Idir (2011)
At First Light are set to literally light the way for authentic Irish Traditional music this decade with their debut album, ‘Idir’. Masterful musicianship among the members and their guests, the finest in the Celtic world, will inspire and shine. Each member of the trio has influenced Celtic folk music, from featuring on Grammy-award winning recordings to collaborating live with the world’s greatest folk and contemporary artists. Their album is aptly titled ‘Idir’ – Gaelic for between and among, and reflects their collaboration as friends and artists and their work with others on the international stage.
For in-depth track information with unseen photos and a free live EP, buy the album to receive access to our exclusive fan area. Thanks for supporting independent music!
John McSherry – Uilleann Pipes & whistles
Donal O’Connor – Fiddle & Keys
Francis McIlduff – Bodhrán, Uilleann Pipes, Whistles, Shakers, Claps & Tambourine
Guest Musicians
Ciara McCrickard – Vocals & Fiddle
Tony Byrne – Guitar
Ruben Bada – Bouzouki
Michael McCague – Guitar & Bouzouki
Paul McSherry – Guitar
Produced by John McSherry & Dónal O’Connor
| Tracklist |
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| 01. The Magnificent Six |
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| 02. Ar Thóir an Donn |
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| 03. Aird Uí Chuain (The Quiet Land of Erin) |
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| 04. Máire an Chúil Ór Bhuí |
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| 05. Bethan’s Dance |
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| 06. Rolling in Rosemount |
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| 07. Courting is a Pleasure |
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| 08. El Garrotín |
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| 09. Roy’s Hands |
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| 10. The Pipers of Roguery |
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(Trad. Arr McSherry, O’Connor, McIlduff / Comp. Fintan McManus / Comp. Francis McIlduff)
a) Ridée – A Ridée 6 Temps learned from Breton band Pennoù Skoulm; b) Guns of the Magnificent Seven – A composition by Fermanagh bouzouki player Fintan McManus, this tune was originally penned as a reel but we put it into hop jig rhythm and tried to maintain the rhythm shifts of the 3rd part; c) Tara’s Temper – Francis composed this tune for his placid, mild mannered, and friendly little Jack Russell ‘Tara’.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Comp. O’Connor / Trad Arr. McSherry, O’Connor, McIlduff / Trad. Arr. McSherry, O’Connor / Comp. O’Connor)
a) Ar Thóir na Donn – Dónal composed this tune referring to Queen Medb’s pursuit of the Brown Bull of Cooley, the tune opens and closes the set; b) Cloonagroe – a tune we heard the fiddle player Martin Hayes play many years ago; c) My Mary Anne – John got this fine reel from the fiddle playing of Siobhan Peoples who in turn got it from piper Marco Pollier.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Trad. Arr. O’Connor, McSherry, McCrickard, McIlduff)
This song by John McCambridge has long been an Anthem for the Gaels of Ulster and Belfast in particular. We recently heard Cathal McConnell from County Fermanagh sing an English language version of the song and were taken by the idea of recording a macaronic version.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Trad. Arr. O’Connor, McSherry)
This is a song which we heard sung by the Donegal sean-nós singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde. Doimnic is a regular visitor to Belfast and we frequently meet him in ‘The Duke of York’ for a few libations.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Trad. Arr McSherry, O’Connor, McIlduff / Comp. Francis McIlduff)
a) Song of the Chanter – The Belfast based organist and collector Edward Bunting, collected this tune from E. Shannon, Esq. in 1839 and it appears in his collection The Ancient Music of Ireland, 1840; b) Francis wrote this tune for his niece Bethan who is a wonderful dancer.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Comp. McSherry, O’Connor, Brozman / Trad Arr. McSherry, O’Connor, McIlduff / Trad Arr. McSherry, O’Connor, McIlduff / Comp. McSherry, O’Connor)
a) Brelydian – This tune was composed by John, Dónal and the Amercian slide guitarist Bob Brozman, during the recording of ‘Six Days in Down’; b) Comb your hair and curl it – A hop Jig or Triple Hornpipe that John picked up at a fleadh session or somewhere along the way; c) Maurice Manley’s Slide – Dónal picked this tune up from a recording of the Sliabh Luachra musicians, John & Julia Clifford; d) Rolling in Rosemount – Composed by John and Donal in Belfast, a tipp of the hat to the Sliabh Luachra masters.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Trad. Arr. O’Connor, McSherry, McCrickard)
Ciara learned this song from Catherine Nugent from County Tyrone. Dónal heard Cathal McConnell sing this version of the song and Cathal attributes his variations to Len Graham and Kevin Mitchell.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Trad. Arr. McSherry, O’Connor, McIlduff)
a) La Volta – Francis brought this tune to the table. He first heard it from the playing of Finbar Furey. A Volta is a Renaissance dance for couples from the later Renaissance; b) El Garrotín – This is the last surviving melody in what was a popular Asturian music genre. John & Ruben Bada heard this from Asturian band Llan de Cubel.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Comp. Finbar Furey)
Uilleann Pipe master Finbar Furey tells us that he composed this air in honour of his friend Roy Williamson. Our good friend Blackie O’Connell played us Leo Rowesome’s recording an old lullaby called ‘Old man rocking the cradle’. There is a resemblance between the first parts of both tunes.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
(Comp. John McSherry / Trad. Arr. McSherry, O’Connor, McIlduff)
a) The Pipers of Roguery – John wrote this tune for all the roguish pipers out there; b) The Hag at the Spinning Wheel – Commonly known as the Hag or the Maid at the Spinning Wheel, the earliest recorded version of this fine jig appears in Rutherford’s Complete Collection of 200 celebrated Country Dances (1756) where it appears under the title ‘The Wild Irishman.
Expanded sleeve notes in Fanclub area (use password on back of ‘Idir’ album packaging)
