Irish Troubadour

Irish Troubadour

When the Clancy name is spoken, one can't help but think of the robust harmonies and good-fellowship of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, the popular vocal group that spearheaded the Irish music boom of the late '50s and '60s. This collection of tracks by Liam Clancy, however, is more reflective than rowdy; if the Clancy clan made music for drinkin' and rebellin', Liam on his own indulged a more sensitive side. <i>Irish Troubadour</i> consists of 14 tracks cut for the singer's 1965 solo debut fleshed out with nine selections cut at the same time but relegated for decades to the vaults. Liam, who Bob Dylan once dubbed "the best ballad singer I ever heard" is in fine form throughout, essaying the likes of "I'm a Freeborn Man," "Blackwater Side," and "Dirty Old Town" with his pure tenor and minimal instrumental accompaniment. <i>--Steven Stolder</i>