Sentimental Irish Songs “Dead”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30794, 5 July 1965, Page 14

Sentimental Irish Songs “Dead”

Four Irish folk

singers, who were nnce actors and now spend most of their time singing to New York Jewish audiences, will give a concert in the Majestic Theatre tomorrow evening. Anyone who expected an evening of sentimental Irish songs, said one singer, Tommy Makem, would be disapnointed. Makem and the Clancy Brothers are adamant: the days of sentimental Irish sones are gone.

“Sentimental Irish singing dies in the jet-age,” said Mr

Makem. “I mean the ‘Danny Boys’ and ‘Rose of Tralees.’ “He would not listen to the pipes calling: he would listen to the guitar.” Liam Clancy, and his brothers, Paddy and Tom. think the pipes need cleaning. Tom Clancy said that their group had no time for the popular conception of Irish singing. He said thev had refused a 250,000-dollar television contract in Hollywood, because they did not like the “sugary things." “Hollywood serves it up like a dog’s dinner.” said Mr Makem.

The real Irish culture, said Pat Clancy, were songs that neop’e did not associate with the Irish at all.

Some of the singing repertoire of the Irish group, is “Jug Punch,” “Lady Chat,” “Brennan On The Moor," “Finnegan’s Wake,” and “They’re Moving Father’s Grave To Build a Sewer.”

Another thing this Irishgroup does not use is “Stage Irish.” Sayings like Begad, Begorrah and Begosh, are strictly out They own to making a “fair bit of noise. We get a bit worked up,” said Liam Clancy. They sing Australian songs, English songs, and sea shanties as well as Irish songs. Though all four were bom in Ireland, two of the Clancy brothers, Tom and Pat are naturalised American citizens.

Said Liam, who lives at Carrick-on-Suir, in South Tipperary: “They sold out; we didn’t”

Tommy Makem: That way we can cheat both Governments.

Before the group turned to professional singing, they were all professional dramatic actors in Ireland, England and America.

The group has already toured principal Australian cities and has made one New Zealand appearance in Wellington. From Christchurch they will travel to Auckland and Hamilton for further concerts.