The reason I asked the question was that in last nights COME WEST ALONG THE ROAD,FRANCES BLACK performed a version that reminded me of Nic Jones version[except that it was not nearly so good].
Nicholas Carolan asked the question,why was it so popular in the seventies,now I knEwthe coppers recorded it,BUT Nics influence at the time on the folk scene was colossal,and Mary Black had recorded a verion of AnnACHIE GORDON,using a very similiar backing to Nics.
Then along comes the sister, Frances, on Come west along the road,doing an inferior arrangement [ in my opinion]But Clearly influenced by N ic Jones version.
MR O CAROLANS remark was aimed at IRELAND[why was it so popular in ireland ]. so the answer must be the copper family and Nic Jones[ as the Blacks popularised some of Nics material in Ireland]IT was clearly him thay had been listening too NOT THE COPPERS[ although without the Coppers It wouldnt have been popularised in the first place.
Thirdly it appears in a very popular book SONGS POPULAR IN IRELAND.
But the give away is that the Blacks[Who were very popular in Ireland ,chose gutar arrangements that were influenced by Nic Jones,[Rather than CLOSE HARMONY]although not as good.
I am sorry I didnt phrase the thread well,It should read did NIC JONES popularise this song in IRELAND.