A fine fine album that makes the heart glad

Re-release of 1963 concert is a gem

Tip of the hat to Harold Lepidus of the Examiner.com for reminding me of the best album of Clancy Brothers music.

In a St. Patrick’s Day concert from the early 60’s we hear the best of the best in Irish music. It was my introduction to non-Maritime Celtic music and an almost forgotten favourite.

The boys whoop it up with laughter, rebel songs and ballads. It is an authentically Irish performance. The audience is sitting in front and behind them and everyone gets in the act.

There might be better singers and some people might like more refined versions. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem are muscular, hearty singers. This is pub and music hall music sung at the top of one’s lungs with a dollop of whiskey or Guinness to wet the whistle.  They were all at the top of their form in the 1960’s before age caught up with them.

While we couldn’t see the action, I listened to ever joke, clap and stomp when I was 15 when I heard this for the first time. A few years later I got to meet Tom Clancy and Tommy Makem at the Capital Theatre in Halifax.

I was there to interview them but how does a boy interview men of such life and character. Sadly I couldn’t go with them to the after-party. I was a tad young back then.

Clancy brothers and Tommy Makem – Reilly`s Daughter

It was a joy to come across the article and go digging in my records to find it. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem are the quintessential Irish folk act and this album was one of their best. It has just been released on a double CD which couldn’t be better timing.

If you want to hear more Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem – free – head on over to YouTube where their fans have posted several hundred songs. You might think I’m working but while I’ve been writing this article I go back and forth to play the songs on the YouTube jukebox.