Celtic Woman: New Lineup, New Songs, And The Magic Is Still There.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

How Can I  Keep From Singing was first made famous by Irish singer-songwriter Enya from her album Shepherd Moons. The inclusion of that track in the new album by the #1 ensemble Celtic Woman was an exciting move. I am curious about their rendition. As I’ve always identified them with a huge arena sound. Their vocals are powerful but I also know that they can deliver songs with nuance and grace.

Yes I was pleased! I love the voice of Éabha McMahon. I think it is in my ‘repeat’ list in my iTunes. But this is only the beginning of what’s to come. There are fascinating renditions of tracks from popular Irish bands and solo artists like for  example the rousing Whole of the Moon originally done by The Waterboys. I See Fire (Ed Sheeran) is so good it threatens to be better than the original. Those who like popular Celtic groups will recognize many songs from this album. And if you are a hardcore lover of Irish music then there are also  Gaelic treats for you. According to the Daly press release:

“Óró sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,” an anthem closely connected with the 1916 Easter Rising. The group also delivers timeless traditional Irish songs such as “Bean Pháidín” and “Siúil A Run” highlighting the beauty of Ireland’s heritage and its Gaelic language.Screen Shot 2016-04-04 at 9.49.21 AM

You’d probably wonder if after 10 chart-topping albums the Celtic Woman sensation would loose its charm. But no. There are always surprises with each album. Destiny is an album that sounds contemporary as it is traditional. It is very ‘out there’ in terms of having the pop smarts and also in bringing young followers to the fold-those  who aspire to be the next  Mairéad Carlin, Susan McFadden, Éabha McMahon and violinist and founding member Máiréad Nesbitt.

Read the full press release below:

CELTIC WOMAN IS BACK!! U.S. TOUR HITS 85 CITIES 

 

CELEBRATES #1 WORLD MUSIC ALBUM, DESTINY

Irish music sensation CELTIC WOMAN celebrates their brand new album, DESTINY, on their 85-city North American concert tour of the same name.  DESTINY has dominated the #1 spot on Billboard’s World Music Chart for SEVEN weeks since its January release – their 9th record to hit #1 in a decade-long career, a true testament to the ensemble’s enduring popularity.  Celtic Woman will perform songs from DESTINY on its 85-city North American tour that launched in Nashville on March 4th and continues through early July.

The DESTINY Tour features​ an entirely new production ​showcasing vocalists Mairéad Carlin, Susan McFadden and newest member Éabha McMahon along with violinist and founding member Máiréad Nesbitt, accompanied by a group of equally talented musicians and dancers.

DESTINY ( on Manhattan Records) is Celtic Woman’s 10th CD and features a fusion of traditional Irish music and modern songwriting including the Waterboys’ classic “The Whole of the Moon,” Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire,” from The Hobbit film, ​Mutt Lange’s “Walk Beside Me,” Brendan Graham’s “Sometimes a Prayer Will Do,” and the popular theme song from video game, “Skyrim.”

​In 2016, as Ireland commemorates the Irish Rebellion of 100 years ago that led to its nation’s independence, Celtic Woman goes back to their roots and offers a rousing version of  “Óró sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,” an anthem closely connected with the 1916 Easter Rising. The group also delivers timeless traditional Irish songs such as “Bean Pháidín” and “Siúil A Run” highlighting the beauty of Ireland’s heritage and its Gaelic language.

The companion DVD DESTINY : Live in Concert, was filmed in Dublin, in the Round Room at the Mansion House, the historic home of the Lord Mayor of Dublin.  It has already begun airing on local public television stations as the latest in Celtic Woman’s lengthy series of successful PBS television concert specials.  The multi-platinum, all female ensemble made its debut on PBS in 2005 and has achieved massive success encompassing 10 chart-topping albums, nine PBS specials, over eight million albums sold, and platinum sales in nine countries. Celtic Woman regularly performs to sellout audiences across six continents and 23 countries, with an especially devoted following in America. Watch the DESTINY trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QnCHBVM6Y0

For full tour dates and more information on Celtic Woman go to : www.celticwoman.com

US/Media Contact: Anita Daly/ Daly Communications/ 212 772 0852/ anitadaly@yahoo.com/ @dalycomm

CD + Digital Album tracklisting:

