Customer Reviews

Irvine & Brady

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first heard this album, on its release, 25 years ago, I knew immediately that it would doubtless stand the test of time. Andy Irvine and Paul Brady were (and still are) some of the finest musicians/singers that Ireland has produced, and to have multi-instrumentalist/genius Donal Lunny and fiddle great Kevin Burke along for the session is simply icing on the cake.

There are great instrumental tunes on this disc, as well as some of the greatest songs in the seemingly bottomless well that Irish singers have been digging for centuries. The songs are delivered in wonderful style by both singers -- these two men's voices have become legendary in the genre. Andy was a founding member of both Planxy and Patrick Street, two incredible Irish bands who have given the world so much amazing music over the last 30 years. Paul also did a short stint with Planxty, and has blossomed into one of Ireland's most resepected singer-songwriters. Hearing the work of either of them is a treat -- hearing them together is heaven..

The album kicks off with the charming 'Plains of Kildare', the story of a talking racehorse, sung in grand style by Andy. Paul follows with 'Lough Erne shore', a classic Irish love ballad, beautifully delivered. Paul's version of the anti-recruiting ballad 'Arthur McBride' has become the standard by which other renditions are judged. 'Mary and the soldier', sung here by Paul, has found its way into the repertoire of contemporary folkie Lucy Kaplansky (on her FLESH AND BONE cd).

There are several other standouts among the songs on this disc, but mention should also be made of the great instrumental tunes, where all the players are given a chance to shine. 'Fred Finn's reel/Sailing into Walpole's Marsh' contains some stunning interplay between Paul's guitar and the flying fiddle of Kevin Burke; and Donal Lunny's trademark bouzouki work is present throughout the disc.

From beginning to end and back again, this is a disc that bears repeated listening, which will continue to be a milestone in Irish music. Amazon's buying info indicates that this disc is perhaps out of print, and as such, might be hard to find -- it's worth the search, believe me!

I loaned the LP to someone in 1985 who never returned it; found the CD, play it every few weeks, and still find new things in it. Though 'classic' Irish ballads, jigs, and reels, the freshness and energy blow away the murk of uncertain, asphalt modern life through the inventive tonal and rhythmic mastery of all the artists, not just the leads. These folks are in touch with whatever it is in the Irish spirit that celebrates both life and death. Sure, and a grand thing it is, too! The solo 'Arthur McBride' from this album so impressed Bob Dylan that HE recorded it. Paul Brady wrote 'Luck of the Draw', title track of Bonnie Raitt's award winner some years back. The studio gave her a free hand to get whatever and whomever she wanted, and she picked Mr Brady's songs for two tracks. If Bonnie and Bob like this stuff, what more can I say? Some CDs have a good track or two to carry the rest of the vanilla pudding. Every cut here is smoked salmon, brown bread, fresh churned butter, and Guinness stout straight from the keg, with heady drams of powerful stuff for the wilting soul.

After a quarter-century worth of Irish recordings this is still the northstar that I refer back to. What sets it apart is the song-choices and perfect textural blend of instruments and voices, never yet duplicated or delivered so spiritedly. "The Plains of Kildare" starts the show off with a singularly exhilarating musical romp - the moment when the boys drop off from the racehorse drama and break into the instrumental section to run us across the finish line sends a rush up the spine. "Fred Finn's/Sailing Into Walpole's" is a mighty rendering that features Paul Brady's driving flatpicked guitar so primally wooden and sure while the mandolin and fiddle weave and join in. Brady has a unique guitar style that sounds between flatpicking and fingerstyle - shown to great effect, with his fine vocals, on "Mary and The Soldier" and "Arthur McBride". Irvine is the same old wizard of sound and voice. To top it off they couldn't have better sidemen than Kevin Burke on fiddle and Donal Lunny on bouzouki. I'd have never thought that harmonica (Andy's) could have worked alongside the traditional Irish instruments but here it sounds like it was made for the match - a long lost cousin to Uillean pipes and accordions. Enough of the gush - just buy the damned thing!

This album represents the pinnacle of that extraordinary period of folk revival in the 1970's. Paul Brady was a member of Planxty for about a year but sadly no albums were produced during his tenure. This album makes up for it. Never will you find Andy Irvine sounding more moving or Paul Brady more accomplished. This album will never cease to inspire. Buy it now!

