The album is a triumphant salute to his musical range and immense talent. After the opening medley which includes their classic Brian Boru's March and a quick salute to Derek's last album Down the Old Plank Road we hear Derek's Tune, composed by Paddy Maloney and featuring him on tinwhistle and uilleann pipes, supported by the remaining Chieftains. Kevin Conneff offers a sean nos warning to young men in Ellen Browne - another song about a pretty lass, who is not to be trusted. Founding members of the Chieftains - Sean Potts, whistle and Michael Tubridy, flute - perform a series of lively reels on the Banish Misfortune Medley. Guest appearances include: the brilliant Galacian piper, Carlos Nuñez, whom Paddy joins for dueling chanters; Michael O'Suilleabhain's piano wizardry on Oiche Nollag; The Irish Harp Orchestra performing three O'Carolan tunes and Anuña, performing the rhythmic, Fionnghuala. Two tributes to Derek's roots in Northern Ireland, feature country-soul singer Allison Moorer's haunting and earthy version of Carrickfergus and that ultimate Dubliner, Ronnie Drew, singing I'll Tell Me Ma. Not content with two pipes, Paddy and Carlos are joined by Terry Tully on low pipes for a three pipe extravaganza.
The album closes appropriately with a harp solo composed by O'Carolan and performed by Triona Marshall titled, Farewell to Music. A fitting goodbye to the talented, charming and impish harpist who gave so much of his last 30 years to what he jokingly called, “that tatty folk group.”
