Full List of Tracks
1. September ‘95-Reels, Sporting Nell, The maid I Ne’er Forgot (2.37)
2. Saffron and Blue- Jigs, The South-West Wind, Garret Barry’s (2.39)
3. The Mould-breakers- Air/Hornpipe, Rahilly’s Grave, An Caislean Óir
4. Clare 250- Reels, Stone in the Field, Martin Woods Reel (2.41)
5. The Influences- Jigs, The Goat on the Green, Bobby Casey’s (2.34)
6. Against the Wind- Set dance, The Phoebus Hunt (2.33)
7. Earliest Memories- Reels, Tommy Coen’s, Mothers Delight (2.42)
8. The Man from Ruan- Jigs, Down the Back Lane, Scully Casey’s (2.37)
9. In Memoriam- Air, Bánchnoic Éireann Ó (3.27)
10. The Young Bloods- Reels, The Cup of Tea, The Clogher Reel (3.50)
11. An Leaid Óg- Jigs, The First Trout, Trip to Sligo (3.14)
12. An Buachaill- Air, An Buachaill Caol Dubh (3.23)
13. The Blend- Reels, Killarney Boys of Pleasure, Egan’s, Mary Of the Grove (3.55)
14. The Sponsors- Air An Goirtín Eornan (2.12)
15. Final Whistle, Reels, Bunch of Keys, Eileen Curran (3.39)
About Johnny McCarthy
“Solo Run” is the long awaited release from one of our finest box players. This recording is unique in that it explores the affinity between two of our national treasures—hurling and traditional music and song. A native of Ennis, Johnny played hurling with Éire Óg and Clare. He taught at the national school in Ballynacally for over thirty years. In 1961 he introduced instrumental music as a subject on the curriculum and, in the process, started a sight of young musicians on their journey. John is accompanied on the guitar by Alph Duggan. Alph was introduced to traditional music through Ciarán Mac Mathúna's radio programmes. Since coming to Clare, he has recorded with Tommy Peoples, Conor McCarthy and Martin Nolan.
The tunes come from a wide and diverse repertoire, from such greats as Bobby Casey, Junior Crehan, Paddy Canny and Joe Ryan. 'The Mount Phoebus Hunt' was recorded many years ago by the Castle Céilí Band. The First Trout' is a jig composed by Conor McCarthy, Johnny's son. It was first recorded by Conor himself on his CD “Selection Box”. Conor and his wife Anne Marie McCormack bring that
wonderful Kilfenora lift and drive to the 'Clogher Reel', track 10. The only group track here is a nice blend of fiddles and box and features Mike Fitzgerald and Anne Marie McCormack (fiddles), Johnny himself (box) and Terry Moorehead (guitar).
The slow airs are especially beautiful. 'Rahilly's Grave' honours one of the last of the great Gaelic poets—Aodhagán Ó Rathaille who died about 1726, while the haunting Bánchnoic Éireann Ó' was composed by one of our own—Donncha Rua Mac Conmara—a Cratloe man. This explains, l suppose, why an amalgamation of Cratloe and Shannon hurling teams some years ago, adopted the name Donncha Ruas.
J can honestly say I love every track on this album. The music, at all times, is played at a lovely tempo, with due respect and feeling for past masters. 'Solo Run' is bound to score!
Ollie Byrnes
