|
 |
|
 |
| |
Black 47 In 1993 Black 47 changed Irish-American music irrevocably when they burst out of MTV screens with their hit single, Funky Ceili. Not only were people dancing in the aisles at their concerts, they introduced a new generation to the literature, politics and soul of Irish culture. Taking their name from the darkest year of the Irish Potato Famine, their music, though sometimes based on traditional melodies, is laced with rock, reggae, hip-hop, New Orleans and modern jazz; while songwriter Larry Kirwan uses his playwrighting experience and influences as varied as Yeats, Joyce and Dylan to fashion his dramatic cutting edge lyrics. Kirwan was born in Wexford, Ireland and emigrated to Greenwich Village where he made his name as a playwright in the company of the McCourt Brothers, Pete Hamill, Lester Bangs, Cyndi Lauper and Ric Ocasek. Long involved in the Irish Civil Rights Movement, he formed Black 47 in 1989 to give voice to ideas of freedom and cultural renewal. The band's packed performances in New York City led to intense media attention and they were propelled into mainstream consciousness when they recorded Fire of Freedom and Home of the Brave for EMI Records. They have appeared on every major TV show (including Leno, Letterman and O'Brien) and were profiled by Time, People, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, etc. They have released nine other acclaimed CDs including their latest, Bittersweet Sixteen, a reference to their years on the road that includes hits, rarities, unreleased tracks, live recordings and new songs. They have appeared in The Saint of Fort Washington with Matt Dillon and Danny Glover, and their music has been featured in Stephen Rea's The Break, Jim Sheridan's Into the West, Timothy Dalton's Deterrence as well as many independent movies and documentaries. Their own Public TV special, Black 47 with The Trinity Irish Dancers appears nationally on a regular basis. They composed the music for and performed in Victim 0001, an ITV (UK) film about their friend and fan, Fr. Mychal Judge, chaplain of the FDNY during 9/11. Their songs have long been used in political science and history courses in hundreds of colleges and high schools where Kirwan is often a guest lecturer. Kirwan programs Celtic music for Sirius Satellite Radio and hosts his own bi-weekly show Celtic Crush as well as weeknight slots on Channel 32. His plays, published under the title Mad Angels have been produced in the US and Europe. His novel, Liverpool Fantasy, an alternate history of the Beatles, received much critical acclaim as did the recently published Green Suede Shoes, a memoir of life in Ireland and New York City. His CD for children of all ages, Keltic Kids, is a perennial favorite. He enjoys reading and speaking to select audiences at colleges and centers prior to the band's performances. Black 47’s 10th studio album IRAQ will be released on UFO Records on January 29th, 2008. IRAQ was written in response to the many Black 47 fans who are serving there in the US Armed forces. Although the band has been tireless in its opposition to the war, this is the first album written from the point of view of the troops. Leader, Larry Kirwan, has used his playwright's eye to capture the detail of the day to day life of young people under severe stress, as well as some lighter moments that make life bearable. The album captures the many musical styles of Black 47 from rock through rap and reggae to plaintive folk. Included are some troop and fan favorites, Stars and Stripes, Downtown Baghdad Blues, Sunrise Over Brooklyn and Southside Chicago Waltz. Black 47 includes Geoffrey Blythe (saxophones), a founding member of Dexy's Midnight Runners, Fred Parcells (trombone), who has worked extensively in Latin/Jazz big bands, Thomas Hamlin (drums), a veteran of the Max's/CBGB's downtown scene, Joseph Mulvanerty who is recognized as one of the great innovators of the Irish uilleann pipes, and newest member, bassist, Joseph Bearclaw, who has added his funk and R&B experience to the brew. In their current theatrical show, Kirwan and his comrades offer a thrilling journey through history and political struggle that will not only entertain but open up audiences to a new cultural experience. WEBSITES: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
