Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,Gael Linn
Date: 18 Jul 13 - 08:34 AM

A new compilation of singles from 1968-80 has been released by Gael Linn under the title Báidín Fheidhlimí CEFCD204. Four tracks from Emmet Spiceland are included. Further information: www.gael-linn.ie

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,Liane
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 04:41 PM

I came to this thread while searching for information on Adrienne Johnston. Since then, I located an article in the Irish Independent from Dec. 16, 1989, which strongly implies that she was a victim of domestic violence. She apparently died in a fall at home; while the death was ruled accidental, the medical examiner expressed "concerns about this case" to a family member.

The article portrays Adrienne's husband, Chris McCloud (né Miethe), as controlling and opportunistic, hoping to ride the Johnstons' coattails to fame and fortune. During the last half-dozen years of Adrienne's life, her friends and family were unable to get in touch with her to let her know of the deaths of her parents and other relatives.

Very little information is findable about her husband, except for a posting from one of his high school classmates, who states that McCloud is "deceased (date unknown)". (http://web.me.com/davidgjnitz/Site_2/Obituaries.html)

I hope it doesn't seem too morbid of me to be digging up this information so many years later. I've always loved the Johnstons' music and have wanted to know more about the tragic loss of Adrienne. "Oh, but her love, t'was easy won."

Subject: RE: Brian Byrne - Emmet Spiceland
From: GUEST,Joe Dublin
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 10:10 AM

Does anybody know where I could buy / borrow a copy of Brian Byrne's solo album here in Ireland - or anywhere, for that matter?

Many thanks,

Joe.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 10 - 02:57 PM

Adrienne Johnston is buried in a cemetery in Slane, Co. Meath.Her gravestone says... died 27 May 1981 (age 35)
I was in the cemetery today.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Clontarf83
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 12:16 AM

I have a copy of the Emmet Spiceland record (original label--Page One records, which I would not part from at any price. I was in a bar in Philadelphia one night several years ago and who walked in but Phil Coulter, who produced the LP. I asked him if he would release the album again and he said no, but he had the master tapes in his garage.

I read on a website somewhere an interview with Donal Lunny who said something to the effect that he would hunt down and kill anybody who would attempt to reissue the album.

One release from from the Emmet Spiceland I didn't see mentioned was a Gael Linn single called Baidin Feidhlimi--anyone got anything on that?

Tracks on the LP are:
Reynard the Fox--classic
My lagan love--my first introduction to the Irish slow air
Stor a stor a ghra
Lovers Ghost--english dead lover song
A couple of jigs--Donal on mandolin? (Bass player loses his place in one part--no-one bothered to fix it)
Bunclody--classic--Mick on lead vocal
Mary from Dungloe--spoiled somewhat by Coulters syrupy strings and a non-traditional key change
Autumn has come--weak song from Shay Healy
Pretty Susan
Slieve Gallion braes--another slow air
O Carolan's Concerto---Set to a Swingle Singers arrangement
Curragh of Kildare--a little beauty--Mick again

The album is spoiled a little by an ill-conceived concept of conversations between tracks---palls after the third playing.

ps I once played in a cover band that did Emmet Spiceland songs--a niche (ahem) product....

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,machree01
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 12:12 PM

Adrienne Johnston, the lead singer in The Johnston died tragically in 1981.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: ard mhacha
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 06:08 AM

Thanks Nerd, I heard she had a very troubled marriage, also heard that her death was regarded by many as a cover-up, there was a suspicion of murder.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Nerd
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 04:31 PM

Ard Mhacha, just saw that I never answered you five years ago! Yes, Adrienne was killed some years later. The official verdict was accident, but many believe she was murdered.

Thanks for the links!

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,marjanne
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 11:33 AM

Just heard the story of Mary from Dungloe on Mooney on rte Radio. When I was a teenager in Dublin in the 60s the Emmet Spiceand were a hugely popular group, especially with the girls!! They were sort of a Dublin Beatles!! Does anyone else remember following them around. Did the walk to Baldoyle Racecourse to see them. And used to go the show in Liberty Hall on a Friday when all the folk concerts were on there. Great memories. I even have photos of them somewhere.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: ard mhacha
Date: 07 Jul 09 - 02:10 PM

Even Spiceland.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: ard mhacha
Date: 07 Jul 09 - 02:09 PM

The Emmett iceland recording,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lSYk4v1wk0

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,John O'Regan
Date: 07 Jul 09 - 10:45 AM

Airmail Records in Japan issued 'The First' on CD some years ago. It has the original artwork and sleeve as well as comments between tracks. You can get it by looking around EBay or Musicstack.com or Gemm.com. It was never released domestically on CD here.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: ard mhacha
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 06:11 AM

Thanks Mariner for the info on Adrienne, I have that CD of Danny Doyle and his sister, I wouldn`t rate it too high, Danny was much better on his own.
Outlet Records in 1997 issused 101 Irish Ballads on 4 CDs, included in CD 1 is Emmet Spiceland singinG Mary from Dungloe, and also they are singing the same song in Outlet Records,Celtic Collection, CD 1.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Bardford
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 12:13 AM

Mariner - thanks for the information. I just snooped around and found that Geraldine and Danny Doyle recorded an album in the mid 90's - Emigrant Eyes. Geraldine Doyle is now apparantly based in Australia and is a comedienne, working cruise ships. it looks like she was in Canada, having worked with the Irish Rovers on their TV program. That must have been back in the 70's.

