1. Reels: The Merry Sisters / Miss Susan Cooper / Richard Dwyer's
The first tune here is one I've been playing for many years and is still one of my favourites. The second is a composition of the Shetland accordion and piano player, Ronnie Cooper. The last tune stirs some debate, but as far as I'm aware it is a Richard Dwyer tune and is often called 'The Fox on the Town'

Colm: Banjo, bouzouki & Guitar / Jimmy Higgins: Bodhrán

2. Barndances: Pearl O'Shaughnessy's / McConnell's
I'm not sure where I got the first of these barndances, but like many other tunes, I probably soaked it up by osmosis at sessions in Galway. The second tune I got from the playing of Dermot Byrne and Dermot McLoughlin and thought they'd fit nicely together

Colm: Banjo / Jimmy Higgins: Piano & percussion

3. Song: If You'd Ever Met
The idea for this song had been rattling around my head for a number of years after the death of my mother, Nellie. I was thinking about all the people she would never meet and, more importantly, the people who would never meet her. It wasn't until I met my wife, Orlaith, in 2009 that I finally had a flash of inspiration and it stopped rattling and came out as this song.

Colm: Vocals & guitar / Orlaith Keane: Backing vocals / Pat Coyne: Backing vocals / Sean Keane: Whistle / Cathal Kerins: Accordion / Michael Chang: Viola

4. Jigs: The Piper's Chair / Paddy Fahey's / The Handsome Young Maidens
The 'The Piper's Chair' was Micho Russell's name for this first tune and comes from a rock used by pipers while playing for outdoor dances near Doolin, Co.Clare. The second and third tunes come from two of the most prolific composers of tunes in Ireland today, Paddy Fahey and Charlie Lennon.
Colm: Banjo, bouzouki & guitar


5. Reels: The First Day of Spring / Paddy Ryan's Dream / Wissahickon Drive
This set I put together while recording this album. They are all tunes I love playing but had no particular home for, so, I stuck them all together and ended up with this. The first is a Tommy Peoples tune and the last is a composition of the Chicago fiddle player, Liz Carroll.

Colm: Banjo & bouzouki / Pat Coyne: Guitar & bass / Jimmy Higgins: Percussion

6. Waltz: Orlaith's Waltz
While Orlaith was away on her hen-party before our wedding in 2011, I was thinking it would be nice to write a piece of music for her to walk up the aisle to. I didn't actually think I would be able to write something in time but said I'd give it a go anyway. About an hour later this is the tune that had emerged.

Colm: Mandolin / Cathal Kerins: Accordion / Nicki Geddes: Cello / Michael Chang: Fiddle & Viola String arrangement by Nicki Geddes

7. Song: Shady Grove
This is a traditional American song from the mountains of Appalachia. There are many different versions and no two seem to be the same. This is mostly a Doc Watson version with a verse stolen from Gerry Garcia & Dave Grisman. The reel used here is called 'Mother's Delight'.

Colm: Vocals, guitar, banjo & mandolin / Finbarr Naughton: Fiddle / Jimmy Higgins: Percussion / Pearse Doherty: Bass


8. Hornpipe & Reel: President Garfields / The Cape Breton Fiddler's Welcome to Shetland
The first tune here was written by Harry Carleton, an American composer and can be found in 'Ryan's Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes', which was published in Boston in 1883. The second tune was composed by the great Shetland fiddler, Willie Hunter

Colm: Banjo / Pat Coyne: Guitar & bass / Jimmy Higgins: Bodhrán

9. Muñeiras: Muñeira de Tormaleo / Muñeira de Paula
These are two Asturian tunes I learned while living in the madhouse at No. 2 Newtownsmith, Galway in the 90's. It was a great house for music, parties, visitors and Spaniards. The first tune is a traditional muñeira and I couldn't say exactly which Spaniard I learned it from. The second tune was written by the wonderful Asturian piper, Xuacu Amieva. He kindly and patiently taught it to me when he visited Galway in the late 90's. I haven't seen Xuacu since but the tune has stuck with me.

Colm: Mandolin & bouzouki / Finbarr Naughton: Fiddle / Pat Coyne: Guitar / Jimmy Higgins: Percussion


10. Reels: The Galway Reel / Richard Dwyer's / Paddy Fahey's
The first tune here is accredited to the fiddle player Larry Redican who was originally from Boyle, Co. Roscommon but spent most of his life in America. The second is another composition of the Cork accordionist, Richard Dwyer, while the third is another of the great East Galway fiddler, Paddy Fahey.

Colm: Banjo / Pat Coyne: Guitar


11. Jigs: The Gold Ring / Paddy's Resource / The Mist Covered Mountain
This set harks back to many happy Saturday evenings spent playing in Galway with Finbarr, Cathal, Bill and many more fine musicians too numerous to mention. Thanks for the tunes lads.

Colm: Banjo / Finbarr Naughton: Fiddle / Cathal Kerins: Accordion / Bill Wright: Bouzouki / Jimmy Higgins: Percussion


12. Song: When I'm Gone
This is a Phil Ochs song which I learned from the singing of Dick Gaughan. I first heard this song at one of Dick's concerts in the the Crane Bar in 2001 and it really struck a chord with me.

Colm: Vocals, guitar & mandolin / Finbarr Naughton: Fiddle / Pat Coyne: Guitar


13. Reels: The Corner House / Rakish Paddy / The Ivy Leaf
Three stalwart tunes from the tradition. I love Bill's backing on Rakish Paddy.

Colm: Banjo / Bill Wright: Bouzouki





Thanks and stuff to...
My family who got me hooked on music and fed my habit for the first few years and still continue to. Especially my parents, Arthur & Nellie, who's love for the music was ingrained in me at an early age. This one's for you Nellie.
All at the 'Newtownsmith Headquarters Training Academy'. Niall, Steve, Lorenzo et al. It was intensive but it was worth it in the end.
All the musicians I've played with or learned a tune from over the years.
The musicians who lent a hand on this album. Couldn't have done it without ye!
Finbarr Naughton & Niall Hackett for the lend of their ears.
Matthew Halloran.
Matt & Florence Keane for all the help and support.

This album has been on the cards for a number of years but there has always seemed to be reason or, if I'm honest, an excuse to put it off for another while. It would probably would have continued like this if it wasn't for the the encouragement and help of two people in particular. Firstly, Pat Coyne who made it too easy for me to avoid going into the studio any longer and created a 'no pressure' environment where it was all about the music and not about the clock.
Finally, to my wife Orlaith, who from start to finish has given me nothing but encouragement, support and inspiration, thank you.


Dedicated to the memory of my mother, Nellie Naughton. 1939 – 2001


Musicians:
Colm Naughton: Banjo / Mandolin / Guitar/ Bouzouki
Orlaith Keane: Backing Vocals
Finbarr Naughton: Fiddle
Pat Coyne: Guitar / Bass / Backing Vocals
Jimmy Higgins: Keyboard / Percussion
Cathal Kerins: Accordion
Bill Wright: Bouzouki
Sean Keane: Whistle
Michael Chang: Fiddle / Viola
Nicki Geddes: Cello
Pearse Doherty: Bass