Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band CD

3 Eanáir 2008, 11:01 AM GMT

Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band CD

– This is a historic recording digitally re-mastered from The Dublin Records recording of 1959 of the famous Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band from Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. A must for lovers and collectors of Irish Traditional Music, It is issued by Cois na hAbhna Archive. Cois na hAbhna is a regional resource centre of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. To order your copy, contact [email protected].

There is no doubt but that the Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Kilfenora and Tulla as one of the all time greats in the annals of Clare céilí band history. Formed in the 1950s, the Band included such legendary West Clare musicians as:-

The band had many successes at Fleadhanna Cheoil in the 1950s, becoming Munster champions in 1958 and then going on to beat both the Kilfenora and Tulla bands at the All-Ireland in Longford. Although they were pipped to the post by Dublin’s Kincora for the All-Ireland title that year, they’re virtuousity was finally recognised in 1959 when they were crowned All-Ireland champions at the Oireachtas in Dublin.

The original recording of “Come to an Irish Dance Party” was the first long-playing (LP) record of a céilí band to be recorded in Ireland in 1959. Recorded on the “Dublin Record Company” label, it has been re-released as a CD by the Cois na hAbhna Comhaltas Archive in Ennis with the permission of brothers John and James O’Neill (owners of Dublin Records) who were originally from Labasheeda but are now living in New York. Miltown Malbay native and Comhaltas Reachtaire, Joe O’Connor was responsible for initiating this project and producing the cd . Matt Purcell (Purcell Audio – Ennis) must also be credited for digitally re-mastering the tracks and managing to preserve the distinctive sound of the Band as it was some fifty years ago.

The comprehensive and informative sleeve notes, produced by Barry Taylor - music researcher and Director of Oidhreacht an Chláir - give an invaluable insight into not only the Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band but also the state of traditional music in Clare at the time. As for the music on the CD, it’s a veritable feast of traditional dance tunes played in the unique West Clare style. Junior Crehan once stated that the Laichtín Naofa Band music provided a link from the early twentieth century through the barren years of the 1940s to the traditional revival in the 1950s. This CD equally provides an invaluable link between those exciting times of Clare music in the mid twentieth century and today’s young musicians who are doing so much to preserve the cherished tradition of their ancestors.

Space doesn’t allow a detailed commentary on each individual track but with selections such as Lucy Campbell/Jolly Tinker, Wandering Minstrel/Battering Ram, Earl’s Chair/Tim Maloney/Copperplate, this recording is a must for all traditional music fans.

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