Customer Reviews

Songs of Tommy Makem

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Tommy Makem's work on these songs, recorded between 1955 and 1961, is wonderful, of course. The selections are among the best of the Irish folk song piece of the US folk revival pie. Unfortunately, two or three of these tracks are reproduced here at a volume level much softer than all the other songs. That is annoying, but not fatal. These are performances put on the "Tradition Label" in the late '50's and early '60's, some recorded in kitchens in both Ireland and New York City. If you like Tommy's work with the Clancy Brothers, you should have these solos in your collection also. Two of the songs are taken from an in-print Tradition LP, "The Lark in the Morning" and many of the others were done over and over in various configurations of "The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem" or "Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem" or "The Clancy Brothers" (without Tommy) so the material is not new to any fan. It is interesting, however, how well Tommy, who died earlier this year, holds his own as a solo act. He was a vital part of the Clancy Brothers initial success, and when they record without him later in their careers, he is missed, despite how good the brothers are themselves.

This Cd is the first solo CD recorded by Tommy Makem in 1961. At the time, he was singing with The Clancy Brothers, and together they would go on to be the most popular Irish folk group of all time. This appeared on the Tradition label which was founded by Paddy Clancy in the mid '50's. It is said that Tommy only got $30 for recording this!! The music is a fantastic mix of all the traditional music that Tommy grew up with. Some highlights include "The Little Beggarman", "Butcher Boy", "Blow Ye Winds", "As I Roved Out", and "Bold O'Donahue". There isn't a bad song on this CD, and the sound restoration is FANTASTIC!! A must have for your next St. Patrick's Day party.

I dont have this CD. And youre probably thinkin Im a weirdo for adding a review. But Ive heard some of these songs and Ive heard Tommy Makem's voice enough to tell you that it was/is one of the mot beautiful voices this world has ever known. The Butcher Boy is a very old folk song and its one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar. I absolutely LOVE Makem's version. Its haunting. Makes me cry but oh how I love those tears! Its the best version of this song Ive ever heard. I plan to buy this CD in the near future and that song in particular is the reason. But Im sure you'll love all the songs here. Look for his other CDs if theyre available. He not only did some awesome traditional songs but he was a fantastic songwriter himself!

I bought the album version of this collection when it was first published. Tommy Makem's style is unique and exciting. He, along with the Clancy Brothers, was instrumental to introducing Irish folk music to America but also for collecting and saving many of these songs which would have been forgotten but for them. There are several songs on this album which are inhabited by Mr. Makem and are signature songs, never sung by anyone else with as much verve and style: Butcher Boy, Balinderry, The Little Beggarman and the wonderful Bold O'Donohue. The only one of his "personal" songs missing is "Whistling Gypsy Rover." I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys traditional Irish music with the life and personality unmatched by anyone else.

less commercial that some, these songs avoid the "saint patrick day" slant of some offerings that pretent to be folk songs. these are the real mccoy