Seán Ó Ríada and Ceoltóirí Cualann
Ding Dong

Musicians:

• Éamonn de Buitléar -Accordion
• Paddy Moloney - Uilleann Pipes and Whistle
• Máirtin Fay (Martin Fay) - fiddle
• Seán Keane - fiddle
• Seán Potts - Whistle
• Peadar Mercier - bodhrán
• Michael Tubridy (Micheál Toibride) - Flute
• John Kelly (Seán Ceallaigh) - fiddle
• Seán O Riada - Bodhrán and Harpsichord
• Seán O Se - vocals

Note: The songs marked '*' are Irish; vocal/instrumental.

Liner notes by "S. Mac R." give a short account of the career of Ó Ríada and the Ceoltóirí, titles of songs, but no notes on songs or recording history. Note says that Ó Ríada met "some of the musicians who now form" the Ceoltóirí during the 1961 production at the Abbey Theatre of the play 'The Song of the Anvil' by Bryan MacMahon. Ó Ríada was then the theatre's Music Director. The C.C.'s sound was then thought to be "new", a "unique combination of tradition and originality", and their music in the production a "brilliant experiment". Ó Ríada's own sound is described as deriving from "the Gaelic literary and musical tradition of his native Munster"; he lived in the West Cork Gaeltacht and often visited the Gaelic-speaking communities of Kerry. It also says that the Ceoltóirí all then lived in Dublin, and aredescribed as "fusing the music and style of Clare, Waterford, Wexford and Laois..." to produce a traditional sound with new vigour. "... at a timewhen even the strong sinews of folk-song are so often reduced to a treaclypulp this is something to be grateful for". The note further says that "the tunes they plan [on this record] arenot the cream of our tradition --but who wants cream every day? This isgood robust entertainment in the tradition of the firesides and crossroadsand taverns of Ireland". There is a separate short bio of Séan Ó Sé, the balladsinger who does the focals on some of the songs.