As far as I know Stapleton had a studio in Moore street during the late forties. He released at least two 78s by pipers, one by Felix Doran and one by Tommy Reck.

Tommy didn't know this was released, or at least he said so. He said he went to the studion, did his but got 25 for his trouble and never heard back.

We were at a friend's house during the aftermath of a piper's meeting in 1989 and were listening to the 78 when Tommy came down for his breakfast. He was amazed, and, I believe, quietly chuffed with it.

It's interesting, and wonderful, more of the material has been unearthed.

Willie Clancy was recorded by Paddy Killoran on a wire recorder during the late forties, supposedly, until now, the earliest record of his piping. The hunt for that recording is still ongoing.

Killoran arrived in Clare with two wire recorders, plugged the first one in and blew it up, it was used to a 110 electrical network, and not the Irish 220. Undeterred he plugged in the second, with the same result. Some of the local lads had to improvise a transformer and managed fix the things. Tapes from later Killoran visits to Ireland do survive, including a duet of him playing 'The Humours of Lissadel' with a twelve year old fluteplayer, Matt Molloy.