American Wake (album)
Encyclopedia
American Wake is the first full-length solo album by Patrick Clifford
, released in 2010.
The title refers to a gathering in an Irish home the night before a family member emigrated to America, in which friends and family would say goodbye to the emigrant for what was probably the last time.
The album's production marks a significant change from Clifford's work as a member of Four to the Bar
. While the repertoire is largely drawn from Irish folk music, the arrangement and production rely less on traditional Irish instruments (such as fiddle
, tin whistle
, and flute
), and more on instrumentation from the American folk music
idiom (such as harmonica
, piano
, and organ
).
The cover artwork features an image of Clifford as a child with family
members, on a boat approaching the Statue of Liberty
.
"Sea-Fever" is a setting of John Masefield
's poem by that name.
"Jig to Joy" is a version of "Ode to Joy," from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
, performed in a time signature
of 6/8, or "jig
time."
"The Shores of Botany Bay," "The Shores of Amerikay," "Mary from Dungloe," "The Leaving of Liverpool," and "Spancil Hill" are all traditional folk songs about emigrating from Ireland
to America
. "Thousands Are Sailing
," another emigration song, is a contemplative arrangement of the Pogues
song by that name.
The Collector's Edition of the album, released simultaneously with the standard edition, also includes "The Irish Rover."
Patrick Clifford
Patrick Clifford is a musician, songwriter, and producer of Irish and folk music, best known as a key member of Four to the Bar--a mainstay of the 1990s New York Irish music scene....
, released in 2010.
The title refers to a gathering in an Irish home the night before a family member emigrated to America, in which friends and family would say goodbye to the emigrant for what was probably the last time.
The album's production marks a significant change from Clifford's work as a member of Four to the Bar
Four to the Bar
Four to the Bar was an Irish band in New York City during the early to mid 1990s.From its beginnings as one more hard-drinking pub band from the boroughs, it ventured into a neotraditional fusion of pop, rock, and Irish and American folk....
. While the repertoire is largely drawn from Irish folk music, the arrangement and production rely less on traditional Irish instruments (such as fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, tin whistle
Tin whistle
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
, and flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
), and more on instrumentation from the American folk music
American folk music
American folk music is a musical term that encompasses numerous genres, many of which are known as traditional music or roots music. Roots music is a broad category of music including bluegrass, country music, gospel, old time music, jug bands, Appalachian folk, blues, Cajun and Native American...
idiom (such as harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, and organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
).
The cover artwork features an image of Clifford as a child with family
members, on a boat approaching the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
.
Content
"The Narrowback," "Paddy Yank's Blues," and "The Golden Door" are a suite of related original compositions that comprise a framework for the album. The same melodic theme appears in each, though in different keys and arrangements."Sea-Fever" is a setting of John Masefield
John Masefield
John Edward Masefield, OM, was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until his death in 1967...
's poem by that name.
"Jig to Joy" is a version of "Ode to Joy," from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is the final complete symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire, and has been adapted for use as the European Anthem...
, performed in a time signature
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
of 6/8, or "jig
Jig
The Jig is a form of lively folk dance, as well as the accompanying dance tune, originating in England in the 16th century and today most associated with Irish dance music and Scottish country dance music...
time."
"The Shores of Botany Bay," "The Shores of Amerikay," "Mary from Dungloe," "The Leaving of Liverpool," and "Spancil Hill" are all traditional folk songs about emigrating from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. "Thousands Are Sailing
Thousands Are Sailing
"Thousands Are Sailing" is a song by Anglo-Irish folk rock group The Pogues, released in 1988.The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Phil Chevron, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God.-Lyrics:...
," another emigration song, is a contemplative arrangement of the Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
song by that name.
The Collector's Edition of the album, released simultaneously with the standard edition, also includes "The Irish Rover."
Track listing
All tracks traditional; arr. Clifford, except as noted.- "The Narrowback" (Clifford)
- "The Shores of Botany BayThe Shores of Botany Bay"The Shores of Botany Bay", also known as "Botany Bay", is a traditional Irish song. The song's narrator is a bricklayer who emigrates from Ireland to Australia after being fired from his job on a ship.-Recordings:...
" - "The Shores of AmerikayThe Shores of Amerikay"The Shores of Amerikay", also known as "The Shores of America", is a traditional Irish song. The song's narrator is emigrating from Ireland to America, and the song is both a meditation on this and a statement of purpose....
" - "Sea-Fever" (Music: Clifford; words: John MasefieldJohn MasefieldJohn Edward Masefield, OM, was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until his death in 1967...
) - "Mary from Dungloe"
- "Paddy Yank's Blues (Clifford)"
- "The Galway RacesThe Galway Races (song)"The Galway Races" is a traditional Irish song. The song's narrator is attending the eponymous annual event in Galway, a city in the west of Ireland.-Recordings:"The Galway Races" has been recorded by a variety of artists, including:...
" - "The Leaving of LiverpoolLeaving of Liverpool"Leaving of Liverpool", , also known as "Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love", is a folk ballad, a popular and wistful song. The song's narrator laments his long sailing trip to America and the thought of leaving his birthplace and loved ones...
" - "Jig to Joy"
- "Spancil Hill"
- "Thousands Are SailingThousands Are Sailing"Thousands Are Sailing" is a song by Anglo-Irish folk rock group The Pogues, released in 1988.The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Phil Chevron, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God.-Lyrics:...
" (Philip Thomas Ryan) - "The Golden Door" (Clifford)
- "The Irish RoverThe Irish Rover"The Irish Rover" is a traditional Irish song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship that reaches an unfortunate end. It has been recorded by numerous artists, some of whom have made changes to the lyrics....
" (Collector's Edition only)