This limited edition heavyweight vinyl record (of 250) comes with a poetry book of the lyrics, some five hundred year old Irish Gaelic songs, some newly composed. Where Splendour Falls, where splendour is rent into its many pieces. Remnants and shards abound, what is left behind is brought to the fore. The sounds are collected smithereens, pieced

This limited edition heavyweight vinyl record (of 250) comes with a poetry book of the lyrics, some five hundred year old Irish Gaelic songs, some newly composed. Where Splendour Falls, where splendour is rent into its many pieces. Remnants and shards abound, what is left behind is brought to the fore. The sounds are collected smithereens, pieced together to fashion something delicate from destruction-maybe a child playing in a fireplace after the fire has gone out, maybe an old man that has long lost something but catches a glimpse of what that was. Rooted in old Ireland the album resounds through now.

Hy Brasil” is my third studio album. This Cd comes with an inlay card containing the lyrics of the songs. These songs are stories and histories I have been delving into for ten years. Some are traditional; some traditionally inspired, others tell old tales but are new beasts. They tell of bold and beautiful visions of the new world, my own

Hy Brasil” is my third studio album. This Cd comes with an inlay card containing the lyrics of the songs. These songs are stories and histories I have been delving into for ten years. Some are traditional; some traditionally inspired, others tell old tales but are new beasts. They tell of bold and beautiful visions of the new world, my own imaginings and those of others. Like the mythical island of Irish folklore, "Hy Brasil," the visions dissipate and the songs are what remain as an imprint or map of that lost Island. I’m playing most all the instruments on this one-guitar, lute, double bass, banjo, piano. I’ve also branched out the sonic pallet into keyboard and synths. In 2010 the seed was planted for Hy Brasil with the release of the Irish Gaelic T.V. documentary film Saol John Riley. The song Pa’ Los del San Patricio (which inspired Saol John Riley and appears on this album) tells the story of the Irish Battalion of the Mexican army of 1847, “Los San Patricios.” Another song spawned the award winning feature film "A Captain Unafraid." Both that song and film tell the story of Dynamite Johnny O' Brien, sea-captain rebel and hero of the Cuban War of Independence. Two other songs from the album were collected by the Society for Irish Latin-American studies-"The Trackless Wild" and "The Pampa's Fairest Child" were written in the 1870's on the Pampas of Argentina in an Irish folk style. They have now been set to song and recorded for the first time since.

beir bua Carlito Obregón

The soundtrack of the documentary feature film "A Captain Unafraid" was woven together by myself, Charlie O’ Brien, and boom operator and all round “soundman” William Kemp. Our film was shot in Cuba, Ireland and the U.S. over the last 3 years. A Captain Unafraid tells the story of 19th Century filibuster and adventurer-Captain “Dynamite” Johnny O’

The soundtrack of the documentary feature film "A Captain Unafraid" was woven together by myself, Charlie O’ Brien, and boom operator and all round “soundman” William Kemp. Our film was shot in Cuba, Ireland and the U.S. over the last 3 years. A Captain Unafraid tells the story of 19th Century filibuster and adventurer-Captain “Dynamite” Johnny O’ Brien. Johnny was, in many ways, the quintessential rebel without a cause, that is, until he found his cause in the late 19th century Cuban War Of Independence.

The soundtrack was recorded in “Trouble Or Fortune Studios”-a small room in Killarney town. What you will hear is the emotions that came through us as we attempted to sail miles in land, on an ocean of sound with Dynamite John. Many songs were made up and recorded on the spot; others were honed over weeks and months. We made sound waves and drones, loud ullagones. We tortured guitars, belted banjos, flaked drums as we tried to delve back into the soul of the man they call "Dynamite” John.

As producer and director of “A Captain Unafraid” I've been hacking away diligently through the overgrowth of a Cuban jungle in search of Irish islands, circling back to Manhattan’s East River down again to San Juan, Cienfuegos. Aerial drones have even been fired up over the lake district of Cavan in forays in search of Dynamite John’s ghost.

Myself and William Kemp created most all the sounds which accompany this historical tale. The film itself was completed last December; the soundtrack is now being released on Cd and digital download. Bain sult!

Carlito OBregón (Charlie O’ Brien)

Watch the film itself on Youtube - youtu.be/E2pSwgTNwEE
credits released May 22, 2017

Recorded at Trouble or Fortune Studios, Kerry, Ireland, winter 2016

© Trouble or Fortune Films 2017 license all rights reserved