg The Toastrack, the pet name for the carriages of the Causeway Tram, The Hazel, the first ferry to Scotland, and The Claymore, the last ferry.
  
     
 
I play Fiddle, Tenor Banjo, Concertina, Octave Mandola, Mandolin, Bodhran and Jews Harp. My guest musicians are:- Fiddles - Jayne and Riona Bonnar, Chris McCormick, Dominic McNabb and Denis Sweeney, Uilleann Pipes - Wilbert Garvin, Harp and Vocals - Sabine Glasgow, Guitars - Kevin Glasgow, Ciaran Kelly, Sean Martin and Michael Sands, Melodeons - Padraig O’Mianain and Ciaran Kelly, Accordion - James McElheran, Flute and Whistle - Gerry McGouran and Catherine McLean, Whistle - Marie McLean, Bodhran, Spoons and Lilting - John Moulden, Piano - Mary Mulholland. Plus the ‘Causeway Fiddlers’, the most enthusiastic young fiddlers from the ‘Jim McGill School of Traditional Music’.
  
     
 
Here are some thoughts on the above tapes by John Moulden
  
     
 
Dick Glasgow
"Dick Glasgow is a Scot, perversely from Edinburgh. He admits to not having done much in school and remembers dull teachers full of their own importance. Sometime, shortly after school was over he heard Irish music, learned to play a bodhran, and soon got bored with it; he learned the tenor banjo - and the jaw harp (jew's harp or trump) - the mandola, the mandolin, the anglo-concertina and the fiddle - he sings too, though I didn't know it till I heard him on one of these tapes. He has worked as a game keeper, a pest control officer and is now a full time teacher of traditional music (he knew that pest control would come in handy). He is not dull, he is not self important: he is inspirational, a friend to his pupils - child and adult alike. Since he came to live in North Antrim only a few years ago, he has engineered and inspired a musical revival which should ensure that music will be heard in the area for many years to come. He runs the Jim McGill School of Traditional Music, travelling to schools during the day and to various centres in the afternoons and evenings; he organises sessions and concerts; he produces books of tunes, he writes tunes and plays music for fun with his friends and his family.
On these tapes Dick plays all his instruments - and he plays them very well. He has also given many of his friends their first opportunity to make a recording. Typically, he will probably give them all the credit, just as he gives the late Jim McGill the credit for his teaching - but don't be fooled; Dick Glasgow is the main man. And don't be fooled by his modest description of the music you'll find here. He has inpired his pupils and friends to make very good music - and when I first heard some of it (and not the bits I was concerned in) my only word was "wow" - it's that good! I'm proud to be associated with it."
John Moulden
 
     
 
I produced this CD, which is a compilation of my favourite tracks from my Cassettes, 'To the Bridge' & 'Rathlin Sound' in order to meet the modern demand for CDs, rather than Cassettes.
     
 

1 - Halfhanged MacNaughten / The Toastrack (Reels)

2 - The Hazel / The Claymore (6/8 Marches)

3 - Logan's Air / Machrihanish / Logan's Fling / The Pilot's Whistle (Air, Jig, Fling & Reel)

4 - The Witch of Glentow / The Black Nun (Reels)

5 - The Flower of Craiganee (Song)

6 - The Kiwi (Strathspey)

7 - Rathlin Sound / Murlough Bay (Waltzes)

8 - Jim McGill's / The Ballinlea (Polkas)

9 - Farewell to Slemish / Sam Stevenson's / The Antrim & Derry Fiddlers / The Braid Burn (Air, March, Strathspey & Hornpipe)

10 - The Square Pint / The Shadow (Reels)

11 - Rathlin Ferry (Song)

12 - Rathlin Air / Rathlin Reel (Air & Reel)

13 - The Humours of Ballycastle / The Antrim Lasses / The Maid of the House / The Antrim Rose (Jigs & Reels)

14 - Dusty Rhodes / The Beeches of Bregagh (Reels)

  
 
Review of my CD by Aidan O'Hara. 'Irish Music Magazine' of Dec / Jan 2001/02

"Dick Glasgow, From a Northern Shore. Traditional Music from the Causeway Coast. Causeway Music CMCD002 14Tracks, 46 Minutes.

