Black 47 (The Indie CD) [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued]

Black 47 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued
• Label: Gadfly Records
• ASIN: B00005A0LK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,629 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Banks of the Hudson

2. Rockin' the Bronx

3. Desperate

4. Funky Ceili (Bridie's Song)

5. Fanatic Heart

6. Free Joe Now

7. 40 Shades of Blue (For Kevin Wherever You Are)

8. James Connolly

9. Blind Mary/Her Dear Old Donegal (Sleep Tight in New York City)

10. Livin' in America

11. Land of DeValera

12. Paddy's Got a Brand New Reel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Black 47's Best!, August 14, 2001

By 

Kenneth French (Montclair, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black 47 (The Indie CD) (Audio CD)

This is a reissue of Black 47's debut recording, an indie release originally available only via mail order or at their gigs. It is the only recording they've made which matches the fire of their live performances. Although they later rerecorded almost all the tracks here, this is the one to get.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A seminal work of "new" Irish Music, June 13, 2008

By 

Major Tom 58 "Majtom58" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black 47 (Audio CD)

The eponymous "Black 47" album is a seminal work of "new" Irish Music. I say that because, in many ways, the group and its frontman, Larry Kirwan, opened the door for American bands with a new kind of Irish sound, like the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, in particular.

Many of the songs in this album were later recorded in 1993's "Fire of Freedom." The latter album is certainly more polished than this indie album, and the new songs on "Fire" are often spectacular ["Black 47" and "New York, New York 10009"], there is a raw energy in many of the originals here that is well worth listening to.

The original "Funky Ceili", "James Connolly", "Fanatic Heart", and "Living in America" exceed the remakes, in my opinion.

Connolly, the Irish/Scottish "martyr" of the Irish Easter Rebellion of 1916 is presented more true to history than some of the sickly sweet songs written about him in the years following his capture and execution. In Kirwan's song, Connolly wants to live, not die, he wants to fight, not sacrifice, and he wants no part in the trappings of martyrdom he sees awaiting him, though he accepts the dying part. He, like Joe Hill, wants no crosses or harps and shamrocks on his grave. He wants to fight for the working man and farmer.

"Fanatic Heart" is a gripping song of a bombing in Northern Ireland and its aftermath. It almost doesn't matter who planted the bomb. It is excruciatingly painful and beautiful--like hearing 20 bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" at once at the funeral of someone who died much too young. It is cathartic, vivid, full of regret and pain.

I never much cared for a few of the other songs. "Rockin' the Bronx" is a band staple, but like "Paddy's Got a Brand New Reel" is not among my favorites. "Livin' in America" with Mary Courtney is both amusing and poignant.

This is an excellent, if imperfect, album. It's well worth buying.