Paddy Canny & P.J. Hayes: All-Ireland Champions

PADDY CANNY & P.J. HAYES: ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS - VIOLIN

Paddy Canny: fiddle

P.J. Hayes: fiddle

Peadar O'Loughlin: flute

Bridie Lafferty: piano

For as long as I been involved in Irish music, I have heard musicians speak of this recording with great reverence. Made in 1959, when there wasn't that much traditional music to be found on commercial recordings, this album featured two of the best known fiddle players from the East Clare tradition, joined on the some of the tracks by fellow Tulla Ceili Band member Peadar O'Loughlin on flute, and accompanied by Bridie Lafferty on piano. Its impact was enormous, and the fact that people still play medleys straight out of the album speaks to its influence. For the longest time, however, only a privileged few owned a copy of the original LP, and a few others would have heard it on tapes copied many times over. So the appearance of this landmark recording on CD is indeed an event. And at this price, who could resist.

Rating: ****

Price: $12.99 Recommended