Pat Cloonan's Thanksgiving - Pat Cloonan

Musicians: Patrick Cloonan - Accordion
Helen Hayes - Vocals
Martin Hayes - Fiddle (appears courtesy of Green Linnet Records)
Jeff Morello - Harmonica, Bodhran
Timothy O'Sullivan - Vocals, Poetry, Humor
Joseph Daniel Sobel - Guitar, Bouzouki

Pat Cloonan hails from the rural coast of Connemara, County Galway. Speaking only the Irish language in his youth, he spent long periods over the past decades in London (where he picked up the English language) and Chicago, and now graces Wisconsin, USA, with his presence. His music still carries the "smell of the old sod." Its mellow strength and invigorating fluidity reveal Pat's roots in the old way of playing that still survives in the far West of Ireland. The lifeblood of rhythm that flows through his tunes  the "nyah," as Pat would put it speaks for his many years of playing for traditional dancers, as well as his own skill in sean nos dance. This recording is not only an inspiring musical work, but also an invaluable record of how much richer Irish music is when played with a strong personal grounding in the rural tradition of Ireland. The sensitive work of renowned fiddler Martin Hayes, himself an East Clare man, perfectly suits Pat's music and with the assistance of Mr.'s Sobel and Morello lifts the atmosphere of this recording to a level of absolute enjoyment.

Tracks:
Reels: I'm Waiting for You / Never Was Piping So Gay
Song: A Stor Mo Chroi 
Hornpipes: Cooley's Hornpipe / Phil Durkin's Favorite
Reels: Swallow Tail / Miss McLeod's
Song: Kerry Hills
Jigs: Connachtman's Rambles / Butcher's Jig / Gander in the Pratie Hole
Reels: Johnny McGreevy's Favorite [by Paddy Fahey] / Eleanor Neary's Favorite [aka Lad O'Beirne's]
Poem: The Fairies
Waltz: Fanny Powers
Slides: Martin's Favorite / Merrily Kissed the Quaker
Reels: Ladies' Pantalettes / Dogs in the Bushes
Song: Sweet Glanlee
Set dance: The Blackbird
Slip jigs: Drops of Brandy / Colman's Lantern [aka Redican's Mother]
Air / polka: Ballydesmond
Humor: Helen came up with this idea for the Timmy O'Sullivan alarm clock