Abbey Tavern Singers

The Abbey Tavern Singers are an Irish vocal group who had a major hit in Canada and a minor hit in the United States in 1966 with "We're off to Dublin in the Green".

Abbey Tavern Singers
OriginDublin, Ireland
GenresFolk, roots
Years active1962–present
LabelsARC Records, V.I.P. Records, Spin Records

History

Beginnings
The Abbey Tavern, Howth

The group's history begins in 1962 near the ruins of Howth Abbey,[1] when it was founded by Abbey Tavern owner Minnie Scott-Lennon, who decided to add a sing-along music attraction to her establishment.[2] The idea was immediately successful,[2] and as the group became locally popular an album was released on Pye Records in 1965.[3]

We're off to Dublin in the Green

A song entitled "We're off to Dublin in the Green" was used by Carling Breweries Ltd in an international television advertising campaign.[2] The song is an IRA marching song dating back to approximately 1916.[2] Using the soundtrack from the commercial,[4] the song was released on Canada's ARC Records and became extremely popular in Canada, reaching No. 2 on Canada's CHUM Charts[3] and selling close to 150,000 copies in Canada within the first year of release.[5] It was a surprise hit, partly because of the poor sound quality of the soundtrack, partly because of the song's ties to the IRA, and partly because of its association with an alcoholic beverage.[6] It was also released in the United States, on Hanna-Barbera Records[7] where it charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 94 staying for two weeks[8] and on the "Easy Listening" charts at No. 40.[9] "Off to Dublin in the Green" spent five weeks on the Cashbox Top 100 chart, with a peak at number 68.[10] Not wanting to take sides politically, the B-side was a song of the Orangemen, "Captain of the Gallant Forty Twa,"[6] which was also featured in beer commercials.[11] Carling Black Label reported increased market share following the release of the advertising campaign and the song's subsequent popularity.[6] Because it was the best selling Irish record in Canada, Mrs. Scott-Lennon was presented with a Trophee International Midem.[12]

Popularity and international touring

In response to the popularity of "Off to Dublin", albums were also released, containing material recorded entirely at the Abbey Tavern in Ireland.[3] The group stayed on the ARC label for Canadian albums, but oddly were placed with Berry Gordy's V.I.P. Records in the United States.[13] Demand for live appearances became so strong in North America that a tour was conducted there in 1967.[3] These concerts maintained the informal atmosphere of the tavern performances.[2] This tour was lengthy, so their third Canadian album "Abbey Tavern Singers on Tour" was recorded in a Canadian studio instead of at the Abbey Tavern.[3]

Return to the Abbey Tavern

When the folk-music craze died out, the Abbey Tavern Singers eventually quit their touring, and again became the house attraction at their namesake tavern.[3] On an intermittent basis they continued to travel internationally for special occasions such as St. Patrick's Day.[14] The group's successors were still advertised as performing at the Abbey Tavern in Dublin as of 2013.[15]

Performance style

At the peak of their popularity the group was classified as folk music.[5] The Abbey Tavern Singers intended to create a relaxed, informal atmosphere reminiscent of the original tavern performances. In the middle of a concert stage, this did not always come off as well has hoped.[16] Partly this was because the Singers had not developed a stage act, and were known to appear disinterested when not participating in a given number.[17] While their performances of some songs such as "This Land Is Your Land" were noted for their energy, performances of other songs were panned as maudlin.[16] The group was positively cited for their lack of gimmicks when performing.[18] Although the group name indicated a vocal ensemble, they were praised for their instrumental work in concerts.[17] At one time this included the only full-time Irish spoon player, PJ Downes, who exclusively used Irish nickel-silver spoons for performing,[1] and was known to place tours on hold if the right spoons were unavailable to him[19] Their set lengths were noted for their generosity.[16] In addition to concerts, the Singers would also participate in folk masses while on tour.[20]

Influence and legacy

ARC Records made special trips to Ireland in hopes of discovering new Irish talent in hopes of duplicating the success of the Abbey Tavern Singers.[21] The popularity of "We're off to Dublin in the Green" inspired several cover versions, not all of which were appreciated by the Abbey Tavern Singers.[22]

