Welcome to the official site of Larry de Cléir's debut solo album The Dog that heard the Bell. The album's intriguing title masks a collection of original songs and tunes with strong local roots in the Limerick/Clare/Shannonside area.
The entire album was recorded at Denis Allen's Studios in Rosbrien, Limerick. Larry sings and plays guitar, harmonica, keyboards, bouzouki, banjo and whistle. Mike Minihan plays fiddle, banjo and bodhran, while Denis himself plays bass and produced the album. Margaret Toomey adds vocal harmony to "So Our Love will be".
In this site lyrics of songs, reviews of the album, information on obtaining the album, the history of the album, Larry de Cleir's biography and press release are all available...
Here are a few notes from the inside cover of the sleeve.
"This Album grew out of the Full Circle Folk Club sessions in the Glentworth in Limerick and later the child of that club, the Castleconnell Folk Club, from August 1995 to the present day. It is thanks to all the musicians, songsters, poets, wayfarers, troubadours, folklorists, and indeed, respectful listeners, that I met along the way, that this venture came into being at all.
Their encouragement is much appreciated, and all, too numerous to mention, I heartily thank.
My musical co-conspirators, Mike McInerney, banjo player extraordinaire, Dick Rosse, accordionist, mandolinist and smoked salmon advisor, and Mike Minihan, on just about any musical instrument you leave lying around at a session, I thank even more heartily. Without their encouragement, (which for some reason almost always included large doses of self deprecating humour), my ambitions would most certainly not have been realised.
Dave McCormack's artwork is as inspiring as it is understated, and his enthusiasm for the project was a big spur when there just seemed too much to do to finish it! Thank you Dave for your creativity and generosity.
Many poets have been inspired by music, and many musicians have been inspired by poetry, and Micheál Ó Siochrú, whose poem graces the last page of this booklet, captures an atmosphere that all musicians will recognise! (Please note line 7). Go raibh maith agat, a Mhichíl.
John O Regan's helpfulness, contacts, and ideas were much appreciated, as were his kind words. His knowledge of the world of folk music is legendary, and his endorsement of this project gave me a huge lift.
I thank Margaret Toomey who beautifully sings on 'So our love will be' and, who, by the way.... holds the record on this album (no pun intended) for completing a harmony (voice or instrumental) piece on the first take in the studio!
My wife Elma and my four children endured many hours of noise being turned into music, and music being turned back into noise, and sometimes, practising the banjo (which always seemed to be that fraction out of tune) it was hard to tell the difference! I thank them for all their spontaneous helpful suggestions, for their love and forbearance, and for believing in me. Mór bhuíochas freisin dom dheirfiúr Síle a thug cabhair dom ar an amhrán 'Sult'.
Finally I thank Denis Allen from whom Job could get a few lessons in patience. His infectious enthusiasm for his art is probably the one reason why this album was not just another one of the many projects that seem to start off in my head as a really great idea and, mmmmm yes, just end up many months later in my head as a slightly less great idea!
Bain taithneamh as!"
Larry.