Slainte from Ulster County NY

• Track Listing

'This is a hodgepodge of mostly live recordings made with various groups I've performed with over the past 20 years. All of these songs and tumes are of Irish derivation and are native to the Catskills and Hudson Valley area of New York State' - Bob GROUPS: Public Employee (Bob Lusk-vocals, banjo and guitar. Frank Romano - accordion, Buffy Lewis - rhythm, tin whistle and backup vocal, Jim Donnelly and Tina Ciarlante- backup vocals). The Green Ridge Trio (Bob Lusk- vocal & guitar, Randy Litz O'Moore - banjo & tin whistle, Nancy Ryan - accordion). The Floating Coffeehouse (Bob Lusk- vocal & guitar, Backup vocals. Mary Ann Schatzel, Jan Christensen & Warren Kelder). The Journeymen (Bob Lusk-vocals & guitar, Dave Picasso- fiddle and backup vocal, Bob Borroughs- flute & backup vocal). Celtic Gold (Bob Lusk- vocals, banjo & guitar, Frank Romeo- accordion, Jim Donnelly-whistle & backup vocal.) 1. Abe Sammons Applejack: Abe Sammons owned a distillery and speakeasy in Rosendale, NY Written in the 1940's by Willy O'Brien who worked in the cement mines in Rosendale. It was collected by folklorist Norman Studer. His grandson, Eric Levine sang the tune for me and I added a chorus by mixing lines from a few of the verses. Recorded in 1993 with Public Employee (Trad) 3:00 2. The Music Will Follow Us: I wrote this in 1989 and first performed it on New Year's Eve of 1990. A good friend and fine fiddler, Dan Schiavetta and I were sharing an office in a responsible non-musical job. Daunted by the lack of creative outlet, I asked for and received permission from the powers that be, to bring in my guitar. The words to the chorus then came to me, almost full blown. The melody was derived from the traditional Irish song The Week Before Easter. The last verse was written in 1991 with the arrival of my son, Roberto Dean Lusk. Recorded 1991 with Celtic Gold & The Journeymen ©1989 3:53 3. Kathy's Wedding: Traditionally 'Mary's Wedding'' but circa 1975 I sang it for the wedding of my good friends Robin and Kathy McKenna. The last verse was written especially for that occasion. Recorded in 1980 (Trad) 2:02 4. Wild Rippling Waters: Also called 'The Nightingale Song'' or 'One Morning in May'. This song is found in every English speaking Irish settlement in the world. Recorded with The Floating Coffeehouse in 1978 (Trad) 3:07 5. Song of Eventide: This is a song I wrote in 1975 prompted by the sight of an old tire in the Hudson River. The river has been cleaned up a lot since then. I'm not sure why I set it in an old acappella ballad style, but it seems to work. Recorded at the Hudson Valley Folk Guild 1992. ©1975 1:38 6. In Tarrytown : A variant of 'Butcher Boy' from the singing of the Allison family of Tarrytown. Recorded with the Floating Coffeehouse in 1978 (Trad) 2:13 7. The Mermaid: The fact that mermaids were suppose to be bad luck is the excuse for this rollicking good song. Although there are many versions of this song, this is the one that the Weavers taught to the Chancy Brothers. Insert the towns of your choice. Recorded in 1993 with Public Employee (Trad) 4:20 8. D & H Canal: The old ERIE Canal song reworked for the Delaware & Hudson Canal which ran from near my house in Kingston to Honesdale Pennsylvania, where I spent summers as a child. Recorded in 1993 with Public Employee (Trad) 2:30 9. Erin's Green Shores: A Popular ballad of the l800's. It represents one of the first fundraising songs for the Irish struggle. Daniel O'Connell, 'Ireland's Liberator' is a frequent figure in Irish patriotic song. Here, his daughter appears as a dream spirit and is symbolic of Ireland. Variations with different tune strains have been found all over the U.S., including versions by Canal Captain Pearl Nye, Packy Dolan and lumberman George Edwards. Recorded 1980 (Bob Lusk- Vocals, guitar and accordion - OK I admit it, we did it in the studio!! (Trad) 4:00 10. Over The Hills: Ireland is the land of happy war songs and sad love songs. This love song was made popular by John McCormack, incorporated into oral tradition and collected in the Catskills where it continues to survive. The 'Foggy Dew' was written by Belfast priest Rev. Charles O'Nei1l in 1916 to the tune of 'Over the Hills' He makes the point that if so many Irish soldiers had not been killed fighting for England in her far away territories, that there might have been enough Irish manpower to win the Irish Rebellion. Recorded in 1982 with the Green Ridge Rio (Trad) 4:04 11. Highland Fling: (instrumental) Nancy, Randy and I play this famous Irish American set dance. During the 1940's John and Nancy Ryan with their children played music in the Irish Catskills of Leeds and East Durham regularly. During the 1970's I met them living next to my families delicatessen in Brooklyn. Recorded in 1982 with the Green Ridge Trio (Trad) 2:00 12. Will You Go Lassie, Go?: Claimed by both the north of Ireland and the south of Scotland. Francis McPeake of Belfast may have written it as a youth. Plucking wild mountain thyme amongst the blooming heather is a favorite pastime of young celts. Recorded with the Floating Coffeehouse in 1978 (Trad) 3:35 13. I Walk the Road Again: This last song is probably The most archetypal of Catskill Irish tunes. It was made up by Jehila (Pat) Edwards, who taught it to his son, George Edwards, a lumberman from Sundown, N.Y. 'Hoisting your Turkey' is the same thing as 'Waltzing your Matilda'' ie., to go backpacking. Recorded with the Floating Coffeehouse in 1978 (Trad) 2:30.