SEAMUS ENNIS: THE RETURN FROM FINGAL
Seamus Ennis: uilleann pipes, vocals

From the RTE vaults, here are early recordings of piper, singer, and story-teller Seamus Ennis (1919-1982). Bradshaw did his usual outstanding job and, while a few tracks sound a bit rough, most of these recordings, made between 1940 and 1980, are very clear. The earlier ones are especially interesting since they give a better sense of how Ennis could play when at the height of his piping abilities. Being a singer, Ennis had a unique understanding of the playing of slow airs. This is demonstrated here with four tracks on which he sings the song and plays the air back-to-back. The booklet contains a lengthy biography and much background information for each track.

Rating: ****

Price: $23.99
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Contents:

1. Reels: Bonny Kate / The Milliner's Daughter / The Flannel Jacket
2. Jigs: The Pipe on the Hob / An Buachaillin Bui / East of Glendart
3. Air & Set Dance: An Droighnean Donn / The Garden of Daisies
4. Hornpipes: The Bantry Hornpipe / The Pleasure of Hope
5. Double Jig & Single Jigs: Smash the Windows / The Drops of Brandy / The Tenpenny Piece / A Fig for a Kiss
6. Reels: The Mountain Lark / The Sligo Maid's Lament / The Flax in Bloom
7. Hornpipes: The Tailor's Twist / Kelly's Hornpipe
8. Set Dance: The Ace and Deuce of Piping
9. Reels: The Fair-haired Child / The Bucks of Oranmore
10. Hornpipes: Ballymanus Fair / The Standing Abbey
11. Jig & Air: The God Ring / Uirchill a' Chreagain
12. Reels: The Salamanca / Hand Me Down the Tackle / The Merry Blacksmth / The Beauty Spot
13. March: The Return from Fingal
14. Song & Air: An Droimeann Donn Dilis
15. Song & Air: A Cruiscin Lan
16. Song & Air: Eamonn a' Chnoic
17. Song & Air: Sean O'Duibhir a' Ghleanna
18. Jig: Tatter Jack Walsh
19. Jigs: The Butcher's March / When the Cock Crows it is Day / Sixpenny Money
20. Reels: The Silver Spear / The Dublin Reel
21. Hornpipe: Ballymanus Fair
22. Reel: Lady Carbury (The Mason's Apron)
23. Jig: The Frieze Britches
24. Reel: The Morning Thrush
25.Slip Jig: The Dusty Miller
26. Air: Easter Snow