Album Notes

John Daly's debut album is finally available.

Born in Cork, John lived there until he was 23. He moved to work in Cavan in 1986 and spent 11 years before moving to Chicago where he has lived since 1997.

Started to learn Irish music in 1975 from Limerick music teacher Sean O Carroll (1920 - 1997).

John was influenced in the 80s by Kerry fiddle player Johnny Cronin and then became interested in the playing of Andy McGann from New York, Longford man Paddy Reynolds who has spent over 50 years in New York, and of course Belfast man, Sean McGuire. All of these players still remain John's favourites with the later inclusion of New Yorker Brian Conway and Leitrim's Charlie Lennon.

In the late 80's and early 90's John became aware of Shetland master Willie Hunter, who soon became his strongest influence in the playing of slow airs.

Recorded in Chicago, where John now lives, his album features Irish traditional fiddle music, his own original tunes composed in the traditional style, slow airs from the Shetland Islands and a track of Cape Breton and Scottish reels. John's favourite accompaniment is that of piano and he is accompanied on the album by no fewer than five different piano players. John Shine, Marty Fahey and Cleek Schrey from Chicago, Kevin Brehony from Sligo and Davie Keith from the Shetland Islands all lend their own distinctive supporting styles.

The harmonies of Liz Knowles from Chicago on viola and violin take the slow pieces on this album to new heights as does the Cello playing of Chicagoan Alexa Ramirez on a set of John's own Jigs.

The album is produced by Dennis Cahill from Chicago. Dennis has always believed that less is more when it comes to accompanying Irish music. The album is solely about the tunes, some new, some old, some accompanied, some not. It features three moving slow airs in the Scottish / Shetland style as well as "Alcie", one of John's own compositions.

"This Album is an hour's joy and harmony in a topsy turvy world"
- Tommy Peoples.

"John's interpretation of the tunes he brings us on this album reflect skill and musicianship. They are tasteful, tuneful and very interesting."
- Joe Burke

"I would recommend John Daly's recording to all lovers of Irish music wherever they may be."
- Seamus Tansey