Members
  • Anne Byrne – vocals[16]
  • Paddy Joseph "PJ" Downes – spoons[16]
  • Seamus Gallagher – fiddle[3]
  • Michael MacAoghain – fiddle[17]
  • Margaret Monks – vocals[3]
  • Tess Nolan – vocals[3]
  • John O'Brien – guitar[3]
  • Michael O'Connell – vocals[3]
  • Joe O'Leary – fiddle[3]
  • Brian O'Rourke – banjo[3]
  • Bill Powers – banjo; mandolin[3]
  • Tommy Reck – Uilleann pipes[3]
  • Mary Sheehan – vocals[16]

Discography

Canada
  • ARC 1144 – 1966: Off to Dublin in the Green/The Captain of the Gallant Forty Twa'[3]
  • ARC 1152 – 1966: Whack Fol De Diddle Dee/The Orange and the Green[3]
  • ARC 1165 – 1966: The Wild Rovers/The Orange and the Green[3]

United States
  • Hanna-Barbera 488 and 498 – 1966: Off to Dublin in the Green/A Gallant Forty Twa'[7]

Albums
  • 1965 – The Rafters Ring at The Abbey Tavern – Pye Records (UK)[3]
  • 1966 – We're Off To Dublin in the Green – ARC Records (Canada);[3] V.I.P Records (United States);[13] Reissued 1968 in Ireland on Spin Records[23]
  • 1967 – You Don't Have To Be Irish... – ARC Records (Canada)[3]
  • 1968 – The Abbey Tavern Singers on Tour – ARC Records (Canada);[3] Reissued 1970 in Ireland on Spin Records[23]
  • 1969 – Traditional Music And Song – Abbey Tavern Records (Ireland)[3]
  • 1970 – Traditional Ballads – Abbey Tavern Records (Ireland)[3]

References
  1. "Tavern singers to give concert". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon. 16 September 1968. p. 8. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  2. "Irish group evokes tavern mood". Ottawa Citizen. 1 November 1968. p. 22. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  3. "Abbey Tavern Singers, The". Jam! Showbiz. canoe.ca. 26 November 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  4. "Beer Ad Folk Song Rates as Hit Tune". The Calgary Herald. 24 September 1966. p. 11. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  5. "Famed group at Cleary". The Windsor Star. 4 February 1967. p. 35. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  6. Mitchell, Heather (15 September 1966). "Beer commercial popular song". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. p. 21. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  7. "45 Discography for Hanna-Barbera Records". Global Dog Productions. 2005. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  8. Whitburn, Joel (2000). Top Pop Singles 1955–1999. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. p. 3. ISBN 0-89820-139-X.
  9. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Joel Whitburn Presents Billboard Top Adult Songs 1961–2006. Record Research Incorporated. p. 3. ISBN 978-0898201697.
  10. Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffmann, Frank W (1994). Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993. Libraries Unlimited. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-56308-316-7.
  11. "From the Music Capitals of the World". Billboard. 16 July 1966. p. 32.
  12. "From the Music Capitals of the World". Billboard. 24 February 1968. p. 44.
  13. Edwards, David; Callahan, Mike (30 July 2012). "V.I.P. Album Discography". Both Sides Now Album Discographies. BSN Publications. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  14. "Bit of the blarney". The Miami News. 11 March 1981. p. C1. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  15. "Traditional Music, Song & Dance". Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  16. Ashley, Audrey M. (8 November 1968). "Abbey Tavern Singers miss informal pub atmosphere". Ottawa Citizen. p. 28. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  17. Percival, Ron (24 September 1968). "Tavern Singers Disappointing". The Calgary Herald. p. 8. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  18. Campbell, Ken (8 February 1967). "Abbey Singers stir Irish pride". The Windsor Star. p. 22. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  19. Brennan, Brian (2011). Writing My Way from Ireland to Canada. Rocky Mountain Books Ltd. p. 90. ISBN 978-1926855745. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  20. "Swinging Mass". Ottawa Citizen. 3 November 1967. p. 37. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  21. "From the Music Capitals of the World". Billboard. 13 May 1967. p. 58.
  22. Goyette, Linda (2011). The Story That Brought Me Here: To Alberta From Everywhere. Brindle and Glass. pp. 141–142. ISBN 978-1926972282. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  23. "Spin Records". irishrock.org. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
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