01	B Minor			(Medley) Jenny's Chicken, The Glasgow Reel Trad. Arr. LEAHY, Published by The Leahy Group (SOCAN) This first reel comes from a recording by Irish Fiddler Cathal Hayden and is in the key of B Minor. Erin Brought the second tune back from Co. Monaghan, Ireland.			03:58
	02	Cape Breton Medley			Shetland Reels Captain Campbell Calam Breugach The Old King George Strathspey Kings Reel Shetland Island Welcome High Road to Linton Devil's Dream			05:12
	03	McBrides						04:18
	04	The French			(Medley) George I Taylor Marquis of Huntley O'Dowd's Favourite Starof Munster			04:42
	05	The Call To Dance			(Medley) The Westburne Reel Andy Renwick's Ferret			04:06
	06	Alabama			(Medley) Alabama Jubilee Bowing the Strings			03:46
	07	Don Messer Medley			Don Messer's Breakdown Mother's Reel Johnny Wagner			03:03
	08	Czardas			Hungarian Dance			04:27
	09	Colm Quigley			(Medley) King of Fairies Traditional Strathspey Colm Quigley			05:57
	10	The Coulin						04:43

Date of Release 1997 inprint

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: By combining traditional Celtic music with country and a spectacular live act, Canada's Leahy is drawing rave reviews, and their self-titled debut is the closest you can get to the excitement of a Leahy concert. The two best tracks are undoubtedly "The Call to Dance" and "B Minor," which both have accompanying videos as well. The former starts quiet and slow, eventually becoming a full-blown dance tune, while the latter is the album's leadoff track and serves as a fine introduction to Leahy (foot stomping rhythms, swirling fiddles, piano flourishes, etc.). Other highlights include "Czardas," a Hungarian dance tune that is a showcase for the talents of fiddler Donnell, and "Alabama," which creates a wonderful, festive atmosphere. Leahy's self-titled debut is a must-have for fans of expertly crafted - and played - world music. - Greg Prato

1. B Minor: Jenny's Chicken/The Glasgow Reel (Traditional) - 3:55
2. Cape Breton Medley (Cooper/Hunter/Traditional) - 5:11
3. McBrides (Lunny/Sinnot) - 4:15
4. The French: George I Taylor/Marquis of... (Traditional) - 4:39
5. The Call to Dance Medley (Westburne Reel,... (Duncan/MacDonald) - 4:07
6. Alabama: Alabama Jubilee/Bowing the... (Cahn/Landry/Yeffen) - 3:40
7. Don Messer Medley (Messer/Traditional) - 3:05
8. Czardas (Traditional) - 4:04
9. Colm Quigley: King of Fairies/Traditional... (Leahy/Traditional) - 6:02
10. The Coulin (Traditional) - 4:44

Trevor Sadler - Mastering
Siobhan - Bass, Fiddle, Piano, Vocals, Dancer
Julie - Mandolin, Piano, Vocals, Dancer
Lance Anderson - Producer
Leahy - Arranger, Band
Dean Maher - Photography
Rick Andersen - Engineer, Mixing
Donnell Leahy - Fiddle, Arranger, Dancer
Agnes Leahy - Fiddle, Piano, Vocals, Dancer, Step Dancing
Angus Leahy - Fiddle, Piano, Dancer
Doug Leahy - Fiddle, Saxophone, Dancer
Frank Leahy - Fiddle, Drums, Dancer
Siobheann Leahy - Bass
Erin Leahy - Fiddle, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals, Dancer
Maria Leahy - Guitar (Acoustic), Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Piano, Vocals, Dancer
Rick Hazelwood - Engineer, Assistant Engineer
Jeff Cryderman - Assistant Engineer
Nuala Byles - Art Direction, Design

1998 CD Narada 42955
1997 Virgin/EMI Canada 72438-42955 23
1998 CS Narada 42955


Virgin Music Canada, 72438-42955 23


Release Date:
> 1996 in Canada, 1997 in the US

Donnell, fiddle; Erin, piano, keyboards; Siobheann, bass; Maria, acoustic guitar, mandolin; Frank, drums; Agnes, stepdancing; Doug, fiddle; Angus, fiddle
Produced by Lance Anderson; Engineered by Rick Andersen assisted by Rick Hazelwood and Jeff Cryderman; Mixed by Rick Andersen; Mastering: Rick Hazelwood; Mastered at Notability Audio Works Ltd., Toronto; Recorded and Mixed at Cherry Beach Sound Ltd., Toronto ON; Photography by Dean Maher; Art Direction and Design by Nuala Byles

This recording is dedicated to Willow McCarter . Your undying spirit gave us courage and hope.

Thank You: Mom & Dad, "The Leahy Family", Jooli & Ian, Jamilah & Sean, Brad & Lee Ann, Don Neilson, Dean Maher, Nuala Byles, Denis Lanctot, John Donald Cameron, Paul & Collette.

Special Thanks: To Peggy & Randy for your endless generosity and friendship - all our love.

Honourable Mention: Rory, Eddie & Mark






We grew up in a house filled with music. The first musical instruments that we were introduced to were the fiddle and the piano. Gradually other instruments found their way into the house and a band was born.

Eventually the original 'family act' of eleven brothers and sisters took to the road. Over time various band members left the group to pursue their own paths in life and as we evolved our focus has settled mainly on Donnell's 'FEROCIOUS' fiddling talent. A talent he's been crafting since the age of three.

The LEAHYS as you will hear us have been described as "ZANY AND MADCAP" and it's true. We love music and each other and we love to play. Everything else comes after.

We hope you share our bliss.






1.
B Minor (Medley)
(Jenny's Chicken / The Glasgow Reel)

The first reel comes from a recording by Irish fiddler Cathal Hayden and is in the key of B Minor. Erin brought the second tune back from Co. Monoghan, Ireland.



