Stockton's Wing Collection, The - Stockton's Wing > Reviews > Some Irish tunes .

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Excellent listening  .
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I am at home with a poorly sore throat; I looked through my CD collection and discovered a Stockton's Wing collection CD. I listened to this and now am reviewing it.

This band started by playing Irish pubs and gigs and soon progressed to playing festivals and venues in England Europe and the US. I know I have seen them play somewhere but cannot remember whether it was Cambridge, Glastonbury, or maybe some other event.

However the CD the Stockton wing collection is one I own and listen too occasionally. This CD has 20 tracks from 'Stockton's Wing', (1978)'Take a Chance'(1980) and 'Light in the Western Sky' (1982) albums. It lasts 77 minutes.

The tracks are:-
1} the Drops of Brandy.
This starts the CD off with a merry slip jig this lasts for 2 minutes 50. This is a merry little jig foot tapping you could dance to this. The Banjo and fiddling is lively and cheerful.

2} Trip to London:
You can imagine people skipping round the room to this tune.

3} Take a chance.
This is a song featuring Maura O'Connell - Backing Vocals

4} Cameron Highlands. This is a tuner that has a thoughtful air to it the music gets faster and faster in this tune making me want to tap and nod my head I am typing as I listen and my typing is getting faster and faster.

5 The concert reel / the high road to Linton.
Yes it's a reel. Getting livelier and livelier

6} Walk away.
You may recognise this song this was released as a single. "Walk away talk away looking for someone to blame "yes ok I am singing to this song

7} The Belltable
This tine is a waltz named so I understand after the Belltable an art centre in Limerick which Stockton's wing used as a venue in their early days venue

8} My darling asleep / Sonny Brogans.
Another foot tapping jig, I sit here, but I could be tempted to dance to this one. and wake his Darling up
.
9} beneath the shade
"The answer lies here somewhere "The birds were singing around him trees gently swaying in the breeze, as her lays under the trees" I often think that when I sit / lay on the grass under the trees watching wildlife and nature , a good place to meditate .. This song trips along and bursts into a gig at the end a satisfying song and tune.

10} The maid behind the bar,
This is a jolly fast reel.

11 The green gates /boy in the gap.
This is a fast reel; if I were dancing I could hardly keep up to the music.

12 the dirt track in the sky.
This is a gentle folk song about an old man on the dirt track to the sky

13the golden stud
I can hear a didgeridoo on this track I think this is because Stockton's wing were joined by Australian Steve Cooney. This adds a haunting air to the lilt of an Irish jig to it. A few words are spoken in a point where the music drops down low. The didgeridoo certainly mixes well with the rest of the instruments

Track 14 Promenade love.
This is a folk song about walking along a lonely beach while thinking of lost love.

Track 15 Austin Tierney's / Jenny's Chickens.
This is an n Irish jig after the last song it lifts me makes me want to dance, I need a partner to twirl around my sitting room will you join me. This is a cheerful happy jig with clapping that starts part way in come on clap in time its fast I am typing like mad (sorry I forgot you could not hear it too .) Louder more base now come on stomping up and down my living room one way back again then back again faster, faster this is lifting my spirits oh it stops suddenly and goes into

Track 16 Skidoo.
Starts with a wolf howl and that didgeridoo deep and then a little jig notes making me tap my fingers a twiddly sound and the deep dark didgeridoo and bass under it sulty sounds and clapping the tune picks up I am tapping my feet the music gets faster slower then

Track Cielle swing.
A jolly swinging reel with some lyrics about a dance come on I want to join in swing around the room yes that's right hold my hand swing around my room and la lea with the band a little whelp now and then . That was jolly I am quite tired now clap with the CD at the end

Track 18 Beautiful affair. This is another you may recognise as it was produced as a single. This is a folk song .

Track 19 The Humours of Tulla / The Bucks of Oranmore.
This is a short 2 minute 07 tune that gets my foot tapping

Track 20 The Chicago Set.
This is good instrumental tune to finish with Makes me want to listen to more.

I am sitting listening to this CD and it makes me feel I really must get out listening to more live music. I would love to be sat in a grassy flowery field in the sun listening to music .feeling the love and pain that this music makes me feel. Yes Stockton wings music really does get to my senses. It either makes me feel happy cheerful and wants to get up and dance or makes me feel wistful and sad.

The sleeve notes on this CD seem to be quite limited . This CD is a good mix of reels jigs and folk songs the line up and instruments as far as I can make out are

Mike Hanrahan Guitar and Vocals

Tommy Hayes - Bodhran, Jew's Harp, Bones, Spoons
Paul Roche - Flute, Whistle, Low Whistle, Vocals.
Maurice Lennon - Fiddle, Viola, Vocals
Kieran Hanrahan - Banjo, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Guitar, Harmonica