Abbey Tavern Singers
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{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Abbey Tavern Singers
| image =
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| alias =
| origin = Dublin, Ireland
| years_active = 1962–present
| label = ARC Records, V.I.P. Records, Spin Records
| associated_acts =
| website =
}}
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".
History
=Beginnings=
File:The Abbey Tavern, Howth.jpg
The group's history begins in 1962 near the ruins of Howth Abbey,{{cite news |title=Tavern singers to give concert|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RzJgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y28NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2983,1990892&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en|newspaper=Star-Phoenix | location=Saskatoon |date=16 September 1968|page=8|access-date=25 June 2013}} when it was founded by Abbey Tavern owner Minnie Scott-Lennon, who decided to add a sing-along music attraction to her establishment.{{cite news |title=Irish group evokes tavern mood |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=osgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Gu0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2622,437266&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=1 November 1968|page=22|access-date=25 June 2013}} The idea was immediately successful, and as the group became locally popular an album was released on Pye Records in 1965.{{cite web |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/A/Abbey_Tavern_Singers.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629085017/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/A/Abbey_Tavern_Singers.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=29 June 2013|title=Abbey Tavern Singers, The |author= |date=26 November 2004|website=Jam! Showbiz |publisher=canoe.ca |access-date=24 June 2013}}
=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. The song is an IRA marching song dating back to approximately 1916. Using the soundtrack from the commercial,{{cite news |title=Beer Ad Folk Song Rates as Hit Tune |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UWJkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gnwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1006,1611844&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=The Calgary Herald |date=24 September 1966 |page=11 |access-date=27 June 2013}} the song was released on Canada's ARC Records and became extremely popular in Canada, reaching No. 2 on Canada's CHUM Charts and selling close to 150,000 copies in Canada within the first year of release.{{cite news |title=Famed group at Cleary|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=szM_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=WlEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5647,1705870&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=The Windsor Star |date=4 February 1967 |page=35|access-date=25 June 2013}} 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.{{cite news |title=Beer commercial popular song |first=Heather |last=Mitchell |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vDZgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=328NAAAAIBAJ&pg=7126,1958969&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=Saskatoon Star-Phoenix |date=15 September 1966 |page=21 |access-date=27 June 2013}} It was also released in the United States, on Hanna-Barbera Records{{cite web |url=http://www.globaldogproductions.info/h/hanna-barbera.html|title=45 Discography for Hanna-Barbera Records |date=2005 |publisher=Global Dog Productions |access-date=24 June 2013}} where it charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 94 staying for two weeks{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |title=Top Pop Singles 1955–1999|year=2000 |publisher=Record Research, Inc. |location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |isbn=0-89820-139-X |page=3}} and on the "Easy Listening" charts at No. 40.{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |title=Joel Whitburn Presents Billboard Top Adult Songs 1961–2006|year=2007 |publisher=Record Research Incorporated |isbn=978-0898201697 |page=3}} "Off to Dublin in the Green" spent five weeks on the Cashbox Top 100 chart, with a peak at number 68.{{cite book|title=Cash Box pop singles charts, 1950–1993|year=1994|publisher=Libraries Unlimited|last1=Downey|first1=Pat|last2=Albert|first2=George|last3=Hoffmann|first3=Frank W|page=[https://archive.org/details/cashboxpopsingle00down/page/1 1]|isbn=978-1-56308-316-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/cashboxpopsingle00down/page/1}} Not wanting to take sides politically, the B-side was a song of the Orangemen, "Captain of the Gallant Forty Twa," which was also featured in beer commercials.{{cite news |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SxIEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Abbey+Tavern+Singers%22&pg=PA32 |title= From the Music Capitals of the World|work=Billboard |date= 16 July 1966|page= 32}} Carling Black Label reported increased market share following the release of the advertising campaign and the song's subsequent popularity. Because it was the best selling Irish record in Canada, Mrs. Scott-Lennon was presented with a Trophee International Midem.{{cite news |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wQoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Abbey+Tavern+Singers%22&pg=RA1-PA44 |title= From the Music Capitals of the World|work=Billboard |date= 24 February 1968|page= 44}}
=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. 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/motown/vip/vip.html|title=V.I.P. Album Discography |last1=Edwards|first1=David|last2=Callahan |first2=Mike |date=30 July 2012 |website=Both Sides Now Album Discographies |publisher=BSN Publications |access-date=24 June 2013}} Demand for live appearances became so strong in North America that a tour was conducted there in 1967. These concerts maintained the informal atmosphere of the tavern performances. 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.
