Going to Mass Last Sunday, Bold Jack Donahue

About this film

Irish bagpipes solo, unknown piano player, Columbia 33072-F. O'Nolan billed himself as the "Wicklow Piper," but his piping seems to have little in common with famous Leinster pipers such as the Doran brothers or Leo Rowsome; his charming punchy style is much more reminescent of others who recorded in America such as Tom Ennis. O'Nolan recorded a few piping solos in 1925-26 but his subsequent recorded output over the next five years were vocal discs, backed by a piano, sometimes with clarinet and violin thrown in. Going to Mass Last Sunday is also known under various other titles, Lovely/Handsome Molly/Hannah, and is a popular song in Scotland, England, and America. O'Nolan recorded a vocal disk of this song in 1930 or 31. Usually it is sung in 2/4 time, but O'Nolan's version is in 3/4 or waltz time. Jack Donahue was an Irish convict transported to Australia who became an outlaw and populist hero. O'Nolan gives a very sweet and charming performance of these two old melodies.

Directors & creators

Shaun O'Nolan

Subjects

Irish; Celtic; Bagpipe; Uilleann; Folk; Oldtime; 78rpm

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