Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey

Subject: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: matt milton
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 06:43 PM

One of many highlights of the recent Topic compilation albums of Irish music ("It Was Mighty"/"It Was Great Altogether") for me was the flute playing of Michael Falsey. What a wonderful player, with a truly distinctive sound.

Googling reveals that he did in fact have a CD back in 2009 or so, called "Music & Songs by the Sea". Long shot, but any suggestions of where I might be able to track one down would be gratefully received.

Subject: RE: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 08:04 PM

Never heard of it Matt, but Michael is a neighbour and a dear friend, so I will make a point of asking him does he know about it.
Michael has two albums to himself - one cassette and one C.D. and he can be heard in the Clare Songs Collection at the Clare County Library website Carroll, Mackenzie Collection .
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 16 Jun 16 - 08:04 PM

Never heard of it Matt, but Michael is a neighbour and a dear friend, so I will make a point of asking him does he know about it.
Michael has two albums to himself - one cassette and one C.D. and he can be heard in the Clare Songs Collection at the Clare County Library website Carroll, Mackenzie Collection .
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: matt milton
Date: 17 Jun 16 - 05:14 AM

Wow, that's a much better response than I was hoping for! To be honest, I wasn't altogether sure he would still be alive.


Thanks - I've been listening to his songs on that site. Very nice singing voice.

I mentioned that album - Music & Songs by the Sea - because it was the only recording that the internet seemed to be able to dig up. But is there any way I could buy a copy of the CD and/or tape you mention Jim?

Subject: RE: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 17 Jun 16 - 07:49 AM

Oidreacht an Chláir doesn't seem to have any copies left but copies of the CD were available locally (ie the wider Miltown Malbay-Lahinch area)only a tour of the shops would be the way to see if there are any copies sitting around anywhere. You could try the Traditional Music Shop in Doolin, which is on-line and may or may not have a copy on the shelves.

The older tape will be long gone, Miltown library has two copies though.

I would note however someone remarking it would be a shame if Michael's playing would be remembered by what's on that CD.

Subject: RE: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 17 Jun 16 - 08:21 AM

Haven't heard the sea album you mention but I would guess Michael's song is 'The Leon' aka 'The Quilty Fishermen'.
Don't think we included Michael's version on the website but there's another version by a singer who lived not too far from Michael -Stevie O'Halloran - interesting locally made piece about a rescue from a shipwreck by local fishermen in CURRACHS (canvas canoes).
Michael used to make currachs - he has a fine one up-ended in his garden,
PM me with an Email address Matt
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 17 Jun 16 - 08:27 AM

Michael does pop up in a number of videos on youtube, Clare Dancing for example. He's also part of the Laictín Naoifa band featured in the old Kilrush Fleadh clip.

Subject: RE: Music & Songs by the Sea, Michael Falsey
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 30 Jun 16 - 11:05 AM

Clare Library's collection of private recordings Traditional Music of Clare has quietly gone public. Plenty of Michael's music hidden in there, as well as a mighty amount of other stuff.