The Irish Percy French Ed. Mary Pamela Brown

The Irish Percy French hails from SPA Cottage Publishing, edited by Pamela Mary Brown and presents the ‘Essential Percy French’ with a scholarly introduction by Kevin Kiely, based on Brown’s judicious selection.

Percy French (1854-1920) emerged as a legend in his own lifetime. The legend parallels the life which Brown’s edition signposts from wandering-student banjo player, busker, and entertainer, to performing his own songs, accompanied by Houston Collisson and their successful stage musical “The Knight of the Road” and French’s solo show, “Dublin Up-to-Date”. In developing ‘the stage persona’ French wrote more popular songs beyond his first ‘hit’ Abdullah Bulbul Ameer. His song-ography includes many classics: The West Clare Railway (Are ye right there, Michael?), Mountains O’ Mourne, Come Back, Paddy Reilly, The Emigrant’s Letter or the Corn in Creeshla’ (Creeslough), Phil the Fluter’s Ball, Gortnamona, ’Phistlin’ Phil McHugh, The Darlin’ Girl From Clare, Sweet Marie […].