1. MY LAND
2.  Siúil a Rún

3. RIDE ON
4. THE WHOLE OF THE MOON

5. SKYRIM

6. HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING

7. I SEE FIRE

8.  Tír na nÓg

9. Óró sé so bheatha ‘bhaile

10. SOMETIMES A PRAYER WILL DO

11. Bean Pháidín

12. WESTERING HOME

13. WHEN YOU GO
14. LIKE AN ANGEL PASSING THROUGH MY ROOM
15. WALK BESIDE ME
16. THE HILLS OF IRELAND

My Land

Brendan Graham, Rolf Lovland, Alana Graham (Peer/Universal Music)

Featuring Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Strings recorded by Damien Channelles at RTE Studio 1 Dublin

Strings arranged by Gavin Murphy & conducted by Joe Csibi

Musicians

Harp – Geraldine O’Doherty

Low Whistle – John O’Brien

Piano, Keyboards, Programming – Gavin Murphy

Guitar – Jimmy Smyth

Guitar – Bill Shanley

Bass Guitar – James Blennerhassett

Percussion- -Andy Reilly

Bagpipes – Anthony Byrne

Celtic Woman Choir (see below for details)

Celtic Woman String Orchestra (see below for details)

Siúil a Rún

Trad arr. Gavin Murphy (Rathmines Music Ltd)

Featuring Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Musicians

Harp – Geraldine O’Doherty

Low Whistle – John O’Brien

Percussion – Andy Reilly

Keyboards – Gavin Murphy

Guitar – Ewan Cowley

Celtic Woman Choir (see below for details)

Ride On

Jimmy MacCarthy (Universal Music)

Featuring Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbit

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Musicians

Piano, Keyboards – Gavin Murphy

Percussion- Andy Reilly

Guitar – Jimmy Smyth

Guitar – Bill Shanley

Low Whistle John O’Brien

Upright Bass – James Blennerhassett

Harp – Geraldine O’Doherty

The Whole Of The Moon

Mike Scott (Warner Chappel Music)

Featuring Susan McFadden

Produced by Chris O’Brien & Graham Murphy

Recorded and Mixed at The Production Suite, Dublin

Musicians

Guitars, Keyboards, Accordion – Graham Murphy

Uilleann Pipes & Low Whistle – John O’ Brien

Backing Vocals – Davey Long

Backing Vocals – Fiona Harpur

Skyrim 

Jeremy Soule (Nettwerk Music)

Featuring Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Chris O’Brien & Graham Murphy

Recorded and Mixed at The Production Suite, Dublin

Musicians

Keyboards, Programming- Graham Murphy

Guitar – Bill Shanley

Uilleann Pipes & Low Whistle – John O’ Brien

Vocals – Meav Ní Mhaolchatha

Vocals – Eunan McDonald

How Can I Keep From Singing

Trad arr. Gavin Murphy/Meav Ni Mhaolchatha (Rathmines Music Ltd)

Featuring Éabha McMahon

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Strings recorded by Damien Channelles at RTE Studio 1 Dublin

Strings arranged by Gavin Murphy & conducted by Joe Csibi

Musicians

Keyboards – Gavin Murphy

Percussion- Andy Reilly

Guitar – Jimmy Smyth

Low Whistle John O’Brien

Upright Bass – James Blennerhassett

Celtic Woman Choir (see below for details)

Celtic Woman String Orchestra (see below for details)

I See Fire

Ed Sheeran (Sony/ATV Music)

Featuring Mairéad Carlin

Produced by Chris O’Brien & Graham Murphy

Recorded and Mixed at The Production Suite, Dublin

Musicians

Keyboards, Programming- Graham Murphy

Bass – James Blennerhassett

Cello – Ailbhe McDonagh

Spanish Guitar – Bill Shanley

Low Whistle – John O’Brien

Strings – Ken Rice

Backing Vocals – Davey Long

Backing Vocals – Fiona Harpur

Tír na nÓg

Hartmut Krech, Mark Nissen, Hannes Braun, Lukas Hainer (Sony/ATV/EMI gmbH)

Featuring Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbitt

and Special Guest Oonagh

Produced by Hartmut Krech, Mark Nissen and Hannes Braun for Elephant Music

Musicians

All flutes by Sandro Friedrich

Stringed instruments by Ingo Hampf

Choirs by Alex prince, Tamara Olorga

Tapdance by Nicole Ohnesorge, Gyula Glaser, Constantin Kirsten (Irish Beats Dance Company Berlin)

