Author: Breffni Banks

The Irish Tenors featuring Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan Kelly celebrate 25 years of the Irish Tenors with 3 Irish shows at the INEC Arena Saturday 14 January 2023 and the National Concert Hall Saturday and Sunday the 7 and 8 of January 2023. Tickets are on sale now.

The Irish Tenors have been touring together since 1998, with sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and major concert halls throughout the world. Their faces and voices are familiar to PBS audiences through several specials, including the “Ellis Island” recordings that sold a million CDs and DVDs.

Since they first joined voices in 1998, The Irish Tenors have made countless traditional treasures breathe with new life. Moreover, they’ve proven themselves gifted interpreters of a wide range of material, with such songs as “My Heart Will Go On” (from Titanic), “Fairytale Of New York”(previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues) and even Jimmy Kennedy’s “South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way)”. These songs live comfortably in their repertoire alongside “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Fields Of Athenry.” Among their best selling albums, ‘Heritage’ ranks as one of the finest with classic recordings of many of the most beautiful Irish songs. ‘We Three Kings’ is their best selling Christmas Album and includes all of superb Christmas gems that feature year after year in their legendary Christmas Tour, attending which has become a firm tradition for so many families who love their music and the special sparkle that marks their holiday programme.

The Irish Tenors powerful vocal line-up of Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan Kelly are unquestionably the leading brand of this genre. All classically trained singers, each having performed in leading concert halls across the world, together they combine to produce a sound and concert experience, which touches hearts and stirs the emotions. Happy songs of celebration and humour, mixed with touching melodies and songs that warm the heart.

They are surely versatile, but for many, Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan Kelly are synonymous with Irish music. There is an aching bittersweet quality to much of Ireland’s musical heritage, a melodic loveliness and emotional intensity that brings a tingle to the spine and a tear to the eye. The dazzling technique and depth of feeling that defines this musical genre, amplified to the third power, is the hallmark of The Irish Tenors.

The magic they’ve captured on previous releases has resulted in millions of albums sold and the upper reaches of Billboard’s music charts. The Irish Tenors have appeared on several incredibly successful and highly rated PBS specials including Ellis Island and Live from Belfast as well as The Today Show, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly, Martha Steward, A&E Breakfast with the Arts, and are one of the best selling acts to appear on QVC.

The Irish Tenors continue to tour constantly, thrilling old fans and winning new ones all around the globe. In the United States, they are one of the most successful Irish touring acts ever, second only to U2. Whether as the powerful vocal trio in full flight, or in their cameo solo spots, a concert performance by The Irish Tenors is an experience that never fails to excite and bear witness to the power of great music when performed by true artists. Most concerts end with two, three, and sometimes four standing ovations, with Irish and American songs bringing audiences to their feet. Despite the ultimate compliment of there being several copy versions of The Irish Tenors, this trio are regarded as the acknowledged Godfathers of Irish repertoire.

Ricky Dineen and Liam Heffernan are a post-punk duo from the northside of Cork City. Formed organically from an old friendship and the hunger to be playing music. They both appeared on Kaught at the Kampus (Reekus Records).

Dineen was guitarist in the seminal bands Nun Attax, Five go Down to the Sea? and Beethoven.

Heffernan played with Mean Features and Nun Came Back and he has worked as an Actor.

And Nun Came Back were formed in 2014 to commemorate the music of Dineen and Finbarr Donnelly, who passed away in 1989. It was out of this project that Dineen and Heffernan began writing new material, playing their inaugural gig in 2019, on Donnelly’s 30^th anniversary.

During the surreal time of lockdown they released a number of singles and since restrictions have relaxed, have been playing gigs around Ireland and England.

Featured Image: Big Boy Foolish at The Windmill, Brixton, London 16/10/22 (Photo – Ed Godsell)

Daniel Cohen burst on to the pop scene in 2022 like a fresh Atlantic breeze. Hailing for Galway on the West coast of Ireland, Daniel started writing music in his teens, and was part of a semi successful Irish rock band for many years.

After the demise of the band, Daniel worked tirelessly as an independent music producer for over a decade (USA, Sweden & Spain) helping other independent artists and bands achieve their dream of getting a recording contract. However his own dream of being a pop artist never died, and in 2022 he decided to give it a real shot and see if he could write, sing and perform as well as the best of them.

His debut single in June ‘Will you Ride with me Tonight?’ Reached #15 in the Irish IMRO charts and also had almost 30,000 views on YouTube. A good result for an independent artist with very little help. For his second release, he chose a song sung by Diana Ross in 1985, ‘Chain reaction’ which received very positive reviews internationally and also garnered thousands streams online.

