WHISKEY IN THE JAR
Essential Irish Drinking Songs & Sing Alongs
When this CD came across my desk, it opened up not only my eyes but also so many memories of listening to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. My children cut their teeth listening to their music and singing their songs.
For decades North Americans had heard sad, slow ballads from Ireland, woeful tales of emigration and famine – and yes, there was much to be sad about – but in 1961 viewers watching the Ed Sullivan Show, sat bolt upright as they watched in amazement as the Clancy Brothers, bounded out on the stage and belted out Irish songs like their very life depended on it.
Irish traditional/folk music was changed forever. The Clancy Brothers opened the door for groups like the Dubliners, the Chieftains, the Pogues, and the list goes on.
As the liner notes on Whiskey In The Jar says, “As a band, their image was indelible: Aran jumpers, black trousers and caps. It was only the guitars that stopped them being mistaken for the crew of a submarine.” The liner notes also give a great educational history on the traditional folk music of Ireland which was handed down orally to the generations.
The Clancy Brothers had such energy and charisma that they started a revolution in the way Irish traditional songs were presented to audiences. As my dad, who was a fiddle player, used to say, “timing is everything,” and the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem’s timing was right on the beam for North American audiences who couldn’t get enough of them.
Bob Dylan recently cited Liam Clancy as a major influence on his development as a performer.
Whiskey In The Jar is great value with two CD’s and 34 tracks spotlighting The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem; The Dubliners; Shane McGowan and The Pogues, Boston’s Dropkick Murphy’s; Hoboken’s Rogue’s March; and L.A.'s Young Dubliners.
To order this CD and to view a list of other great CD’s, visit: www.legacyrecordings.com.
ORIGINAL IRISH TENORS
The Legendary Voices of Celtic Song
The Irish tenor phenomenon so beloved in music today began with the rich legacy of Celtic song established by the pioneering Irish tenors of the early Twentieth Century. Legendary Irish vocalist John McCormack first sang in the United States at the 1904 World’s Fair and went on to become one of the biggest musical stars of his day.
McCormack created a distinctively American genre: The Irish Immigrant Song. In his wake came such Irish-American singers as Morton Downey; Dennis Day; Phil Regan; Christopher Lynch; Frank Parker; James Melton; Pat Harrington; and Bing Crosby. Crosby, for one, frankly admitted that his two biggest influences were McCormack and Al Jolson.
Some of the numbers McCormack sang were ancient Irish folk songs rearranged to fit the big bands and big halls of the American vaudeville circuit – and to feed the homesick hunger of Irish-American audiences.
This CD is truly a gem, especially for people who have heard of the great tenor John McCormack and never heard his voice, he can be heard on this CD singing The Wearing Of The Green; Kathleen Mavourneen and Mother Machree.
Another tenor, Dennis Day was born Eugene McNulty in New York but adopted his stage name when he broke into radio. He was hired as the obligatory Irish tenor on The Jack Benny Show in 1939. He will especially be remembered for his songs, St. Patrick’s Day Parade; How Can You Buy Killarney; Galway Bay; and of course the rollicking, Clancy Lowered The Boom.
The liner notes give an informative history on each of the tenors and some rare photos of the late John McCormack. To order this priceless gem and to view a catalogue of other great CD’s, visit: www.legacyrecordings.com.
THE CHIEFTAINS
The Essential Chieftains
What can you say about the Chieftains that hasn’t already been said all over the world. They are a phenomenon – they are truly amazing the way they continue to tour and turn out CD’s. They have defined traditional Irish folk music for millions and taken their music broader afield than any other Irish traditional group, frequently travelling to North America, as well as Spain, France and China.
They have recorded albums in Nashville with country artists, performed with symphony orchestras and are known and loved by a variety of pop and rock stars.
With a career that spans over 40 years, six Grammy awards, gold records and Oscars. The Chieftains are not only the preeminent stars of Ireland, but the world’s premier musical ambassadors.
The Essential Chieftains is the comprehensive collection that aptly summarizes the most enduring and influential creative force in Celtic music.
There are many firsts that can be associated with the group. The Chieftains were the first to introduce American audiences to Irish step dancing years before the Riverdance phenomenon erupted.
Long before people were talking about “world music,” The Chieftains were creating it. The Essential Chieftains is their first career spanning greatest hits collection and is a double CD that features a selection of some of the best of the Chieftains, along with some of their friends. Guest artists include: The Corrs; Van Morrison; Sinead O’Connor; Marianne Faithful; Jackson Brown; Sting; Elvis Costello; Kate and Ann McGarrigle; and more.
The Essential Chieftains is definitely one for posterity. To order go to: www.legacyrecordings.com.
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