Music In The Glen

Bob released his debut CD 'Music In The Glen' in October 1996 to critical acclaim. It became a finalist in the 1997 New Zealand Music Awards.

Here are the cover notes from the album:

Music In The Glen
The Swallow's Tail/The Flowers Of Redhill/Music In The Glen
Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton (3:26)
A set of traditional Irish reels, commonly played as session tunes. Alex Davidson gave me 'The Flowers Of Redhill' and I learnt 'Music In The Glen' from Mick Hurley. The Glen (not the one referred to in the tune) is a special area near to Nelson which Evey and I have a close association.

Mary Of Craigilee
Word John Barr, Music Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton (4:21)
John Barr moved from his native Scotland to Otago in 1852 where he laboured hard to establish a living from the land for his new wife and children. His principal recreation during this time was the writing of songs and verse. The above song was published in 1860 and appears to be one of the earliest New Zealand songs to be published. Barr set the words to the traditional Scottish song 'The Lea Rig'. A copy of Barr's publication is held at the Dunedin Public Library.

Kerrytown Jigs
Traditional/Bob Bickerton, Arranged Bob Bickerton (2:49)
I remember being told by the great highland piper Donald Bowman that as a boy (around the turn of the century) he used to travel to an area behind Timaru, where he learnt tunes from Irish pipers who lived there. These jigs came to me and are more than likely variations of traditional tunes that I have heard in the past. I dedicate them to the pipers of Kerrytown, the area behind Timaru where the Irish community lived.

Fill A Rún (Return, My Love)
Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton and Evey McAuliffe (3:49
An 18th century Donegal mother's lament for her son who not only forsook the priesthood, but became a protestant minister! Minister Ó Domhnaill is buried in Carrigart graveyard in Co. Donegal.

On Western Shores
On Western Shores/Paddy Doorhy's
Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton (3:34)
I learnt these tunes from recordings of Sean Potts and Joe Burke. The first is a variation on the air 'The Dear Irish Boy'.

Mrs Hamilton Of Pitcaithlands
Nathaniel Gow, Arranged Bob Bickerton (4:57)
Written by 18th century Scottish composer and fiddler Nathaniel Gow (son of Niel), I was instantly attracted to this tune when I heard it played by Alex Davidson on Scottish small pipes.

Port na bPúcaí (The Fairy's Tune)
Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton (2:29)
I was given this tune by Feargal Mac Amhlaoibh, who himself learnt it from Tomás Dálaigh, grandson of the Inishvickillane fiddler Seán Guiheen. It is said that the Guiheen family heard this music at night while in their beds and that Seán Guiheen, the man of the house, picked up the tune which has ever since been revered in West Kerry as fairy music. It has also been suggested that the music may have been the crying of whales which frequent the Blasket waters.

Aye Waukin Oh
Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton (3:42)
A beautiful Scottish song. 'Waukin' in this song refers to 'being awake', a common insomnial problem with new lovers.

Duke Of Leinster
The Duke Of Leinster/The London Lasses
Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton (2:16)
Two traditional Irish reels learnt in Sligo from the playing of Mick Hurley.

Anach Chuain
Words Anthony Rafferty, Music Traditional, Arranged Bob Bickerton and Evey McAuliffe (4:53)
Written by blind Irish poet Anthony Rafferty, this song recalls the tragedy of a boating accident on Lough Corrib near Galway in 1828. The boat sank when a sheep put its hoof through a rotten section of hull, 18 people drowned.

Drunk At Night, Dry In The Morning
Niel Gow, Arranged Bob Bickerton (3:09)
Another tune in the fine Gow family tradition, this time written by Niel Gow (father of Nathaniel). The title is almost as good as the tune itself.

The Glenduan Polkas
Ballydesmond Polka/Gan Anim/The Glenduan
Traditional/Bob Bickerton, Arranged Bob Bickerton (2:42)
I learnt the first of these polkas from Limerick flute and concertina player Peg Ryan. The second tune came from the playing of good friend and accordionist Barrie McDonald and appears in Feargal Mac Amhlaoibh's book 'An Pota Stóir' as 'Gan Anim' (no name). Like the Kerrytown Jigs, the third polka came to me and I have named it here 'The Glenduan'.

Steps To The Unknown
Words and Music Bob Bickerton, Arranged Bob Bickerton (6:33)
There are many negative songs in the tradition about immigration but this song was written to celebrate its positive aspects. I was prompted to write it following a concert at Christchurch East Primary School where a number of students are from refugee families. It struck me that these children brought a great richness and diversity to our society, something which goes unnoticed by those wishing to reduce immigration. It deals also with my own feelings on immigration and the sadness of those immigrants who are unable to let go of the past.

Bob Bickerton: Flute, Uilleann Pipes, Whistles, Harp, Guitar, Mandola, Fiddle, Bodhrán, Keyboards and Vocals.

Evey McAuliffe: Vocals on Fill A Rún and Anach Chuain.

Produced by Bob Bickerton.

Engineered by Bob Bickerton at BB Sound, Todd's Valley, RD1, Nelson, New Zealand.

Mastered at York Street Studios.

Photography by Craig Potton.

Artwork by Jo Williams.

Copies of 'Music In The Glen' may be ordered direct from Bob Bickerton for $35 including postage and packing.