MOONSHINE - Ireland

[Ptarmigan]

Moonshine

Formally known as "Frankie, Johnny & Sweetheart"



East Clare based "Moonshine", played at the 'Ulster American Folk Park' in 2006 as 'Frankie, Johnny & Sweetheart'.

{Thanks to session.org's 'Rocky Roader' for the following information on this excellent group.}

"Johnny and the band are based in East Clare, and I'm lucky enough to see them play every couple of months or so.
They went by The Hillrockers last time I saw them, and they always play blinding sets.

The clawhammer player is Lena Ullmann, a Dutch lady believe, who's been in Ireland about thrity years - I seem to remember seeing her play in Galway in the early eighties.
She was in Bohan's in Feakle just the other week, playing in a session with Pat O'Connor.
She makes that banjo clawhammer look so effortless!

Frank Hall on fiddle is from Indiana, and is more recently arrived on these shores.
He is an ex- Monk
and currently lectures at University of Limerick, possibly in Mathematics.
As well as fiddle, he plays some great old-timey guitar - on a small Martin, and I love his singing voice.

Johnny and Lena have been playing together for a few years now, usually with a third, but with this trio I think they have really got something special."

I understand they are soon to release their 1st CD too ...... so watch out for that!

I took this photo of the guys & I would agree with the above - I too, think they have really got something special. If they are playing in your neighbourhood, don't miss them!

Cheers
Dick

[Ptarmigan]

Thanks to Rick for passing on the news that they have changed their name to Moonshine & have just launched a CD.

You can check them it out at their MySpace:

Moonshine

[Susi]

They played at De Barras in Clonakilty some week ago together with Frankie Lane, and they're wonderful!!!!!!!! Great stuff!!!

[john]

yep, they are great. Fine sound and ballance.

[Ptarmigan]

Lucky you Susi. I bet that was a great Gig.

Of course, you do know that Frank ( fhall ) is a fellow member here, don't you?

Cheers
Dick

[Susi]

admin said:

Lucky you Susi. I bet that was a great Gig.

Of course, you do know that Frank ( fhall ) is a fellow member here, don't you?

Cheers
Dick

That's cool, I didn't know that. Did you know that banjo picker Lena is from Sweden? Never talked to her though so I don't know from where.

[dulcimike]

I have had a friend ask me to find a Moonshine CD while I'm over there. Where can I get one? Any ideas, Ptarm? We'll be in the north most of the time, but in Dublin for a few days.

His second choice was the Bothy Band's first CD.

[dulcimike]

I found a couple of copies of the Moonshine CD at the Celtic Note in Dublin while we were over last month. Right nice CD. Brandy says it's the best Old-Time CD she's heard. I did get the last two on the shelf - one for my friend and one for my self.

Also, interestingly, the young woman who led us to the CD's place on the shelf said she was related to Lena. Her mother is a cousin of Lena's or something like that.

OK, time to go get ready to play some Old-Time at Rock City Gardens. I'm playing in a different location than Matt (on the website), but the place is "rocking" with Old-Time music this summer!