Next day; abt as close to being awake as I ever am after eating dinner, & a lot more than I was late last night; How could I ever have left off Danny Doyle; from Erin but living in VA nowadays, occ plays in DC area Irish pubs - not to best advantage, as he'll be quick to tell you many of them don't want any real music, just background brainless stuff (if I can paraphrase him) for yuppies to shout down while "networking" in expensive business clothes; Irish muzak, performed live.

You gotta see him in a real concert or get his recent CD's to appreciate this incredibly fine performer and arranger; for me, he epitomizes the quintissential Irish folk singer/tenor. Not necessarily focussed on writing, rather, on performing. Some recordings that jump readily to mind: "Christmas in the Trenches," "Kilkelly Ireland," "Immigrant Eyes," (spectacular! the immagry is stunning) "The Rose of Saigon," (also spectacular, based on a true story, abt a pair of new Irish immigrant brothers sent to 'Nam, only 1 came back), "The Moon on Clancy's Wings," many others...

For me, his evocation of the power, the immagry, yes, even the magic in these songs takes my breath away. If I ever grow up, that's how I'd like to sing... Often, the magic is inside of us, the songs help to bring it out. Whew! I'm gettin schmaltzy, again...

& Speaking of "Take My breath Away," there's 'Balmer's own, "Sanders, Cass & White," who could easily take yer breath away, esp their song abt the AIDS quilt, forget it's name at the moment, but I dont forget how it sounds - or feels.. By rights, it ought to be a million seller..

Really, the list is endless, gotta go..

Cheers, BK