Carolan's Receipt: The Music of Carolan, Vol. 1

Turlough O'Carolan (Composer), Michael Tubridy (Performer), Derek Bell (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Michael Tubridy, Derek Bell
• Composer: Turlough O'Carolan
• Audio CD (February 1, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000046S03
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,384 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Sídh Beag Agus Sídh Mór

2. Carolan's Receipt or an Dochtúr Seán Stafford

3. Lady Athenry (Bantighearna Átha an Ríogh)

4. Fanny Poer

5. Máire Dhall (Blind Mary)

6. Sir Festus a Búrca (Sir Festus Burke)

7. 'Rúisg, a Bhean Na Tabhairne' (Carolan's Quarrel With the Landlady)

8. Mrs Poer (Carolan's 'Concerto')

9. Seán Ó Conchubhair/A H-Uisi Chroidhe Na N-Anamann

10. Seóirse Brabston (George Brabazon)

11. Máible Ní Cheallaigh (George Brabazon)

12. Madam Maxwell/Carolan's Nightcap/Lady Gethin

13. Brighid Crús (Three Bridget Cruise Airs)

14. Seán Ó Raighilligh (John O'Reilly)

15. Carolan's Farewell to Music

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Derek Bell recorded Carolan's Receipt in 1975, the same year he joined the Chieftains. This was one of the first LPs devoted to the music of the blind harper Turlough O'Carolan, and it helped to introduce his music to the world. The selections include "Sídh Beag agus Sídh Mór," the first melody O'Carolan composed, as well "Carolan's Farewell to Music," which was his last. Bell plays most of the pieces on the solo harp, although his new bandmates accompany him on a few tunes. There have been dozens of settings of O'Carolan's compositions released since these versions were recorded, but none have surpassed the beauty of Bell's. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Supernatural Music, August 7, 2000

By	P. Hines - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can't believe no one has reviewed this. I can still remember moments, whole days, almost twenty years on now only because this fine, fine music was playing at the time. This is a glorious album of tunes by a lost and forgotten genius. Carolan was a (fairly famous in his day) composer of the 17th century who was like no other. No other at all. I tried to explain it to a friend of mine recently by saying that he is the only human I can even imagine having written the Londonderry Air. This is beautiful, spectral, awesome music. Listen to the tragically short excerpt from Maire Dhall above... the piece entire is magic, pure and good.

I search/browsed my way to this page because something (unspecific, I don't know) about John Fahey's America reminded me of this album. I'm so glad it's been released on CD. Check it out.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure, April 10, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

Derek Bell recreates the authentic sound of Carolan, the blind 17th century Irish harper who transformed this traditional musical genre. (Actually Bell is almost certainly a far better harp player than Carolan, whose genius was composition, not performance.) Bell mainly uses a wire-strung harp, which gives his arrangements the haunting air of a music box. Listen closely for Bell's magical musical embellishments. Bell includes some of Carolan's best-known pieces (Blind Mary, George Barabazon, and Carolan's Farewell to Music) but also treats us to some lesser-known masterpieces, including Lady Athenry, Caralon's Nightcap, and Lady Gethin. Thank you, Derek, and keep up the tradition!

5.0 out of 5 stars Carolan's Receipt - Derek Bell Irish Harp, February 10, 2008

By	Sylvia Shanahan (Tasmania, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gentle and poetic, haunting at times, this is a wonderful interpretation of the refined, evocative sounds of the Irish harp playing Carolan's ancient tunes. I love it.