FRANK CULLEN
This act can be tailored from a Trio comprising Mandolin, Harp and Guitar up to a Quintet adding Fiddle and Bass. Ideal for sets ranging from 30 mins to 1 hour over Dinner or for Drinks reception. The audio clips will demonstrate how perfect this ensemble is in any setting.
Mes Entertainments believes that the compositions on this recording, are without doubt ideal for Motion Picture Soundtrack, Documentaries and Commercials. For further information don't hesitate to contact.
Frank Cullen is Dublin born and of Dublin parents both of whom had musical backgrounds - his father was a double bass player and his mother a singer from a great singing family. Coming from Phibsboro the family GP was a Dr Moynihan whose son was none other than Johnny Moynihan, a local hero.
SWEENEYS MEN was his first introduction into Irish Folk Music and surprisingly enough the instruments involved were the mandolin, bouzouiki and guitar. Around the same time Frank was to hear the music of O Riaida and his arrangements of the music of O' Carolan. The melodic nature of this music along with its baroque influences was something he felt comfortable with. Soon he was to hear the music of Planxty with its intricate arrangements and harmonies between mandolin and bouzouki which led him to take up the mandolin.
During the period of the 70s he was to meet Shannon man Pat Cassidy who was a concertina player, flute player and harpist and who also had an interest in the music of O' Carolan. With their mutual interests they formed a band playing jigs and reels and some arrangements of O' Carolan music. Pat was to later go on to launch a CD of his arrangements of O' Carolan music, and to compose his beautiful "CHILDREN OF LIR" suite.
In 1981 Frank joined a band called Dal gCais and it's there he met another harpist called Noreen O' Donoghue, a gifted player, and a friendship was struck up and one he shall always treasure. The founder member of the band was Darragh De Brun a whistle player and piper and a fine composer who possibly got him started into composition.
During the 80s he was to play with various musicians and singers playing sessions, gigs and concerts at home and abroad, working on arrangements and composition. In 1986 he was asked to arrrange some music for the wedding of Jim and Margaret Aughney and in induced enthusiasm he decided to compose the mass. Working with Noreen they completed the project. At this stage he had begun to compose more tunes.
In 1990 some Clare musicians had got together to do a recording and had asked Noreen and Frank to do some work on it. The album was called "OUT IN THE NIGHT" and they called themselves "FISHER STREET". While gigging with Fisher Street he continued composing tunes and working along with Noreen and later with Timmy Murray, founder of the band "CIAN", till it was decided to record the CD joined by friends old and new, influences of the past and present. The emotions people have brought to Frank both happy and sad have culminated together to become his debut album "AND ALL POINTS WEST".
Album Credits
All Melodies composed by Frank Cullen
Produced by: Tim Murray and Frank Cullen
Engineered by: Peter Eades at the Mill Studios, Swords Co. Dublin
