Oh, I agree - there's something so magical about a person who sings with such passion and yet never comes across as histrionic or insincere.

There were more than a few critics over the years who called the Clancys "shallow" or "actors who sang" rather than "true" folksingers, whatever that means.

I happen to think that their forays into acting HELPED their singing career, since they likely felt they needed to approach songs as though they MEANT every word - I think it's hard to sing songs you don't believe in, lyrically or philosophically.

Yes, Liam was a great one. A finer foil for Tommy Makem could never have been found, either. Like big brother/little brother in their duo years, and always great fun.