Halo Sheet Music: 130 Great Irish Ballads (Book and CD) (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good handy collection of the classic Irish songs.It has the classics, from "The Minstrel Boy" to "Sally Gardens" and (of course!) "The Wearin' of the Green."Some that vary a lot are found here in particularly good versions--you can find variants of "Bunclody" (under various names) and "Lark in the Morning" anywhere, but not often versions this good.There are also some quite striking items that were new to me--such as "Monto," which will radically change your stereotypes of the Victorian period, and "Home by Bearna," a local song which is achingly beautiful.The book certainly brings home the sad history of Ireland--most of the songs are about emigration, lost loves, and patriot martyrs.
There are also useful notes with some new information to me--e.g. that the tune of "Danny Boy" was collected from a Miss J. Ross in 1855, and nothing like it has ever turned up before or since.
Bad points:the songs are in no particular order, and the order on the CD is different--it appears to be ordered according to the ways the melodies flow into each other (as in an Irish dance set), and I wish the book had had that order.The CD provides only the 1st verse of each song.The singing on the CD is forthright Irish pub style--not the greatest (as another reviewer indicates) but very much better than mine, so who am I to complain?I bought the book to learn the songs--I have plenty of Irish music CD's already.
If you apprenticed with the Chieftains and moved on to the Wolfe Tones, you don't need this book and probably don't want it, but if you are newer to the game and want a fine introduction to Irish songs, this is as good a one-stop place as you'll find.The songs are so beautiful that the collective force of 130 of them together is overwhelming.

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Product Description:
In this book you have everything you need to play and sing some of the greatest Irish ballads ever written Â¯ the lyrics, guitar chords and simplified music score, plus a CD featuring the first verse and chorus of each of the ballads. A virtual "Irish Balladeer's Kit"! Also includes photos and great background information on each tune. "Whether you're a professional entertainer or want to learn the songs for private parties, this is a must for you" Â¯ Daniel O'Donnell

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