the Carlton Showband On Tour

Musicians
Chris O’Toole: drums, spoons, percussion
Johnny Patterson: vocals, trombone, bass guitar
Christy McLaughlin: harmonica, accordion
Mike Feeney: vocals
Sean McManus: guitar, flute, harmonica
Seamus Grew: accordion
Freddy White: vocals, guitar, banjo
Bob Lewis: rhythm guitar

Publishing
Delilah published by BMI
My Mother published by CAPAC
March Of The Maple Leaf published by CAPAC
Little Pal published by CAPAC
On The Road published by CAPAC

Production
Produced by Jack Feeney
Engineered by Mark Smith
Recorded at RCA Studios, Toronto, on April 18th and 26th, 1968

Artwork
Cover picture by A.W. Stanton for Air-Canada

Made in Canada by RCA Victor Company, Ltd., Montreal

Liner notes
The Carlton Show Band cannot be accused of being strictly a one-shot group.

Those who have seen the band on television with the highly-popular Pig ’n Whistle show might be led to believe that the Carlton Show Band can play nothing but the lilting Irish jigs and reels and rebel ballads they do so well.

But those who have seen the Carlton Show Band in concert have been treated to a display of remarkable talent and versatility demonstrated across a very broad range of traditional and modern numbers ranging from Ireland of the Middle Ages to the Beatles and the Everly Brothers.

Here is a brief rundown of what the eight members of the Carlton Show Band can do.

Band leader Chris O’Toole, from County Wicklow in Ireland, doesn’t sing. But that’s understandable. Chris is usually busy with the drums and spoons and whatever other percussion instrument is handy, besides keeping track of the score for the entire concert. Chris likes all types of music and is a great fan of the late Mario Lanza.

Johnny Patterson comes from Derry City, and that is indeed apt, because Derry has produced some of the greatest Irish tenors in history. Those who have heard Johnny Patterson agree he belongs in the company of John MacCormack and the other immortals. John also plays trombone and bass guitar, likes the classics and country and western music, and is a big fan of Roy Orbison. On stage, his repertoire includes such sentimental favorites as “I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen” and “My Wild Irish Rose”.

Christy McLaughlin, with his roguish and boyish charm, is the lady killer of the group. Christy comes from County Tyrone where he was born on the day before Christmas. Christy plays the harmonica and accordion, and likes country and western music and Irish ballads.

Mike Feeney hails from Galway City and sang with several Irish groups before coming to Canada. This easy going tenor is a fine sportsman and played soccer in the Irish Minor Cup for Rathfarnham in Dublin. Mike sings “The Wild Colonial Boy”, “Whisky in the Jar”, “Irish Rover”, “Dear Old Donegal”, “Father Murphy” and many others. Native born Canadians especially appreciate the way Mike puts his heart into “O Canada” at the close of a concert.

Sean (Shawn) McManus comes from County Fermanagh and the only musical instrument Sean can’t play is one he hasn’t been able to get his hands on yet. This versatile performer plays guitar, flute and harmonica and can break up an audience with his comedy numbers such as “Seven Drunken Nights”. On the serious side, Sean does a fine solo on such touching ballads as “Mother”.

Seamus (Shaymus) Grew didn’t invent the accordion, but he can do things with it even the inventor never dreamed of. Seamus comes from County Monaghan, and became so good on the accordion he was named United States Accordion Champion in 1963. The floorboards start to bounce when he and Christy McLaughlin team up for an accordion duet medley of Irish jigs and reels. Seamus likes Dixieland music and among contemporary performers enjoys the Mamas and the Papas.

Singer Freddy White comes from New Waterford, Nova Scotia, and that’s almost enough to make the exuberant Freddy an Irishman. Fred plays all kinds of guitar and the banjo with equal ease and has a large repertoire of songs including the likes of “Nancy Whisky”, “Finnegan’s Wake”, “Leaving Tipperary” and “My Old Man”. Freddy’s favorite performers are the Beatles and the Everly Brothers.

Bob Lewis is the other Canadian with the group. Like Freddy White, he comes from Nova Scotia. In Bob’s case home is Sydney, Cape Breton Island — or “Cape Breton Ireland” as the other members of the band call it. Like most of the other band members, Bob at one time had a group of his own. He plays rhythm guitar and is big on rousing audience participation numbers.