The ninth performance is a three-part slip-jig is called the ‘The Butterfly’ and was composed by Tommy Potts. This version of ‘The Butterfly’ is given tremendous wealth through the powerful flute arrangement by Pat Power and Derek O’Shea and the accompaniment by Simon O’Dwyer on the mid-range Bronze Age Trumpet or dord-ard.

In keeping with the original inspiration of the composer, the life of a butterfly is evoked from the beginning as a caterpillar, then bursting into flight when the strings, whistle, violin and frame drum join in. Finally, it’s time is over as the tune reverts to flute and bronze trumpet. It was thought that such a complex interpretation with so many acoustic instruments of varying volume levels might present problems. In the event, they all mixed together perfectly so that Rod Callan – sound engineer – was able to capture the magic! Musicians Left to Right – Bonnie Rideout – violin, John Meskell – Indian parade frame drum, Derek O’Shea – flute, Simon O’Dwyer – mid-range Bronze Age trumpet (dord-ard), Gerry Whelan Mandolin, Kevin Whelan – Mandolin, Mick Crehan – whistle, Pat Power – Bouzouki.
Overtone Live Acoustic Concert from 2009 features twelve performances. This hugely important archival footage was lost for over a decade and found again recently. Hence the delay in releasing it! On Friday the 13th of November 2009, sixteen musicians and composers came together to celebrate the launch of the new album ‘Overtone’ Ancient Music of Ireland. Over the coming weeks each performance will be released on the AMI YouTube Channel and on this website.

Bonnie Rideout is an American fiddler. She is especially known for her traditional Scottish style and fiddle piobaireachd playing. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music. She is a recording artist, her touring career spanning three decades. Bonnie Rideout
John Meskell: – is a multi-instrumentalist both melody and percussion. He leads the way in Bronze Age trumpet playing technique by being one of the few who beautifully brings out the overtones in these instruments.
Derek O’ Shea: – Based in Galway, Derek is a well-known flute player and has composed many tunes. He breath control and interpretation of ‘The Butterfly’ is truly a ‘tour de force’. Derek introduced new European musical traditions into Ireland as a member of the band ‘Gan Anim’. He is a master of the slow air, being able to project deep emotion and haunting pathos by using the most exquisite timing.Derek O’Shea
Simon O’Dwyer – Co-Founder, Ancient Music Ireland. Simon has dedicated his life’s work (over 40 years) to the study and reconstruction of prehistoric musical instruments. He is in the vanguard of the pioneering research which is taking place into the music of prehistory worldwide. Simon has composed for Bronze Age horns and trumpets, Iron Age trumpets, Early Medieval horns and bodhrán. Simon has recorded several albums. Ancient Music Ireland Sound LIbrary
Gerry Whelan: – Originally form Tramore, Gerry plays a distinctive South Waterford traditional music style on mandolin. Having played with ‘Open Road’, he moved to Galway where he established himself as a prolific player.
Kevin Whelan: – Brother to Gerry, Kevin also played with the band ‘Open Road’ in Waterford. One of the great sounds of the band was when Kevin and Gerry launched into a set of fast reels on two mandolins. A great musical treat on these recordings is to hear the Whelan brothers playing with that closeness of style and tempo that happens between brothers.
Pat Power: – One of the first exponents of mandola and bouzouki as melody instruments, Pat is renowned for his distinctive assertive playing. As with the Gerry and Kevin Whelan, he grew up in a musical family in South Waterford where he learnt an old and pure musical style. Pat included Bronze Age trumpets and horns on his first album ‘Sin a Bhfuil’ as part of the track called ‘The Butterfly’. Pat Power The studio version of Pat’s arrangement of ‘The Butterfly’ and his full Sin a Bhfuil’ album is available on his Bandcamp at The Butterfly studio version and Sin a Bhfuil Album by Pat Power to quote Pat Popwer ‘ this track was dedicated to my brother who drowned in Tramore Co Waterford. He loved Butterflies. He was only 27 years of age..so we decided to slow down the slip jig as a slow air then speed it up.’

Rod Callan – Sound Engineer Rod has recorded both original and reproduction ancient horns and trumpets with Ancient Music Ireland since the research first began over thirty years ago. In this instance he travelled from Penylan Studios in Wales to record the ‘Overtone Live Acoustic’ concert in Galway. His expertise and experience with the instruments perfectly captured the complexity and multi-colours of the sound. Penylan Studios