Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy

Subject: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: peregrina
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 01:23 PM

Just listening to this. Wonderful.

The Veteran site and Ron Kavana's introduction say more than I can:

Veteran site:'In 2008 Irish traveller singer Thomas McCarthy discovered a singing session at Cecil Sharp House, not realising that there was an interest in his type of Sean Nos singing in London where he now lives. The word soon spread about this amazing young singer who has a style not unlike Joe Heaney and songs that no one had heard before. On this his first CD he sings mainly songs which have been handed down through his family as well some of his own newly composed songs, all ably assisted by the CDs producer Ron Kavana. Tommy McCarthy is a truly remarkable singer who sings in a way which is rarely heard today.'

ROn Kavana: 'I was immediately blown away by his beautifully controlled yet profoundly moving performance, the likes of which I hadn't heard since Joe Heaney in the 60s.'

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 02:14 PM

I saw the man sing a few times last summer. Not sure I'd call it Sean Nós or see any connection with Joe Heaney. But it WAS great.

Some snaps:

Photo 1

Photo 2

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,Dave Eyre
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 03:07 PM

First saw Tom a couple of years ago and at that time he had not been singing long. He did a lovely interview about his family and background for my radio show.

IMHO it is very much "old style" singing which has been passed down through his family and which he excels. Made a splendid and spellbinding appearance in the "Traveller's Special" at Sidmouth last year with Sheila Stewart, Jim Eldon, the Leggs and the Orchards. When he sang in the Royal Hotel at Dungworth in 2009 a young and well-known singer who happened to be there, had tears running down her cheeks.

And I was close too.

But it is hard listening as indeed Joe Heaney was. I can see why people connect them. In fairness there was only one Joe Heaney.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: seamasmac
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 06:58 PM

Hi,

I'm putting together a website for Thomas , HERE

I'd be grateful for any photos that you'd be happy to pass on. Peter, the two you have there are great. If you are happy for me to use them, I would of course credit you as the photographer.

All the best,

James Mc.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 07:57 PM

He's a wonderful singer with great songs. I agree with Peter that the "sean-nós" label is not very helpful in this case. He also has a wonderful head to photograph! I have a few monochrome images which I will pass on to seamasmac, taken at Knockcroghery some time ago.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:14 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: seamasmac
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 10:43 AM

If anybody is happy for me to put photos on the aforementioned website, please pass them on to me at [e-mail] and I'll make sure to credit you and buy you a pint!

Thanks,

James Mc.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 12:04 PM

Sorry I hadn't seen the thread come up again. Yes, work away, lift those two. I'll have a look to see what else I have.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: peregrina
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 12:40 PM

Here's a link to the Tinfolk website
here

very nice to be able to read some of the lyrics... Is that really a piebald and the round top wagon in the last song on the CD?

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 07:02 AM

I have uploaded a few more images.. My copyright but feel free to use them, within reason, to promote his singing. For any other use, please ask.

Photo3

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 07:03 AM

Photo4

Photo5

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 07:03 AM

Photo6

Photo7

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:31 PM

Some pictures of Tommy at the Knockcroghery traditional singing festival in 2009:



Click here

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: seamasmac
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 05:17 PM

Thank you very much Martin and Peter. I'll make sure to credit each of you on any photos I use on the website and ask your permission for any other kind of use.

James Mc.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: seamasmac
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 05:19 PM

@Peregrina

That is indeed the correct lyric in the song 'Round Top Wagon'. I'll put up the rest of the lyrics to that song soon. It's another one of Thomas's grandfather's songs.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: mikesamwild
Date: 31 Dec 10 - 09:18 AM

Not to be confused with Clareman Tommy McCarthy piper and concertina and whistle player RIP

Subject of the recent TG4 programme (see separate thread)

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 08:56 AM

Good deal of development done on The Tin Folk website, including some video of Thomas HERE . Nice use of Peter Laban's photos, too.

Regards

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST,Ian Anderson, fRoots
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 12:39 PM

I'm looking for a good hi-res colour pic of Tommy to use in a piece about him in the next issue of fRoots. Peter Laban, if you're still reading this thread, could you possibly contact me by email as I can't see how to reach you via the site hosting yours! ian at frootsmag dot com

Thanks!

Ian A

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: seamasmac
Date: 11 Mar 11 - 04:57 AM

An article on Thomas is in the Guardian today.

Here's the link to it:

Click here

Please leave a comment after it if you feel inspired at all!

Thanks very much to Peter Laban for permission to use his photo of Thomas too.

James

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: Goose Gander
Date: 30 Jun 11 - 01:24 AM

Michael Was Hearty by Thomas McCarthy, and another song, too.

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 06:20 AM

Hi I'm trying to get a copy of Round Top Wagon and info as to where Tommy McCarthy might be singing. Any info to [e-mail] would be appreciated. Thanks,
Fred

Subject: RE: Review: Round Top Wagon-CD-Tommy McCarthy
From: severed-head
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 06:31 AM

Thomas is due to appear at Musical Traditions Club in London on 7th June 2013.
Garry