Album Notes

The Donnybrook Legacy brings together the talents of a diverse group of musicians in an ensemble devoted to the traditional repertoire of North America and the Celtic lands. Formed as a contra dance band in Charleston, SC, performing American fiddle tunes and Irish dance music, as well as slow airs and waltzes, the Donnybrook has expanded it's repertoire to include Renaissance songs and dances, the music of Turlough O'Carolan, and even the occassional Grateful Dead song.

The members of the Donnybrook Legacy come from all over the musical map, with experience in orchestral music, classical and early music, bluegrass, and rock 'n roll. Taken together they bring a spirit and virtuosity to this music that will put a smile on your face and keep your feet tapping!

from Dirty Linen - Feb/Mar 2000
Originally formed as a contra dance band, The Donnybrook Legacy is a quintet from Charleston, SC. Three of the five members also play with an early music ensemble in a style that informs(but does not dominate) the playing on Growling Old Man. This is the band's first CD release, and it focuses on Irish and Appalachian tunes, with a few extras tossed in (including a delightful set of French Tunes). Nearly half the material is recorded live. The instrumentation covers violin, lute, recorders, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, guitars, banjo, bodhran, and percussion.

The Donnybrook legacy illustrates their deft sense of rhythm (undoubtedly from years of playing for rooms of stamping feet and swaying bodies) on tracks like "Green Groves of Erin", and "Kitchen Girl". On the other side of the tempo continuum, their versions of "Irish Lamentation" and "Southwind" highlight their ease in drawing out the beauty of slow airs.