More (Mostly) Folk Music

Drops Of Brandy   •   Drops of Brandy (Folk And Traditional)

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  • Drops of Brandy (Folk And Traditional)
    • 1980 - Release BRL 4419 LP (IRL)
  • Side One
    1. Drops Of Brandy
    2. Pigeon On The Gate & Morning Dew
    3. Limerick Rake
    4. Slainte Brea Hewlitt & Charles O Connor
    5. When I Was A Fair Maid
    6. John Barleycorn & The Old Grey Goose
  • Side Two
    1. Reynard The Fox
    2. Wearin Of The Britches & Nine Points Of Roguery
    3. The Flower Of Northumberland
    4. Bobby Caseys, Star Of Munster & The Maid In The Meadow
    5. Farewell To Tramore (Denis Maher, John Costello)
    6. Cuanla & Drops Of Brandy

  • Musicians
    • Pat O'Brien: Tenor banjo and mandolin
    • Denis Maher: Vocals, guitar and five-string banjo
    • Ben Delaney: Vocals, guitar and bodhrán
    • Michael O'Brien: Bass
    • Tom O'Sullivan: Fiddle
  • Credits
    • Arranged and produced by Drops of Brandy
    • Recorded at Fiona Studios, Fermoy, Co. Cork
    • Engineered by Brian O'Reilly
    • Photography: Terry Murphy
    • Sleeve Design: Noel Cusack

Sleeve Notes

Since their formation in 1978. Drops of Brandy have become a major force on the Irish folk traditional scene. Within six months of their formation they were voted the top folk group in the South East in an annual awards poll. They also won the same award in 1980.

Although this is their first album, they have previously recorded two singles, both of which are featured here. The first one was released in the Summer of 1979 — a song called "Farewell to Tramore" which was written by one of the group members, Denis Maher with the help of John Costello. Their most recent single was a song which was written specially for the group by the well known Dublin songwriter, Pete St. John. This song was called "Drops of Brandy" and was a big success nationally for the group, getting a lot of play on the airwaves.

It was this song and an Irish version of "Cuanla" (also on the album) which they performed on their T.V. debut in March 1980.

The group have brought excitement to their traditional and folk music, a point they emphasised on this album by including a large proportion of rarely heard material.

This concept is reflected in the arrangement and enthusiasm with which it is played.