Paddy's Rambles Through The Park
We have had ever so many emails from people wanting to know more about the track 'Paddy's Rambles Through The Park' that I played recently.
The story goes that Donegal fiddler Johnny Doherty was coming home from playing at a dance one night. He took a short cut across country and found himself in the middle of a fairy fort.
Fairy forts are the remnants of old stone circles and, as you might imagine, they are plentiful in Ireland.
The story goes that Donegal fiddler Johnny Doherty was coming home from playing at a dance one night. He took a short cut across country and found himself in the middle of a fairy fort.
Fairy forts are the remnants of old stone circles and, as you might imagine, they are plentiful in Ireland.
Fairies in Ireland are not the gossamer winged, scantily clad Tinkerbells of Victorian storybooks but fully fleshed 'Little People' from the underworld with a culture, music and society of their own. A tune called 'Port na Bpucai' from the is one of the pieces of music said to come from the fairy people.
Well, after finding his way into the fairy fort Johnny couldn't find his way out again and so wandered or rambled about all night, lost and bewitched, until the dawn came. All the time he was wandering he heard music coming from under the ground - that music was 'Paddy's Rambles'. It is a tune quite unlike any other slow air and I for one am prepared to believe that it came into Johnny's head from out there somewhere.
Nobody does it better than Dezi (though the guitarist Jim Murray does a lovely version) and the recording on 'Familiar Footsteps', Dezi's album, was truly inspired. He recorded it late one night at my old studio in Dent (no - I don't get a penny from the record and don't want any) and whatever got into Dezi that night I'll never know but it is, I honestly believe, one of the greatest recordings ever made.
Dezi tells me he's located the masters and is working on re-pressing the record.
I'll let you know.
Well, after finding his way into the fairy fort Johnny couldn't find his way out again and so wandered or rambled about all night, lost and bewitched, until the dawn came. All the time he was wandering he heard music coming from under the ground - that music was 'Paddy's Rambles'. It is a tune quite unlike any other slow air and I for one am prepared to believe that it came into Johnny's head from out there somewhere.
Nobody does it better than Dezi (though the guitarist Jim Murray does a lovely version) and the recording on 'Familiar Footsteps', Dezi's album, was truly inspired. He recorded it late one night at my old studio in Dent (no - I don't get a penny from the record and don't want any) and whatever got into Dezi that night I'll never know but it is, I honestly believe, one of the greatest recordings ever made.
Dezi tells me he's located the masters and is working on re-pressing the record.
I'll let you know.
Comment number 1.
At 25th Feb 2010, Fidofelix wrote:Am still hoping we can get this track somewhere - even better get the whole album. Is there any news of a re-issue?
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Comment number 2.
At 29th Apr 2010, Katie wrote:Just received a copy of 'Familiar Footsteps', it's beautiful esp. Paddy's Rambles. Thanks for the introduction!
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Comment number 3.
At 1st May 2010, Josh wrote:Have been looking to get hold of a copy of 'Familiar Footsteps' for a while, checking on and off for updated information. If anyone has had any success in tracking this down id greatly appreciate a website address or some form of contact info for it. thanks in advance :-)
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Comment number 4.
At 13th May 2010, Norris10 wrote:I need this tune badly. Heard it on the show last year and i want to play it at my wedding please help somebody please please?!!
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