Óró sé so bheatha ‘bhaile

Trad arr. Gavin Murphy/Meav Ni Mhaolchatha (Rathmines Music Ltd)

Featuring Meav Ni Mhaolchatha

and Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon, Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Musicians

Guitar- Jimmy Smyth

Guitar & Bouzouki – Bill Shanley

Drums and Percussion – Ray Fean

Uilleann Pipes- John O’Brien

Bass Guitar- James Blennerhassett

Piano/Keyboards – Gavin Murphy

Celtic Woman Choir (see below for details)

Sometimes A Prayer Will Do

Brendan Graham, Rolf Lovland (Peer/Universal Music)

Featuring Susan McFadden

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Strings recorded by Damien Channelles at RTE Studio 1 Dublin

Strings arranged by Gavin Murphy & conducted by Joe Csibi

Musicians

Piano/Keyboards – Gavin Murphy

Backing Vocals – Shelley Buckspan

Guitar – Jimmy Smyth

Guitar – Bill Shanley

Bass Guitar – James Blennerhassett

Low Whistle – John O’Brien

Drums and Percussion Ray Fean

Percussion- Andy Reilly

Celtic Woman Choir (see below for details)

Celtic Woman String Orchestra (see below for details)

Bean Pháidín

Trad arr. Gavin Murphy/Meav Ni Mhaolchatha (Rathmines Music Ltd)

Featuring Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Musicians

Percussion – Andy Reilly

Percussion – Ray Fean

Guitar – Jimmy Smyth

Guitar & Mandolin- Bill Shanley

Bass Guitar – James Blennerhassett

Piano – Gavin Murphy

Whistle – John O’Brien

Westering Home

Trad arr. Gavin Murphy (Rathmines Music Ltd)

Featuring Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Strings recorded by Damien Channelles at RTE Studio 1 Dublin

Strings arranged by Gavin Murphy & conducted by Joe Csibi

Musicians

Bagpipes – Anthony Byrne

Guitars – Jimmy Smyth

Guitar – Bill Shanley

Percussion – Andy Reilly

Drums – Ray Fean

Piano/Programming – Gavin Murphy

Upright Bass – James Blennerhassett

Celtic Woman Choir (see below for details)

Celtic Woman String Orchestra (see below for details)

When You Go

Bernd Wendlandt, William Billy Andrews (Valicon Songs/ Melodie der Welt/ Edition Little White Raven/ Rathmines Music Ltd)

Featuring Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Bernd Wendlandt & William Billy Andrews

Recording, Mixing and Arrangement – Bernd Wendlandt

Musicians

Guitars – Jörg Weisselberg

Bouzouki -Oliver Pada

Hurdy-Gurdy – Staphan Groth

Flutes, Bag Pipe – Fiona

Keyboards, Programming -Bernd Wendlandt

Bass: William Billy Andrews

Drums: Felix Lehrmann

Like An Angel Passing Through My Room

Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus (Bocu Music)

Featuring Maíréad Carlin

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Strings recorded by Damien Channelles at RTE Studio 1 Dublin

Strings arranged by Gavin Murphy & conducted by Joe Csibi

Musicians

Piano – Gavin Murphy

Celtic Woman String Orchestra (see below for details)

Walk Beside Me

Mutt Lange (Peer Music)

Featuring Éabha McMahon

Produced by Chris O’Brien & Graham Murphy

Recorded and Mixed at The Production Suite, Dublin

Musicians

Keyboards, Programming- Graham Murphy

Bass – James Blennerhassett

Strings – Ken Rice

Bagpipes – Anthony Byrne

Uilleann Pipes – John O’Brien

Backing Vocals – Davey Long

Backing Vocals – Fiona Harpur

The Hills of Ireland

Trad arr. Gavin Murphy/Máiréad Nesbitt (Rathmines Music Ltd)

Featuring Máiréad Nesbitt

Produced by Gavin Murphy. Mixed by Andrew Boland.