Two degrees of separation - I've had a few pints in "The Unicorn", a local the Irish Rovers once owned.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: MARINER
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 06:20 PM

Bardford, Gerro Doyle is, I think, Geraldine Doyle a sister of Danny Doyle. I think she now lives in Canada.

Ard Macha, As far as I can recall Adrienne Johnston did die in a domestic accident in the U.S. She was married to a singer /songwriter called McCloud.Adrienne made at least one fine album, which i haved stashed away somewhere.
   I was at the concert in Wexford when the two groups (The Emmets and the Spiceland Folk)appeared seperately. The next year they came together as the Emmet Spiceland. The Emmet Folk had a fine lead singer called Brian Bolger , if memory serves me well.Or was he with the Spiceland? It was all so long ago! Oh and by the way $200 for the Emmet Spiceland album is cheap!

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,aneirin
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 06:48 AM

Dear Bardford, if you would mail your land mail address to this
email address, I will send you the emmets "first" CD in exchange for a CD of the "ballads" trax! thanks very much.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Bardford
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:30 PM

I've managed to remassacre the "Ballads for Drinking and the Crack" LP onto my hard drive. Had to use unfamiliar software, as I've upgraded to OSX on my Mac and my preferred recorder- Coaster - doesn't work with this OS. Also my stylus is near the end of it's utile existence. And the Feng Shui in this room is all goofy. But the songs are there, a little hissy and poppy, and there's some belt noise from the turntable, but that's all part of the charm, I guess.

Guest JB, - Is the address on the contact page of your website okay to send things to?

Guest aneirin - I'd be happy to send this to Mick Byrne, but I'd prefer not to put my email address out here. Any other way of contacting yourself or him?

I haven't listened to this record in a number of years. Nice harmonies, Emmett Spiceland.

Who is Gerro Doyle?

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 12:56 PM

Yup, from the start they were a cut above most if not all the "ballad groups", and just about anything that DL put his hand to since then has been turned to gold - in qualitative if not in monetary terms.

Their album was one of the first LPs that I bought, I don't often think to play it but did so a couple of years ago, and still enjoyed it.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 09:20 AM

To guest aneirin,

I am the Irishman who started this thread!

Your information sounds really interesting. Actually I don`t have any recording of Emmet Spiceland at all as originally stated, but I do have a recording of a Brian Byrne solo recording after the Spiceland disbanded, which I have also transferred onto CD,(perhaps the only recording).

If you don`t have his solo recording, then perhaps we do a swap or otherwise I could offer you one of my CDs or alternatively I would be willing to pay for it

My webpage is:

www.john-barden.de.

All other details including e-mail address, and MP3 audio samples can be found on my website.

Hoping to hear from you

JB

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,aneirin
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 06:36 AM

The Emmet Spiceland Produced one LP called the first which was then Re-issued on Hawk Records with a different cover
and re edited tracks, the "first" had dialog between the band between tracks, and a fine cover picture of the three. Brian
Byrne went on to record a solo album with Donal Lunny.
I have both LP remastered to CD with the blessing of
Mick Byrne, who is still a great instrumentalist and and singer.

Mick has asked if the guy called Bardford could record the
tracks off the "ballads for drinking and the crack for him,
as he remembers doing them in the studio but not what happened to them afterwards!. we would send you a signed emmet spiceland CD for you trouble!
P.S the CD includes two bonus tracks Lord franklin & So long Marianne.

Post an email address and we will be in touch

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: ard mhacha
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 01:30 PM

Nerd have you any information on one of the girls in the Johnstons group Adrienne?, I think, I read somewhere she died in the US.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: barrygeo
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 01:03 PM

Heard Maxi playing Emmet Spiceland on rise and shine rte radio 1 last monday.
She described it as having the best key change ever.
Lunny was a genius even back then.
BArry

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Brakn
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 12:18 PM

Mary of Dungloe by them is available on a compilation on Ebay. Put in a bid!

