Tiocfaidh Ar La Fanzine
The fanzine for republican-minded Celtic supporters
Padraig Mor
Padraig Mor - The Green & The Gold
Padraig Mor, Glasgows original republican balladeer, has put together a compilation of classic songs on this CD. Big Pats many years on the road should have made him familiar to a wider audience by now. Indeed many will also know him as the front man of the popular Glasgow rebel band Saoirse and more recently from his stints playing bass and adding occasional vocals with Shebeen. However, Pat is a class act in his own right and this CD goes a long way to demonstrating the mans musical talent and versatility. He not only sings, he also plays a variety of instruments as well. From bass and guitar to mandolin and whistles; the result is impressive. He is ably assisted by the haunting violin playing of Julie H who also helps out with some backing vocals on selected tracks. In addition, the equally versatile Glasgow-Irish musician Sean Lyons lends a hand on a couple of songs as well.
Theres an excellent rendition of Bik McFarlanes tribute to Bobby Sands Song for Marcella. In fact I dont think Ive heard a better arrangement of this song since the original recording by Bik and Cruncher. Its Pats delivery of a song that is most impressive. His vocals are crisp and clear and the voice is very much in the mould of the very best traditional ballad singers such as Christy Moore, Derek Warfield & Gerry OGlacain, but like each of these Pat has developed his own style.
I dont think theres a bad song on this album Its the kind of CD that would do a never-ending loop on the car stereo and its one of those albums that you can play loud and not upset the neighbours. I would highly recommend that you add this to your rebel music collection.
The tracks included are: Ballad of Martin (Doco) Doherty; Kelly The Boy From Killane; Grace; Clonoe Ambush; Ireland Unfree; Song For Marcella; Crossmaglen; Boston Snows; Helicopter Song; Athenry/Garvaghy Road; Shoot To Kill The Policy; Pardon Me For Smiling; Dying Rebel; Ballad of Ray McCreesh.
On the sleeve notes Pat also thoughtfully provides a brief explanation/history of each of the songs. Another nice touch is that Padraig has dedicated the album to the memory of one of the finest republicans of thios generation that Glasgow has produced - Thomas Boydo Boylan.
Hopefully well have some of these CDs for sale on the stall at the TAL Nights in Glasgow and watch this space for details about ordering them direct from the fanzine in the near future.
Reviewed by Talman
The Spirit Of 67
Spirit of 67 - Nuns, Guns & Rosary Beads
Spirit
of 67 are, relatively speaking, fairly new to the rebel music
scene but they are proof that Glasgow doesnt necessarily have a
monopoly on bands capable of producing good republican music. These
lads hail from the east - ken, no that far fae Embra, likesay.
First
things first, the guys get the vote for the most original cover and
album titlebut theres more to them than simply a good choice of
photographs for the CD. The band have
already played at a couple of the TAL Nights in Glasgow and have gone
down very well with our crowd. Theyre also gigging regularly at the
Brazen Head and have played all over Ireland and Scotland.
Musically
speaking Spirit Of 67 are cut from the same cloth as Shebeen. They play
a rebel-rousing set live and the CD is a good studio recorded sample of
what you can expect from them in a live show. What did stand out for me
were the vocal harmonies on a couple of tracks. Theres an original and
beautiful version of Four Green Fields that demonstrates the band s
vocal talent. Another track to benefit from the backing vocals is the
moving ballad Grace.
As
well as the republican standards, of particular interest to hoops fans
will be the inclusion of Cmon The Hoops which features a medley of
Celtic songs and one of the more recent favourites in the stands, The
Four Leaved Clover is also included.
Songs
on the CD are: Foggy Dew/Come Out Ye Black & Tans; Broad Black
Brimmer; Four Green Fields; CMon The Hoops; Boys of the Old Brigade;
Grace; Four Leaved Clover; Michael Collins; Fields of Athenry/Garvaghy
Road. Not bad for a bunch of guys with funny accents!
You
can buy this CD from TAL for 11 (including p&p). Make cheques and
postal orders payable to CSC and send to TAL Books, BM Box 266, London,
WC1N 3XX
Reviewed By Talman
The WolfeTones' Derek Warfield
Derek Warfield - A Nation Once Again
The Wolfe Tones Derek Warfield played a great set for TAL in December and May 8th sees Derek and his band return to The Up n Down Club on Glasgows southside for TALs end of season party.
Dereks latest CD - A Nation Once Again - is a treat for all lovers of traditional Irish rebel music. The ballads and reels are performed in Dereks own inimitable style and from the performance on this disc its easy to see why many regarded Derek as the heart of The WolfeTones.
For this recording Derek has assembled an impressive bunch of musicians around him and the quality is there to be appreciated. Add to that Dereks own musicianship and talent for digging out some great songs from the archives and mixing them together with some fine choices of contemporary ballads and rebel tunes and you have a winning combination.
