"FROM PANA TO LOUISIANA"
(Track listing, additional informational and times. These
are the missing sleeve notes from the first album!)
1. Diggy Diggy Lo Time:2min 35sec
This cajun song we learned from a recording of Eddie LeJeune
whom we had the pleasure of hearing when he visited Cork a number
of years ago. It was made famous in Louisiana by Doug Kershaw.It
has proven to be a popular live number for us.
2. Tom and Jerry Time:3min 18sec
This is a traditional American tune that Ray learned from a recording
of Sam Bush. It has been associated very much with Texas fiddle
player Benny Thomasson. Some parts are very reminiscent of the
Irish tune The Foxhunters.
3. J'ai Passe Devant ta Porte Time:3min 50sec
(I passed by your door)
This well known waltz from Louisiana would be the cajun equivalent
of a lament. In Raymond E.Francois excellent book "Ye yaille,Chere"
he mentions that his father remembers this song being played
around the time the Titanic sank,but he mentions that the song
is much older. We learned this version from a recording of cajun
musician Michael Doucet.
4. Dust Bowl Blues Time:3min 33sec
This song was written by Senan Quinlan,a long time friend of
Tomas and the band. He wrote it while living in New Mexico and
the imagery vividly reflects both his mood and the landscape.
It arrived from the States with eleven other gems collectively
known as "Mr. Quinlan'
s 12 Golden Greats" recorded
on a 4 track in his Santa Fe front room.
5.J'etais au Bal Time:2min 54sec
(I was at the dance)
Our version of this cajun song comes from several different sources
and recordings. The first part of the tune is loosely based on
Eddie LeJeune's version,while the second part comes from a book
of cajun fiddle tunes written by Deborah Greenblatt.
6. Kitchen Girl/ Scotland Time:3min 43sec
Ray learned both of these tunes from Cork fiddle player extraordinaire
Vince Milne. Kitchen Girl is an old time American traditional
tune,while Scotland was written by the late great Bill Munroe.
7. The Last Letter Home Time:2min 53sec
Tomas learned this song about the American Civil War from 5 string
banjo player Johnny McNamara when they played together at many
sessions in The Huntsman Bar, Tower, Blarney.
8. The Cherokee Waltz Time:2min 56sec
This is one of the first cajun songs we learned and we got it
from Kate and Greg from The Boat Band who in turn learned it
from J.C. Gallow, a washboard playing, washing machine fixing
Deputy Sheriff from Eunice, Louisiana.
9. No Expectations Time:4min 20sec
Ou
r good friend Hank Wedel, who came out after his regular gig
with Ray in Charlie's Bar on a Monday night, played some great
slide guitar for us on this track. Hank tells us that it was
sadly Brian Jones' last con tribution to The Rolling Stones when
he played slide guitar on the original recording back in 1968.
10. The Moonlight Waltz Time:2min 50sec
Another great tune of Bill Munroe's,which we got from a collection
of tunes by American mandolin player Butch Baldassari.Our good
friend from Limerick, Mick Power,played some lovely Dobro guitar
for us on this one.
11. 'Tit Galop pour Mamou Time:2min 17sec
(Let's gallop to Mamou)
This is the last Cajun tune on the album,and once again,it was
learned from a variety of sources.Mamou is a town in Southwest
Loiusiana.
12. The Greek Tune Time:4min 19sec
Liam and Ray have been playing this tune in several different
bands going back a good number of years. It is a traditional
Greek tune which we don't have a proper name for but it has saved
many's the gig.
13. The Festival Waltz Time:1min 51sec
This is a waltz composed by bluegrass fiddle player Kenny Baker
who has played in Bill Munroes band
and has many fine compositions
to his credit.
*The word 'Pana' in the title refers to the Cork slang word
for Patrick St., the main thoroughfare in Cork.
(Thanks to Kate Barfield for the C.D. title)
Musicians:
Tomas Dunne(Vocals,acoustic guitar, washboard)
Ray Barron (Mandolin, fiddle, bouzouki, mandola)
Geraldine Barron ( Concertina, accordian)
Dave Barry (Bass guitar)
Des Field (Drums, percussion)
Liam Murphy (Vocals, electric, acoustic and bad baba)