Anthony Ruby
Artist
Black Water Rising
Debut Solo Album - 2024/25
Black Water Rising is Anthony's debut solo album. Ruby plays a range of instruments on the album with the uilleann pipes, whistles and vocals to the fore. This album presents the traditional art of Irish uilleann piping with newly self-composed folk songs. The album combines traditional and non-traditional instrumentation in an innovative way whilst also employing some elements of experimental sound design.
His approach to uilleann piping is rooted in traditional playing and has been influenced by many of the renowned players in uilleann piping’s illustrious history. Ruby has learned from the long list of great open and closed style pipers from various generations including Johnny Doran, Leo Rowsome, Seamus Ennis, Paddy Keenan and Liam O’Flynn. Ruby's painting ‘Drift' adorns the album cover.
The album was officially launched in one of Cork City’s great music venues The Corner House in Nov 2024. Anthony has been playing live gigs since the original release in some renowned Cork music venues including Levis’s Corner House in Ballydehob, SeaChurch in Ballycotton, Crowley’s Music Centre and Music Zone Record Store. The vinyl LP pressing was launched at a gig in The Corner House in Cork City in April 2025. Black Water Rising can be heard on all the digital platforms and the vinyl LP/digital album is available on Bandcamp and in various record stores.
Musicians
Anthony Ruby
Uilleann pipes, whistles, vocals, keyboards, drums/percussion, accordion, bodhrán, jaw harp and field recordings.
Cárthach Ó Nuanáin
Guitar, bouzouki, keyboards, organ, concertina and field recordings.
Eoin Jordan
Bouzouki, bodhrán, backing vocals.
Ilse de Ziah
Cello.
Colm Ó Nuanáin
Trumpet.
Joe Ó Nuanáin
Fiddle.
Tim O’Leary
Double bass.
GENERAL INFO
Anthony began the recordings for this album in October 2020 during the corona pandemic. The songs are a selection that he wrote at various times between 2012 and 2022. The selection of traditional tunes are newly arranged selections by Anthony of mainly older tunes.
The album was recorded by producer, musician and sound designer Cárthach Ó Nuanáin at Creative Flashpoint Studios, Cork City.
All Songs written by Anthony Ruby.
Traditional tunes arranged by Anthony Ruby.
Recording and Sound Design by Cárthach Ó Nuanáin at Creative Flashpoint Studios, Cork.
Produced and mixed by Cárthach Ó Nuanáin and Anthony Ruby.
Mastered by Brian Casey and Sarah O’ Mahony at Wavefield Studios, Clonakilty.
Cover painting ‘Drift’ by Anthony Ruby, oil and acrylic on canvas, 2024.
The album photography and graphics are by Niall Dennehy of Creative Flashpoint Studios.