Four track cassette portastudio recording with e-bow, inspired by Gavin Whelan's low whistle arrangement
Hector The Hero is a traditional Scots lament

HECTOR THE HERO

From demos for Live From Kilmichael album
Recorded Sept 2020 on Tascam 4 track Porta 02
Traditional Donegal folk song, lyrics by Willie Gillespie, arr R J Hurt
Also performed this live on TG4 Ceol Chogaigh Na Saoirse - https://youtu.be/4Xe0UWN5R4s

JOHNSTON'S MOTOR CAR (four track cassette demo)

Wonderful traditional Irish song apparently first recorded in Co Armagh 
This is a demo I recorded on Tascam Porta02 four track cassette in a flat in Portobello, Dublin.
Re-recorded with Ailbhe Nolan on concertina for our album of the same name, still available to stream and download ;) 
No guitar on this one, but there's a cuatro de Puerto Rico, a mandolin and a ukulele!

THE MAGPIE'S NEST (four track cassette demo)

Ailbhe Nolan on concertina!

Four track cassette portastudio demo for the 2017 album "The Magpie's Nest" (catalogue number RJH006 - still available to stream and download)
Recorded in the front room of my old flat in Portobello, Dublin, sometime in 2015..

THE STAR OF MUNSTER REELS (with Ailbhe Nolan)

Lo-fi original folk music from the wide open road

Written on a porch in Omaha, Nebraska 
Recorded in Dublin, Ireland

Overdubs and mixing Oct 2021, Kilmichael, Co Wexford

All music recorded on Tascam Porta02 portastudio

(c) Robin James Hurt 2021

ACROSS THE BLACK SOIL PLAINS (1ST MIX)

Whimsical Scottish folk tale
A creel is a wicker basket
A keech is a turd
(allegorical)
HUP
Learnt from the singing of the late legendary Ewan MacColl

THE KEECH IN THE CREEL

Wrote this tune a few years ago, in honour of the Town and Port of Larne, County Antrim; the friends I have made there over the years, the music I have played there - and the many times I've paused for breath there on the journey to Scotland and back.
(first time February 1974...three years old)

Recorded on four track cassette portastudio and bounced down to digital.
Your quiz host: Murray McDowell

LAHARNA (1ST MIX)

Legendary Irish ballad always a pleasure to sing, The melody is stunning and the story always takes me with it. 
I recorded the basic tracks on the Tascam Porta 02 in Dublin in 2015, a couple of weeks after learning to sing the song when it was still new to me, then refurbed them and added to them November 2021 in Wexford. 
The one and only rhythm maestro Ian McTigue lent his immense talent on bodhrán and drum kit.

THE GALWAY SHAWL

Anthem to emotional perseverance
Written by Pearse McGloughlin
From the forthcoming album "AND WE FOR ONE ANOTHER"
RJH : Vocals, Guitars, Slide Mandolin, Percussion, Oven Timer
Ian McTigue: Drums
Mick Morris : Bass
Jayne Pomplas : Violin
Gil Haddon : Cello

Recorded on four and eight track Tascam cassette portastudios, Kilmichael Co Wexford 2022

MORNING MIST

THINKING OF YOU 4 track cassette recording (Kenna/Hurt)

Out-take from sessions for Ballads and Stramashes
My own version of a fine old Riley ballad*with roots in Claudy, County Derry
Produced and mixed by Liam Mulvaney, Asylum Studios @ Bow Lane, Dublin, Ireland
*http://www.lizlyle.lofgrens.org/RmOlSngs/RTOS-BanksClaudy.html

The Banks Of Claudy

Recorded produced and mixed by Liam Mulvaney at Asylum Studios, Dublin.
Cover of a strident and powerful classic written by Dominic Behan. Originally written specially for the late great Ronnie Drew, "McAlpine's Fusiliers" was first recorded by the Ronnie Drew Group (who became The Dubliners) in 1963.
I always get a buzz from singing this song. The lyrics are so strong and emotive, you get completely lost in it.

McAlpine's Fusiliers (from Ballads and Stramashes EP)

Title track from 2017 album by Robin James Hurt & Ailbhe Nolan
This is an old Irish traditional love song, first recorded by Peter Kennedy from the singing of Annie Jane Kelly of County Armagh.
I became familiar with it after hearing Alasdair Roberts' fine recording; Shirley Collins also performed.
Recorded by Anthony Gibney @ Audioland Studios
Album available on iTunes, PlayStore, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer etc
(c) and (p) Robin James Hurt and Ailbhe Nolan 2017 all rights reserved

Robin James Hurt

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