The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,BlackAcornUK
Date: 26 Feb 24 - 02:38 PM

Been pondering this myself, and found this thread -

I, to, also often find their output too polished, and too mannered - their sound sometimes recalls the textures of group singing as found in Hollywood movies of the 1950s.

To my ears, Lou Killen tends to add a bit more grit to their sound - Tommy Makem seems to get subsumed within the polish of the wider Clancy sound

Full respect for them bringing the songs to wider ears, though

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: emjay
Date: 20 Oct 07 - 03:45 PM

For some reason I have been reading through all the threads about the
Clancys and Tommy Makem and had to stop and go put an old VHS of the reunion concert on and this time, to make sure I don't wear it out, I am copying it to a dvd.
Wonderful music. What singers, what performers. We'll be on the cruise with Liam Clancy again next January. We have resolved to never again miss a chance to see any of them in person, and sadly, Liam is the last. Thank goodness for the next generation of Makems and Clancys who are keeping the tradition alive.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 06:14 PM

Might be sooner than you think.
All they ever do is my stuff, anyway.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:35 PM

Hmmph! I hereby take back all those nice things I've said about you. And the next time I'm talking to the Clancys, I'll tell them so.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:13 PM

Speaking of, Meself, if you care to go up the list a wee bit, you'll see that I had a wee dig at you before you got up!

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:07 PM

Oh, you're up then?

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 04:19 PM

Boys, you've gotta get up pretty early to get the jump on Jim Lad!

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 03:51 PM

No. I knew about that. Any news?

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 03:49 PM

Tommy Makem has his own MySpace page:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=52712850

Surprised?

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 02:59 PM

Mind you, I don't see the Carnegie Hall one there!

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 02:58 PM

Try this Complete Collection . Even if you don't buy them on the internet, you now know what to order through the record shop.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 01:59 PM

Dick Greenhaus probably has as good an answer as any, PC. As for the name "Jim Lad", I just use that because I'm really famous and stuff.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:36 PM

The CAMSCO URL has been changed from camsco.com to camscomusic,com
The website is in the midsat of a complete upheaval--If you wat to reach me, the E-mail is now [e-mail]; the pjone number is still 800/548-FOLK (3655).

And I carry lots of the Clancys recordings.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,PC
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:18 PM

I'd be very gratefull.........any relation to Alan ? [two L's]

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:15 PM

The Complete Works?
Well now, if you must dream, it might as well be in colour, Peter.
On-line is fairly safe now but I'm sure you have reasons for not wanting to do that.
I'll have a look on the net, when the kid's having her nap, and see what would qualify as "The Complete Works". (about 4 hours from now)
In the meantime, someone else may already have the answer.
And you're not intruding on any one's thread. Only "Meself" does that.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,Peter Carr...[www.picturedrome.net]
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:04 PM

Sorry to intrude on your thread...I was force fed The Clancy Brothers as a young lad by my mum [Angela Cassiddy of Ardlougher]..and its stuck...iiss there anywhere that I can buy the complete works of The Clancy Brothers or even the best of..without going online..I want to go into a shop idealy in Huddersfield [west yorks]and but the music..for my mums birthday on the 12 of next month...Hope someone can help..PC

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Maxine
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 12:20 PM

Hello all

Just back from a trip to Killarney, County Kerry. I had to let you know about this chap, Pat Kelleher, we watched him perform at Danny Mann's and it really was quite lovely, what a voice and such feeling in every song. He and Dan O'Sullivan perform as a Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem Tribute duo - Dan O'Sullivan unwell at the time so only Pat performed. If you ever get a chance to see him (or even just go to Ireland) go for it!

Pat Kelleher

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,beachcomber
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 04:34 PM

Jeeeeez guest Redfred, I sincerely hope I havn't started another of those   "Is he/isn't he ?" threads about Ciaran MacMathuna. I doremember that Liam Clancy suffered some such a few years ago. (He recently "filled in" for Paddy Reilly at a concert so at least I can be sure that Liam is still with us.)

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Seaking
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 06:24 AM

I tried the Camsco Music link and got this message:

501 Not Implemented
Cannot do POST is supported via CGI/API programs only. with this URL /cgi-shl/webfind.exe.
Most likely, this was an attempt to execute a CGI program located in an area not configured to hold executable CGI programs. Please contact the server administrator at [e-mail] to correct the problem. Please save this error message.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 09:03 PM

I believe that anything that is out there is available through Dick Greenhaus at Camsco Music. Purchasing through Camsco not only helps Dick keep this music source available, but he contributes to Mudcat for each sale. Be sure and indicate you are a Mudcatter.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,LDB
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 08:55 PM

There are several of the Clancy Brothers CD's and I believe DVD's available from Rediscover Music.