2.
Cape Breton Medley
(Shetland Reels / Captain Campbell / Colom Breghach / The Old King George Strathspey / Kings Reel / Shetland Island Welcome / High Road To Linton / Devil's Dream)

Like so many before her, Mom left Broadcove, Cape Breton, for far away Ontario. And lucky for us she never forgot where she came from.



3.
McBrides

This piece comes from a deadly Irish band of the early 80s, Moving Hearts.



4.
The French (Medley)
(George I Taylor / Marquis of Huntley / O'Dowd's Favourite / Star of Munster)

These tunes have come to us via two brilliant French Canadian fiddlers - Jean Carignan and Denis Lanctot.



5.
The Call to Dance (Medley)
(The Westburne Reel / Andy Renwick's Ferret)

Stepdancing is usually performed to music. We like to think of it as music - an instrument just like the fiddle, piano or drums.



6.
Alabama (Medley)
(Alabama Jubilee / Bowing The Strings)

We just thought we'd have a little fun.



7. Don Messer Medley
(Don Messer's Breakdown / Mother's Reel / Johnny Wagner)

A tribute to Dad's all time favourite super hero, fiddle player.



8. Czardas (Hungarian Dance)

This is a piece we are constantly requested to play. Thus it's inclusion here.



9. Colm Quigley (Medley)
(King of Fairies / Traditional Strathspey / Colm Quigley)

This medley is defined by the last reel. It was composed by Donnell in honour of a handsome dove from Ireland.



10. The Coulin

This is a hauntingly beautiful Irish lament.


===============================

Leahy
Years Active
Genres Celtic
Styles Contemporary Celtic, Celtic Pop, Contemporary Instrumental, Adult Alternative, Country
Instruments Group
Labels Narada (3)
Internet links On-Tour - provided by musictoday.com


Previously known as the Leahy Family, this Celtic-pop group hailing from Lakefield, Ontario comprised the nine Leahy siblings - from oldest to youngest, singer/songwriter Julie, bassist Siobheann, fiddler Donnell, guitarist Maria, drummer Frank, pianist Agnes, fiddler Doug, pianist Erin and fiddler Angus. The family, along with their parents Frank and Julie and two other siblings who declined to pursue music professionally, began performing during the 1970s, developing a distinctive style informed not only by Celtic traditions but also Canadian folk and French-Canadian step-dancing. The subject of the Academy Award-winning 1985 student film The Leahy's: Music Most of All, real-world concerns like school, careers and marriage eventually relegated the family's performances to special occasions, but by the mid-1990s, with all of the children grown, they decided to turn professional; dubbing themselves simply Leahy, they issued their eponymous debut LP on Narada in 1997. - Jason Ankeny

Similar Artists: The Chieftains Hilary Stagg The Rankin Family The Tannahill Weavers
Performed Songs By: Traditional
Worked With: Maria Leahy Erin Leahy Frank Leahy Doug Leahy Donnell Leahy
from CDNOW

1997 Leahy Narada
2001 Lakefield Narada





Leahy,
self-titled
(Virgin Music-Canada, 1996;
Narada, 1998)

I would have loved to have been born a Leahy.

I'm not saying the family had a perfect life of laughter and luxury. But the crowded farmhouse of Leahys from Lakefield in Ontario, Canada, grew up in a world of music. It was, say members of that sprawling clan, a constant in their lives growing up, and they honed their skills playing rural fairs and weddings in the 1970s and '80s.

That must be why eight of the Leahy brothers and sisters make their music seem so effortless. Likewise, it must have something to do with their seeming delight in the craft; to see or hear them play is to witness a group of talented musicians who truly love what they're doing.

That sound and passion comes through clearly on their self-titled debut album, released by Virgin Music-Canada in 1996 and distributed now in the States by Narada.

Don't let the Narada label fool you. Once equated with wispy background music, Narada has since made an effort to remake its image with a strong Celtic traditional base. Leahy is a fine example.

The all-instrumental album has 10 tracks of some of the finest traditional tunes I've heard. Each is played with masterful aplomb, with a Cape Bretony feel which only strengthens my conviction that Canada is home to the new generation of Celtic master musicians. (For more evidence, check out Natalie MacMaster, Great Big Sea, Spirit of the West, Ashley MacIsaac, Mary Jane Lamond and the eclectic Loreena McKennitt, to name just a few.)

The strongest element of a strong family group is fiery Donnell Leahy, who burns through many of the tracks with a fierce kind of fiddling seldom paralleled. When he's not busy setting fire to his strings and blurring the fingerboard with wild grace and grace notes, he slows down for soulful, passionate melodies with a lush Gypsy spirit.

The fiddle is Leahy's focus, so if you don't like the instrument, don't buy the album. Besides Donnell, brothers Doug and Angus also add fiddle layers to the tunes. (And, as the family demonstrated on a recent taped concert, most of the family can lead on fiddle with professional precision.)

Besides fiddles, the band features brother Frank on drums and sisters Erin on keyboards, Siobheann on bass, Maria on acoustic guitar and mandolin, and Agnes on percussive stepdancing (a la Riverdance).

Together, they create a package of many moods, from the biting "Cape Breton Medley" and melancholy "The Coulin" to the frenzied/mellow "Czardas" and whirlwind "The Call to Dance." The album kicks off with the potent "B Minor," with powerful fiddle solos overtop solid keyboard and backing musicianship, which sets the tone for all that follows.

Pick this one up. It's a hint of the future of Celtic music ... and Leahy will definitely be riding the crest of that wave. I, for one, can't wait to hear what they come out with next.

[ by Tom Knapp ]

If you like this band, be sure to check out:
Natalie MacMaster Eileen Ivers Richard Wood