Textiles, Glass, Musical Instruments, and Fancy Work
8. Planxty Charles Bunworth And Rose and Kathleen’s Slip Jig
© Liz Carroll / Grow Your Own Music (BMI)

Liz Carroll (fiddle), Catriona McKay (harp), Kieran O’Hare (flute, tinwhistles, uilleann pipes), Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (keyboard), Liz Knowles
(fiddle, hardanger d’amore 5+5), Trevor Hutchinson (acoustic bass)

From Liz's words in the CD Booklet, "Charles Bunworth (1704–1772), from County Cork, was a great proponent of Irish music, especially harp music, and was also a harpist himself. The instrument by John Kelly featured in the exhibition was made for Reverend Bunworth.

A planxty is a tune that honors or thanks someone. In respect to the word’s origin, Donal O’Sullivan writes the following in Carolan: The Life Times and Music of an Irish Harper: 'The tunes called Planxties . . . owe their origin, if not, as I believe, their names, to Carolan; and are to be regarded as a class of festive harp-tunes composed in honour of his patrons or hospitable entertainers, and, as such, only differing from his other airs composed for the same purpose in the greater gaiety and playfulness of their movements.'

The slip jig is a uniquely Irish dance to a tune in 9/8 time. "Rose and Kathleen’s Slip Jig" honors two of my fellow musicians, Rose Conway Flanagan (fiddle)and Kathleen Conneely (tinwhistle), wonderful players and teachers. The melody of the tune contains my own bow to Chicago in a blues progression to end the twelve-bar first part."

"IRELAND: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690–1840 - The Music" is an album of music produced and performed by some of Irish music's most renowned musicians. The music was inspired by a collection of fine and decorative art that was part of an exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago between March and June of 2015.

Produced by Liz Carroll, Liz Knowles, and Marty Fahey, the album features music of the period, and also newly composed music by Liz Carroll which was inspired by the hundreds of years old music as well as the art from the exhibition itself.

All three of the producers play on the album. Fiddlers Liz Carroll and Liz Knowles are heard throughout, and are often leading an ensemble of exemplary musicians. The ensemble also take on solo pieces which honor the tradition of the traveling musicians of the period. These artists include keyboardist Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, harpist Catriona McKay, uilleann piper Kieran O’Hare, pianist Marty Fahey, and Liz Knowles, too. Guest musicians include Jackie Moran, Trevor Hutchinson, Emer Mayock, Mick O'Brien, and Aoife Ní Bhriain.

The album, which had been for sale only via the Art Institute's web site and museum store, is now widely available via CD Baby, Claddagh Records, and OSSIAN USA, and at online stores everywhere.

Ireland: Crossroads Of Art And Design, 1690-1840 - The Music

Textiles, Glass, Instruments, Fancy Work - Charles Bunworth, Rose & Kathleen's, composed by Carroll

Liz Carroll was born in Chicago of Irish parents. She's a junior and senior All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, and has toured as a solo artist and with the Greenfields of America, Trian, String Sisters, and as part of the duo Liz Carroll & John Doyle. She's featured on ten albums and has appeared on many more. Liz is a recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship Award (1994). In 2010 she became the first Irish-American musician nominated for a Grammy. In 2011, she became the first American-born composer honored with the Cumadóir TG4, Ireland's most significant traditional music prize.

Liz's new album is available now.  "On the Offbeat" has been called magnificent and timeless by the critics, and "... one of the best albums of the decade so far" by Irish Music Magazine.  You can hear the music and purchase at www.lizcarroll.com and in stores everywhere.