Danny Boy

Posted by: Guido on 10 May 2002

Hi!

As I saw an old movie taking place in Ulster and Belfast, "Danny Boy" was part of the music score.
By now I have around 6 different recordings dowloaded, they are all insanely bad.
What is the best recording of Danny Boy (The Londonderry air?) you know?
TIA
Guido
Posted on: 11 May 2002 by Sigmund
nt.
Posted on: 12 May 2002 by fred simon
Keith Jarrett, alone at the piano, played the most sublime and soulful version of Danny Boy I've ever heard. It was a live performance, and I'm pretty sure he's never recorded it.
Posted on: 13 May 2002 by Shayman
Shane MacGowan gave an inimitable version of this song as a B-side to his "Christmas Lullaby EP" about 5 years ago.

Excellent 'pub-style' rendition

Jonathan
Posted on: 13 May 2002 by Guido
I got new impulses on my search - unfortunately Shane MacGowan's "christmas lullaby" is sold out at amazon, have to search further. The others I haven't tracked down yet, but the Danny Boy version of the Ars Media Choir could be the real bottom (a**e media choir?), only US American country + folk bingo afternoon singers (I heard a few) have performed worse.
Still got no good one.
(Danny Boy on the harp only is for tough guys only, I had to realize)
Regards
Guido
Posted on: 14 May 2002 by JeremyB
Without a doubt it is the Clare Voyants' rendition on the 2001 CD "pass it on". Many other great songs on the CD which I bought at one of the many Pub gigs I've been to.

The CD is available from the band - check out the website.
www.clarevoyants.com

You'll see what I mean!

Jeremy
Posted on: 15 May 2002 by Guido
Another question:

a couple of years ago, there was an eleven part tv series (all 90 minutes) set at the time of the napoleonic wars - a sniper squad and their leader (and his love) - fighting through portugal and spain - for King George, but always in opposition to the noble men in the officer's chorps.
Title and end credit song had the refrain (traditional): Over the hills and far away
(then something like) (trala) through portugal and spain (trala)

I liked this song, but: no idea how it is called, which artists did it etc.
any help?
Guido
Posted on: 15 May 2002 by Guido
Thinking of songs in films I always liked but never new title and artist:
Fellinis "La Strada" (I think)
- the girls are working in the rice fields, while they are working there is a traditional italian women's chorus singing (liked it)
Any ideas?
Regards
Guido
Posted on: 15 May 2002 by Shayman
The trad. irish song 'Whiskey Youre The Devil' has these lyrics. Could that be it Guido?

Jonathan

Now brave boys, we're on the march
off to Portugal and Spain
Drums are beating, banners flying
the Devil at home will come tonight
so it's go, fare thee well
with a too da loo ra loo ra doo de da
a too ra loo ra loo ra doo de da
me rikes fall too ra laddie-o
there's whisky in the jar


Oh, whisky you're the devil
you're leading me astray
over hills and mountains
and to Amerikay
you're sweetness from the Bleachner
and spunkier than tea
oh whisky you're my darling drunk or sober


The French are fighting boldly
men are dying hot and coldly
give every man his flask of powder
his firelock on his shoulder
so its go, fare thee well
with a too da loo ra loo ra doo de da
a too ra loo ra loo ra doo de da
me rikes fall too ra laddie-o
there's whisky in the jar


Oh, whisky you're the devil
you're leading me astray
over hills and mountains
and to Amerikay
you're sweetness from the Bleachner
and spunkier than tea
oh whisky you're my darling drunk or sober


Says the old wan do not wrong me
don't take me daughter from me
for if you do I will torment you
when I'm dead my ghost will haunt you
so its go, fare thee well
with a too da loo ra loo ra doo de da
a too ra loo ra loo ra doo de da
me rikes fall too ra laddie-o
there's whisky in the jar


Oh, whisky you're the devil
you're leading me astray
over hills and mountains
and to Amerikay
you're sweetness from the Bleachner
and spunkier than tea
oh whisky you're my darling drunk or sober


Oh, whisky you're the devil
you're leading me astray
over hills and mountains
and to Amerikay
you're sweetness from the Bleachner
and spunkier than tea
oh whisky you're my darling drunk or sober

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traditional
Arrangement Copyright 1985, the Pogues
Posted on: 15 May 2002 by Guido
Hello Shayman!

Unfortunately not. This is a song about british (and irish) troops fighting napoleon - that's for sure.
But not the one I am searching.
I'm sure it was a smash hit in the UK (and Ireland) around 1800... (the one I am looking for)
unfortunately not that well known in germany
(have you ever recited (?) lyrics from a song, trying to rememeber the right tune, in front of a shopkeeper/salesman? And felt like a complete moron?)
Thank you Shayman, but the quest goes on
Regards
Guido
Posted on: 15 May 2002 by Nigel Cavendish
Guido

I think the series was called Sharpe.

I believe John Tams, a well respected folkie, was "musical director" and actually appeared in the series.

The song is usually known as "Over the hills and far away" and is indeed traditional(?). There are at least 3 variations - one of which features King George "King George commands and I obey, over the hills etc." or the another which has "Marlborough commands" or "The queen... "

The Pogues lyric above is not the same song.

Loads of people have recorded it: Martin Carthy, Strawhead, Shirley Collins...

If you search Google "over the hills and far away" you will get loads of links.

cheers

Nigel

Posted on: 17 May 2002 by Guido
Hi Nigel!

Yep. There a lots of websites - the soundtrack was published on CD, too.
Thank you
Regards
Guido (happy boy)