I heard Tommy Flanagan sing 'Danny Boy' with De Danann at the Oslo Irish Week a couple of years back. Not only were the hairs on the back of my neck standing at attentention throughout the rendition, but I actually believe I was in tears at the end of it! The ease with which he hit all the high notes was unbelievable, and his phrasing was immaculate.
Talking to him later, he complained that his chest and throat were in bits from a bad cold that he had, and he wasn't totally pleased with his performance of it. I told him that I could live with his colds if it made me sing like that!

Little known fact:
Further to death by scottish whiskey's (*BG*) nomination of 'Dingle Regatta', and it's attendant theatrics, I think Eamonn Jordan, co-founder of Portadown Comhaltas, and writer of many 'Whistle and Sing' books, deserves a mention. He has the dubious distinction of starting that craze, and it spread through the session scene in the '70's like wild-fire. Oh....many's the Thursday night we rehearsed it!

Pet hate:
'The Four Poster Bed'. Although not as 'visual' as 'Dingle Regatta', the 'Poster' affords the less than rhythmical (and some of lesser morals), to sabotage an already musically mediocre reel. Many's the good fiddle was ruined by over-enthusiastic participants.

B.