This is a new Dublin band with great promise. This fantastic hit of theirs has a Billy Bragg vibe to it which, in Rebel Voice‘s opinion, is no bad thing. It’s great to hear confident Irish bands emerge with no pretensions to be anything other than Irish. It’s enough. Éirinn abú! If you enjoyed this, […]
This is a beautifully poignant song about the terrible way many children were deprived of the chance to enjoy their youthful innocence. It speaks of the young boys who were sent down the mines from a very young age. Many boys were, perhaps, enthused with the idea of joining their fathers, and uncles and older […]
Here’s a lullaby from one of the most influential folk singers ever to have emerged from the USA. Arlo Guthrie is the son of Woody Guthrie, nemesis of fascism. If you enjoyed this, please share
Here is an Irish ballad to get your spirits soaring. It speaks of the famous horse races at Galway that begin on the last Monday of July each year. It’s there that fortunes are lost and few if any ever made. There are fine ladies galore and drinkers and thinkers and stinkers and creeps. There […]
John Spillane is a renowned singer-songwriter from the beautiful city of Cork in Ireland. He is a popular constant on both TV and radio on the Emerald Isle. Here is one of his better known ballads. The lyrics in this track are poetry and when set to the haunting melody serve to take the listener […]
This ballad by the Cavan singer-songwriter, Lisa O’Neill, speaks of the way in which machines are replacing people without improving anyone’s lives. We could be forgiven for thinking that increased mechanization is going to create a new society where technology does all the work and we can enjoy a life of leisure. Sadly, and at […]
Lisa O’Neill is from Cavan close to the English-imposed border in Ireland. She is a fairly fresh voice on the Irish folk scene and a favourite of local DJs who know their music. He voice is certainly distinctive and her lyrics are insightful and profound. She is one to watch for the future. If you […]
This haunting ballad was written by the Derry song-writer, Phil Coulter, for his disabled child. Coulter was insistent that Luke Kelly should be the one to sing it. He recognized the strength of Luke’s voice and the passion that he would bring to the song. The version here contains some static. There are other studio […]
Here is another timeless classic from one of the best folk-singers of them all. Ralph McTell’s back-catalogue is impressive. Do we see his likes today, or has the era of the folk singer gone to where it sleeps with the blues? If you enjoyed this, please share
Here’s one for all you folk aficionados. Woody is a legend slightly diminished by his Toy Story namesake (feckin’ animation). Have a listen to a true hero of Socialist USA. If you enjoyed this, please share
This is one of Woody’s best known ballads. Is there an equivalent troubadour of the blue collar worker today in the United States? Perhaps Bruce moved in that direction at times, and Dylan certainly tackled some topical issues in his time, but have any presented as solidly working class and highlighted the continuing travesties being […]
A classic from one of the greats of folk music. If you enjoyed this, please share
Rebel Voice 