Recorded by Tim Martin at Cauldron Studios, Dublin

Assistant Recording Engineer – David Montuy

Strings recorded by Damien Channelles at RTE Studio 1 Dublin

Strings arranged by Gavin Murphy & conducted by Joe Csibi

Musicians

Piano/Keyboards – Gavin Murphy

Bass Guitar – Eoghan O’Neill

Guitars – Ewan Cowley

Drums, Percussion & Hand claps – Ray Fean

Celtic Woman String Orchestra (see below for details)

The Celtic Woman Choir: Shane Barriscale, Tristan Caldwell, Morgan Crowley, Ernest Dines, Louis Mahon, Eunan McDonald, Paul McGough (director), John McKeown, George Rice

The Celtic Woman String Orchestra

Leader: Kenneth Rice

Violin 1: Anita Vedres, Lynda O Connor, Sylvia Roberts, Karl Sweeney, Lidia Jeweloszewicz – Clarke, Katie O Connor, Istvan Bernacez

Violin 2:  Brona Fitzgerald, David O Doherty, Nicola Cleary, Ros Brown, Dara O Connel, Denise Doyle, Catherine Humphries, Matthew Wylie

Viola: Aine O Neill, Lisa Dowdall, Randall Devine, Karen Dervan, Carla Vedres, Niamh Roache

Cello: Gerald Peregrine, Yue Tang, Aibhe McDonagh, Delia Lynch.

 

 

Did You Listen To “Help Ye!” By Dónal McCague This Easter?

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

The new track Help Ye! By Dónal McCague is now available to listen to via SoundCloud.It was uploaded last Friday. It is a traditional fiddle track which he is known for, with his distinctive style. No further information has been added yet but this could be a demo for a new album to come.1380272_668735993160715_590857466_n

In 2011 he released his début solo CD entitled Bits’n’Pieces.The album has fifteen exquisite tracks. Oisín Mac Diarmada wrote in the sleevenotes “Dónal has developed into a fiddler of great expressivity, playing music adorned with an incredible of detail and thought”.

Bits’ n’ Pieces  CD’s available to buy direct from Claddagh Records: http://claddaghrecords.com/WWW/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3319

Moya Brennan Has A New Single Plus My St Patrick’s Day Podcast.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / Leave a comment

Great news about Moya Brennan! The first lady of Celtic Music(and the voice of Ireland) has just uploaded a new single via iTunes. It is called Erin Gra Mo Chroi (Ireland the Love of My Heart). I love it when she gives emphasis on the Irish Gaelic language in her songs.

Have you heard it already? Let me tell you what I think. Her voice sounds pristine in this song. Like the way she sounded in the early Clannad albums (circa the 70s). It is great to hear such a voice unadorned by technological armour which is so prevalent not just in pop music but also among her musical culture. That is how you sing with confidence! She is joined by the amazing harpist Cormac De Barra.Thank you Moya (and Cormac)for continuing to shower us with your artistic gifts! You can download Erin Gra Mo Chroi  via iTunes: id1092658199

Here’s my latest podcast for those who miss the kind of music I love to listen to:

The Gloaming 2 is available most places today!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

1554345_1068378383184983_3433477208401600154_n

This is going to be a short post as I am going to bed since I will have work later tonight but if you missed this, please pay attention sweeties:

From the band’s Facebook: So very happy to share that The Gloaming 2 is available most places today!

Pick it up at your favorite local shoppe or via iTunes: http://smarturl.it/the-gloaming2-itunes & Amazon.com:  http://smarturl.it/the-gloaming-amazon— with Iarla O’lionaird, Martin Hayes, Caoimhin O Raghallaigh, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Máirtín Ó hAodha, Dennis Cahill, Iarla O’Lionaird, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Dennis Cahill and Thomas Bartlett.

Larry Kirwan and Friends- A St Patrick’s Day Celebration

/ mrbaxteria2008 / Leave a comment

Screen Shot 2016-02-21 at 7.16.26 PM

This is the title Larry Kirwan’s upcoming show:

Larry Kirwan and Friends
A St Patrick’s Day Celebration with the former leader of Black 47 
At BB Kings NYC March 17th Showtime 7:00pm sharp!
 

 Sounds like you are going to expect something wicked, festive and poignant is happening this March 17. The spirit of Rock and Roll is strong as ever and when it is mixed with Irish Celtic music; the brew becomes intoxicating. All Black 47 fans will love this!

