Harry L. Alford's Hungry Five in Ireland

Harry L. Alford's Hungry Five in Ireland followed the publications of Alford's Germany and Spain books. While the core instrumentation is unchanged from the original, there are some variants.

In addition to the Standard 5-piece ensemble (2 Clarinets, Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba) The first Clarinet book contains a cued Clarinet 3 part throughout and likewise with the Trumpet book containing a cued "Cornet 2" part making for some tunes listing as "Duett (sic) or Trio for Clarinets" pieces and likewise others for "Brass Trio." It appears that the 5-piece ensemble should still come off as a complete group while the additonal two parts would make for a fuller-sounding ensemble.

Another variation in this book that is not present in Alford's Germany book is the addition of vocal parts in each of the books for four production numbers. Those four songs ("Mickey Boy," "Irish Cops On Parade," "Old Erin's Shore," and "Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!") have a full (harmonized 2-3 voice) vocal part included in each book. There's also performance notes/scripts/staging/costume suggestions for how it's suggested to take them on. While the songs will still work as instrumental only, some of these numbers have "muted" notated in the brass to help keep from covering the vocals.

Also featured in these earliest Hungry Five books were a series of "Wisecracks," pre-written jokes and skits derived from Herr Louie's radio programs intended for use as stage banter. Though this publication has all new wisecracks and radio play, this book doesn't have any of the the "STOP" notations after strains or numbered wisecrack instructions in the music as in the Germany book.