"the absolute power of his voice" -

I never had the opportunity to hear him live, and wasn't aware of that quality of his voice - but that's consistent with an anecdote I heard about two weeks ago on CBC radio. A Newfoundlander was being interviewed about his life - I don't remember anything else about the interview, except: He was once in charge of building an addition to the airport in Gander (a hub for transatlantic flights), and came in early one morning, as was his wont, and began to sing as he reconnoitered the construction site before his workers showed up. He assumed he was alone - until a huge voice joined in, filling the place, and he stopped in awe and turned around - to see Tommy Makem standing there. "What's the matter - did you forget the words?" says Tommy. And then Liam Clancy hauled himself up off whatever makeshift surface he had been sleeping on. "I wish you'd both forgot the bloody words!" says he.

Anyway, the three of them had an impromptu sing-song there and then, to the surprise and delight of the other workers as they arrived ...

I think it is a fine thing to be able to leave such stories behind ...