Dick Glasgow not only plays all the tunes on this CD, he's the composer of all the tunes, airs and one song, bar those on three of the tracks. And as if that isn't enough, he plays seven instruments (which includes the Bodhran ). Oh yes, and he sings that song he composed, "Rathlin Ferry". He truly is a one-man band. which is how he comes across on this recording through the technique of multi-tracking.
I confess to swinging between bouts of elation and despair as I listen to Dick Glasgow playing in such an accomplished manner on all instruments: after all, most mere mortals feel chuffed at mastering one, or maybe two instruments. But seven! Seriously though, I have to say that this new CD from Dick is a real pleasure and indeed a revelation.
As I said, most of the tunes are his own compositions; they have a wonderful freshness and tunefulness about them, and are solidly rooted styles that are familier. It's as if you had just been introduced to a whole new set of interesting relations you always figured were there somewhere about, but you just hadn't met yet.
Dick is a Scot and lives in Co. Antrim. He is a man who's happy and contented in two music traditions, and this is reflected in the tunes he has composed. Any musicians looking for new material with which to impress their fans and friends? Then this CD is for you, and that, I suppose, has to be my best recommendation for this most enjoyable recording. You can contact Dick at DickGlasgow@causewaymusic.co.uk.

Aidan O'Hara
  
     
 

Review of my CD 'From a Northern Shore' by Mich Nielsen
.
"Traditional Music from the Causeway Coast" is the subtitle to this great CD from Scottish multi-instrumentalist Dick Glasgow. How does one define traditional music? To me it has a ring to it, as something that has been around for a long time; this is not the case here. Most of the tunes here are written by Dick himself. There’s no doubt in my mind that they will become traditional (they will be around for a long time) because they are very good tunes. From a Northern Shore is a CD full of good tunes played by an excellent musician. I have known Dick for many years and when I met him way back in the seventies, he was a banjo player. He now masters another seven instruments plus he sings. There are two songs on the CD and Dick’s wife Sabine sings one (The Flower of Craiganee) and the other is written and sung by Dick himself. "Rathlin Ferry" is a very poignant tribute to Tommy Cecil "who died tragically in a diving accident, after serving a lifetime of service to the people of Rathlin".
Although Dick masters eight instruments he has called in several other great musicians including (his son?) Kevin Glasgow. It’s a magnificent cd from the great Scotsman living in Co. Antrim. A wonderful mixture between Irish and Scottish traditions. I know well that the Giant’s Causeway was torn down by a giant, but Dick is another giant who is doing his best to rebuild it with this cd.
I don’t know where it’s distributed, but you can always buy a copy from the source itself:
<DickGlasgow@causewaymusic.co.uk>
Causeway Music CMCD002 (February 2002)
by Mich Nielsen

 
 
Why not visit Mich's excellent site for music & craic.
  
     
 

Review of my CD 'From a Northern Shore' by Thomas Keller
.
Dick Glasgow "From a Northern Shore"
Label: Causeway Music; CMCD001; 2002; Playing time: 46.02 min
.
Traditional music from the Causeway Coast, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. In long-forgotten times, the mythical giant Finn MacCool built a mighty dam connecting Ulster with the Scottish coast. The famous Bushmills distillery is close nearby, the Crosskeys Inn pub a few miles south. Travelling eastward, the Glens of Antrim attract with its rich legacy of distilling illegal whiskey and music. Legendary fiddler Mickey McIllhatton did both. That's the area where Dick Glasgow, actually a Scotsman from Edinburgh, has settled. Dick is playing a number of instruments, namely tenor banjo, mandola, mandolin, concertina, fiddle, and bodhran. Some friends add their talents: Catherine McLean (flute, whistle), Padraig O'Mianain (melodeon), Michael Sands (guitar, didgeridoo), Ciaran Kelly (guitar), and Sabine Glasgow (vocals, harp). The tunes are mostly original, with the traditional one here and there. Dick's own evoke memories of fellow musicians, the local scenery and characters. "Halfhanged MacNaughten" from Benvarden, Bushmills, was hanged in 1761 for murdering his sweetheart. At the first attempt the rope snapped, so they had to hang him again. He was offered pardon, but refused it, saying he could not go through life being known as "Half hanged MacNaughten". "Dusty Rhodes" was the pen name of Glenaan poet James Stoddard Moore. "The Toastrack" celebrates Europe's first hydroelectric tram which ran from Portrush to the Giant's Causeway from 1883 to 1949. Well, not every man on the Northern Shore is a giant, but Causeway people can give you a listening pleasure anyway.
DickGlasgow@causewaymusic.co.uk
Walkin' T:-)M
by Thomas Keller

