The Crossroads Dance Book and 2 CDs

Irish Session Tune Collection with Book and Companion CDs

The Crossroads Dance Book and 2 CDs brings together the printed tune collection and two companion recordings connected to the Irish céilí band Shaskeen.

The book contains Irish session tunes transcribed from Shaskeen recordings, with chords as played, photographs, notes and useful cross-references. The two CDs, My Love Is in America and The Mouse Behind the Dresser, provide authentic reference recordings for the same musical tradition.

This is a particularly useful set for players who want both the written settings and the sound of the tunes performed by a real working Irish céilí band.

Key Features:

• Book and 2 Companion CDs: Includes the printed book plus two separate CDs in jewel cases.
• Authentic Shaskeen Repertoire: Tunes connected to recordings by the respected Irish céilí band Shaskeen.
• Chords Included: Chords are included as played, making the book useful for accompanists and melody players.
• Authentic Céilí Band Reference Recordings: The CDs help players understand rhythm, phrasing, lift and céilí-band feel.
• Notes, Photographs and Cross-References: Adds useful background and musical context to the collection.

Why We Recommend This Set

At Squeezebox Marketplace, we recommend The Crossroads Dance Book and 2 CDs for musicians wanting to connect written Irish session repertoire with the recorded sound of a real céilí band.

The set brings together notation, chords, background notes and listening material. For accordionists, melodeon players and other traditional musicians, that combination makes the tunes easier to understand, learn and play with authentic lift, drive and phrasing.

About Shaskeen

Shaskeen began in 1970 when Tom Cussen and Benny O’Connor performed with friends in the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town, London. After returning to Ireland, the band quickly became established as one of the most respected names in Irish céilí band music.

The recordings capture the sound of a real working Irish céilí band. The material is not presented as a dusty archive, but as living repertoire connected to Irish sessions, set dancing and the Shaskeen performance tradition.

Who This Set Is For

• Accordion and melodeon players building Irish session repertoire
• Traditional musicians interested in Irish céilí band music and session repertoire
• Players wanting written tunes and reference recordings together
• Accompanists looking for chorded Irish repertoire
• Session musicians expanding their working tune list
• Developing and experienced Irish traditional musicians

Tunes Included in the Book

Click to view the full list of tunes included in the book

Reels

Ambrose Moloney's
Ash Maley House
Billy Brocker
Boys of Portaferry
Brendan McMorrin's
Connemara Stockings
Darby's Farewell to London
Drunken Landlady
Early Breakfast
Floating Crowbar
Fred Finn's
Golden Keyboard
Humours of Toomagh
Jack Maguire's
Jackson's
Killaghbeg House
Lady on the Island
Last Night's Fun
Leitrim Bucks
Mary O'Neill's
Mary Staunton's
Miss Monaghan's
Monsignor's Blessing
Mouse Behind the Dresser
Moving Bogs
My Love is in America
My Mary Anne
Paddy Killoran's
Penny Candle
P. J. Conlon's
P. Joe Hayes'
St. Anne's
Tap Room
Toss the Feather
Wise Maid

Jigs

Banks of Newfoundland
Butchers' March
Daniel O'Connell
Father Kelly's
Harry's Loch
Henchey's Delight
Maid at Spinning Wheel
Monaghan
Mysteries of Knock
Paddy Cronin's
Paddy in London
Páidín O'Rafferty
Queen of the Fair
Rose in the Heather
T'Athair Jack Walsh
Tom Busby's

Hornpipes

Breen's
Cronin's
Home Ruler
The Swan

Miscellany

All-Star Barn Dance
Bill Sullivan's
Britches Full of Stitches
Cock and the Hen
Humours of Whiskey
Little Diamond
Magic Slipper
Mrs Kenny's Waltz
Untitled Waltz

