John Williams

The Kilnamona Barndance | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Kilnamona Barndance (The)

I learned The Kilnamona Barndance from the playing of Gerdie Commane, in a video published by Custy’s Music Shop on their website a good few years back. John Williams, a great accordion and concertina player from Chicago who spent a lot of time in Doolin, also recorded this tune on one of the first albums of the band Solas.

John Williams' (jig) | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

John Williams’ Jig

This jig comes from the playing of John Williams, a great concertina and accordion player from Chicago, whose father came from Doolin. John spent a lot of time in Doolin over the years, but I learned this particular tune from a YouTube video.

Hold The Reins | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Hold The Reins

I learned “Hold The Reins” from a session recording I made of a nice evening in Hotel Doolin back in 2008 with my friend Stéphane, Yvonne Casey and Terry Bingham. It was also recorded by accordion and concertina player from Chicago John Williams, who has spent a lot of time in Doolin over the years. It is also called “The Dublin Lads”.

The Mother And Child | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Mother And Child (The)

“The Mother And Child” is a reel I learned from the playing of Micho Russell. The tune is also known as “The Yellow Cow”. John Williams recorded a nice version of this tune on his first solo album as well.

The Eel In The Sink | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Eel In The Sink (The)

I learned this reel from Terry Bingham’s album, but it is also a tune I associate with Sean Vaughan, a great accordion player from Kilmaley who plays in Doolin often. It was also recorded by John Williams on his first album. He plays it after “Thadey Casey’s” and this is a set I play regularly.