  
     
 
To see the actual review, go to Folkworld
The online music magazine (English & German)
Home of European Music
  
     
 

'Whun a' the Kye had Names'

Charlie Gillen's CD

with 'Ptarmigan'

  
 

I put this group of musicians together to play suitable music for Charlie's CD

Charlie's wonderful collection of North Antrim Rhymes, which included a number of his own compositions, deserved good musicians & good music, so I selected a number of fine old tunes, associated with Antrim, arranged the tunes into, what I hope are, enjoyable sets, gathered up some fine musical friends & tried to provide interesting musical interludes between Charlie's Rhymes. I even experimented by arranging three waltzes to be played in behind Charlie's Rhyme on one track, & many folk say that's actually their favourite track - judge for yourself.

This group was the forerunner to 'Scad the Beggars'.
     
 

Track List

1. Whun a' the kye had names (written by Charlie Gillen)

2. The Fiddlin' Man (written by Charlie Gillen)

3. Bees among the Heather (Traditional Hornpipe)

4. Wullie at the Pictures (written by Alec McAllister)

5. My Love she's gone away (Traditional Quadrille)

6. Tam (written by Charlie Reynolds)

7. Farewell to Ballymoney / Long Cookstown (Traditional Air & 2/4 Marches)

8. Wullie's Motor Car (written by Alec McAllister)

9. Jenny pawned her bonnet (Traditional Fling & Reel)

10. Oot here mae lane (written by Charlie Gillen)

+ Rathlin Sound, Rathlin Ferry & Angela's Waltz (written by Dick Glasgow)

11. The Batchelor (written by Alec McAllister)

12. Cave Hill Side & Jenny put the kettle on (Traditional 2/4 Marches)

13. Ten Poun Passage (written by Frank McLernon)

14. The Hazel (6/8 March by Dick Glasgow)

15. Liza Jane's Pig (written by Alec McAllister)

16. The Kiwi / The Braes o' Knocksaughey (Strathspeys written by Dick Glasgow)

17. The Big Wumman (written by Alec McAllister)

18. Ower the hills an' far awa' / Goodnight an joy be wi' you a' / Come let us dance & sing

(Traditional Single Reels)

19. Niver loas heart (written by Charlie Gillen)

Musicians

Dick Glasgow: Fiddle, Banjo, Concertina & Mandola.

Robert Watt: Scottish Small Pipes & Whistles

Valerie Quinn: Piano Accordion

Emma Culbert: Piano Accordion & Tin Whistle

Sabine Glasgow: Clarsach

Gregory Gault: Acoustic Guitar

Paul McAuley: Bodhran

+

Kevin Glasgow: Acoustic Bass

  
     
 

Back row - Greg Gault, Robert Watt, Charlie Gillen, Dick Glasgow & Paul McAuley

Front Row - Emma Culbert, Sabine Glasgow & Valerie Quinn

     
 
Review of ' Whun a' the Kye Had Names' by Sean Laffey - Irish Music Magazine - November 2001

Charlie Gillen & Ptarmigan
Whun a' the Kye Had Names
Rhymes in the North Antrim Tongue and Scottish Traditional Music
Own Label, 11 Tracks.

