CD REVIEW - NOVEMBER 2010
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
 PRIDE OF NEW YORK
Joanie Madden, Brian Conway,
Billy McComiskey, Brendan Dolan
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PRIDE OF NEW YORK
If you are a lover of traditional Irish music, you will love this traditional music gem. Pride of New York features four of the best Irish supergroups and between them they have won four all-Ireland championship awards, recorded multiple solo albums, and logged countless miles touring across the U.S. and abroad.
All four were born in New York City: Brian, Joanie and Brendan in the Bronx, and Billy in Brooklyn. This quartet of singular talents is defined in spirit by the city of New York which gives the group its name.
“The musical camaraderie we share is rare,” fiddler Brian Conway said of his playing partners Billy McComiskey on button accordion, Joanie Madden on flute and whistle and Brendan Dolan on piano. “We are all quintessential New York musicians.”
“When I think of New York Irish traditional music, I think right away of the Sligo and Galway musicians who made their mark here,” said Brian. “The Pride of New York is four Irish Americans with deep roots in the culture.”
“You always hear talk of the Sligo style, the Galway style, and the Clare style, but I definitely think there is a New York style.” said Joanie. “There is a drive and a lilt uniquely and definitely New York.”
“Our sound is mainly the traditional rural music of Sligo and Galway, mixing with influences from Clare, Donegal, Mayo and other counties in the steel and concrete of New York City,” Billy explained.
There are 13 tracks on the album that consist of reels, jigs, hornpipes, slip jigs, and airs.
The quartet have dedicated the album to all their traditional music heroes, both past and present, who passed down the gift of their music and played their hearts out in the great music halls and house parties of New York.
 THE IRISH ROVERS
Gracehill Fair
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THE IRISH ROVERS
Hard to imagine that The Irish Rovers are starting their 45th year together and the band is still going strong doing concerts and cruise ship work.
Over the years, the band has changed a little: George Millar and Wilcil McDowell still perform as original members. Will Millar retired from the band in 1995; and, sadly, Jimmy Ferguson passed away in 1997. Joe Millar retired in 2005, and his son Ian Millar has since joined the group.
John Reynolds and Sean O’Driscoll have been singing and playing with the band for close to 20 years. Ian Millar and Fred Graham joined the Irish Rovers in 2006 and 2008 respectively.
The group’s new CD Gracehill Fair has 14 tracks with a great selection ranging from old favourites to new originals. Some of the tracks are: Ireland Boys Hurrah; Home To Bantry Bay; The Boys of Killybegs; The Lass of the Bonny Brown Hair; Let Him Go Let Him Tarry; Drink, Sing and Be Jolly; Pretty Susan The Pride of Moyclare and the signature song, Gracehill Fair, to name a few.
The liner notes for Gracehill Fair offers a great introduction and creates a lot more interest and meaning for each song. Artwork on the new album is by Celtic artist Hamish Douglas Burgess of Maui.
A message from George Millar reads, “thanks to our dear fans for their support throughout the years. We hope you will enjoy our latest collection of Irish Rover songs. Some are old, some are new, but all are perfectly ‘dacent’ to join in with.”
Over the years, The Irish Rovers have given their fans some great memories, long may they prosper and enjoy many more years of keeping the tradition alive.
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