So many to love... Irish Bands & Artists--Appreciation Thread If it already exists, please merge, Gorts!
Guggenheim Grotto The Guggenheim Grotto is a folk-pop band from, County Mayo, Ireland.[1] The members of The Guggenheim Grotto are Kevin May from Ballinrobe, and Mick Lynch from Westport. Guggenheim Grotto has a unique sound, characterized by an emphasis on piano instrumentals supporting their harmonies.[2] Partridge of the Hartford Courant described their style as "folk-influenced indie-pop" and said it fit well with other music popular on college and public radio, such as Rufus Wainwright, Crowded House, and Kings of Convenience.[3] The music varies from rock, to pop, folk, and even soul.[4] Their influences include Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, although that is not immediately apparent from their sound.[4]
Mary Black – one of Ireland’s leading singers Mary Black has been one of Ireland’s most successful and influential singers since the late 1970s. Song For Ireland Song for Ireland Mary Black interview Stories From the Steeples review Interview – Stories From the Steeples Mary Black Videos Singers main page She has won numerous awards and produced several albums that have achieved gold and platinum status. Black is now known mainly for her distinguished solo career but she has also performed with different bands – most notably the Irish folk group De Dannan. She has also performed and recorded with some of the world’s leading artists including Van Morrison, Joan Baez and Emmy Lou Harris.
Some more suggestions for your consideration. Unfortunately I cannot upload videos. Sonny Condell, Planxty, Paul Brady, Clannad, The Gloaming, Martin Hayes, The Bothy Band. more to follow.
BLUE IN HEAVEN One of the best bands to emerge from Ireland. How this band never broke big is beyond me. They rock, they have a killer bass player....and they also had Martin Hannett producing them! Only released two albums. Brilliant band.
THAT PETROL EMOTION Forget The Undertones, That Petrol Emotion is the better version. (If you don't know, That Petrol Emotion is former members of The Undertones without Feargal.) The band was a perfect mixture of angular, raw, abrasive guitar rock that would make even The Gang Of Four jealous, and pop music that would make ABBA jealous. One of the greatest bands that ever existed: That Petrol Emotion
Four of TPE, no singer Steve Mack, self-released the "Anima Rising" album in 2014 as The Everlasting Yeah. It's worth seeking out.
In the 90s, as I was burning out on rock and expanding my musical horizons, I fell in love with Celtic music and it's many offshoots and hybrids. One of those hybrids is Nightnoise, a sort of Irish Celtic/New Age fusion.
one of my favorite bands from Dublin in the 80s was The Stars of Heaven......bunch of EP's on Rough Trade, then the stellar album "Speak Slowly" in 1988.....this from Discogs: "Ireland's answer to The Byrds, Gram Parsons and the Velvet Underground all in one package"......a cd compilation came put in 1999 called "Unfinished Dreaming" which is quite swell if you can find it!!!!