Go to:

www.rediscovermusic.com

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,Guest redfred
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 07:37 PM

Beachcomber: To my knowledge, Ciarán MacMathúna is alive and kicking - or did I miss something? I know that, sadly, he has quit his Sunday morning "Mo Cheol Thú".
I also remember Liam Clancy introducing Seosam Ó hÉanaigh to a Dublin audience in the now disappeared Grafton Cinema. I doubt that many in the audience would have paid to go to see him, but because Liam Clancy introduced him, they sat and listened to his Anach Cuan and you could have heard the proverbial pin drop.
At this stage, I find their stuff a bit corny and pretentious, but in its day, I loved it. They certainly helped make Irish music more accepted in Ireland in the 60s.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 06:33 AM

Liam's son Donal is also a major artist in the genre. He is a master guitar, bouzouki and mandolin player. He appeared with Liam and Robbie O'Connell on two albums under the name Clancy,O'Connell and Clancy. He was a founding member of the band Danu, and was also a member of Solas. He has finally just released his first solo album "Close to Home". Check him out.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 07:43 PM

It may be of interest to some 'catters also to know that Bobby's Son Finbarr is following in his father's footsteps . He sings and plays Banjo and Guitar just like his late Dad did. Paddy's son and , I hear, another nephew (as well as Robbie O'Connell)are also performing here in Ireland and in the US.
Paddy, Liam and Tom's sister Peg - who recorded with Bobby in the late 50s -early 60s has had a fine acting career, both as an amateur and later, a professional. She had a role in Fair City , the RTE "Soap". Bobby's eldest daughter , Roisin, lives in Wales and is, I believe, doing some acting too.
Yes, they had a profound effect on the popularisation of Irish Ballads , even though (Thanks to the late Ciaran MacMathuna) it was their American recordings that introduced them to Irish audiences.
The only concert of theirs that I had the good fortune to attend was in Cork Opera House back around 1966/7 . They ran on stage and burst immediately into song (I think it was " Kelly-the boy from Killane") but in any event they were electrifyng. The concert ran way overtime and - we were hooked.
How sad to hear of Makem's ill-health, Please God he will recover.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: JJ
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 08:29 AM

In the 1960s, the Clancy Brothers recorded 14 albums for Columbia, all but the last two with Tommy Makem. (Bobby Clancy was on those two.)

Amazon.com shows 77 entries for the Clancy Brothers, but almost all of them are collections. Only four or five of the original Columbia LPs are available in their original state.

A two-LP-per-CD reissue might go over very well...

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 05:27 PM

I've taught shelakashelakabououkee to a couple of my friends and colleagues in the office and they've loved it - thanks GUEST Seaking for reminding me of it, (how could I forget such a "classic"?). Why don't you join our happy throng?
Going back to my earlier post, do any 'Catter's know a CB freak by the name of Mike Gill? Failing that, there may be something coming soon in the auction.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: curmudgeon
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 05:13 PM

This is the perfect thread for this news item -- Tom

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,Seaking
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 04:49 PM

I became hooked on my Dad's 'Live at Carenegie Hall' album when I was about 8 or 9 years old and everything I've done since since has stemmed from that early influence. I learned to play guitar along to their music, some of Liam's occasional punchy guitar style (e.g. Reilly's Daughter) still comes through today. I still perform the Castle of Dromore in the style I learnt it over thirty years ago.   I saw The CB and TM in liverpool in about 1969 and still cherish the memory, Tommy's 'Butcher Boy' still a gem especially. Really saddened too to hear of his illness.

I remember seeing the reunion concert on tape and noticing that I never actually heard Tom Clancy's vocals at any time on the recording although he appeared to be singing in the group choruses, probably miming. I assumed he was ill (he looked ill) and the group were covering for him to make the concert happen. Made me feel very sad. Would love to hear from someone that he did actually sing at that concert

My brother and I still meet up once or twice a year and at the end of the night when the guitar comes out usually end up singing just the entire Carnegie Hall album through from memory, shelakaboukee (sp)and all, for the memory.

Heading for the record cabinet...

Chris

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 03:21 PM

Thats odd isn't it - he looks like the skinniest one in photos.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 03:00 PM

My mom had made us all Aran sweaters, and I wore it when the Clancies came to town because I was in Boston and it was winter and boy was I surprised to see that most of the audience was wearing one! The performers, to their credit, weren't, although Tommy sure was sweaty when I met him backstage later...

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: stallion
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 01:41 PM

Was the Aran sweater the "folk tucedo"? I remember going to see the High Level Ranters once and my Boss and a friend turned up in pristeen aran's, really amusing since I hadn't seen him anything but a suit! A glance around and it seemed thre was a flock of them in!
Oh these are the days!

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Maryrrf
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 06:04 PM

And yes, my God I'll bet those things were hot on stage!

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Maryrrf
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 06:03 PM

I read (or maybe heard it in an interview) that the jumpers were because the three Clancy brothers happened to be wearing them when they showed up to a recording session. Their mom had knitted them and sent them as gifts. A PR person saw them and decided that "look" would be perfect. Tommy didn't have one, but procurred one. If you look at some of their photos, the collar on Tommy's jumper is different.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 02:12 PM

I've got 3, or's it 4 of their albums on vinyl. A aunty of mine introduced me to them when she brought some of their recordings when she came to visit. I was about 13 at the time and liked their "Up the long ladder, down the short rope" chant on the Carnegie Hall album 'cos I was into "Free Wales" at the time. Many years later whenI could afford it, (no longer shouting for freedom), I bought copies of my own.
Last year Baggyrinkle were singing at Cobh Festival in Ireland and we were called up to join Liam Clancy on stage. I was thrilled, to say the least.
At Cobh I bought a copy of his bio and asked him if he'd sign it. He asked my name, I said "Michael" I am now the proud possessor of Liam Clancy's book with the inscription "For Mike Gill Cobh 2005 Liam Clancy". My surname is Roberts, 'spose I could always change it.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 02:08 PM

I bet those jumpers got very sweaty on stage. I wonder how many they got through on a tour.

