The Children Of Lir.

This is the story of the children of Lir. Bodb Derg was elected king of the Tuatha Dé Danann which annoyed Lir, who wanted to be king. Bodb appeased Lir by giving him one of his daughters Aoibh in marriage and Lir agreed that he would end the strife. Aoibh had four children with Lir, a girl Fionnghuala, and three sons, Aodh, and twins Fiachra, and Conn. After the birth of the twins, Aoibh died, so Bodb then sent another of his daughters, Aoife, to marry Lir, which he accepted happily, but Aoife became jealous of her four stepchildren, and one day, she set out in her chariot with the children intending to kill them, but couldn’t go through with it, so she took them to Loch Dairbhreach for a swim, but once they were in the water, she cast a spell and transformed them into four white swans. 

She said they would spend a period of nine hundred years as swans. She allowed the children to retain the power of speech, stating they would sing plaintive songs without equal. Lir set out to find the children and at the shores of Loch Dairbhreach, he encountered the swans singing with human voices. They told him of Aoife's evil act. Lir told Bodb of Aoifé's treachery and Bodb cursed her and turned her into a demon of the air. it was proclaimed that no swan should ever be killed in Ireland. Eventually Saint Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, and one day a holy man Mochaomhóg arrived. The swans heard him ringing a bell for matins and Fionnghuala declared the sound of the bell would liberate them from the curse, and so they listened to it.  Finally, the swans' feathers fell off revealing three very old men, and an old woman. Fionnghuala asked the monk to baptise and to bury them as she sensed they were close to death. They were baptised, and then died.

I have told you that story because today I have been listening to a CD which arrived recently called The Children Of Lir by Loudest Whisper. I came across this band when I was looking through the catalogue of Sunbeam Records which is a label I like because they reissue music from the past which might have been overlooked on first release, but is deserving of a second chance with a new audience. When I saw that it was a folk-rock album by an Irish band, I became interested and ordered a copy. I am very glad I did because I have enjoyed listening to this album very much indeed. This release on Sunbeam is the definitive version of the album and includes six extra excellent bonus tracks. There is also a booklet with all the information that you need about the band and the music.

Loudest Whisper are a band from the small town of Fermoy in East Cork, Ireland. The Children Of Lir is their debut album, released in 1974. They had signed a record deal with Polydor, but when they presented their album to Polydor UK it was rejected. It only had a limited release in Ireland of 500 copies. This gave the album a huge rarity value and the few original vinyl releases that are in mint condition have changed hands for astronomical sums. Founding band member Brian O'Reilly was influenced by American bands such as The Byrds, Lovin’ Spoonful, and The Mamas & The Papas, but developed an interest in Irish folklore, myths & legends. 

In 1972 he composed a musical based on the legend of The Children Of Lir This attracted a lot of attention which led to the making of the album. Leo O’Kelly who I know and admire from his work with Tir Na Nog produced the album. The opening track is the eerie and haunting Overture which sounds like a classical piece until electric guitars join in. Lir’s Lament has male vocals accompanied by a string quartet. Good Day My Friend reminds me slightly of Fairport Convention and has some great Progressive Rock style guitar playing. Wedding Song features the ethereal crystal-clear vocals of Geraldine Durgan, and the Hades Choir. 

Children's Song has an acoustic guitar intro and flute arrangements. It has a West Coast Cass Elliot type feel to it. Tracks 6 & 7 are Mannanan Parts 1 & 2 which develop into an epic sound of choir and guitars. Children Of The Dawn again features Geraldine who is then joined on Dawning Of The Day by the Hades Singers and Brian O’Reilly playing piano. Septorus again has the Testore String Quartet and some frenetic guitar playing. Farewell Song by contrast has a much gentler acoustic sound. Cold Winds Blow perfectly suits this time of year and features some nice flute playing. The original album ended with Sad Children and again the group is joined by the full choir. In my opinion the six bonus tracks are just as worthy as the songs on the original recording. William B is a homage to W.B Yeats and was released as a single in Ireland after some changes to the lyrics because of objections from the Yeats estate. (I have shared this track below if you want to hear it) 

False Prophet was the B-Side of that single and is a complete contrast, being a driving electric Prog-Rock song with falsetto type vocals and loud guitar & drums. Wrong & Right features Geraldine again and has folky and rock verses. Silent O’Moyle is possibly my favourite song of all. Geraldine sings accompanied by electric guitars which again remind me of early Fairport. I think The Wheel Of Life must have been a demo tape. You can hear the group talking just before singing and playing. It has a nice acoustic timeless quality to it. 

The final track The Children Of Lir is taken from an RTE radio broadcast. An unknown narrator with a wonderful speaking voice tells the story in between the songs. It makes you think that it would have been great to see the original musical performed live. I am very pleased I discovered this music. I think I will put it on my CD shelves next to Tir Na Nog and Mellow Candle. Well done to Loudest Whisper and Sunbeam Records.