"Charlie Gillen is a North Antrim Rhymer, a composer of poems in the North Antrim dialect, and an able reciter of the same. He is joined on this album by Dick Glasgow's band Ptarmigan, who provide musical interludes between the poems. Dick plays Fiddle, Banjo, Concertina and Mandola, he is joined on Scottish Small Pipes and Whistles by Robert Watt, Valerie Quinn and Emma Culbert (Piano Accordions), Sabine Glasgow (Clarsach), Gregory Gault (Guitar) and Kevin Glasgow (Acoustic Bass) and finally Paul McAuley on Bodhran.
The poems reflect their author's Ulster Protestant backgrounds, but apart from the name Wullie and the accasional reference to Pipe Bands (Ten Poun Passage), the themes will be familier to anyone who has lived anywhere in rural Ireland. Tales of lost youth, lost opportunity & lost love, the spectre of emigration, the loss of place, almost universal motifs of course, but here they are given a particular Irish context, & one we all understand. It is not all bible black doom. Take Liza Jane's Pig for instance, which is a story of an unusual country courtship.
Musically this album is a little treat, & don't be put off by the "Scottish Traditional Music" in the title, the tunes here have a definite Irish accent. The Kiwi & the Braes of Knocksaughey (both Strathspeys) are clearly Scots pieces (the twin Piano Accordions come in with the Scotch Snap as the second number kicks off). Nice Small Pipes playing on Over the Hills & Far away treated as a single reel. There are some unusual tunes too. My love She's gone away (a quadrille). Jenny Pawned her Bonnet (a fling) Dick Glasgow's The Hazel (a March), Cave Hill Side & Jenny Put the Kettle On (2/4 marches), each taken at a sensible dancing pace and all are worth learning. They also point to the wealth of the musical tradition we share across the two communities."

Sean Laffey
  
     
 

This CD celebrates the huge Medieval event held at Slane Castle in the Summer of 2003 by

Medieval Ireland
     
 

There are two tracks from 'Mandragora' & two from 'Different Drums'.

Track 1 - Gavotte by 'Different Drums'

Track 2 - The Mysts of Loughareema by 'Mandragora'

The mysts of Loughareema was performed here by Dick & Sabine Glasgow on Hammer Dulcimer, Bowed Psaltery, Clarsach, Viol, Renaisce Flute, Side Drum, Rainmaker, Harmonium & Bombarde. It was composed & arranged by Dick Glasgow to celebrate 'Medieval Ireland's first CD. This piece of music tries to create the atmosphere of desolation that can be experienced around the Lough, near Ballycastle, in Co. Antrim.san

Track 3 - Waldhere by 'Mandragora'

Waldhere, performed, arranged & recorded by Patrick Martin on Highland Pipes & percussion, is an ancient story of a Burgundian princess, Walter of Aquitane and Hagan, a warrier of the Franks. It's a tale of betrayal, hostages, escape, fighting, & of course love. discovered on a couple of leaves of Anglo-Saxon manuscript in Copenhagan, in 1960.

Track 4 - Dance of our Times by 'Different Drums'

  
     
 
The Bandits CD
  
   
     
 

'The Bandits' present line up is:-

Aileen Connor

Aileen plays Fiddle, Flute & Whistle with the Bandits,

as well as playing Fiddle in the North Eastern Board Orchestra.

Ann-Marie Brown

Ann-Marie plays Fiddle, Whistle, Mandolin & Bodhran with the Bandits

& has a soft spot for Jigs.

Beth McMullan

Beth plays Mandolin, Fiddle & Bodhran with the Bandits,

she's the quiet one in the middle!?!

Danielle Brown

Danielle is one of the groups two fine singers,

she has a lovely pure voice which suits Traditional songs.

David Hill

David is one of the Bandits Whistle & Bodhran players,

when he's not thrashing his electric Geeetar!

Eihmear Connor

Eihmear plays Mandolin, Fiddle, Whistle & Bodhran with the Band

if face pulling was an Olympic sport, she would be a strong contender for a medal!

Jenny Connor

Jenny is our Guitar player, as well as playing Fiddle, Whistle & Bodhran. At home she does things to a Drum Kit, as well as playing the Piano, oh & she sings as well!

Orlaith Connor

Orlaith plays Fiddle, Whistle & Bodhran with the Bandits.

She is also a Fiddler in the Orchestra, & has just taken up the Clarsach.

Stephanie Hill

Stephanie plays Flute & Whistle with the group, & is our other singer. She, like Danielle, has a beautiful voice, but as well as singing traditional songs, is also heavily into singing for local musical productions.

