THE LONG JOURNEY HOME
Original Soundtrack
various artists
Unisphere -09026-68963
available on amazon
A stunning launch to this new label, Unisphere Records, a division of BMG. THE LONG JOURNEY HOME is the soundtrack for the PBS/Disney production of the story and celebration of the Irish in America, with all its attendant joy and sorrow. This soundtrack is produced by Paddy Moloney, which immediately sets it apart. Among others contributing to this dazzling aural painting are performances by The Chieftains, Vince Gill, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, and The Irish Film Orchestra. By attempting to pick out highlights I do a disservice to the whole disc, because it is a consistent disc that does not have a lull to it. From the haunting version of SHENANDOAH as done by Van Morrison and The Chieftains, through the controlled power (hats off to you Paddy) of Sinead O'Connor version of SKIBBEREEN, blending in so beautifully the work of Sissel (the haunting new voice from Norway that you also heard on the Titanic soundtrack), to the to the finale of LONG JOURNEY HOME (Anthem). This final piece, composed by Elvis Costello and Paddy Moloney, and sung by Elvis Costello, is potentially the long awaited national anthem of the Irish people in America. I have oft wondered why Paddy Moloney has never received a Grammy for his work as a Producer, and perhaps it has been because we were awaiting this quintessential work that we have been graced with at this time. This is a seamless blend of traditional and original Irish music that stands on its own as an outstanding piece of work, and at the same time not only compliments, but also enhances, the documentary it goes with. It is one of the most gorgeous and haunting pieces of music to come in a long time.
Songs, times, writers, and musicians
1. SHENANDOAH - 3:52 - Trad. Arr.: Paddy Moloney/Van Morrison
Van Morrison - vocals
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Derek Bell - harp
Sean Keane - fiddle
Martin Fay - Fiddle
Fiachra Trench - Hammond organ, piano
Arty McGlynn - guitar
Liam Brady - drums
Dave Flemming - double bass
Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale - choir
The Irish Film Orchestra
Orchestrated and Conducted by Fiachra Trench
2. MAIN THEME - 4:25 - Paddy Moloney
arr. for orchestra by Brian Keane
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Matt Molloy - flute
Derek Bell - harp
Sean Keane - fiddle
Martin Fay - Fiddle
The Irish Film Orchestra
Orchestrated by Brian Keane, Conducted by Gearoid Grant
3. PADDY'S LAMENTATION/SHIPS ARE SAILING - 4:47 - PADDY'S LAMENTATION trad. arr.: Paddy Moloney/Mary Black
SHIPS ARE SAILING trad arr.: Paddy Moloney
Mary Black - vocals
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Eamonn Campbell - mandolin, guitar
Mairtin O Connor - accordion
Paddy Glackin - fiddle
4. EMIGRATION THEME - 5:08 - Paddy Moloney
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Matt Molloy - flute
Derek Bell - harp
Sean Keane - fiddle
Martin Fay - fiddle
The Irish Film Orchestra
Orchestrated by Brian Keane/Fiachra Trench
Conducted by Fiachra Trench/Gearoid Grant
5. THE BARD OF ARMAGH/THE STREETS OF LAREDO - 5:03 - trad. arr.: Paddy Moloney
Vince Gill - vocals
John Jarvis - piano
Michael Rhodes - bass
Paul Leim - drums
Stuart Duncan - mandolin
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Derek Bell - harp
Sean Keane - fiddle
6. SKIBBEREEN - 4:15 - trad. arr.: Paddy Moloney
Sinead O'Connor - vocals
Derek Bell - harp
Matt Molloy - flute
The Irish Film Orchestra
Orchestrated and Conducted by Fiachra Trench
7. THE NIGHT THAT LARRY WAS STRETCHED - JIG - 2:27 -trad. arr.: Paddy Moloney/Brian Keane
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Matt Molloy - flute
Derek Bell - harp
Kevin Conneff - bodhran
Sean Keane - fiddle
Martin Fay - fiddle
Johnny Cunningham - fiddle
Seamus Egan - banjo
Zan McLeod - guitar, bouzouki
James J. Higgins - bodhran
8. WHITE POTATOES - 3:31 - Paddy Moloney
Liam O Maonlai - vocals
Paddy Moloney - Uilleann pipes
9. FAMINE THEME - 3:37 - Paddy Moloney/Brian Keane
Derek Bell - harp
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle
The Irish Film Orchestra
Orchestrated by Brian Keane, Conducted by Gearoid Grant
10. MULDOON, THE SOLID MAN/GRANDFATHER'S TUNE - 3:42 - trad. arr.: Paddy Moloney
Mick Moloney - vocals, guitar
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle
Eileen Ivers - fiddle
John Whelan - accordion
James J. Higgins - percussion
11. AN RAIBH TU AG AN GCARRAIG? (WERE YOU AT THE ROCK?) -5:30 - trad. arr.: Paddy Moloney
Sissel - vocals
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Matt Molloy - flute
Derek Bell - harp
Sean Keane - fiddle
Martin Fay - fiddle
Annbjorg Lien - Swedish keyed fiddle, Hardanger fiddle
Bjorn Ole Rasch - keyboards
Per Hillestad - percussion
Kevin Conneff - bodhran
12. O'CAROLAN'S FAREWELL TO MUSIC - 2:30 - trad. arr.: Derek Bell
Derek Bell - harp
The Irish Film Orchestra
Orchestrated by Derek Bell, Conducted by Gearoid Grant
13. BEAN PHAIDIN - 1:44 - trad. arr.: Kevin Conneff
Kevin Conneff - vocals, bodhran
14. O'DONNELL'S LAMENT/REEL WITH THE BERYLE - 2:45 - trad. arr.: Paddy Moloney
Eileen Ivers - fiddle
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
James J. Higgins - Bodhran
Zan McLeod - guitar
15. AMERICAN THEME - 2:57 - Brian Keane
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Joanie Madden - additional whistles
Jerry O'Sullivan - additional pipes
Lawrence Feldman - recorders
Kim Plainfield - drums
Martin Matrustry - tympani and piatti
The Irish Film Orchestra
Orchestrated by Brian Keane, Conducted by Gearoid Grant
16. LONG JOURNEY HOME (ANTHEM) - 4:16 - Elvis Costello/Paddy Moloney
Elvis Costello - vocals
Paddy Moloney - tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
Kevin Conneff - bodhran
Derek Bell - harp
Fiachra Trench - piano
Arty McGlynn - guitar
James Blennerhassett - double bass
Paddy Glackin - fiddle
Matt Molloy - flute
Martin Fay - fiddle
The Irish Film Orchestra
Anuna - Choir (Michael McGlynn Choral Arrangement)
Robbie Casserly - drums
Orchestrated and Conducted by Fiachra Trench
Produced by - Paddy Moloney