Makem & Spain Brothers

Subject: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 11:28 PM

I have tickets a day belated for St. Patrick Day to see the Makem and Spain Brothers next Friday. I have heard that Tommy's acorn fell close to the tree so I am looking forward to it! What is the opinion of those who have seen them? Tommy and the Clancys are held in high regard on this very Celtic island so I hope that they will carry the tradition even as they move to newer material.
                Slainte,
                     Sandy

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: J-boy
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 11:31 PM

I've seen the Spain Brothers several times at my local pub. They are very good,indeed.

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Maryrrf
Date: 11 Mar 11 - 09:53 AM

I have seen the Makem Brothers. They are very good indeed, and perform with high energy. If you liked Tommy, and the Clancy Brothers, I think you'll enjoy this concert very much.

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Mar 11 - 04:34 PM

Once upon a time long ago I sat at a table in O'Carrolls in Halifax over a beer ( I think Tommy was drinking something vile like diet coke) with Tommy and Liam. A highlight of my life!

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Celtaddict
Date: 11 Mar 11 - 09:31 PM

I have heard, and fraternized with, the Makem Brothers, with and without the Spain Brothers, many a time. They perform almost exclusively as a quintet these days, and while the energy and the combination of unison and close harmony are very similar to the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, they wisely do not try to imitate or recreate but do their own style of material. It is varied, including traditional Irish and Scots, Australian, contemporary, and original. They have different gifts of Tommy. Conor (middle) writes songs and has an amazing gift for recalling songs. Rory (youngest) has a most powerful voice and stage presence. Mickey Spain does many leads, and is theatrically strong. As a group they perform on an increasing range of instruments as well: guitar, bass, bodhran, whistles, bouzouki, banjo, mandolin, concertina, flute. Enjoy, by all means!

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Neil D
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 12:42 AM

Saw them at the Cleveland Irish Festival and they were great. I too was impressed with their instrumental skills.

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 09:07 AM

I love these guys!! Terrific performances!

The do have their own style and bring something new, but they pay homage to the Makem and Clancy tradition - they honor it!

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: GUEST,Jed in West Texas
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 09:57 AM

OOPs! That was me above, sans cookie!!

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 10:14 AM

They gave an outstanding performance at the Hurdy Gurdy in Fair Lawn back in January. A full house enjoyed the concert, and I have requests from audience members to bring them back soon!

They are wonderful!!!!

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 01:20 PM

They are a throwback to the good old days of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
They have the vocal style of the CB & TM, but with much better harmonies, and their instrumental work with guitars, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, bass, harmonica is outstanding.
I've performed with them on many occasions, and their professionalism and desire to make every show a great one is a joy to experience.

We'll be performing together along with Máirtín de Cógain, Hanneke Cassel, Laura Cortese on an Irish music "Session-at-sea" cruise to Alaska in May.
Check here

I'm very proud to call them casual acquaintances.

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 01:24 PM

Oops. Try this

Subject: RE: Makem & Spain Brothers
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 18 Mar 11 - 10:33 PM

I've just returned from their concert. My expectations were high but they exceeded them and put on a great show. A lot of the material was new to me but very tradition based. They did do a few Makem and Clancy songs and we all joined in on Red Is The Rose.
Thanks to all who responded to this thread!