Pana To Louisiana - Sleeve

1. Diggy Diggy Lo Time:2min 35sec
This cajun song we learned from a recording of Eddie LeJeune whom we had the pleasure of hearing when he visited Cork a number of years ago. It was made famous in Louisiana by Doug Kershaw.It has proven to be a popular live number for us.

2. Tom and Jerry Time:3min 18sec
This is a traditional American tune that Ray learned from a recording of Sam Bush. It has been associated very much with Texas fiddle player Benny Thomasson. Some parts are very reminiscent of the Irish tune The Foxhunters.

3. J’ai Passe Devant ta Porte Time:3min 50sec
(I passed by your door)
This well known waltz from Louisiana would be the cajun equivalent of a lament. In Raymond E.Francois excellent book “Ye yaille,Chere” he mentions that his father remembers this song being played around the time the Titanic sank,but he mentions that the song is much older. We learned this version from a recording of cajun musician Michael Doucet.

4. Dust Bowl Blues Time:3min 33sec
This song was written by Senan Quinlan,a long time friend of Tomas and the band. He wrote it while living in New Mexico and the imagery vividly reflects both his mood and the landscape. It arrived from the States with eleven other gems collectively known as “Mr. Quinlan’s 12 Golden Greats” recorded on a 4 track in his Santa Fe front room.

5.J’etais au Bal Time:2min 54sec
(I was at the dance)
Our version of this cajun song comes from several d ifferent sources and recordings. The first part of the tune is loosely based on Eddie LeJeune’s version,while the second part comes from a book of cajun fiddle tunes written by Deborah Greenblatt.

6. Kitchen Girl/ Scotland Time:3min 43sec
Ray learned both of these tunes from Cork fiddle player extraordinaire Vince Milne. Kitchen Girl is an old time American traditional tune,while Scotland was written by the late great Bill Munroe.

7. The Last Letter Home Time:2min 53sec
Tomas learned this song about the American Civil War from 5 string banjo player Johnny McNamara when they played together at many sessions in The Huntsman Bar, Tower, Blarney.

8. The Cherokee Waltz Time:2min 56sec
This is one of the first cajun songs we learned and we got it from Kate and Greg from The Boat Band who in turn learned it from J.C. Gallow, a washboard playing, washing machine fixing Deputy Sheriff from Eunice, Louisiana.

9. No Expectations Time:4min 20sec
Our good friend Hank Wedel, who came out after his regular gig with Ray in Charlie’s Bar on a Monday night, played some great slide guitar for us on this track. Hank tells us that it was sadly Brian Jones’ last contribution to The Rolling Stones when he played slide guitar on the original recording back in 1968.

10. The Moonlight Waltz Time:2min 50sec
Another great tune of Bill Munroe’s,which we got from a collection of tunes by American mandolin player Butch Baldassari.Our good friend from Limerick,Mick Power,played some lovely Dobro guitar for us on this one.

11. ‘Tit Galop pour Mamou Time:2min 17sec
(Let’s gallop to Mamou)
This is the last Cajun tune on the album,and once again,it was learned from a variety of sources.Mamou is a town in Southwest Loiusiana.

12. The Greek Tune Time:4min 19sec
Liam and Ray have been playing this tune in several different bands going back a good number of years. It is a traditional Greek tune which we don’t have a proper name for but it has saved many’s the gig.

13. The Festival Waltz Time:1min 51sec
This is a waltz composed by bluegrass fiddle player Kenny Baker who has played in Bill Munroes band and has many fine compositions to his credit.

*The word ‘Pana’ in the title refers to the Cork slang word for Patrick St., the main thoroughfare in Cork.
(Thanks to Kate Barfield for the C.D. title)

Musicians:
Tomas Dunne(Vocals,acoustic guitar, washboard)
Ray Barron (Mandolin, fiddle, bouzouki, mandola)
Geraldine Barron ( Concertina, accordian)
Dave Barry (Bass guitar)
Des Field (Drums, percussion)
Liam Murphy (Vocals, electric, acoustic and bad baba)

Thanks also to: “The Part Time Two Timers”
Diarmuid Murphy. Jason O’Driscoll, Martin Leahy, Jamey Lorigan, Ritchie McCarthy, Hank Wedel, Mick Power, Brian Calnan, John Spillane, Mandy Murphy,s O’ Sullivan, Noel Barrett. Arty Lorigan, Ritchie McCarthy, Hank Wedel, Mick Power, Brian Calnan, John Spillane, Mandy Murphy, Mary Greene, Greg Stephens, Kate Barefield, Allison Parkes, Tony Wetherall, Rob the Bones, Mark Butler, Ciaran Coughlan, Jim Maa1.