Packie Dolan – “The Irish Girl”
Packie Dolan is often referred to as: The Forgotten Fiddler by most Irish folk enthusiasts. His recordings are almost a forgotten era of fiddle playing that inspired most of the ‘vintage’ country music you hear today. And who was this Irish girl that inspired Mr. Dolan to pluck this tune from out of thin air? She must have had hair like an apple, eyes like the sea, lips made of roses, and fine dancing feet.
Packie Dolan was almost forgotten. Luckily his 78 RPM recordings survived. An amazing Irish fiddler in New York during the lead-up to the great depression. In 1928 he got a job as a chauffeur and started his own band, “Packie Dolan and the Melody Boys” for the Ballroom circuit. The Victor label recorded them in May 1928. Here is his nostalgic tune of women from Donnybrook.
Packie Dolan – “Lasses Of Donnybrook” mp3
Paddy Killoran, one of the best known figures associated with Sligo music, was born near Ballymote in 1904. Most of his life was spent in America where he made numerous 78-Disc recordings. This MP3 must be about some poor Sligo maid who must have had a reason to lament! Enjoy!
Paddy Killoran – “Sligo Maid’s Lament” mp3
Clarence Ashley – “Coo Coo Bird” (mp3)
Finger pickers delight. Clarence Ashley was always surrounded by old time music. His family migrated to the states from Ireland during the end of the 1800′s and introduced him to music early on. His first musical instrument was a “peanut banjo” which his grandfather gave him when Ashley was about eight years old; and at the age of twelve, he learned to play the guitar. I’m proud to share this with you from Americas historic music archives! Enjoy.