Last Sunday night Barry Taylor’s book Music in a Breeze of Wind : Traditional Dance Music in Co Clare 1870-1970 was launched.
The book documents the dance and music tradition of West Clare, in 350 A4 pages of text, illustrated with loads of pictures. It’s a great read.
Not sure of the availability (I think Barry has yet to organise the distribution) or the price (it was €20 at the launch) but I’d recommend the book wholeheartedly to anyone with an interest in the music of the windy west.
I’ve gotten to “stalk” Michael Tubridy at a couple Northeast Tionoil and hear a bit about Clare dance music from him (as you know, he’s quite the dancer, too). Anyway, I enjoyed listening to him very much, and look forward to reading about it from another point-of-view. After 10+ years at this racket, I’ve only recently begun comprehending the full musical awesomeness of Clare - sad, but true. I was blind but now I see!
Here’s more about it, including purchasing info. This will by my Christmas present to self.
http://clarelibrary.blogspot.com/2013/12/music-in-breeze-of-wind-traditional.html
Reviving this old one as the author has posted on the session.org the book is now available at a give away price. Still worth having/reading.