Birds Upon The Trees

For songs, we'll point out Patrick Coyle (Track 3) by joHn Kennedy, an emigration song about his grandfather; and, Remember Dubh Loch (Track 8), sung my joHn's nephew Nolan Ladewski. Dubh Loch tells of an event in Clare during the Potato famine. It is a stunning sea nos song composed by John Tunney, the son of the legendary northern singer, Paddy Tunney. Neither of these songs has been widely presented and both deserve to be heard by anyone who loves Irish history and Irish song. Then again, there is the title track, The Birds Upon The Trees (Track 5), a simple little song that we found on a field recording from County Clare. It is all but unknown. Several tracks have a high-energy rock feel with electric bass and the first recordings by a fantastic young bohdran player, Jacob Turner. This recording also introduces Nolan's younger brother Liam on whistles and flute. Both Liam and Jacob have continued in the band's traditiona of winning gold at regional fleadh's and then competing at the all-Ireland. I would highlight Within a Mile of Dublin . . . (Track 1), The Blackberry Blossom . . .(Track 4) and New Year's Day . . . (Track 14). The final track is a literal jam session . . . just us going at it in the studio with three of my nephew Nolan's compositions. There are three gentle instrumental tracks, 2, 9, and 13. We are very fond of all three of these. The Barr of Chocolate . . . (Track 13) is two hornpipes composed by my nephew Nolan.