25th Silver Jubilee Collection

25thSilverJubileeCollection.png
Tom Cussen and Benny O'Connor are still the backbone of Shaskeen. When they moved back to Ireland about a year after the foundation of the band, they put together the first line-up in Ireland, with PJ. Hernon on accordion and John Dooley on guitar and vocals. They played locally in the Galway area to begin with, but very soon their sphere of influence began to widen. About this time they began a long and fruitful association with Eddie Moloney, the great flute-player and fiddle-player from Ballinakill, in east Galway, who lived in Lower Salthil!. Eddie - whose father had been a founding member of the famou Ballinakill céilí Band - brought a wealth of knowledge about traditional music to the band, as well as a fine store of tunes from his own area, a wonderfully rich source of musicians and of music. It was Eddie who put together most of the selections of tunes that became the hallmark of Shaskeen in those early days and which remain firm favourites to this day.
  • Living Tradition CD review of Shaskeen - 25th Silver Jubilee Collection

    Shaskeen are one of the most popular Irish touring bands ever to hit this side of the water and they've released both a CD and a video to celebrate - in their typical low-key style - 25 years in the business.

    If you don't believe they've been around that long just cast a glance through the sleeve notes of the CD and see the fresh-faced youths in one of the starting line-ups.

    The band began in London's Kentish Town, but founder members Tom Cussen (banjo) and Benny O'Connor (drums) soon moved back to Ireland andbased themselves in Galway from where their sphere of influence has continued to spread.

    The album's 22 tracks range from 1975 to the present and mix impeccably-timed jigs, reels, hornpipes and polkas with songs from past and present vocalists.

    It's a delightful souvenir of a live gig but can stand on its own as some supreme examples of traditional Irish ensemble playing.

    -Alan Brown
  • Clareen Banjos, custom-made banjos, mandolas, repairs, restoration -
  • SHASKEEN - 25TH SILVER JUBILEE COLLECTION
  • Groups: Shaskeen
  • See Albums: Irish Traditional Music And Song
  • See Samples