Sleeve notes (from “The Sea Around Us” EP…)
This gifted Ballad group has become known to music lovers all over
Ireland. The song reached the number one position on every Irish chart
and for weeks it was hummed or whistled by everybody from messenger-boys
to bank managers.
With this catchy modern ballad by Dominic Behan, The Ludlows are the
first Irish folk and ballad group to hit the number one spot on the
Irish charts.
SEAN LOUGHRAN, born Carrick-on-Suir, launched the Ludlows in 1964 and
the group now consists of Sean, Margaret O'Brien and Jim McCann.
SEAN spent the first years of his life in Scotland where at the family
fireside he heard and absorbed countless Scottish songs and ballads.
Later, after a spell in Dublin he studied at Glasgow University.
JIM McCANN is a Dubliner but spent 5 years in Britain studying folk
singing and working in various ballad and folk groups. He came back to
Ireland at Sean Loughran's invitation to join the Ludlows in 1965.
MARGARET O'BRIEN who is also from Dublin was with the group since its
foundation and had her voice trained by the great Dennis Noble. She
spent some time in America where she discovered ballad singing. The
songs many of them of Irish origin, made her so homesick that she
decided to return to Ireland.
© PYE RECORDS LTD., 1966;
The Ludlows' single relases:
The Sea Around Us & The Butcher Boy
1966—Pye 7N.17050
Johnny Lad & Pack Up Your Sorrows
1966—Pye 7N.17221
Enniskillen Dragoons & The Foggy Dew
1967—Pye 7N.17319
Below are other recordings featuring the Ludlows.
The Rafters Ring at the Abbey Tavern being
of most interest as it features the original “Ludlow Trio” with Paddy Roche—prior
to Jim McCann joining the group.
