Phil O'Dwyer

Phil O’Dwyer

Phil O’Dwyer (b. 1947) is a singer, melodeon and mandola player originally from Kent. He has lived in Suffolk since childhood, and has been singing in local sessions for many years. Phil kindly sang me several songs one afternoon in February 2020, over a cup of coffee at his home in East Suffolk.

Interview: Phil O’Dwyer

Phil speaks about sessions old and new; winning a musical wager; and French cricket.

Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy
  • Title: Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Roud No: 165
Bonnet and Shawl
  • Title: Bonnet and Shawl
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Composer: Dave Webber
Down in your Mines
  • Title: Down in your Mines
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Composer: Dave Webber
Nancy of Yarmouth
  • Title: Nancy of Yarmouth
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Roud No: 407
Rambleaway
  • Title: Rambleaway
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Roud No: 171
  • Notes: Phil learned this, and others, from Don Shepherd.
Rio
  • Title: Rio
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Composer: Dave Webber/Phil O’Dwyer
  • Notes: The third verse is Phil’s own.
The Ups and Downs
  • Title: The Ups and Downs
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Roud No: 364
  • Notes: Phil has given this song a local flavour by setting it in Suffolk. The Ups and Downs was a nickname for the sixty-ninth foot regiment – more here: https://mainlynorfolk.info/steeleye.span/songs/theupsanddowns.html

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Australia
  • Title: Australia
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Roud No: 1488
  • Notes: Phil learned this from Bob Hart, who he remembers singing in the Snape Crown.
Buy-a-Broom
Little Pot Stove
  • Title: Little Pot Stove
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Composer: Harry Robertson/Nic Jones
Old Fid (At the Harbour Inn, Southwold)
  • Title: Old Fid
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 13.2.2020
  • Location: The Harbour Inn, Southwold
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Composer: Bill Lowndes/Phil O’Dwyer
  • Notes: Recorded during February’s session at the Harbour Inn, Southwold. The very last verse is Phil’s own. For more, see: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=59068
Row On
  • Title: Row On
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom
  • Composer: Dave Webber
Yarmouth Town
  • Title: Yarmouth Town
  • Performer: Phil O’Dwyer
  • Date recorded: 15.2.2020
  • Location: Singer’s home
  • Recorded by: Megan Wisdom

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