Well, I really did go away... for awhile...

It was very interesting, excellent interview with Andy Irvine and they played some fine tracks. Andy answered the question asked above, about why Joe left. He said that as the group "grew more professional it kind of blew Joe's confidence" and that he had "lost his nerve for playing [presumably meaning on the big public stages] and never really got it back again". Andy also mentioned that Joe did try to give it one more go, but "got as far as London and couldn't hack it". They are direct quotes so please don't shoot the messenger. If these words upset anyone, take it up with Andy Irvine. He was there. He also said that Joe went to Israel after leaving the group, to help out on the kibbutzim; and later he moved to Connemara which he loved and where he took up painting. So it sounds as though he was happy and continued to enrich the lives of those around him.

And WHAT a gas to hear them sing Down In The River To Pray. I didn't know of that song until O Brother Where Art Thou, and really enjoyed their take on it. Great harmony singers, those guys.