Slow Airs by Janet Harbison

Slow Airs by Janet Harbison. 

Recorded at the Irish Harp Centre, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick over 4 days in July 2004, this album has long awaited its release!

Janet was gravely ill at the time and with an uncertain future, shelved the CD release until an appropriate time presented itself – which wasn’t until 2017 (and long since fully recovered)!

Slow Airs by their very nature are very much of the ageless tradition of Irish music and song that created them. The only pieces composed for harp were the ‘Lament for Limerick’, Miss Crofton and possibly ‘Blind Mary’ but all are revered airs that of course will be carried on the harp.

The genre of ‘Slow Airs’ is at the core of the tradition, are always deeply felt and listened to as – in the sound of the music only, the Irish live their history – much of it from a place of heart-ache over lost loves, lost lives, lost battles, lost hope – but rich in beauty and depth of feeling. In quiet moments, this extraordinary music brings us back to our origin, the well-spring of the land from which our souls have sung.

Track Listing
To hear the beginning of each track click below:

1 Una Bhán 3.34 - click here for soundtrack

2 Táimse im Shuí 2.16 - click here for soundtrack

3 Táimse im’ Chodladh 3.11- click here for soundtrack

4 Sliabh na mBan 4.18 - click here for soundtrack

5 Seán Ó Duibhir a’ Ghleanna 1 5.07 - click here for soundtrack

6 Seán Ó Duibhir a’ Ghleanna 2 3.10 - click here for soundtrack

7 Sé Fáth Mo Bhuartha 3.30 - click here for soundtrack

8 An Raibh Tú Ar An gCarraig 2.09 - click here for soundtrack

9 Na Prátaí Dubha 3.04 - click here for soundtrack

10 Na Connerys 2.51 - click here for soundtrack

11 Mo Róisín Dubh 2.48 - click here for soundtrack

12 Miss Crofton (Carolan) 4.15 - click here for soundtrack

13 Lament for Limerick 3.04 - click here for soundtrack

14 Iníon an Fhaoit ón nGleann 2.43 - click here for soundtrack

15 Eibhlín A Rún 4.10 - click here for soundtrack

16 Éamonn an Chnoic 3.10 - click here for soundtrack

17 Clár Bog Déil 2.17 - click here for soundtrack

18 Blind Mary (Carolan) 2.22 - click here for soundtrack

19 Anach Cuain 3.52 - click here for soundtrack

20 An Chuilfhionn 1 (18th Century) 3.36 - click here for soundtrack

21 An Chuilfhionn 2 (20th Century) 2.43 - click here for soundtrack

22 Amhrán na Leabhar 4.06 - click here for soundtrack

23 Aird Uí Chuain 3.32 - click here for soundtrack