(left to right) Andy Irvine, Terry Woods, Johnny Moynihan
On the front end of the folk revival movement in Ireland, Sweeney's Men helped shape a generation of music that was defining a new identity and pride for traditional music. Sweeney's Men is considered a "seminal" band for it's unique presentation of traditional ballads, pub songs and tunes, juxtaposed with American folk songs of hard times and social justice.
The first two singles were recorded for Pye Records, Dublin. Since then they have appeared on a bewildering number of compilation albums. Finally turning up on the Double CD - "The Legend of Sweeney's Men : Anthology" released by Castle Music in 2004 along with some peripheral numbers by members of the band and others.
Also "Legend" includes 5 singles made by The Capital Show Band in 1967/68. Members of Sweeney's Men may have played on some of them.
These two singles were re-released in 1972 as a Pye EP PMM.608 ''Mini Monster''
The Old Maid in the Garrett / Derby Ram (1967) -- Pye 7N 17312
The Waxie's Dargle / Old Woman in Cotton (1967) -- Pye 7N 17459
Sullivan's John / Rattlin' Roarin' Willie (1968) -- Transatlantic TRASP 19
Sweeney's Men (1968) -- Transatlantic TRA170 (re-released in 1976 by Transatlantic TRA SAM 37)
Tracks:The Tracks Of Sweeney (1969) -- Transatlantic TRA 200
1. Rattlin' Roarin' Willie
2. Sullivan's John
3. Sally Brown
4. My Dearest Dear
5. The Exile Jig
6. The Handsome Cabin Boy
7. Dicey Riley
8. Tom Dooley
9. Willy O'Winsbury
10. Dance to Your Daddy
11. The House Carpenter
12. Johnstone
13. Reynard the Fox
Time Was Never Here (1992) Demon TDEMCD11
Both albums but missing The Exile's Jig and Dicey Riley
Sweeney's Men / The Tracks Of Sweeney (1996) Essential ESMCD 435
2 albums on 1 CD plus "Old Woman in Cotton"
The Legend Of Sweeney's Men (2004) Castle Music, CMDD932
This 2-CD set is the definitive Sweeney's Men compilation as is has the two albums in full plus both the A and B sides of the two PYE 45s from 1967 and 1968, along with four tracks by The Capitol Showband in 1966/1968 featuring (uncredited) members of Sweeney's Men.