A wonderful album. The musicianship between these two is absolutely fantastic. But then it seems like no matter who Andy
hooks up with ... he produces some wonderful work. I don't think I will ever tire of hearing Paul's rendition of "Arthur McBride" ... . Everyone else has covered Donal and Kevin's contributions...all terrific. ...

I'm glad I got into Celtic music many years ago and have been able to treat my ears and mind to such wonderful stuff!

'nuff said? Buy the album.

I have seen this CD described on the internet as the best folk album ever recorded, and if I were recommending one celtic CD, this would be it. Brady and Irvine are known for their ability to resurrect fine old songs, and all the songs on this album are about soldiering, arranged with great intelligence and taste. The interplay between Brady's guitar and Irvine's bazouki is terrific, but it is the songs and voices that make this album the standout it is.

Want to hear some great traditional Irish roots music? This is a wonderful vintage album published in 1976. Paul Brady (of Planxty) provides a wonderful Irish accent to lead vocals. Andy Irvine (of Planxty) demonstrates a wonderful mastery of the mandolin, mandola and bouzouki as well has hurdy gurdy and harmonica. Donal Lunny produced the album and joins the Planxty group by providing excellent guitar and bouzouki back up. He backs up the Fred Finn Reel medly on track three playing lively bodhran. Kevin Burke (of the Bothy Band and Patrick Street) joins them on fiddle. These were musicians at the start of and at the core of the 1970's Renaissance of Irish traditional music. And this was when they were in their youthful prime.

This album withstands the test of time for excellence and spirit. The Bouzouki, Mandola, mandolin and guitar playing are absolutely exemplary and the lyrics delightful. If real traditional Irish music is your genre, this is a must have title for your collection. My own personal fascination with the album is the bouzouki strong lead playing of Andy Irvine and at times the interplay between Donal Lunny on guitar and Andy. Then there is Donal on Bouzouki with Andy on Mandolin and Mandola. Then there is Donal by himself alone doing and intro on track 5 with a stunning guitar performance. It is well worth the time to learn the lyrics and sing along, which are available free at http://www.mudcat.org/. My favorites are Arthur McBride and the Sargeant about conditions confronting soldiers circa 1840 and Martinmas Time about a maiden sneaking past the English garrison to visit her lover.

If you like to play along with the album, chord tablature and online sheet music is available free at http://www.thesession.org/

This album offers a time capsule of the past when musical groups were not much removed from being pub musicians. Simpler times with simpler pleasures, such as a few pints of Guinness and a few live tunes. Due to the near poverty, not many people could afford instruments, lessons or sheet music. It was typical to find two to four musicians playing at a pub with a hat out for donations. The styles they developed were not taught to them, they developed their styles based on raw creative energy. They took instruments like the bowl back Greek Bouzouki and made their own flat back Irish Bouzouki. The songs were memorized and most musicians would have prodigious memories of long playing lists. The songs and the lyrics came from all the familiar places people knew in Ireland, places where they had grown up and had extended families and friends. The pub and the music were the central meeting place for the "craic" or community friendship and fun.

And now traditional Irish music is too often presented as polished recordings from studios with state of the art electronics and large groups of professional musicians. It has been taken on stage and commercialized with entire orchestras and dance troupes. Maybe its time to put a little traditional Irish "roots" music back into your life and a little "craic" back into the music.

This album is essential. The talent that is collected on this album can only be called amazing. I think this could be my favorite traditional album. It's a shame that there aren't more albums like this. Check out Arthur McBride and Lough Erne -- these are beautiful songs that really bring out Paul Brady's amazing voice.

Buy this album. It certainly is one of the best, in any genre, and truly worthy of the oft-overused 5-star rating. Instrumentation, singing, choice of material and overall interplay has no match elsewhere. Both distinct and gifted vocal stylists, both wizards of their chosen instruments (Paul on guitar, whistle & even some mando; Andy on bouzouki, mandolins & hurdy-gurdy). Don't be a fool, buy this album...

Well, 16 5-star reviews out of 16 so far. I may as well add another one. This album is from that glory time of Planxty and The Bothy Band. It's Irish for sure, but these guys pulled an ancient music into modern times and made it relevant to many of us, complete with 7/8 rhythms and the Hurdy Gurdy! This one will be there when 99% of the rest have been long forgotten.