Hi folks. I know a few of you have a soft spot for The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem. I’ve spent hours over the summer recording new arrangements of songs from their wonderful catalogue. All instruments, vocals and arrangements by just me. Forty years after learning how to overdub, I’ve put it to good use (I hope).
The recording is almost complete but there is still some post work to be done. I’m hoping for a January release and for a Scottish tour in March April.
I know this isn’t for everyone but if it sounds like your thing, the attached link is to a 15 minute compilation of bits from some of the tracks.
Feel free to comment.
https://soundcloud.com/gavinp/clips-from-forthcoming-cd-sings-the-clancymakem-songbook
The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were a huge part of my childhood…. my late Uncle Tam played them endlessly -everybody has an Uncle Tam, right? Bone idle, long pockets and a huge personality… gone now almost twenty years, and I still miss him- I will look forward to hearing this.
Nice one Gav.
Guid stuff; I like the accent being yours rather than faux irish-american. (Now if you sang the Dexy’s songbook in that/those voice(s) and instrumentation………?)
Good luck Gavin, you`ve done the songbook proud.
Excellent! And you’ve got the jumper too.
Any chance of a full tracklist?
Great stuff. I grew up with Tommy and the Clancys in my ears and at about five years old I could tell you which of them was singing a verse. I left them behind just as quick but it was great to listen to your versions of songs that are hard-wired into me. I love your Go Lassie Go.
Really good stuff. Sounds great! Well done.
Thanks folks.
I was asked to play at this years Clancy Festival and thought I’d make a wee basic guitar/vocal CD to sell at the fest. I did that but then thought I’d finish the job and make it a ‘band’ record. (I will be putting a band together for the tour).
It is amazing just how many people have said something similar to “I’ve known these songs all my life”.
Lando, the tracks that aren’t on the mix above are Jug Of Punch, The Orchard and (sorry) an updated Scottish Breakaway. I think there will be 14 tracks in all. The sweater is a cheapy just for the photo!
Retro – indeed. It HAD to be my own voice/accent. Thankfully Dexys Boots don’t have to have my voice up front.
Here’s the full track of ‘Go Lassie Go/Wild Mountain Thyme’. Some of you will know The Byrds version (apparently McGuinn learned it from The Clancys in Chicago when he was just starting out on the folk scene). Now I love me some Byrds but I’m not a fan of their version of this. So I borrowed a 12 string electric and did my best Byrds jangle.