Jimmy Crowley & Máirtín de Cógáin

Tonight in the Shell various organizations were able to bring the famous, Irish balladeers Jimmy Crowley and Máirtín de Cógáin. I must admit that despite my recent, keen interest in Irish music I had never heard of these two singers, however I am now hooked and very glad that I went. The two talented singers, of opposite generations (Crowley the more advanced in age and Cógáin the younger one), are able to combine their talents cohesively. Before every song they explained the ballad's history and the storyline, and it's importance to Ireland which was a help in understanding the songs. They sang a range of ballads, about war (the Fusiliers in WWI), love, immigration to America, and sports. The balladeers were also storytellers such as when Cógáin told the story of Darmody's Motor Car, which was animated and a quaint story about an elder Irishman's first time in a car. When Crowley and Cógáin sang in the native language, Gaelic, though I wasnt able to understand anything one couldnt not sway with the beat. Cógáin plays the bodhran, a sort of Irish tambourine with a deep sound, while Crowley plays the guitar and the harmonica, and both sing the ballads. Without any synthesizers, just their voices and instruments, I think that one really gets a feel for the Irish music and its history (especially the haunting effect of the bodhran). Crowley is such a cute elderly Irishman, that you cant help fall in love with his music and their talent is exceptional. I thought that this duo was excellent, and despite not being able to buy their music at the time I'm definitely going to hunt some cd's on the internet.