Malcolm Ironton of Crocodile Music looks back at an interesting period in his career which enabled him to produce and record a selection of traditional Irish songs sung in Japanese. It all began in the spring of 1990 in a Public House, `The Northumberland Arms` on the corner of Charlotte Street and Goodge Street in the heart of London’s West End, a wonderful little pub that like so many has now sadly disappeared. The `Northumberland` was run by a lovely Irish couple, John and Pearl Burmiston, they were great hosts and the convivial atmosphere of the pub attracted a lively mixture of characters including BBC Radio Producers, Musicians, Plumbers, University Dons and Advertising people. As my Recording Studio was close by it was considered by all at Crocodile Music as our `Local`. One lunch time I was having a drink with my colleague Matt Faddy when we were joined by one of the regulars, an Irishman, Mike McCarthy. In the course of the general conversation Mike suggested that we should record some Irish Songs as `to be sure` they have such wonderful melodies. Mike was confident that we could come up with some original arrangements and suggested that to make a start we take a look at the traditional song `Carrickfergus` - so we did. But who was going to provide the vocal?. Shortly after recording the first musical arrangement we were in the pub discussing the project when in walked a girl from the Orient. As I have said the `Northumberland` was a very friendly and sociable place and she was soon invited to join with us in conversation. It subsequently transpired that she was Japanese and that while studying at University in Tokyo she used to sing. Her name was Sachiko. Suddenly we had an idea! Why not ask Sachiko to translate `Carrickfergus` and sing it in Japanese! I asked her and fortunately she agreed. `Carrickfergus` worked really well so we set about working with Sachiko on several more arrangements of traditional Irish songs. A few weeks later I got a call from Mike McCarthy to say that a friend of his “ Tom “ had been playing golf with the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board During their game his friend told him of a slight problem the Board was having. A major Japanese Engineering Company was about to invest millions in a car parts production plant at Carrickfergus, the problem was that the Board’s PR company had yet to come up with an idea for an introduction to the launch announcement. Ahh said Tom “ I have an Idea “ Things then moved fast, the next week we were all on a plane to Belfast booked to perform`Carrickfergus` at the investment announcement ceremony.The venue was spectacular; Sachiko performed `Carrickfergus` from the walls of Carrickfergus Castle to an audience of dignitaries from the Northern Ireland Government and the Japanese Company. `Carrickfergus` sung in Japanese was a great success. Sachiko was headline news on Irish TV and in the newspapers. That evening on the train back from the ceremony Sachiko was recognized from her picture on the front page of an Evening Newspaper by a group of school children. It was not long before we were all sitting around on the train joining in with Sachiko singing Irish Songs. A fond memory of great people and a great occasion! On our return to London I recorded more songs with Sachiko and later in that year Sachiko was invited to appear on RTE and the Gay Burn Late Late Show on Channel 4. Time has now moved on and everyone who was involved has move on to new projects. Sachiko returned to Tokyo to pursue her career as a successful journalist, she now lives in Kyoto and is still travelling the world and writing. I returned to the recording studio producing and directing music for TV, Film, Radio, Media and Advertising projects. It was while going through the Crocodile Music archive recently that I came across these tracks and thought it would be worthwhile releasing them. I have added a few extra instrumental tracks originally recorded for a Rick Stein BBC TV series, recorded around the same time by the same musicians; I think they lend themselves fittingly to the overall feel of the album. I hope you enjoy it. Malcolm Ironton London March 2013