MIKE RAFFERTY: SPEED 78

Mike Rafferty: flute, uilleann pipes

Mary Rafferty: accordion

Willie Kelly: fiddle

Joe Madden: accordion

Donal Clancy: guitar, bouzouki

Felix Dolan: piano

While Mike Rafferty and daughter Mary have made three albums together, this latest one is under Mike's name (Mary had a recent solo album too), and it does focus on him and his music. Mike Rafferty has become and Irish music icon, and for good reasons, his music is the "real deal." In many ways this album is a celebration of where that music came from. "Speed 78," by the way, is a reference to the old records made by the old Ballinakill Ceili Band, a constant source of inspiration. Especially notable in that regard are the tracks interspersed between the musical numbers on which Mike Rafferty talks about his early life and musical upbringing. The artwork, evoking photos and notes in an old-fashioned scrapbook, is a most appropriate complementing touch. Once again, a lovely production.

Rating: ****

Price: $16.99

Our Catalogue 

See also:

   Mike & Mary Rafferty: The Dangerous Reel

    Mike & Mary Rafferty: The Old Fireside Music

    Mike & Mary Rafferty: The Road from Ballinakill

    Mary Rafferty: Hand-Me-Downs

   Mike Rafferty & Willie Kelly: The New Broom

Contents:

1. Jigs: Kevin Moloney's / The Scotsman Over the Border

2. Reels: The Shaskeen / The Green Blanket

3. Hornpipes: Tomgraney Castle / McMahon's

4. Story about first learning to play

5. Reels: The Collier's Reel / St. Ruth's Bush

6. Polka: I Have a Bonnet Trimmed with Blue

7. Story about my mother

8. Reels: Cormac O'Lunny's / The Braes of Busby

9. Jigs: Pauline O'Neill's / Cuil Aodh

10. Reels: Last Night's Fun / The Abbey

11. Air: Sliabh na mBan

12. Reels: The Piper's Despair / Peg McGrath's

13. Story about Joe Madden

14. Hornpipe: Ballyoran

15. Jigs: Collier's Jig / The Lark in the Strand

16. Reels: The Bower / Jenny's Picking Cockles

17. Jigs: Queen of the Rushes / Fr. John's Jubilee

18. Story about my father's uilleann pipes

19. Jigs: Garrett Barry's / The Woods of Old Limerick

20. Jigs: Young Tom Ennis / Jerry's Beaver Hat

21. Story about thinking of tunes

22. Reels: Ceo na gCnoc / Fr. Newman's Reel