Complete Companion CD Track Listings

Click to view the full track list for both CDs

My Love Is in America

Reels: Last Night’s Fun, Lady on the Island, My Love is in America
Jigs: Queen of the Fair, Daniel O’Connell
Reels: Mary Staunton’s, Brendan McMorrin’s
Song: Lovely Annaghdown
Reels: The Floating Crowbar, My Mary Anne, Ash Maley House
Waltzes: Untitled, Mrs Kenny’s
Reels: P. J. Conlon’s, The Tap Room, The Moving Bogs
Polkas: Bill Sullivan’s, The Britches Full of Stitches
Jigs: Paddy in London, The Butchers’ March, The Rose in the Heather
Reels: Untitled (Jack Doyle’s Favourite), Billy Brocker, Connemara Stockings
Hornpipes: Cronin’s, The Home Ruler
Song: Shanagolden
Reels: The Early Breakfast, The Drunken Landlady
Reels: Miss Monaghan’s, St. Anne’s, The Wise Maid
Hornpipe and Barn Dance: Breen’s, The All-Star Barn Dance

The Mouse Behind the Dresser

Reels: The Mouse Behind the Dresser, Killaghbeg House, Paddy Killoran’s
Slip Jigs: The Cock and the Hen, The Humours of Whiskey
Song and Polkas: Jimmy Brown the Newsboy, Little Diamond, The Magic Slipper
Jigs: Harry’s Loch, The Monaghan, Henchey’s Delight
Reels: The Golden Keyboard, Ambrose Moloney’s, Jackson’s
Song: Mulroy Bay
Reels: Mary O’Neill’s, The Boys of Portaferry, P. Joe Hayes’
Reels: Jack Maguire’s, Darby’s Farewell to London, The Humours of Toomagh
Jigs: Paddy Cronin’s, Tom Busby’s
Song: Welcoming Paddy Home
Reels: The Leitrim Bucks, Fred Finn’s, Toss the Feather
Jigs: The Maid at the Spinning Wheel, T’Athair Jack Walsh, Father Kelly’s
Hornpipe and Reels: The Swan, The Penny Candle, The Monsignor’s Blessing
Jigs: The Banks of Newfoundland, The Mysteries of Knock, Páidín O’Rafferty

Specifications

• Title: The Crossroads Dance Book and 2 CDs
• Author: Dave Mallinson
• Artist/Source: Shaskeen
• Series: Shaskeen Series
• SKU: AP102SS
• ISBN: 978 1 899512 10 2
• Style: Irish traditional music, céilí band repertoire and session tunes
• Suitable for: Accordion, melodeon, fiddle, flute, whistle and other melody instruments
• Level: Developing to experienced players
• Book Page Count: 52 pages
• Book Content: Tunes, chords, photographs, notes and cross-references
• CDs Included: My Love Is in America; The Mouse Behind the Dresser
• CD Label Numbers: HCD 072 and CDFA 3505
• Format Options: Book and 2 CDs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this suitable for Irish session players?

Yes. The tunes included are closely connected to Irish session and céilí band repertoire and remain widely recognised among traditional musicians.

Are the CDs useful for learning by ear?

Yes. The companion CDs provide authentic reference recordings that help players understand phrasing, rhythm, tempo and traditional Irish session style.

Can the tunes also be learned from notation?

Yes. The book includes accurate transcriptions of the tunes, with chords as played.

Does this set include both notation and recordings?

Yes. The package combines the printed tune book with two companion CDs, allowing musicians to learn from both written notation and authentic recordings.

Which instruments is this collection suitable for?

The book and recordings are useful for accordion, melodeon, fiddle, flute, whistle, concertina and other melody instruments commonly heard in Irish traditional music.

Does the book include chords?

Yes. Chords are included as played, making the collection useful for accompanists as well as melody players.

Compare with Other Traditional Tune Collections

This set is the complete option for players who want both The Crossroads Dance Book and its two companion recordings. Players interested in the earlier Shaskeen collection may also enjoy Through the Half Door together with The Joys of Life and Shaskeen Live and The Atlantic Breeze.

Explore More

Browse our complete range of accordion and melodeon books and learning resources, together with our selection of melodeons and accordions.

Included

• Book: Printed copy of The Crossroads Dance Book with tunes, chords, photographs, notes and cross-references.
• CD 1: My Love Is in America in jewel case.
• CD 2: The Mouse Behind the Dresser in jewel case.