FTX-073-THE FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH

MICHAEL & JOHNNY DOHERTY

Here is some of the most exciting fiddle playing, each tune a story, ever to come out of Ireland. Two brothers, both travellers, one a peddler, and the other a tinsmith, from the Finntown district of Co Donegal in North West Ireland - 15 folktales and 15 folktunes rec 1951-1953 - For every fiddle tune Johnny provides a good story and his brother, Michael, also tells stories - including some of the local parables of St. Colmkille.

Johnny DOHERTY :-

1. THE FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH (Hornpipe) - Talk: 1.47/ Tune on fiddle - 1'47"

2. AN MUILTIN (The Little Sheep) - Talk: 0.12/ Tune on fiddle - 1'.38"

3. PADDY'S RAMBLES - Talk: 0.55/ Tune on fiddle - 1'05"

4. EASTER SNOW - Talk: 0.37/ Tune on fiddle - 1'45"

5. SEILG A' MHADAIAIDH RUAIDH (The Fox Chase) - (Talk: 0'30")/ Tune on fiddle - 1'15"

6. THE WEE WEAVER - Talk: 0'38"/ Air sung: 1'04"/ Tune on fiddle - 1'37"

7. BIDDY FROM MUCKROS (March/ Hornpipe) - Talk: 3'07"/ Tunes on fiddle - 2'07"

8. THE POOR BOY AND MILLIONAIRE'S DAUGHTER (Story) - 8'26"

Michael DOHERTY:-

9. CASADH AN tSUGAIN - Tune on fiddle: 0'50"/ Talk: 3'18"/ Tune again - 0'50"

10. THE FIDDLER AND THE FAIRY - Talk: 4'43"/ Tune on fiddle - 0'48"

11. St. COLMKILLE AND THE ROPE OF HAY (Story) - 3'58"

12. PETER STREET (Reel) - Tune played on fiddle - 1'52"

13. St. COLMKILLE AND THE THREE WEEK SLEEP (Story) - 3'25"

14. (a) THE HARE AND HOUNDS/ (b) THE FOXHUNTER'S JIG (Descriptive piece) - 3'53"

15. St. COLMKILLE'S TWO CURSES (Stories) - 1'20"

16. (a) MRS McLEOD'S/ (b) THE BROKEN BRIDGE (Reels on fiddle) - 2'48"

Michael Doherty was recorded by Alan Lomax in 1951 & his brother, Johnny, by Peter Kennedy in 1953. Recorded & edited by Peter Kennedy and first published on Folktrax Cassettes 1975.

THE DOHERTY BROTHERS can truly claim that their forefathers were minstrels to the Princes of Donegal. Their father, who was known locally as "The King Fiddler", was a traveller, a General Dealer, respected as much for his knowledge of horses as for his ability in handling a violin.

The McSweeney's, to whom they were related, were also a famous local family of fiddlers and pipers. Their mother came from the talented musical O Connell family. They had 6 daughters and 4 sons, Hughie, Mickey, Simie and Johnny, Johnny (1901-1980) being the youngest. Simie was recorded by Peter Kennedy in 1953.

JOHN DOHERTY was filmed by Pete Seeger and Peter Kennedy in 1956 and this 16mm cine-film, THE IRISH FIDDLER, is available on FOLKTRAX Video. Other recordings by Johnny Doherty - FTX-074 Songs, Stories and Fiddle Tunes - FTX-075 More Fiddle, Talk and Tunes - FTX 370 with Frank Cassidy.