Interesting albums from folk and roots music history, by Marius Roeting.
In this episode of DiscCover no obscure album, no long forgotten gem, nor a shocking album changing the face of history. Today, we present just a masterly piece of work. In 1975, Andy Irvine and Paul Brady joined to form a duo, after their preceding band Planxty had split up. As a duo, they recorded only one single album, full of songs which were later to become legendary, such as Arthur McBride, Plains of Kildare, Mary and the soldier and Autumn gold. The songs were arranged traditionals or their own compositions, forming a coherent entity: powerful songs, excellent performances, and featuring guest musicians Dónal Lunny (also from Planxty) and Kevin Burke. The CD is not innovative, the duo elaborated on the sound which was introduced by Planxty and others: interwoven string sounds and important roles for the bouzouki, mandolin and flutes. The duo toured intensively with this album, but that did not lead to a sequel in the studio. Irvine started Patrick Street, several reunion concerts of Planxty took place over the years, and he went solo. Irvine’s last contributions can be heard on CDs of the superband Usher’s Island. Paul Brady recorded a very fine acoustic solo album, after which he focused increasingly on pop and rock music. He wrote several hits for, among others, Tina Turner, Cher and Bonny Riatt. In fits and starts, Brady returns to his folk roots, with or without backing by his old folk colleagues. The album of the duo Andy Irvine and Paul Brady is still going strong, unaffected by the ravages of time.
Sweeney’s Men – Sweeney’s men – Transatlantic Records TRA179
1. The Handsome Cabin Boy (traditional) 4.41
The Johnstons – Bitter Green – Transatlantic Records TRA 211
2. Lord Thomas & Fair Ellender (traditional) 4.30
Andy Irvine & Paul Brady – Andy Irvine & Paul Brady – Mulligan LUN008
3. Plains Of Kildare (Words Traditional-Music Irvine) 4.13
4. Lough Erne Shore (Traditional; arranged by Brady) 3.41
5. Fred Finn’s Reel / Sailing Into Walpole’s Marsh (Traditional, arrangement by Brady, Irvine, Lunny, Burke) 2.32
6. Bonny Woodhall (Words Traditional-Music Irvine) 5.12
7. Arthur McBride (traditional, arrangement by Brady) 7.02
8. The Jolly Soldier (traditional, arrangement by Brady) / The Blarney Pilgrim (traditional, arrangement by Brady, Irvine, Burke 5.37
9. Autumn Gold (Irvine) 3.47
10. Mary And The Soldier (traditional, arrangement by Brady) 3.43
11. Streets Of Derry (traditional, arrangement by Irvine) 3.51
12. Martinmas Time (traditional, arrangement Irvine) / The Little Stack Of Wheat (traditional, arrangement by Brady, Lunny, Burke) 5.58
The Gathering – The Gathering – Greenhays GR705
13. There’s Sure To Be A Row (Irvine) 3.42
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