=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. On an intermittent basis they continued to travel internationally for special occasions such as St. Patrick's Day.{{cite news |title=Bit of the blarney|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bLIlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DPQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6268,284458&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=The Miami News|date=11 March 1981|page=C1|access-date=25 June 2013}} The group's successors were still advertised as performing at the Abbey Tavern in Dublin as of 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.abbeytavern.ie/traditional-irish-music// |title=Traditional Music, Song & Dance |access-date=29 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619072735/http://www.abbeytavern.ie/traditional-irish-music// |archive-date=19 June 2013 }}
Performance style
At the peak of their popularity the group was classified as folk music. 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.{{cite news |title=Abbey Tavern Singers miss informal pub atmosphere |first=Audrey M.|last=Ashley |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o8gyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Gu0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=765,2251095&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=8 November 1968 |page=28|access-date=25 June 2013}} 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.{{cite news |title=Tavern Singers Disappointing |first=Ron |last=Percival |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bOlkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e3wNAAAAIBAJ&pg=978,2667524&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en|newspaper=The Calgary Herald |date=24 September 1968 |page=8 |access-date=25 June 2013}} 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. The group was positively cited for their lack of gimmicks when performing.{{cite news |title=Abbey Singers stir Irish pride|first=Ken|last=Campbell |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tjM_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=WlEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3430,2835342&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=The Windsor Star |date=8 February 1967|page=22|access-date=25 June 2013}} Although the group name indicated a vocal ensemble, they were praised for their instrumental work in concerts. At one time this included the only full-time Irish spoon player, PJ Downes, who exclusively used Irish nickel-silver spoons for performing, and was known to place tours on hold if the right spoons were unavailable to him{{cite book |last=Brennan |first=Brian |title=Writing My Way from Ireland to Canada |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OT6c8U4esXkC&dq=%22Abbey+Tavern+Singers%22&pg=PA90 |access-date=27 June 2013 |year=2011 |publisher=Rocky Mountain Books Ltd |isbn=978-1926855745 |page=90}} Their set lengths were noted for their generosity. In addition to concerts, the Singers would also participate in folk masses while on tour.{{cite news |title=Swinging Mass |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QrwyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0uwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6371,1280275&dq=abbey-tavern-singers&hl=en |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=3 November 1967|page=37 |access-date=26 June 2013}}
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.{{cite news |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_ScEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Abbey+Tavern+Singers%22&pg=PA58 |title= From the Music Capitals of the World|work=Billboard |date= 13 May 1967|page= 58}} 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.{{cite book |last=Goyette|first=Linda |title=The Story That Brought Me Here: To Alberta From Everywhere |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_tOx2_C5gcoC&dq=abbey+tavern+singers&pg=PA142|access-date=25 June 2013 |year=2011 |publisher=Brindle and Glass |isbn=978-1926972282 |pages=141–142}}
Members
- Anne Byrne – vocals
- Paddy Joseph "PJ" Downes – spoons
- Seamus Gallagher – fiddle
- Michael MacAoghain – fiddle
- Margaret Monks – vocals
- Tess Nolan – vocals
- John O'Brien – guitar
- Michael O'Connell – vocals
- Joe O'Leary – fiddle
- Brian O'Rourke – banjo
- Bill Powers – banjo; mandolin
- Tommy Reck – Uilleann pipes
- Mary Sheehan – vocals
Discography
=Singles=
==Canada==
==United States==
=Albums=
- 1965 – The Rafters Ring at The Abbey Tavern – Pye Records (UK)
- 1966 – We're Off To Dublin in the Green – ARC Records (Canada); V.I.P Records (United States); Reissued 1968 in Ireland on Spin Records{{cite web |url=http://www.irishrock.org/labels/spin.html|title=Spin Records |date=4 February 2013 |website=irishrock.org|access-date=24 June 2013}}
- 1967 – You Don't Have To Be Irish... – ARC Records (Canada)
- 1968 – The Abbey Tavern Singers on Tour – ARC Records (Canada); Reissued 1970 in Ireland on Spin Records
- 1969 – Traditional Music And Song – Abbey Tavern Records (Ireland)
- 1970 – Traditional Ballads – Abbey Tavern Records (Ireland)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs artist|The Abbey Tavern Singers}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Irish folk musical groups