The Foggy Dew & Minstrel Boy...

What great tunes. I did my best to do them justice. The version of the Foggy Dew most people probably are used to, is the one by the Chieftains w/ Sinead O'Connor singing. absolutely stunning version of the song. I believe this is the version The Dropkick Murphys use before they come out at all of there shows. As for the Minstrel Boy, Watch BlackHawk Down There is a version at the end of the movie by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros that gives me the chills every time i hear it.

The Foggy Dew

&

The Minstrel Boy

/Blog

Cant Help Falling in Love...

Elvis made a great song. However, IMO, Lick the Tins made it better. If anyone remembers the movie Some kind of wonderful, then you will remember the Lick the Tins version of this song. Here is Amazon's take on it.

Amazon.com
While most '80s soundtracks offer collections of radio-friendly hits from haircut bands, the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack features quirky non-hits from bands like the Jesus & Mary Chain, Flesh for Lulu, and the Apartments. This delightfully non-mainstream soundtrack features Stephen Duffy's "Lonesome," the March Violets' unforgettable cover of the Rolling Stones' "Miss Amanda Jones," and Pete Shelley's "Do Anything." The highlight of the CD is unquestionably Lick the Tins' gravel-voiced, tin-whistle-driven cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love." Just listening to this CD can throw you into a John Hughes nostalgia tailspin that you may not want to come out of. --L.A. Smith

Anyway here is my version of the Lick the Tins Whistle Intro for Can't Help Falling in Love With You. Enjoy!

Can't Help Falling In Love with You

I'm Back Baby......

So it really did take me a while to start blogging again. But I will tell you what, I finally remember what this is all about. Just getting my thoughts and words in print for anyone to see & comment on. It's been a depressing and painful time for me, but I am suddenly out of it. I remembered how great it was to use Blogger as an outlet to get the things off of my chest i need to get out there. So for all of my great readers who have been waiting for the wordsmith to return. Again, I AM BACK. WOOHOO.

/Blog

The Hibernian Sessions...

So not real sure if I have mentioned a huge project I am currently working on that will be released real soon, but if I haven't here is what it is all about.

The Hibernian Sessions...

The Hibernian Sessions was an idea that was born late one night downstairs in the club of the Bristol AOH, Div # 1, the Hibos. It is a collection of recordings of local Irish Music Acts, which has been a weekly tradition at the club for a long time. The idea was to record the musicians who come to the hall to entertain us, and share with us their songs and stories. Through this CD, we are able to pass these onto you, with the hope that you will in turn pass them on to others. The #1 goal of this CD is to promote our Irish heritage and culture through songs and stories as so many of our ancestors have done before us.

My hope is that this CD is just the first chapter of a story we as Hibernians will continue to write. This story continues each and every Friday night for anyone wishing to celebrate their roots at the oldest Hibernian Clubhouse in the United States, Bristol AOH Div 1.

All proceeds collected from the sale of this CD will go to support the Hibernian Hunger Project, Project Children, Project St. Patrick, & the A.O.H. Division #1, in Bristol, PA.

Coming Mid July 2008

HIBERNIANSESSIONS.ORG

New Tune...

Here's another tune, I learned. It really took me some time to be able to play this, just because of the sentimental factor. This song has been played at most of my families funeral's and for me its the one that always makes me break down and cry like a baby.

Derry Air (Danny Boy)

/Blog

Whistle Tunes...

I have decided to record some tunes and post them on here for folks to listen to and comment on. Sean South is the first of these tunes. Keep Tuned more Coming.

SEAN SOUTH

Dawning of the Day

/Blog

Death of "Irish Billy Briggs"...

I just received word about the passing of Billy Briggs. Billy was a great a man who moved many people. For me personally, it was he who inspired me to take up playing Irish Traditional Music, anyway I could, AKA "The Whistle". He will be greatly missed in the Irish American Community around the Delaware Valley as well as abroad. God Bless you Billy Briggs, God Bless your family, and I hope and believe you are at peace. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a Hibernian.


Parting Glass
Oh all the money that e'er I had, I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done, alas, it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit to memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all

Oh all the comrades that e'er I've had, they are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I've had, they would wish me one more
day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call good night and joy be with you all

If I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town, that sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips I own, she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all

My dearest dear, the time draws near when here no longer can I stay
There's not a comrade I leave behind, but is grieving for my going away
But since it has so ordered been what is once past can't be recalled
Now fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all

If I had money for to spend, If I had time to waste away
There is a fair maid in this town, I feign would while her heart away
With her rosy cheeks and dimpled chin, my heart she has beguiled awa'
So fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you a'

If I had money for to spend, I would spend it in her company
And all the harm that I have done, I hope it's pardoned I will be
And all I've done for want of it to memory I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all

A man may drink and not be drunk, a man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl and perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ordered been by a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all




/Blog

Introducing James S. Fowler IV...

Today marks a a huge event in my life. My wife gave birth to our second child and first son.

James S. Fowler IV
Born: 6/5/2008 @10:09am
Weight: 6 lbs 1 oz
Height: 19.5 inches

Mom and baby are just fine.

Stay tuned for Pics.....

Let's not forget the pic of James & the Giant Whistle. AKA his first whistle.



Or, the one of my complete family minus me. I am the luckiest man alive.




/Blog

Birmingham Six CD Release Party .... August 22nd

A Great Band and a good friend of mine Paul Wiese of Birmingham Six, came to me and asked me to throw together a Poster for his band's upcoming CD Release Party. Of Course, I was honored and went right to work. The following is what I came up with. I think It's pretty decent. Let me know what you think ?