Ancestral Imprints

This book is about the history and practice of recording Irish traditional music and dance, and the variety of documents that exist as a result of the activities of collectors both in Ireland and in North America.



Essay topics range from analyses of nineteenth-century printed documents, to the earliest wax cylinder recordings, to famous, rather large collections, and small all but unknown ones. Authors examine the role of the fieldworker/collector, the impact of broadcasting on regional style, the idea of "Irish" versus "American" style in early uilleann pipe recordings, and the impact of the recording process and marketing on traditional song, among other topics. Approaches vary from the analytical—comparing and analyzing various settings of tunes and titles—to the personal—reflecting on the impact of one's own collecting and fieldwork on a regional tradition. From original manuscripts in the National Library, to printed documents, audio and video recordings and art work, this book examines the reception history of Irish traditional music and dance.