Two weeks before the global pandemic hit in March 2020, Mick Flannery invited Susan O’Neill to perform their freshly released duet ‘Baby Talk’ with him in front of a sold-out audience at Cork Opera House. This new arrangement by fellow Cork musician Cormac McCarthy was performed accompanied by the Cork Opera House Orchestra. At this stage not only did everyone in the building have no clue it would be one of their last concerts for nearly two years, but also Mick and Susan’s highly acclaimed 2021 album ‘In The Game’ of which ‘Baby Talk’ was the forerunner, was yet to be written.
Two years on, this enthralling rendition of ‘Baby Talk’ is released, as a special preview of more orchestral recordings to come a little further down the line. Alongside the new release is the official video for the album recording of ‘Baby Talk’, filmed on location during their long awaited show at Vicar Street last October, with additional footage from the Co. Clare coastline. The pair collaborated again with director Christopher Luke, who worked on all of the ‘In The Game’ album official videos from his studio in West Cork.
Christopher comments “Working on this series of videos has been such a treat. Both Mick & Susan are tremendous songwriters at the top of their game and this album is evidence of that. For them to have allowed me to be a part of its release is truly touching.”
Susan adds: “This duet song was the start of a cool adventure that led to the making of an album based on a similar concept. I’m really happy to share this version with the concert orchestra in the mix now. Some of the video was also taken on home turf in Co. Clare, thanks to Niamh Davies for the footage. Hope that ye enjoy”
Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill released their critically acclaimed debut collaboration duet album in September 2021. ‘In the Game’ hit the No.2 spot in the Official Irish Album Chart, after a closely fought battle for the top spot with Drake, the pair knocked Metallica out of the No.2 spot and charted ahead of Kanye West’s Donda and Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’. The record stayed in or close to the Top 20 for several weeks post release, and the pair have just received an award from IRMA for the biggest selling independent Irish record in Ireland of 2021.
Selling out a full European and Irish tour last autumn, the pair also supported the record on an extensive U.S tour, where Mick & Susan were personally invited by Phoebe Bridgers as her special guests when she played the Mann Centre in Philadelphia to 7000 people. Describing her feelings for their new record, Phoebe simply said, ‘I love this F****** record’. The sentiment is shared across the board with American Songwriter calling it ‘A sorrowful Masterpiece’, Clash Magazine calling it ‘Superb’ and The Sunday Times describing it as a ‘Seductive, beautiful crafted album’
‘In The Game’ was also nominated for the Choice Music Prize, and various RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards including: ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Chain Reaction’ one of the lead singles won ‘Best Original Song’ (‘Baby Talk’ won this same award in 2020) and Susan was also nominated for ‘Best Female Folk Artist’ at the 2021 ceremony.
Mick will play his biggest Irish headline date this summer at Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, on July 7th, 2022. Support for this show will be Los Angeles-based street singer, guitarist, and roots music revolutionary, Sunny War. https://www.ticketmaster.ie/mick-flannery-iveagh-gardens-dublin-tickets/venueartist/198684/1424222
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