LEITRIM LENNON’S AT THE DOCK
Thursday 22nd November at The Dock in Carrick on Shannon sees a special night to celebrate the music of Leitrim’s Ben and Charlie Lennon from Kiltyclogher. One of the best known musical families in Ireland, Ben and Charlie grew up with their father, uncle and granduncle playing fiddles and their mother playing piano, fiddle and accordion. They have had long and influential careers, well-known for their compositions as well as their unique style of playing.
Charlie is a prolific composer and his music has been featured and recorded by many artists including De Dannan, Sharon Shannon, Altan and the National Orchestra of Ireland. A book on his most popular traditional tunes was published in 1994 together with a CD, ‘Musical Memories’. His orchestral works have been performed in Ireland, UK, Europe , Russia, Australia, and the USA. His dance musical “Waves” was shown on RTE and on PBS in the US. He has recorded with a wide range of artists over the years including Joe Burke , Frankie Gavin, Matt Molloy, Seamus Tansey and Liam O’Flynn.
He has just released a double album on the CIC label entitled “Turning the Tune” which features new arrangements of old tunes in addition to newly composed.
Ben has been playing fiddle for the past 60 years, has a wealth of tunes and an unrelenting love of the music of his home place. Playing in North Leitrim style at it’s best, “Ben extols the virtues of observing the unhurried pace of a tune that leaves the listener with no alternative but to sit up and take note” (Irish Times, 2007). Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s Ben appeared regularly on RTE Radio and TV, UTV and BBC. His recordings include ‘Lucky in Love’ (1979) with his brother Charlie, ‘Dog Big Dog Little’ (1987), and ‘Duchas Ceoil’ (1995) with the Lennon family. In his most recent acclaimed recording ‘The Natural Bridge’, Ben plays in his unique flowing and unhurried style, giving the music elbow-room yet with a strong assured rhythm. As the title implies, there’s a feeling for the styles of near neighbours from South Leitrim, Sligo and Fermanagh, but the bridge is also with the past as he pays tribute to the older musicians who influenced him such as Coleman, James Morrison and John and Mickey Doherty.
Happily the Lennon tradition of music continues and Ben and Charlie are joined for this special night at The Dock by their sons Brian (flute) and Sean (fiddle) and maybe a few surprise guests. The gig on Thursday 22nd November starts at 8.30pm, with theatre bar open from 7.45pm. Admission is EUR15 and EUR12 concession. Book early to avoid disappointment. Bookings on 071 9650828.
