Slides

The Back of the Haggard (slide) | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Back of the Haggard (The)

I learned this slide from Eugene Lambe, a great piper and whistle player who did a huge amount of work recording the older musicians of North Clare back in the early 90s. Eugene himself learned “The Back of the Haggard” from the playing of Micho Russell.

Johnny Boyle's (slide) | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Johnny Boyle’s

“Johnny Boyle’s” is a slide I learned from the playing of Derek Hickey and Liam Flanagan, on the compilation album from the Corofin Trad Festival. Apart from being an amazing accordion player, Derek is a real gentleman and it is always such a treat to see and hear him at festivals.

If I Had a Wife Slide | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

If I Had a Wife

I learned “If I Had a Wife” from the great concertina duet album “Na Fir Bolg” by Jack Talty and Cormac Begley. They play if after another great slide called, “Paddy Cronin’s”. This album was released back in 2011 and nearly ten years later it is still one of my favourite albums.

Con Carthy's Favourite | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Con Carthy’s Favourite

A great slide that I first heard from my friends Tom Delany and Caroline Keane with their band FourWinds. Shortly after they recorded it, I went down to Dingle and got Brendan Begley’s very first album (a gem) and also Jackie Daly & Matt Cranitch’s latest album, and “Con Carthy’s Favourite” featured on both CDs, so I figured I had to learn it !

Behind the Bush in the Garden | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Behind The Bush In The Garden

I first heard this tune on John Williams’ first album, on which he calls it “The Tidy Woman” and plays it more like a jig. It is more common as a slide though, under the name “Behind The Bush In The Garden”. I learned if from the Doon Ceili Band.

An Chóisir - Tunes From Doolin - Irish Traditional Music

An Chóisir

I don’t remember where I got this slide, “An Chóisir”, exactly, but I think it was during one of my visit to Dingle in West Kerry.
Séamus Begley & Steve Cooney play a great version of that tune on their legendary album “Meitheal”.