Micho Russell
1915 - 1994
Micho Russell
Michael Joseph Russell (Micho) was one of Ireland’s best-known traditional musicians in the latter half of the 20th century. He was born in Doonagore, Doolin, Co. Clare where he lived all his life.
He came from a musical family. His mother played the concertina and both his brothers, Packie, and Gussie played for house dances and later in the village pubs of Doolin.
In 1973 Micho won the All-Ireland Tin Whistle competition. His style of playing was unmistakable for the variety and inventiveness in its ‘rhythmical ornamentation’ and surprising stops. In the naturalness of his performance and stage presence he created an atmosphere of rare rapport with his audience. It added an iconic Irish dimension to his act that had no precedent or equal on the concert stage.
He enjoyed popularity and was much in demand from the 1970s onwards to perform at concerts and he toured all over Europe and the States. He was a patient and conscientious music teacher and he was a favourite at the Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay.
In later years, his life-long interest in recording background to tunes and folklore came to fruition in several publications. Micho died as a result of a car accident on February 19, 1994 .
Micho Russell
Ireland's Whistling Ambassador
“Ireland’s Whistling Ambassador: Micho Russell of Doolin, Co. Clare” features the singing and tin whistle playing of Micho Russell (1915–1994) along with an interview of Micho by Mick Moloney. The video was produced and directed by Bill Ochs (1946–2016) in 1993. © The Pennywhistler’s Press 1993 & 2016.
Micho Russell
Discography
The discography below is based on the wonderful work by Steve Bilven, available on Clare County Library’s website.
• The Russell Family of Doolin, County Clare, 1975 (Topic Records), 1993 (Green Linnet Records), 2009 (Free Reed Records as “The Russell Family”). Recorded in O’Connor’s Pub, Doolin, Co. Clare in January 1974. Includes Micho, Gussie, and Packie Russell on 19 tracks; 26 tracks on the Free Reed re-release.
• Traditional Country Music of County Clare, 1976, Free Reed Music [FCLAR 01]. Nineteen tracks originally recorded in 1975 for a vinyl recording. Re-mastered and released as a CD as part of the Free Reed Revival re: Masters series.
• Micho Russell, 1982, Triskell: TRL 1009. Twenty-seven tunes and songs originally issued as an audio cassette.
• Under the Cliffs of Moher, 1990, Limerick, Xeric records: XER 05. Fourteen tunes with introductory remarks. Originally issued as an audio cassette.
• The Man From Clare, 1993, Trad Ireland [Trd CD 011]. Eighteen tracks of Micho singing, whistling and fluting on four of which he is joined by Eugene Lambe. Some spoken word. Two solo tracks by Eugene Lambe.
• In Our Own Dear Land, 1993, Trad Ireland. Eleven tracks of Micho’s playing.
• The Limestone Rock, 1993, Trad Ireland [TRAD CD 104]. Sixteen tracks of Micho singing, whistling and fluting.
• The Wind That Shakes The Barley, 1993, Trad Ireland. Eleven tracks of Micho whistling and fluting.
• Ireland’s Whistling Ambassador, 1995, Pennywhistler’s Press. Twenty-two tracks, recorded by Edward Haber and Bill Ochs at various locations between 1990–1993. Includes a 28-page booklet.
• The Rising Sun, 2001. Folktrax, [SA] [FTX 155]. This appears to contain identical tracks to Ireland’s Whistling Ambassador listed above.
• Rarities & Old Favorites 1949–1993, 2015, Pennywhistler’s Press. Compiled by Bill Ochs and released in 2015, this CD includes 49 tracks of Micho Russell whistling, fluting, lilting and singing. As the title implies, the tracks are taken from the 44-year span of 1949–1993. Many of the tracks were “field recordings” and include sounds of dancing, pub conversations, etc.- this is not a studio recording.
• Micho Russell in Norway 1978, vol.1: The Vinstra Concert, 2018, Taragot Sounds. Sound recording 1978, photos 1978, sound restoration 2018, and liner notes (except «Micho – a True Musician”) by Tellef Kvifte. Not a studio recording.
• Micho Russell in Norway 1978, vol.2: Private Sessions, 2022, Taragot Sounds. Sound recording 1978, photos 1978, sound restoration 2018, released in 2022. As indicated in the title, this is the second album with recordings of Micho made on his trips to Norway in 1978. This album contains recordings from a few private sessions. Not a studio recording.