Daniel’s third single ‘Cosmic Collisions’ due out on December 2^nd will be his first attempt at making the Irish charts. The single was written as an engagement song to ask his partner for her hand in marriage this Christmas. This cracking song was written by Cohen, with the music produced by long time collaborator Seamus O’Duignean who is based in Shanghai China. The vocals and mixing were done in Antwerp in Belgium where Daniel currently resides.

Daniel’s music influences are firmly based in funk soul and the Motown greats. Little Richard, Bruno Mars and George Michael would be among his favourite artists and The Spinners, The Isley Brothers and The Temptations would be among his favourite groups.

“NeoWestern”, as it has since been coined by critics. Jordan Dennis’ work is a serendipitous coming together of his own Hard Rock/New Blues sound meets the Country/Western influence of his residing hometown of Castleblayney, “The Nashville of Ireland”.

Cutting his teeth performing to the unforgiving crowds throughout his local saloons. Jordan Dennis soon began making waves, appearing at several acclaimed music festivals including The Rory Gallagher Festival (Eric Gales) and The Harvest Time Blues Festival (Artur Menezes, Pat McManus).

June 2022 saw Jordan embark on his first tour supporting Mascot Records (Joe Bonamassa, Steve Via) U.S artists “The Cold Stares” throughout both the U.K & Scotland.

Returning to Ireland that July making his debut appearance at Dublin’s renowned Whelans main stage, Jordan supported legendary slide guitarist Roosevelt Collier on the Irish leg of his European Tour.

In August, Jordan was approached by the noted Tres Hombre Management for a second UK Tour supporting U.S Blues Rocker Zach Person.

Having showcased his material on the road, Jordan completed work on his Debut E.P in September. Recorded at The Homestead Studio in Castleblayney. Mixed & Mastered by Industry figures James Darkin (Hozier, Gavin James, Dermot Kennedy) at Black Mountain Studios and Sami Bianchi (Ennio Morricone) at Oscar/Grammy winning Forum Studios in Rome.

Jordan is currently working with the Oscar winning Czech National Symphony Orchestra on further projects which will be released in 2023. Including conducting a live orchestral performance of the title track, “The Man in the Hat”.

Jordans Debut E.P will be Released on Friday 9th December on Spotify and all major music platforms. You can Follow Jordan on his Instagram and Spotify, or visit kingofthestrings.ie.

 “Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy … The Torch lit by the Irish masters of Hard Rock is in good hands” – Trevor Deeley (A.M.L.O)

The Debut E.P consists of 4 tracks. ‘The Man in the Hat’, ‘King of the Strings’, ‘Battle Cry’ and the focus single ‘Equalize’.

It is a hard hitting first musical offering with hooking riffs, blistering solos and orchestral overtures. Set to stories, lyrics and themes about the human experience interpreted through the lens of the western genre.

THE MAN IN THE HAT:

‘The Man in the Hat’, came about from Jordan’s experience as a Musician/Healthcare Professional working the frontline during the covid-19 pandemic. Jordan experienced the true horrors of the Pandemic up close and personal. Having contracted the virus, becoming seriously ill, he was diagnosed with cognitive O.C.D.

Struggling with his mental health, he began focusing on his songwriting.

 “I have always been inspired by Western Cinema and its themes. With the dire state of the world at that time, as an artist I saw a lot of parallels. This influenced my own songwriting. I began writing about the human experience, filtered

through the lens of the western genre. Coming out of the pandemic was very much like a new frontier. Nobody knew what to expect. Things would never be as they were. ‘The Man in the Hat’ was a character which came out the other side of all that. The message I would like people to take away from this work is to persevere. You may not set the stage though; you can play your part. Own your character.”

Connect with Jordan Dennis

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Trailblazing Irish Singer-Songwriter

KARAN CASEY

Announces new album ‘Nine Apples of Gold’

+ shares the title track today

Official video ‘Nine Apples of Gold’

Irish tour March / April ’23 announced

Women and Their Many Voices Are Centre Stage on  Nine Apples of Gold;

Karan’s Tour Will Debut New Songs from Her Upcoming Album out in February 2023

Spearheading Campaign for Gender Balance in Irish Music Provides Inspiration and Insights

KARAN CASEY, one of Ireland’s finest singer-songwriters – and a leading advocate for gender balance in the Irish folk and traditional music scene – will launch her new album Nine Apples of Gold on 24^th February, 2023, and today shares the title track from the album.

Speaking of the new song, Karan says: “The initial genesis for this song was inspired by Tonn Chlíona, a supernatural woman from Glandore who was said to have three brightly coloured songbirds who ate apples from an otherworldly tree and sang so sweetly that they could cure all illness, I loved the magic in this story and thought a lot about how women carry tunes and songs and dance and bring so much healing to the world.

