Johnny Connolly
An tOilean Aerach

Track Listing           1. Farewell to Ireland / Misss McLeod’s           2. The Wise Maid / Last Night’s Fun           3. The Plains of Boyle / Kitty’s Wedding           4. Jerry’s Beaver Hat / Jack Cohen’s           5. Peata Beag do Mhathair / Polca Aine / Little Diamond           6. The Trip to Durrow / The Old Concertina Reel           7. Inis Caltrach / The Green Gates           8. Port Chuil Aodha / An Roghaire Dubh           9. Lord Gordon         10. The Echo / Byrne’s Hornpipe         11. Crowley’s Reels         12. The Repeal of the Union / The Cat’s Miaou         13. Bonny Kate / Jenny’s Chicken’s         14. The Scholar / The Mooncoin Reel         15. The Mason’s Apron         16. The Merry Blacksmith / Rolling in the Rye Grass         17. Miss Johnson / The Donegal Reel         18. The Liverpool Hornpipe / The Leitrim Fancy         19. An Staicin Eorna / Love Will You Marry Me         20. The Irish Washerwoman / The Connaughtman’s Rambles         21. The Old Geese in the Bog / An Seanduine Doite         22. The Harvest Home / The Boys of Bluehill Click on underlined titles to hear mp3 sound samples

We are delighted to announce our release of this classic CD.
Johnny Connolly
An tOilean Aerach

 
  "An tOilean Aerach" is a very unique recording and the only one of its kind. It features Johnny Connolly, one of the only performing melodeon players in Ireland today. The melodeon is a one rowed accordion that was popular in rural areas at the turn of the century. Since then it has given way to the more versatile two rowed button accordion. This CD constitutes a sort of revival in melodeon playing and will be of interest to traditional musicians everywhere.

The music is very sweet with an insistence on glorifying the melody of the tune rather than embellishing it to a point where it is unrecognisable. Johnny's rhythm is flawless and controlled, and his love for the music is very evident in his hearty and vivacious playing.
This recording is indeed a rare gem
 
 

Musical Traditions Web Site

The Connollys are both fine musicians but it is the father's CD which is likely to make the largest impact for the fine way that the playing of the one-row box is demonstrated and for the overall more convincing nature of his playing.  Vic Smith

 The Living Tradition
An album of traditional Irish Music on the melodeon that literally jumps with life and heady vigour. Each note is in its place and spun with the hand of a weaver. This is music that's a way of life and it breathes beautifully as a result. Johnny Connolly's playing is delicate and precise, with bags of lift and without over-ornamentation of some players with bigger boxs.

The Dublin Event Guide
"An tOilean Aerach" is another multi sourced archive of tunes in the lilting Connemara style. Connolly has a bright , naked sawing touch on the jigs and polkas, though he tosses plenty of little ankle-wobbles into the reels.

Hot Press
Johnny Connolly is a man with a mission on a melodeon... he's a peddler of some fine tunes siphoned from the repertoire of Joe Cooley, Michael Coleman and their ilk.