March marks the exciting month in Irish music as we celebrate St Patrick’s Day with gusto. There will be lots music, of course. And there is always a cross-generational/genre appeal when Larry Kirwan stages a concert. And you will know why as you read the rest of the interview.

CMF1. Great to hear you are returning on St Patrick’s Day! You must be excited with the new lineup.

Larry Kirwan: Well, in a way I’m surprised I’m even doing a show with a band.  I had intended doing a solo show for St. Patrick’s Night in some smaller room.

Then BB King’s asked me to put together an evening and headline it with a band.  At first, I turned it down but then I began to feel that there should be a major gig in Times Square on the biggest Irish night.  In many ways,  it was a bit early for me after Black 47 disbanding.  But in the end I followed the old Black 47 advice, “nothing ventured – nothing gained.”

So, I put out the word to a number of musicians I’d been working with in other spheres and they all were keen to play, so onwards and upwards, as the bishop said to the actress!

2. You’ve got eclectic musicians in the team. When/how did you decide to jam together at BB King’s?

Black 47 will never be surpassed for its singular style, originality and energy and being a founder-member I’m very respectful of that. Yet as a writer it’s interesting to speculate how some of the songs would sound with different instruments and a different approach.  Songs to me are living and breathing entities and, in my head, they’re constantly changing and evolving.  I’d always wanted to play with a double bassist, and recently I’d jammed with Rene Hart at a David Amram gig.

  He comes much more from a Jazz and Improv world, so I asked him first.  I’d been very impressed with the piano playing and arranging of Coty Cockrell when he worked on my Hard Times musical, so I approached him.  I’d always admired Deni Bonet on violin.  She’s played with so many artists and we got talking at the Kansas City Irish Festival when she was playing with Mundy (the Irish superstar).  And I wouldn’t have felt right without inviting my long-tme  drummer, Thomas Hamlin.  We’ve played together in so many bands previous to Black 47.  So, it should be an exciting gig and it is St. Patrick’s Night which always promises surprises.

3. I heard there will be lots of laughs and improvisation during the show. 

Every show I’m involved with has lots of merriment.  I always keep things loose onstage.  That’s what Rock & Roll is about.

Throw together some good songs and let the musicians knock sparks off each other.  Music is there for the making, you just have to let the spirit loose.

4. Apart from the usual St Patrick’s excitement, this is going to be interesting as it marks the 100th anniversary of the 1916 uprising in Dublin. Sounds like it’s going to be a poignant event.

WB Yeats said that “poetry should be as cold and passionate as the dawn.”  I always try to follow that rule.  So, if there is poignancy, it has to be balanced with power and purpose.  Along with songs about James Connolly and Michael Collins (both leading figures in the 1916 Uprising) – I’ll also be introducing a new song, Sean MacDiarmada, about Sean McDermott the real initiator of the rebellion.  But then Black 47 always kept the Spirit of 1916 going – we didn’t have to wait for any convenient centenary commemoration.  That spirit is strong and as long as I perform it will always be celebrated.

5. Your artistry extends to writing and you have your own show on Sirius XM. How do you keep it all together, to give generously to your listeners and still maintain your multi-media expertise?

Well, I rarely watch television or spend much time on the internet, and I’m not a big sleeper.  But I also find that if you work on interesting projects you gain energy by moving from one to the other.  With Celtic Crush on SiriusXM I basically improv, play my favorite artists, and talk about whatever comes to mind for three hours.  That’s exhilarating and is like doing a long gig.  I get amazing feedback from the many listeners around the US and Canada, so that really helps.  I’ve always worked as a playwright and novelist while playing with Black 47, so I’ve always had a couple of projects going while on the road.  I’m currently working on a score for a documentary, though, that is really kicking my butt as I have to learn a new recording system at the same time.  My big regret is that I’ve had to put aside a new musical I’m writing about Iraq until after March 17th.  But maybe the break will help.

6. Your son Rory K is also joining you on stage. He is doing an interesting solo career as an emerging hip-hop artist! I know his music and I am one of his avid followers.You must be a proud dad.

Frankly, I’m amazed at his facility with words.  He has a great feel for the sound, rhythm, and meaning.  That goes for a lot of hip-hop artists.  Yeah, sure I’m proud of him, particularly since he did it himself without any help from me.  I didn’t even know about that side of him for a long time.  He turns me on to really interesting artists like Fetty Wap. I also like the fact that he has a steady job and is doing well at that too.  My major advice to anyone going into the music world is get a skill that will net you a couple of hundred bucks a day.  I didn’t take that route and it was a hard road that brought you face to face with real financial stress.  I give him what advice I can but in the end each artist has to find their own way.