The legend goes on to report that in order to flee from men who wanted to kill her because of her powers Clíona changed herself into a wren and escaped, it is funny then how Sean Óg Graham went and gave the songbirds of Portglenone a guest spot on this track, without my saying anything of this story. For Pauline Scanlon because of her beautiful singing voice and musicality but also because of her bravery in her singing and campaigning.”

Karan has teamed up with Sean Óg Graham, her long-time collaborator and friend, to create a dynamic and enchanting album of songs that speaks to healing, camaraderie in times of strife, finding enrichment and new life in campaigning for women, and of course death. This is an ode to the natural world featuring the songbirds of Portglenone, the moon, conversations from the grave, returning to the wild, listening for the cuckoo as she sleeps.

The empowerment of women is front and centre of Karan’s concerns as she gives voice to the notion that songs can sing what we cannot say. Her defiance, her vulnerabilities and her feminist heart bellow through these songs.

Adding their unique vocals to the album are Niamh Dunne on a duet song Sister I am Here for You; Pauline Scanlon on a searing feminist overlook of Ireland in a song entitled I Live in a Country; and Ríoghnach Connolly on Daughter Dear, a tender hearted song between a mother and daughter. Also joined by Conor McCreanor, John McCullough, Hannah Hiemstra and Kate Ellis among others, this is Karan’s 12^th album and displays her fine poetic voice where she has taken traditional symbolism and shaken it by the neck to create an ode to mother nature and a poignant cry for change.

A Waterford native, Casey was among the vanguard of the Irish music revival’s “third wave” of the late 1980s/early 1990s, a founding member of the seminal Irish American band Solas before launching her solo career in 1999, and going on to record 11 albums. Though steeped early on in Irish traditional and folk music, Casey has long followed an eclectic path, whether studying classical music (she is a talented pianist), fronting jazz bands or working with Frank Harte, a much-revered folk/traditional singer from Dublin. The list of artists she’s performed with is similarly diverse: James Taylor, Maura O’Connell, Karen Matheson, the Boston Pops Orchestra, Tim O’Brien, The Chieftains, The Dubliners, and Béla Fleck, among others.

NINE APPLES OF GOLD, THE NEW ALBUM FROM KARAN CASEY, WILL BE OUT 24^th FEBRUARY 2023 via CROW VALLEY MUSIC.

On her March/April ’23 Irish tour, Casey will be accompanied by the dynamic duo Niamh Dunne and Sean Óg Graham both members of popular Irish band Beoga: Niamh Dunne (fiddle, vocals), who comes from a rich family heritage of Irish traditional music; and Seán Óg Graham (guitar), a talented arranger, composer and producer who is in great demand as an accompanist.

Irish Tour dates

March 24^th

Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow

April 13^th

Duncairn Arts Centre, Belfast

April 14^th

Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

April 15^th

Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare

April 20^th

Glór, Ennis, Co. Clare

April 21^st

National Opera House, Wexford

April 22^nd

Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford

April 23^rd

Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo

April 27^th

Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny

April 28^th

Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co. Meath

April 29^th

Triskel Christchurch, Cork

April 30^th

Town Hall Theatre, Galway   

+ more to be announced

Connect with Karan Casey

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

A program of all original instrumental compositions with Sean M Smith & Michael McCarthy.

The gig will take place in the Vintage Room in The Workman’s Club, Dublin from 8-10pm on Monday, December 19^th, 2022. Tickets are now available via Eventbrite and at the door on the night.

Known favourites like ‘Marina’, ‘Chicken Legs’, ‘An Udder Blue’ and some surprises! Plenty of improvisation and freedom – genre bending with tastes of country, psychedelia, rock, blues, jazz and more!

Stay tuned to Bandcamp, where the live recorded gig will be available for download.

About Ben Prevo:

Ben was born in Manhattan N.Y. and has been playing gigs, writing & recording songs, and providing soundz for some time. Guitarist and vocalist, Ben brings the integrity and emotional honesty of The Blues to his genre-hopping repertoire of original songs and covers.

Known for his quirky style and use of dynamics, Ben has played at many festivals and venues through the years – The Dublin Temple Bar Blues Festival, Monaghan Harvest Time Jazz Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, The Clifden Arts Festival… and more. Ben has played at prestigious venues such as Ulster Hall, the Gaiety, the Apollo Theatre, and cities from Munich to San Diego to Woodstock, New York. He’s also featured and performed on national and regional Irish radio & TV and Regional New York & Polish TV.

He has released four albums – two studio and two live – and has appeared on several compilations. There are archival releases and a new live band and solo acoustic release in the pipeline as well.

Connect with Ben Prevo

Website | Bandcamp