Pure Bodhran - The Definitive Collection - 2CD

(2000) 19 tracks (42 mins + 33 mins): Tommy Hayes - Simply A * Robbie Harris - Jig Jungle * Ronan O Snodaigh - Feach * Jimmy Higgins - Beautiful Lake Ainslie * Damien Quinn - Cathal's Favourite * Donnchadh Gough - Humours Of Tullagh * Dave Donohoe and Tony Davoren - Two Island Swans * Cathy Jordan - Lark On The Strand * Brian Fleming - Phuis Fluich * John Joe Kelly - Calico * Christy Moore - Cottage In The Grove * Kevin Conneff - Estonian Waltz * John Reynolds - Dunmore Lassies * Colm Murphy - The Lonesome Polkas * Johnny McDonagh - Sean Reid's * Donal Lunny - Mominsko Horo * Gino Lupari - The Bodhran Song * Glen Velez - The Legacy Jig * James McNally - Whirily Reel 1.

A collection of music from the greatest exponents of the bodhran - the Irish drum - featured in very varied settings.

Songs and tunes from some of the biggest names in Irish music.

Also featuring Ronan Brown (flute), Meta Costelloe (vocals), Peter Brown (accordion), Charlie Foley (bass), Kila, Alan Kelly (accordion), Steve Cooney (guitar), Cian, Danu, Dervish, Sean Whelan (guitar), Paul Kelly (mandolin, fiddle), Flook, Nollaig Casey (fiddle), Arty McGlynn (guitar), Paul McGrattan (flute), Maire Ni Chaoimh (fiddle), Tom Morrison (flute), Jackie Daly (accordion), Seamus Creagh (fiddle), Mary Bergin (whistle), Alec Finn (bouzouki), Ron Kavana (bouzuoki, guitar, vocals), Joanie Madden (whistle), Jerry O'Sullivan (uillean pipes) and Afro Celt Sound System.

"When one listens to a bodhran player today, it may be worth considering that this frame drum, now so highly refined, started out as a farm implement and was only actually played once a year - leading a ritual procession each December 26th, when the player battered the skin of the drum with a bare fist and the bells inserted in the wooden frame jingled chaotically. It was not until the 1950s and the advent of fleadhs that the bodhran found its way into sessions and musical gatherings, and later in the 1960s on to more formal platforms with the help of Sean Riada. However, it was to take another decade again and a fresh generation of players before the bodhran would find acceptance. Nearly thirty years on and the bodhran has become as much a symbol of Ireland as the harp, and this once humble drum is played today using highly innovative technique and tone, making it one of the most exciting instruments in Irish music." (Emer Mayock)