A Stor’s A Stoirin

GARRY O’BRIAIN & PADRAIGIN NI UALLACHAIN: “A Stor’s A Stoirin” (Gael Linn).

SUBTITLED Songs For all Ages, this enormously ambitious musical project contains no less than thirty-six traditional Irish songs, some well-known, others never before recorded. Divided into two sections, with half the songs primarily appealing to children and the other half more suitable for older ears, it amounts to a comprehensive collection of the most rhythmic, accessible and musical of native songs and serves to underline the living tradition of the music.

Among the many songs included here, which have been sourced from all over the country are: ‘Nora Beag’, ‘An Leanbh Nua’, ‘Mo Chailin Rua’ ‘Peigin Leitir Mor’, ‘Dulaman’, ‘Mo Ghile Mear’, ‘A Stor a Stor a Ghra’, ‘Amhran na Bealtaine’ and ‘Turas go Gaillimh’.

Singer Paidrigin Ni Uallachain has a natural singing style with an instinctive grasp of the original meaning of the songs while Garry O’Brien provides highly sympathetic accompaniment on a range of instruments including keyboards, guitars mandolin and autoharp. They are joined by a host of well-known traditional musicians, including Maírtin O’Connor on accordion, Tommy Hayes on percussion, Nollaig Ni Chathasaigh on fiddle and Len Graham on vocals and the ensemble playing is often quite magical.

The main function and purpose of A Stor’s A Stoirin is educational rather than purely entertainment-led. This is facilitated by the inclusion of a ninety-six page booklet with full lyrics in Irish and English, notes on the roots and origins of the songs and the sheet music of the melody. However, the strength of the project is that, throghout, the recordings are strong enough to stand in their own right. It’s a good, warm record to listen to as well as learn from.

Released with assistance from the Task force for Human Resources, Education Training and Youth of the Commission of The European Communities, this collection will, no doubt, in time become a valuable reference and archival work as well as contributing to the preservation of an important part of our musical heritage.

• Colm O’Hare