Customer Reviews

28 Irish Pub Songs

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

How strange that someone would think these aren't the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem! These are they as I remember hearing them on Hootenany, the Ed Sullivan Show, even a special from the Kennedy White House. There is something so pure and thrilling about this music, Makem's "Wind That Shakes the Barley," is especially moving. Liam Clancy singing "Whack Fol the Fiddle" is another great song but there isn't a bad one on the cd. These songs were on two Tradition lp's, what a bargain on this cd!

If you like Irish tunes you'll like this one. There are many tunes you may recognize but with slightly different lyrics. (Even Lyrics with different tunes) But that is par for the course with any folk genre.

This has quickly become a family favorite around here. While these are pub songs including the usual betrayal by loved ones and drinking, there are many militaristic songs. If you dislike anti-British sentiments I suggest you avoid this CD.

For the rest of us, this is stripped down Clancy brothers and Tommy Makem. My personal 3 favorites, from this collection are Nell Flaherty's Drake, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, and The Maid of the Sweet Brown Knowe. They are lightly accompanied by harp, violin or whistle. Many are pure vocal. My only complaint of this collection is the engineering. The CD sounds like it was recorded using the same technology used on Kingston Trio albums in the early sixties. However for the price I will not complain too much.

All in all I would highly recommend this to all fans of Irish songs and Clancy Brothers fans in particular.

I have had several Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem albums on vinyl for more than a decade, but nothing on CD until I came across this bargain-priced collection. It would have been nice if Madacy had included some information on the 28 tracks included here (recording dates, instrumentation, band members/history--the band has been recording for more than 40 years and founding member Tom Clancy died in 1990), but for the price this is an enjoyable collection. Unlike the Chieftains (whose recordings focus on their instrumental prowess), The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (although competent musicians) emphasize their vocal talents. In fact, some of these tunes are a capella, and most feature only sparse instrumentation. At any rate, these are enjoyable songs and a terrific introduction to the band. RECOMMENDED

This CD is chock full of great drinking tunes! Nothing encourages a round of heroic drinking like great Irish music! This album is IDENTICAL in content to the more expensive "Irish Songs of Drinking and Rebellion". DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF PURCHASING "COME FILL YOUR GLASS WITH US" and "IRISH SONGS OF REBELLION"!... 28 Irish Pub Songs is ... cheaper than either of these CDs, and yet holds the identical content of both!... Go figure. This is a must have for any Irish music fan!

This album gives the explorer a peek into Irish music and the talents of an earlier Tommy Machem and the Clancy Brothers. There are better albums by each artist(s). Some may find this album a bit melancholy for an 'Irish pub album' But it's a great introduction to the music, the artists, and a superb value for six bucks.

Anyone who believes this isn't the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem is obviously new to their music. I've been following the group since the early 60's and this is pure, unadulterated Clancy. Celtic music is extremely popular today and it was the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem who paved the way.

Genre is really Folk, but could be classified as New Age or World.
This CD is really fun. It has a lot of songs, and most of them are REALLY good. There are funny ones, sad ones, fast ones, and slow ones - giving you a nice, big variety. They are such good songs; good singers, good melodies, and great words. I've only heard of two of these songs before this (Foggy Dew, sung by Sinead O'Connor, and the Wind that Shakes the Barley, sung by Solas) and it was nice to find some new ones that I really like.
The best songs on this album are:
The Maid of the Sweet Brown Knowe,
Nell Flaherty's Drake (a lament for a duck? It's funny),
The Men of the West,
The Minstrel Boy,
and The Foggy Dew.
All the rest I like, though there are a few that I don't NOT like, but I don't like (right.).
I recommend this to you if you like Scottish, Celtic/Irish, and/or Folk music, or want to try them out. If you don't like these types of music, then I do not understand why you are looking at this, and can only say this isn't for you.

Just to clarify the music...
These tracks come from the first two albums of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. They are called "Rising of the Moon" and "Come Fill Your Glass With Us" These tracks were recently reissued on Rykodisc, restored and remastered. Frankly, they sound AMAZING! This complation has terrible sound quality, and the recordings sound like they were copied from an old LP. Don't settle for this ugly sounding reissue, go and check out the remastered versions. Unless you are on a serious budget, get the other discs. Combined, they cost about twice what this costs, but IT IS WORTH IT!

For those who think this is not the true Clancy Brothers, rest assured it is! These recordings were made around 1955 when all 4 of them got together in the United States...beware however that these same songs have been released under many different album titles...I guess they have passed into public domain and can be released by anyone. They lack the sophistication of their later work, but have a rough honesty that simply isn't found in todays slick and polished music world!

Having listened and enjoyed the boys for many years it is with renewed joy and appreciation I take in this disc. No elaborate arrangements here, no studio enhancements - stripped down, spare and beautiful. The melodies are sweet and pure and give full expression to the ballad making that has inspired so many artists like Dylan and others. Croppy Boy, Parting Glass and Finnegan's Wake are real standouts.