It all started in 1970 when Tom Cussen and Benny O'Connor got together with friends in London and played in the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town every Friday for almost a year. Moving back to Ireland around the end of 1971 both Tom and Benny wasted no time in getting the band flying. Over twenty years on and Shaskeen have produced no fewer than ten albums of fire-brand Irish traditional music. They have also produced singles and EPs along the way. The current revival of set dancing is very welcome and the band is as strong as ever.
All the tunes (along with the chords as played) from five of their cassettes (which are now available in CD format) have been transcribed into two wonderful books. Copious cross-references have been appended, which go a long way to filling in the background to the tunes, encouraging the musician to look further. The tunes in the two books are those being currently played in Irish sessions which was the inspiration for producing them.
The recordings are excellent examples of the sound of a working, authentic and respected céilí band and therefore the books aren't dusted-off reprints, but instead contain up-to-date, popular versions of tunes being played today.
Contents
Reels
Ambrose Moloney's
Ash Maley House
Billy Brocker
Boys of Portaferry
Brendan McMorrin's
Connemara Stockings
Darby's Farewell to London
Drunken Landlady
Early Breakfast
Floating Crowbar
Fred Finn's
Golden Keyboard
Humours of Toomagh
Jack Maguire's
Jackson's
Killaghbeg House
Lady on the IslandLast Night's Fun
Leitrim Bucks