Review: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 01:14 PM

I meant to say:
I am not happy with the repercussions, but I am not surprised by the results of a negative review.

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 01:03 PM

at the present moment, I have no water,I have a bathroom window that has blown out.
when I am sorted I will check again for you I am sure it was a vinyl lp of just Mrs Cronin,and am sure it was recorded by Seamus Ennis,when he was working for the BBC.

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 11:28 AM

The negative review being referred to appeared on the Musical Traditions website.

I felt that the review was pointlessly vitriolic and protested to Rod at the time.

I am not unhappy with but not surprise by the repercussions.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Homeboy
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 11:17 AM

Thankyou for your help Jim and Captain.

I've checked the book and there is no mention of a 1954 LP. However I think the Captain might be refering to the Alan Lomax LP Folk Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland + Wales which came out in 1955. I have this on CD and it does include Mrs Cronin singing Lord Gregory.

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 03:33 AM

As far as I know there was never a full record of Elizabeth Cronin, though she did appear in numerous anthologies.
Topic had plans at one time to issue an album of her and Brigid Tunney (another superb, if much neglected singer), but that never got off the ground.
The only complete cds of Mrs Cronin are the two that came with the book, which makes the book's unavailability even more of a loss.
Who knows, maybe now the Kennedy collection has become available some enterprising soul..........
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 04:13 PM

Homeboy,as far as I remember,they were recordings made by Seamus Ennis for the BBC Circa 1954 on vinyl,The song Lord Gregory,was on it,next time Im in Skibbereen library ,I will make enquiries.

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Homeboy
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 02:55 PM

I wish I had heard Mrs Cronin in her prime but only have the book and CDs courtesy of Dick at Camsco. Its sad that the publisher doesnt want to listen.

Im very interested in this LP that Captain Birdseye mentions. Has it been made avialable on CD or as mp3 files and were can I buy a copy?

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 09:56 AM

Cap'n,
Sounds familiar.
Don't lose any sleep over it - if it's who I suspect it is, he's not the sharpest needle in the sewing box.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 04:37 AM

JIM, I am at present receiving abusive emails on my web site,One of them purporting to be from Eliza Carty,obviously it wasnt.
I have also received a threat of legal action,I have no idea if the two are connected,.
I havent lost any sleep over the abusive E mails.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 02:55 AM

Mary,
Sorry to hear that - I don't really know what the information I received was about - nor Malcolm Douglas's.
I did hear that somebody else had plans to issue his own version of the work, but knowing the individual concerned, I sincerely hope not.
Cap'n,
You've said it all really - but you should be careful; you could find yourself on the receiving end of poison-pen letters, threats of legal action, (and even of violence) - been there, done that, got the happy memories.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 05:24 PM

Jim,
I am sorry to hear he was put off by an unpleasant review.
I think that reviews often tell the public more about the reviewer,than the recording/book that is supposed to have been reviewed.
I had the great fortune to find an LP of Elizabeth Cronin,in Skibbereen library,it was a delight,.wonderful singing and interesting repertoire.
when I was up Kilmicheal way,I had the good fortune to meet a relative of hers, who was also a fine singer.
It is very sad her relatives were put off by this unpleasant review,however I cant blame them ,I am sure I would feel the same way myself.
Once upon a time, I believed that all people who purported to want to promote the music of traditional singers ,really did want to do that,sadly it might appear, that this is not always the case.
Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 02:50 PM

I have emailed Four Courts Press, who say that they have no plans to re- issue this. They recommended that I speak directly to the author or try to get a second-hand copy.
Oh dear, that is a great shame.
Mary

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 10:19 AM

Thanks for the info,JIm.I had it first time round.But would certainly interested in an "Extended" edition.Mike
Hope you are keeping well.

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 03:41 AM

Mick and Mick,
Sorry - no I don't.
I'll try and get some information and pass it on if I do.
I do know that the author has access to a great deal of information on Mrs Cronin and other family members, including material collected by his father and recordings of his uncle Michael Cronin.
He was, I believe, put off by a rather unpleasant review of the Mrs Cronin book.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 09:09 PM

Same here.

The other Mick

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 06:47 PM

Jim

Do you know how extended this edition is likely to be? I have the original edition and would only be interested if there was some significant change in a new edition.

Mick

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 06:42 PM

A message has recently been circulated on various discussion lists on behalf of Dáibhí Ó Cróinín which gives the impression that, although he is working on a revised edition, publication is not yet a 'done deal'. He feels that it may be helpful if people who would be interested in a new edition were to contact Four Courts Press to enquire about it. Obviously, if they know that there is likely to be a demand, they are more likely to go ahead with the project.

This isn't an attempt to pressure the publisher; merely to ensure that they know there are people out there who will want to buy the product if they take the financial risk of issuing it. I will certainly want one, as I expect will plenty of others. Four Courts can be emailed at

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 12:38 PM

CAMSCO will carry it as soon as it's released.

Subject: RE: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin - to be reissued
From: Gulliver
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 06:15 AM

Thanks for the info--that sounds great!

Don

Subject: RE: Elizabeth Cronin
From: Richard Spencer
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 05:37 AM

Scarily enough, I was just listening to cd1 when this thread came up. I can't recommend this strongly enough - fabulous singing.
here

Subject: RE: Elizabeth Cronin
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 05:30 AM

I have it from the first time around. It is an amazing work, and one of the treasures of my collection. Give serious consideration to this one.

Thanks, Jim, for letting us know this.

Mick

Subject: RE: Elizabeth Cronin
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 04:16 AM

Thanks Jim

I'll look out for it having missed my chance first time round.

Kevin

Subject: Songs of Elizabeth Cronin
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 04:04 AM

For anybody who missed it the first time around, the book and two CDs of   The Songs of Elizabeth Cronin, which were lovingly assembled by her grandson Dáibhí ó Cróinín and published in 2000 has been out-of-print for some years and is virtually impossible to obtain second-hand.
I have just heard that the publishers, Four Courts Press, are intending to re-publish it in an extended form.
Mrs Cronin was one of the most important traditional singers of the 20th century, and this collection, which gives a remarkable insight into a remarkable singer, is a must for anybody remotely interested in traditional singing.
The CDs alone were well worth the original published price.
Jim Carroll