7. There will be stand up comedy during the show right?

Yes, my old friend and comrade, John McDonagh of WBAI will be presenting a small piece of his highly acclaimed show, Cabtivist, as well as acting as MC for the night.  So, in many ways it’s a gathering of the clans.  It will be a fun show.

8. Will this St Patrick’s eve going to be the brand New Larry Kirwan with new music along the way?

I’ve actually written a dozen new songs for the IRAQ musical – so most of my songwriting energy has gone into that.  I will be doing a couple of new songs especially for the show though.  I’m also reworking David Bowie’s Heroes to transpose it from Berlin to Belfast – from one wall to another.  David was a big influence on so many of us.  I was lucky enough to have a long conversation with him one night about music, Berlin, Belfast, and life in general.  He was a very inspiring person.  He loved innovation and I think he would have liked this new take on Heroes.  I guess that’s one of the themes of this coming show – what happens to songs when you look at them in a different perspective?

9. What else can people expect coming to the show?

Well, Chris Byrne, the co-founder of Black 47 will be joining me on stage.  That’s always special for me.  Something happens when we perform together.

 It was like that right from the start back in 1989.  Sparks fly and there’s a joy and purpose in the air.  He’ll also do an opening set with his Urban/Traditional band, Lost Tribe of Donegal.  And another old collaborator, David Amram, will be joining me.  David is an amazing musician and perhaps the last living member of the Beats – he and his friend Jack Kerouac began the whole Poetry/Jazz thing.  He’ll be bringing down his French Horn, whistles and hand drum.  My brothers and sisters from the Lia Fail Pipes and Drums from Mercer County, NJ will perform.  It’s always a thrill to have them present.  They’re excellent and always get the crowd going.  And there’ll be surprise guests.  It will be a night to remember.

For everyone’s benefit please read this press release:

Larry Kirwan and Friends
A St Patrick’s Day Celebration with the former leader of Black 47 
At BB Kings NYC March 17th Showtime 7:00pm sharp!
 
Larry Kirwan, leader of Irish American rock band, Black 47 for 25 years, will return to BB King’s on St. Patrick’s Day.  He will front a new band formed specially for the evening comprising of Coty Cockrell (Hard Times/Dance Theatre of Harlem) on piano, Rene Hart (Branford Marsalis/Mark Ronson) on double bass and Thomas Hamlin (Black 47) on drums.  They will perform new songs and reinterpret Kirwan’s Black 47 uproarious classics, numbers from his critically acclaimed musical, Hard Times, and as befits a Kirwan show, lots of improvisation, social agitation, and hilarity.
 
Along with the festivities the event will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the 1916 Uprising in Dublin with such favorites as James Connolly and The Big Fellah, and a new song about the driving force behind the rebellion, the enigmatic, Sean MacDiarmada!
 
Kirwan is host of Celtic Crush on SiriusXM, writes a bi-weekly column for The Irish Echo and is President of Irish American Writers & Artists association.  A renowned playwright, novelist and political activist, surprise guests from all these worlds will make appearances.  He will be joined onstage by co-founder of Black 47, Chris Byrne, whose band, The Lost Tribe of Donegal, will also perform a set of their Urban/Traditional Irish songs.
 
Kirwan’s son, Rory K, an emerging Hip-Hop Artist, will hit the stage with Kirwan, after performing a set of his high-energy, youthful anthems.  He will be releasing his second CD, ‘Young Professionals’, at the show.
 
Long time NYC yellow cab driver, activist and standup comedian, John McDonagh will perform a short excerpt from his sold-out show, Cabtivist.  Host of Radio Free Eireann and Talk Back on WBAI-FM, McDonagh will MC the festivities.  Lia Fáil Pipes and Drums, from Mercer County, NJ, will begin the evening with their traditional march through the audience.  Get there early.  There will be Kilts and pipes a swirling!
 
This is an All Ages Show designed to keep the party going after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.   Doors at 6pm, Show at 7pm sharp!
Tickets:

Big thanks to my friend Anita Daly for arranging this interview!