Album Notes

THE NORTHERN EMERALD

INTRODUCTION

This album features some of the treasures of traditional Irish music -a unique collection of priceless Celtic Musical Gems, uniquely arranged for a replica of the 3000 year old Biblical Davidic 10-String Lyre, Celtic-Style Appalachian Clawhammer 5-String Banjo & Solo Mandolin...

TRADTIONAL IRISH MUSIC PLAYED ON THE LYRE OF THE ANCIENT HEBREWS?

There is a fascinating LEGEND/MYTH, that the Celtic Harp is, in fact, a direct ancestor of the Lyre of the Ancient Hebrews, which was apparently introduced to Ireland 2600 years ago by Israelites who fled there in exile, after the Fall the of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586BCE...
This is a quote from John Wheeler's fascinating website on music from the time of the Hebrew Bible...
http://www.rakkav.com/biblemusic/pages/instruments.htm
"...The "harp of Tara", symbol of Ireland, is linked by Irish traditional history to the "harp of David". This last was said to have been brought to Ireland (among other artefacts) by "Ollamh Fodhla" (identified with the prophet Jeremiah), his scribe "Simon Brach" (identified with Baruch the scribe of Jeremiah), and "Tea Tephi" (identified with the daughter of King Zedekiah of Judah). Was this connection merely mythical, or could it have had a basis in truth?"
The Celts had lyres too; they also brought some kind of harp from the Middle East; and Jeremiah is said by Irish tradition to have brought a "harp".
In all likelihood, there was confusion in the transmission of historical facts in this little-known Gem of Irish Folk-Lore. However, in order to give this legend some of basis in truth, I have arranged several of the Irish musical gems featured on this album, on an ACTUAL replica of the Lyre of the Ancient Hebrews (the Biblical “Kinnor”), which King David himself once played, some 3000 years ago, and which was later played by my very own, very ancient Levite ancestors in the Temple of Jerusalem, to accompany the legendary singing of the Levitical Choir.
NB! I am NOT attempting to be "controversial" in trying to re-write history, and my intention is certainly NOT to offend ANY person's particular religious beliefs or traditions! It is merely a fascinating, harmless MYTH...but just maybe, with some hint of truth behind it?
The design of my lyre (manufactured by Mid East Ethnic Instruments), is based upon actual contemporary illustrations of the Lyre of the Ancient Hebrews, as depicted on ancient Jewish coins from the time of the Simon Bar Kochba Revolt against the Roman occupation of Judea. For all the fascinating historical details about my lyre, please visit:
http://www.ancientlyre.com
Irish music really DOES work, when played on the Lyre of the Ancient Hebrews; the original "Harp of David" - maybe there IS some truth in the fascinating legend of the Jewish origin of the Celtic Harp after all?
The pieces I have arranged for Davidic Lyre, are “She Moved Through the Fair” (track 1), “Brian Buru’s March” (track 8), “Tie the Bonnet” (track 11), “The Humours of Glendart” (track 13), and “Spancil Hill” (track 20).



TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC – ON THE APPALACHIAN-STYLE CLAWHAMMER 5-STRING BANJO?

It is often overlooked, that virtually the old-time musical repertoire of the Appalachian Mountains, had its origins in traditional Irish music...the “Invisible Baggage” taken by the countless Irish immigrants to America, during the course of the Nineteenth Century e.g. “Turkey in the Straw”, “Soldiers Joy” etc.
The pieces I have arranged for Appalachian Banjo in this album, are literally traditional Irish melodies which “missed the boat” with these original 19th century immigrants!
Indeed, it is another overlooked fact, that the very first banjo to be introduced to Ireland was not the traditional Irish Tenor banjo, but the 5-string banjo! The 5-string banjo was introduced to Ireland, early in the 19th century, when the first Minstrel Shows came over from America–
“The banjo in all probability was first introduced to Ireland, when the Virginia Minstrels toured in England, Ireland and France in 1843, 1844 and 1845. The leader of the Virginia Minstrels was Joel Walker Sweeney who was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, in 1810. Sweeney, whose antecedents came from Co. Mayo, has become one of the most controversial characters in the history of the banjo, having been credited widely with introducing the fifth string, or chanterelle, to the instrument” (quoted from “The Banjo – A Short History”, by Mick Maloney).
The Tenor Banjo, used so commonly today in traditional Irish music, was not invented until around 1915! Eventually, in Ireland, it gradually replaced the 5-string Banjo, thanks mostly to the fact that it could be tuned to exctly the same intervals as the fiddle. If the history had taken a different turn, then just maybe, traditional Irish music would sound like it does on this album? It is such a pity that the 5-string banjo is not used more to play traditional Irish music – Irish music, when played on the beautifully rhythmic clawhammer style on the 5-string banjo, with the almost hypnotic ringing of that magical 5th string, always conjures up images in my mind of babbling Irish brooks...
The tunings I use, include standard GDGBD tuning (track 7, “Out On The Ocean” & track 18, “The Morining Star”), as well as haunting modal banjo tunings heard in countless Appalachian Mountain Folk Songs. These modal tunings feature open D tuning, as head in Appalachian Clawhammer Banjo classics, such as “Soldier’s Joy” & “Wildwood Flower” – ADADE. Track on this album to use this wonderfully resonant open D tuning, are track 6, “My Love Is In America”, track 12, “Tobin’s Favourite”, track 14, “The Frost Is All Over” & track 16, “Drops of Brandy”).
I also use the most haunting of all the od time Appalachian Modal Banjo Tunings – AEADE. This mournful modal tuning, can be heard in traditional Appalachain Mountain songs, such as “Old Cluck Hen” & “Shady Grove”. Track on my album to use this mesmerising modal banjo tuning, are tracks 10, “The Cliffs of Moher” & track 19, “Star of The County Down”).


TRADTIONAL IRISH MUSIC PLAYED ON THE MANDOLIN?

Although the mandolin has been heard in Irish music sessions for centuries (primarily thanks to the fact that it shares exactly the same GDAE tuning of the fiddle), it is still very rare to hear this lovely gentle instrument played solo – normally, it’s delicate tone is ruthlessly drowned out beneath the fiddles and bodhrans...in this album, I have therefore attempted to redress the balance!
The pieces on this album, featuring solo mandolin are “Hewlett” (track 2), Caroline’s Concerto” (track 3), “Off to California” (track 5), “Peggy on the Settle” (track 9), “Dusty Miller” (track 15) & “The Rambling Pitchfork” (track 17).