Gráinne Hambly & William Jackson, Music from Ireland and Scotland

Introduction

This recording features of variety of Irish and Scottish airs and dance tunes, some dating back to the 17th and 18th century harp repertoire as well as recent compositions, performed on harps, concertina, whistle and bouzouki.

Gráinne Hambly from County Mayo is an internationally recognised exponent of the Irish harp, and is in great demand as a performer and teacher, both in Ireland and abroad. She has attracted glowing praise for her live performances and recorded material, which brilliantly showcase what has been described as her 'absolute mastery of the Irish harp'. Gráinne is a music graduate of Queen's University Belfast.

Originally from Glasgow, William Jackson was a founding member and creative tour de force of Ossian, which became one of Scotland's best-loved traditional bands. In addition to being a renowned harper and multi-instrumentalist, William has gained an international reputation as a composer of music inspired by both traditional and classical elements. He is also a trained Music Therapist.

Gráinne and William first performed together in October 2004. Since then they have toured extensively in the USA giving concerts and workshops, as well as performing at several international harp festivals. They have both released a number of solo CDs, but this is their first collaborative recording.

For bookings see the Harp Agency or email grainne@harp.net

All tracks Trad. Arr. Gráinne Hambly / William Jackson (Mill Music Publishing) except:
'The Hairy-Chested Frog' Comp. Bobby Casey, Arr. Hambly / Jackson
'Appomattox' Comp. William Jackson, Arr. Hambly / Jackson
'The Rectory Reel' Comp. Patrick Davey, Arr. Hambly / Jackson

Thanks to:

Patrick Davey, Kathy DeAngelo, Larry Egar, Tom Fellenbaum, Larry Fisher, Mike Garden, Bernie Geraghty, Dennis Gormley, Martin Hadden, Janet Harbison, Calum Malcolm, Siobhán Ní Chonaráin, Triplett Harps, Jack Yule, our families and friends

Instruments used on this recording

Gráinne:
Larry Fisher 'Éireann' Harp (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12)
Larry Egar Harp (track 9)
Jeffries 38-key C/G Concertina (tracks 3, 6, 7)

William:
Jack Yule 'Lapwing' Harp (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12)
Wire-strung harp by Triplett Harps (track 5)
Bouzouki by Tom Fellenbaum (tracks 4, 8, 11).
Susato C Whistle (tracks 1, 9, 11).
Laud (lute) (track 9)

Recording & Design

Recorded in North Berwick, June 2009.
Except harp on track 9, recorded at 6YO Studios, Oranmore, County Galway by Bruno Staehelin, May 2006
Engineered and mastered by Calum Malcolm.
Graphic Design by Mike Garden @ Birnam CD
Photography by Michael Hambly and William Jackson