The Joys of Life and Shaskeen Live CD

Irish Céilí Band Music from Shaskeen

The Joys of Life and Shaskeen Live is a companion CD to Through the Half Door, featuring core Irish session and set dance repertoire performed by Shaskeen.

This CD contains music connected to the tunes transcribed in Through the Half Door, making it especially useful for players who want to hear the rhythm, lift and drive behind the written settings.

For anyone who enjoys Irish traditional music, this is wonderful listening. For musicians, it is also a valuable reference recording, with reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas, barn dances and medleys played with the energy and authority of a working Irish céilí band.

Key Features:

• Companion CD to Through the Half Door: Features tunes connected to the book’s transcribed repertoire.
• Authentic Shaskeen Performance: Irish céilí band music played with verve, lift and dance-driven energy.
• Core Irish Session Repertoire: Includes many well-known reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas and medleys.
• Useful Listening for Players: Helps musicians understand pace, phrasing, rhythm and set-dance feel.
• CD in Jewel Case: Supplied as a physical CD only.

Why We Recommend This CD

At Squeezebox Marketplace, we recommend The Joys of Life and Shaskeen Live for players who want to hear Irish session repertoire in its natural musical setting rather than simply reading it from the page.

Shaskeen’s playing captures the drive and character of real Irish céilí band music, making this CD an excellent companion for anyone using Through the Half Door or building a stronger understanding of Irish dance and session repertoire.

About Shaskeen

Born out of Galway and the West of Ireland, Shaskeen are closely associated with powerful, dance-driven Irish traditional music. Their playing brings together reels, jigs and set dance music with the rhythmic lift needed to bring dancers to the floor.

The music on this album is presented at the length and pace required for set dances including The Caledonian Set, The Galway Set, The Aran Set and The Connemara Set.

Who This CD Is For

• Accordion and melodeon players learning Irish session repertoire
• Musicians using the book Through the Half Door
• Players interested in Irish céilí band style
• Traditional musicians wanting reference recordings for rhythm and phrasing
• Listeners who enjoy lively Irish set dance music
• Session players building familiarity with core Irish repertoire

Tracks Included

Musicians Featured

• Tom Cussen: Banjo / Mandolin
• Charlie Harris: Accordion
• Eamon Cotter: Flute / Whistle
• Benny O’Connor: Drums / Bodhrán / Bongos
• Mike Fahy: Guitar / Vocals
• Geraldine Cotter: Piano
• Carl Hession: Piano
• Sean Conway: Flute / Guitar / Tin Whistle

Specifications

• Title: The Joys of Life and Shaskeen Live
• Artist: Shaskeen
• Stock Code: AP101
• ISBN: 978 1 899512 09 6
• Label Number: CDFA 3502/6
• Style: Irish traditional music, céilí band music and set dance repertoire
• Format: CD in jewel case
• Related Book: Through the Half Door
• Special Feature: One of two companion CDs to Through the Half Door
• Format Options: CD only

Compare with Other Traditional Tune Collections

This CD is the natural companion to Through the Half Door, which contains accurate transcriptions of the tunes. Players interested in Irish set dance and session repertoire may also enjoy Traditional Irish Music for Sets and Sessions – Blue Book and Traditional Irish Music for Sets and Sessions – Yellow Book.

Explore More

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

Included

• CD only: Physical CD in jewel case featuring Irish session and set dance music performed by Shaskeen.