*******************

N. B. Additional musicians used on this recording were:

Dick Glasgow - Fiddle

Sabine Glasgow - Harp

&

Kevin Glasgow - Guitar

 
     
   
     
 

CD Tracks

1. The Back o' Bennachie, The Cock o' the North & The Humours of Tulla. 2.20

2. The Green Glens of Antrim - sung by Danielle Brown 2.29

3. Rathlin Air, Sheep Island, The Road to Ballintoy & The Ballycastle Polka 4.23

4. Mary Mac - sung by Seamus Connor 1.45

5. Kink of the Fairies, The Long Trousers & Anything for John Joe 3.13

6. The Rathlin Fairy Tree - told by Liz Weir 3.24

7. The Search, The Glasgow Reel & The Mason's Apron 3.22

8. Black is the Colour - sung by Stephanie Hill 2.50

9. The Sally Gardens & The Lark in the Morning 3.58

10. Rathlin Ferry - sung by Jenny & Seamus Connor 3.54

11. The Butterfly, Sean Frank & The Man of the House 3.27

12. The Three Brothers - told by Liz Weir 2.16

13. American Barn Dances 2.22

14. Patrick McGinty - sung by Patrick Hill 2.13

15. The Walls of Limerick, The Kick Polka, The Britches full of Stitches,

Pat's Polka, Sweeney's & Ryan's Polka 3.51

  
     
 

Review by Aidan O'Hara

The Bandits are a group of fifteen young performers from Co. Antrim, who - according to the C D notes - are "long standing members of The Jim McGill School of Traditional Music". The writer of the notes, Dick Glasgow, adds, "They are also enthusiastic members of the Junior Sessions I have been running in Ballycastle every week for the past eight years." Dick, by the way, is also the designer of the inlay card, sound engineer & producer of the recording. This really is local enterprise in action, so to speak, and all the more commendable for that.

Liz Weir must surely be the most travelled Irish Storyteller ever; if there's an organised tale-spinning session anywhere on the island, or indeed abroad, where the Irish are represented, she's sure to be there. She has two stories on this C D: "The Rathlin Fairy Tree" and "The Three Brothers".

The performances on this recording bring to mind the traditional kitchen session of rural Ireland, and there is a delightful simplicity in the timeless and homespun presentation of instrumentalists and singers. Songs included are "Mary Mac" sung by Seamus Connor, who also joins Jenny Connor in "Rathlin Ferry", "Black is the Colour" is sung by Stephanie Hill, Patrick Hill is the singer of "Patrick McGinty", and Danielle Brown sings "The Green Glens of Antrim". The rest of the recording is made up of familier dance tunes.

  
     
 
Dominic McNabb's CD
  
     
 

Dominic McNabb the Ballycastle Fiddler

"Traditional Fiddle Music from the Glens of Antrim"
by Dominic McNabb (Ballycastle, Co. Antrim)

Dominic McNabb is an Irish man with Scottish roots and his traditional fiddling has a unique lilting style which is typical of North Antrim.
On this CD he is accompanied on piano by Rose Murray and also by Sean Quinn on guitar and keyboards, for a sparkling selection of Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes and Airs.
It is available by mail order from: Glens Music, 58 William Alexander Park, BELFAST, N. Ireland, BT10 0LX
CD only £10.00 including postage.
     
 

1. Jigs: Munster Bacon, Bill Collins' Jig
2. Reels: Lad O'Beirne, Willie Coleman's
3. Jigs: Smile for Síle (Lennon),The Flying Wheelchair (Lennon)
4. Air: Ned of the Hill
5. Hornpipes: The Kildare Fancy, Brigid of Knock (Reavey)
6. Reels: Coleman's Cross, The Killavil Fancy
7. Jigs: Kate's Fancy, Charlie Hunter's
8. Reels: Bramley Brae (McPherson) Spootiskerry (Burns)
9. Jigs: Denis Ryan's, Mulhaire's
10. Reels: Sheila Coyle's, The Road to Ballymac (Craig)
11. Air: Slievenamon
12: Hornpipes: The Cuckoo's Nest,The Home Ruler (McCollam)
13: Jigs: O'Brien's, the Cat's Mew
14: Reels: Dominic's Delight (Quinn), Larry's Little Box (Quinn)
15. Jigs: Thingamajig (Quinn), The Glenshesk Jig (Quinn)
16. Reels: Miss Louise McNabb, Sean's Delight (McNabb)

For more information, contact Sean Quinn
Or check out Sean's Web site for details of the above & similer, from North Antrim, at: <www.glensmusic.com.