Notes
Boston Blackthorne's new CD 'Better Late than Ever' combines traditional songs and ballads, fiddle tunes, and an eclectic collection of music written by members of the band. The songs feature 4 part harmonies and traditional instruments including guitars, fiddles, bouzouki, mandolin, bodhran, bass and drums. (reprinted from the Springfield Union 3-24-2005) 'The CD features 11 songs that range from traditional tunes to original compositions . The band does a stirring take on the Foggy Dew and offers a rousing rendition of 'Lanagan's Ball'. Original songs 'Gone to the Wars' and 'Back When the Craic was Grand' fit nicely into the package.' Here is the song list and a little bit about each tune. We are proud to be able to introduce several original songs for the first time here and hope they will take their place amongst the classic tunes of the genre. 1. The album opens with a traditional tune called Lanagan's Ball - this is a shortened version of what is originally a very long song! Jim sings the main vocal with help from Jon and Chetz. The instruments are: Jim guitar, mandolin and 4 string banjo, Jon, 6 string guitar, Chetz, bass, Pete, fiddle, bouzouki and bodhran. The song comes to a rousing finish with the jigs Ten Penny Bit and Road to Listoonvarna. 2. Jon's original tune Gone to the Wars is next up. This powerful tune was written a few years ago during the first Gulf War and unfortunately remains just as relevant today. Part of the makeup of a great song is that it is open to different interpretations. This tune has been embraced by those who oppose the war- at the same time it was adopted by a squad of Special Forces soldiers in Baghdad as their 'theme song'. Jon sings lead vocals with backups by Jim. The instruments are: Jon 6 string guitar, Jim, bouzouki, Robbie, fiddle, Chetz, bass and bodhran. 3. The Minstrel Boy...to the wars has gone. This classic tune by Sir Thomas Moore was borrowed by Brahms for a symphony and it's good enough for us! This was the first song recorded for the album. Years later we liked the recording but felt it needed a little 'pumping up' when heard alongside the others- we actually got better at this as we went along!. So we recorded new vocals and instruments around and over the original production to give it more depth and power. Lead vocals by Jim, background vocals by Jim and Jon. The instruments are: Jim, 6 string guitar, bouzouki and 4 string banjo, Chetz, bass, fiddle, Pete. Jim and Jon toured for years as an acoustic duo and this tune features their style of 2 finger-picked Martin guitars played in different fingerings with capos. 4. The naming of places- from towns and counties to lakes and even large rocks, has been a constant feature in Irish literature and song from the ancient tome The Tain to the more modern Take me Home to Mayo. Does a place called Vertigo follow in this tradition??? Here Jon sings a well known homage to the Star of the County Down. The instruments are: Jon, 6&12 string guitar, Jim, mandolin, Pete, fiddle and bodhran, Chetz bass. 5. During the early 1980's Jim lived and played music in New York city with an Irish showband called the Paddy Noonan Band. Paddy's drummer, Johnny Hanley, was a wonderful guy and a great drummer. He was once the drummer for the Ringling Brother's Circus. Band. During a late night ride home from a gig in the Catskills, Johnny suggested that someone should write a song called, 'Come Back to Me Darling, and I'll Wear Our Ring.' He said it would be a bit hit in Ireland. Jim took him up on the chalenge and the result is I'll Wear Your Ring. Jim, lead and background vocals, guitar, bouzouki, Jon, 6 & 12 string guitars, background vocals, Chetz, bass, accordian. 7. A few years back, the band had a few oportunities to open shows for the Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell. Watching them work an audience was like going to school. Here is one of their signature tunes from the traditional rebel song catalog, Foggy Dew. Jon opens the tun