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Nerd
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 12:14 PM

Pat Spain is exactly right, except that the group Mick left to join was the Johnstons, not the Johnsons. According to Mick there was a brief period in between the two groups, when he ran a folk club in Harcourt Street. He joined the Johnstons after they played at the club. He then brought in Paul Brady, who was his roommate at the time, to replace Michael Johnston.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 11:59 AM

Hi Bardford,

Thanks for getting back on this.

I`m afraid there is no way I can purchase this LP here in Germany. Could you possibly make a tape copy for me or even better still burn it onto a CD for me. Naturally I would pay for it or alternatively I could offer you one of my CDs as a swap. Check out my music at:

www.john-barden.de

if you are interested. Another problem is that I am living in Germany, but that problem could be overcome I think.

Regards

JB

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 07:37 PM

They were pre-pice girls - the Mother was called Emme and the Father worked in Iceland.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: Bardford
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 07:19 PM

Here's the song list from the LP I mentioned earlier:

Ballads for Drinking and the Crack

Side One:
The Blarneys-Merry Ploughboy
Al O'Donnell-Spanish Lady
Emmet Spiceland- Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You
Gerro Doyle- Round and Round
Spalpeens-Sally Oh
Jim McGann- Some Day Soon

Side 2:
Blarneys- All For Me Grog
Al O'Donnell-Sammy's Bar
Gerro Doyle- Golden Wedding
Emmet Spiceland-The Nightingale
Jim McCann- Lock Upon My Door
Emme Spiceland- Can't Help Wondering Where I'm Bound

This is a Capitol Records Canada issue SQ 80006, by arrangement with Tribune Records. No liner notes or date, I'm afraid.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,Pat Spain
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:47 PM

The Emmett Spiceland was not the first group that Donal Lunny played with. Prior to that he played with the Emmett Folk, a threesome consisting of Mick Moloney, Donal Lunny and Brian Bolger. Mick Moloney left the Emmett Folk to join the Johnsons, a family group of two sisters and a brother from Co Meath. The brother subsequently left the Group and was replaced by Paul Brady. At that time there was a duet playing the folk clubs in Dublin called The Spicelanders who were the Byrne Brothers. When Mick Moloney left the Emmett Folk, The remaining two members, Donal Lunny and Brian Bolger joined with the Byrne brothers to form The Emmett Spiceland. Their first big success was in Wexford where they won a competition at a festival. Their big number which brought the house down was "Reynard the Fox". I think they recorded this before Mary from Dungloe. The Emmett Spiceland went on to win the ballad competition at The Kilkenny Beer Festival and became very big on the Irish Folk scene.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: ard mhacha
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:05 PM

A great group, what a pity they had such a short run, their singing of, Mary from Dungloe, is brilliant.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 04:38 PM

Guest Martin Ryan, lots of people aren't very well informed, or very bright, unfortunately.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 07:51 AM

Interesting reference to "UK". I think Hawk records was origianlly run in Dublin by Gerald Davis, an artist/record producer who also did a lot of early work with guitarist Louis Stewart.

Regards

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,Searcher
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 06:12 AM

Album for sale here - $200 - too much!

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 06:05 AM

I have the vinyl somewhere.

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:30 AM

Yes, a quick check shows it on CD's from Outlet, Dolphin and several other Irish labels.

Regards

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:26 AM

I suspect that "Mary of Dungloe" appears on a number of "Celtic" CD compilations - it certainly still gets played occasionally on radio. I'll see if I can trace it.

Regards

Subject: RE: Emmet Spiceland - 1960's Irish group
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 12:47 AM

Thanks for the link.

According to this information they made one recording called "The first". Does anyone know if it`s still possible to get a copy of that? Naturally I would be willing to pay.

Thanks

JB

Subject: RE: Folklore: Emmet Spiceland
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 08:56 PM

Brian Bolger, one of the two original members, seems to have a new band, Murphy: www.brianbolger.com

Subject: RE: Folklore: Emmet Spiceland
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 08:22 PM

Page about them:

http://www.iol.ie/~ronolan/spiceboys.html

Subject: RE: Folklore: Emmet Spiceland
From: Bardford
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 03:56 PM

JB - I think I have an LP somewhere entitled "More Songs for Drinking and the Crack", or variant, and I'm certain that Emmett Spiceland is one of the groups featured. I will excavate it and supply the song list.

Bardford

Subject: Folklore: Emmet Spiceland
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 03:44 PM

Came across a rare old tape of an Irish group from the 60`s called Emmet Spiceland which I think was the first group Donal Lunny ever played with. This was long before he ever took up the bouzouki.

The group consisted of Donal Lunny and Brian Byrne and another brother of Brian`s. Brian had a fantastic voice and I was wondering if there are any other tapes or recordings of this group available. I am particularly interested in a beautiful recording they made called "Mary of Dungloe"

Would really appreciate any help on this.

JB