Anso is Ansúd / Here and There  |
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Jim Flanagan (voice and guitar). 16 tracks; 62'49".
Muskerry Music Inc, 503 Bay Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. ($15.00 + 1.50 s&h; .50
s&h for additional copies). Email: flanagan@OCEAN.ST.USM.EDU.
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folk-guitar sound of The Clancy Brothers combines with the purer sean
nós singing style in an album from County Cork native Jim Flanagan that is
an instant friend. The songs range from the tragic and sad (Down Erin's
Lovely Lee, Lawless) to the hilarious (The Errant Apprentice, popularized by
Andy Stewart ("when I was a young apprentice, and less than compos
mentis")) and the simply beautiful (Song for Ireland, and one of the nicest
performances I've yet to hear of the much-overdone Lakes of Ponchartrain).
His "strong, old-fashioned, ornamented style" (Dirty Linen Magazine) is shown off in
lesser-known settings (most from his native Ballyvourney) that give
familiar and well-loved songs a new sound. I first heard Flanagan lecture
and sing at the Jackson Celtic Festival several years ago, and would love to
hear his "Songs of Protest: A Musically Illustrated History of Ireland"
performed in Atlanta in the future.
Rating: A on every count.
PS: Jim has a new album coming out in late may. Click here for details.
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