The Bells of Dublin

The Bells of Dublin
- 1991 - RCA Victor, BMG Classics 09026-60824-2 CD (USA)

Side One
1. The Bells of Dublin (Paddy Moloney)
  - Christmas Eve — with the bell-ringers of Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin
2. Past Three O'clock (Choral sections: Traditional, arr. by Oxford University Press) — with The Renaissance Singers, choirmaster Ronnie Lee
3. St. Stephen's Day Murders (Paddy Moloney, Elvis Costello) — with Elvis Costello
4. Il Est Né & Ca Berger — with Kate and Anna McGarrigle
5. Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil (Translation by Seán MacRéamoinn) — with Burgess Meredith: narrator, Kevin: Conneff vocal
6. I Saw Three Ships A Sailing — with Marianne Faithfull
7. A Breton Carol — with Nolwen Monjarret: vocal
8. Carols Medley — The Voice Squad: Phil Callery, Fran McPhail, Gerry Cullen
  1. O The Molly She Bears A Berry
  2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
  3. The Boar's Head
9. The Wexford Carol — with Nanci Griffith
10. The Rebel Jesus (Jackson Browne) — with Jackson Browne: vocal & piano
11. Skyline Jig (Paddy Moloney)
12. O Holy Might — with Rickie Lee Jones: vocal & Suzie Katayama: cello
13. Medley "The Wren! The Wren!"
  1. The Arrival of the Wren Boys — with Brendan Begley accordion
  2. The Dingle Set-Dance
  3. The Wren In The Furze (Kevin Conneff) — with Kevin Conneff & The Voice Squad
  4. A Dance Duet-Reels
  5. Brafferton Village & Walsh's Hornpipe — with Kathryn Tickell: northumbrian pipes
  6. The Farewell — with Kevin Conneff and The Voice Squad
    - The Piper Through The Meadow Strayed
    - This Is The Season To Be Merry
14. Medley (Choral sections: Traditional, arranged by Oxford University Press) — with The Renaissance Singers & David Drinkel, organist of St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast
  1. Once in Royal David's City
  2. Ding Dong Merrily On High
  3. O Come All Ye Faithful

Credits

Produced by Paddy Moloney
Engineer & Assistant Producer: Brian Masterson
All tracks are traditional melodies arranged by Paddy Moloney except where noted.
Recorded & mixed at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin
The Renaissance Singers and the organ recorded at St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast with thanks to The Dean, The Very Reverend Jack Shearer.
Kate & Anna McGarrigle recorded May 15, 1991 at Soundtrack Studio, Boston
Rickie Lee Jones, Jackson Browne & Burgess Meredith recorded May 16-17,1991 at Topanga Skyline Studio, California
The Bells of Christchurch Cathedral Dublin recorded in situ.
Photography: Dave Morley
Art Direction: J.J. Stelmach
Tracks: 7 & 9 are previously released

The Bells of Dublin — The twelve bells of Christchurch Cathedral Dublin date back to 1738. The largest bell is inscribed "The People's Bell," and is 5 feet 3 inches in diameter, weighing over 2 1/2 tons The bells are rung twice every Sunday and also peal on special occasions such as the inauguration of the President. As a tradition the people of Dublin City gather in Christchurch Place to hear the bells 'ring in' the new year.

The Wren! The Wren! — Hunting Of The Wren: The Wren, the smallest bird known to the Celtic peoples, plays a big part in their folklore. Until recent times the custom of wren-hunting was followed in the Irish countryside on St. Stephen's Day (December 26). Men and boys of the parish would search the hedges for wrens to chase and kill. In remote areas boys playing instruments plead for money for the burial of a wren.

The Bells of Dublin — The bells of Dublin are part of the fabric of life in Dublin, as are their "voice" sounds and patterns ringing out from Christchurch Cathedral native to the city throng. I have incorporated this into the opening piece, and made it an underlying theme for the proceedings.

We are joined by the Renaissance Singers for four pieces, all recorded in the grandeur of St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast. The choir was formed by Ronnie Lee, MBE, in 1976, and won the Sainsbury's UK "Choir of the Year" award in 1984.

"St. Stephen's Day Murders" brought The Chieftains together in the studio in Dublin with Elvis Costello. Written by Elvis and myself, the song is a hilarious comment on the family wranglings that can brew up on St. Stephen's Day.

We linked up with Kate and Anna McGarrigle in Boston to record two songs, sung by them in the French Canadian idiom, associated with the season of Christmas.

Burgess Meredith, who recently made a guest appearance with The Chieftains at Symphony Hall with John Williams and The Boston Pops Orchestra, narrates a beautiful passage translated by Sean MacRéamoinn and set against the Irish language vocal by Kevin Conneff of "Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil."

Marianne Faithfull, a good friend for many years, suggested the carol "I Saw Three Ships," recorded on a rare day-off in Dublin.

"The Breton Carol" takes us to Brittany with Nolwen Monjarret portraying the season in French Celtic style.

Back in Dublin we joined forces with the renowned vocal team The Voice Squad, to capture the local character in a set of celebrated carols. The boys join us later for the festivities of "The Wren! The Wren!"

Nanci Griffith gives a stand out performance in "The Wexford Carol," which beautifully complements the flow and spirit of the album.

Jackson Browne had suggested writing a special piece to record with The Chieftains and we travelled to California for this chance to be in the studio together. As Rickie Lee Jones was also recording at this time, she took a break to capture this special version of "O Holy Night."

So finally we repair to Dublin for "The Wren! The Wren!" featuring the superb Northumbrian Pipe playing of Kathryn Tickell, and the accordion of Brendan Begley. You may hear some nifty dance steps if you listen closely!

The Renaissance Singers take us back to the Cathedral in Belfast for three carols before we close, with the Bells of Dublin. These recording sessions hold special memories for The Chieftains and myself, and bring together all the colours of this festive season.

The Chieftains • The Bells of Dublin