Two For The Road

Robin Petrie: hammered dulcimer, vocals
Danny Carnahan: fiddle, octave mandolin, guitar, vocals

Trip to Nenagh/The Congress Reel
California accordion player Jeremy Kammerer taught us these reels. He eventually forgave us for what we did with them.

Who Wears the Britches/The Rakes of Clonmel
We learned the song from Kieran Halpin, a young Irish singer whom we first met in Dublin. The Irish jig that follows, while originally a 3-part jig, is commonly played without the third part for English contra dancing.

Miss Marianne’s Strathspey & Reel
Marianne Jewel, a Canadian-style fiddler, taught us this set in Puget Sound. We named the set after her, though Jody Stecher later identified the reels as “Trip to Mabou.” Both tunes come from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

The Rambler From Clare
We first heard this sung by Kieran Halpin and Mick Fitzgerald in Slattery’s Bar in Dublin. Later we learned all the words from Colm O’Loughlin’s “More Irish Street Ballads.”

Jacky Tar/Around the Horn/Campbell Very Nearly Leaves Red Gap/Jeff Davis/The Flying Reel
“Jacky Tar” and “Jeff Davis” we learned from recordings by Norman Blake. “Around the Horn” was written by American fiddler Jay Ungar. “Campbell” is 2/3 of a 3-part reel popular on both sides of the Atlantic. The last tune was written by Newfoundland fiddler Emile Benoit.

The Black Rogue/Gander in the Pratie Hole/Sonny Brogan’s Fancy
The first two jigs are courtesy of former Glaswegian accordionist Keith Livingstone, who now frequents sessions around San Francisco. The third tune we learned from the playing of Irish guitarist Arty McGlynn.

Carolan’s Draught
This is one of our favorite classical Irish pieces by Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738).

The Diamond
We learned this song from Rod Patterson, formerly with Jock Tamson’s Bairns and currently with The Easy Club, a jazzy traditional band based in Edinburgh.

Strayaway Child
An unusual 6-part jig we acquired from Kevin Burke.

Kitty’s Wedding/The Peacock/The Plains of Boyle
These are three favorite hornpipes played in sessions from California to Ireland.

Spirit of the House/Dr. McInnes’ Fancy/Diane’s Supper
American cittern player Gerald Trimble taught us the first reel in Edinburgh. It was written by Becky Pringle, a fine fiddler from Missouri. The second tune is a Scots session standard we first learned from Jim Sutherland, cittern player with The Easy Club. The last tune was layed with abandon in sessions by fiddlers John Martin and Brian McNeill.

Produced by Danny Carnahan & Robin Petrie.
Engineered by John Altmann at John Altmann Recording, San Francisco.
Mixed by John Altmann & Danny Carnahan.
Photography by Irene Young.
Graphics by Danny Carnahan.
Production assistance by Peggy DeMouthe.
All arrangements by Danny Carnahan & Robin Petrie.
Copyright © 1985 Flying Fish Records
Originally released on LP/cassette as Flying Fish Records FF364 (1985).
Currently out of print and unavailable.