In my Clancy's admiration heyday, I had one one of those jumpers. You could wear it for about three days one side to the front. then wear it back to front. then turn it inside out, and do the same.

After a bit though the beer and gravy stains had to be tackled.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 02:00 PM

I remember the Clancys as the band that introduced me to Irish ballads when I was around 4 or 5. My elder brothers had loads of their records and I was always listening to them when they were out. First time I heard 'Blackwaterside' it was Liam Clancy singing it. I know it's cooler to say that you first heard it from Bert Jansch or Maggie Barry or Anne Briggs but there you go. I was never cool. I wouldn't be doing this if I was.

I finally saw them in 1985 at Cambridge on their reunion tour and they were bloody brilliant. The Pogues were on the same bill and the Clancys wiped their arses with them. Quite moving and emotional to finally hear them in the flesh.

Of course, they all originally went to America to become actors and that explains quite a lot about the act. This was only a few years after 'The Quiet Man' and being Irish in America was starting to get trendy. Hence the Aran jumpers. Yes, it was an act but no more so than the Waterboys tying bandanas round their necks or Van Morrison suddenly deciding he was a traditional singer.

No, they were great and they blazed a trail for a lot of people who came after them. Fair play.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 09:50 PM

I grew up with the CB&TM, and when I met my future spouse, love of their music was one of the things that brought us together. We honeymooned in Ireland and didn't visit anywhere we didn't know from a Clancy Bros. song - Galway, Tuam, Limerick, Castlemaine, Dingle, Cork, Carrick-on-Suir, Killarney, Waterford, Dublin. Marvy trip, came home pregnant with twins we've always told were made in Ireland.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 08:10 PM

Perhaps i am hallucinating - I still see their records all over the place. Is there one you are looking for.

There is a real bargain - a double cd on a budget label at a shop just down the road, I could get it for you if you wanted - I think it was less than £6. All the folk music stalls at the markets carry their stuff.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: MartinRyan
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:39 PM

There's a lovely account somewhere in a recent biography of Bill Evans (the great jazz pianist, for those who live sheltered lives!) playing as the interval act to the CLancy's in, if I remember aright, the Village Vanguard in New York, many years ago.

Regards

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:33 PM

Good to see the Clancys and Tommy Makem being praised on this Thread, at times the mere mention of their name brought out the boot boys.
The Clancys introduced lots of people to folk music, I was brought up with folk music long before the Clancys and Tommy arrived on the scene, and I can vouch for what most contributors to this Thread have stated, they help to pave the way for the return of old songs which would have likely been lost forever.
I am sorry to learn of Tommy Makems illness, as a fellow county Armagh man I wish him a speedy recovery.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: GUEST,Tinker in Chicago
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 10:27 AM

Sorry, GregB, but the first man to replace Tommy Makem in the quartet was Bobby Clancy. Louis Killen came later.

While I am among the many who would not have known Irish trad without the Clancys, I have to go a step further: I would not have known Ireland without the Clancys. Whenever a song mentioned a place or a person or a battle or anything else in Irish history or culture, I looked it up so I could better understand and sing the song. It was from the Clancys that I first heard about The United Irishmen, Wolfe Tone, Dan O'Connell, James Connelly, so many others. The Clancys made me look up Gaelic words I hadn't met before, like "craic" or "poitin." And then they introduced me to Scottish culture in the same way.

I became a folksinger of Irish music. I've been to Ireland four times now and claimed my dual citizenship. My kids know their ancestry, back several centuries (the knowledge of heritage had died out in my family because the Irish grandparents didn't pass it on). None of this would have happened but for the Clancys and Tommy. I'm happy to say I met all four brother and Tommy, and have even had Robbie O'Connell over to my house a couple of times (and Seamus Kennedy and Tommy Sands too!). God bless them all and everyone else who can "let the music take you home."

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: gnu
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 09:09 PM

Since my old man brought that record player home when I was seven years old, the lads have been amongst my heroes.

I pray for Tom. We use to say, throat of a gannet and lungs of an elephant. I never saw him sing... I saw him PERFORM. To me, he is one of the ultimate Irish Bards of his era.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Maryrrf
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 08:47 AM

Oh I am sorry to hear of Tommy's illness. I went to one of his "Song Schools" in Armagh several years ago, and so got to know him a little bit. I love his singing - always have, always will.

Back in the Seventies my dad was dying of cancer and he was having a really bad night. Not knowing what else to do, I told him I had some great music he could listen to and put in a Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem tape. It calmed him down and took his mind of of his pain and anxiety and he was able to relax. He told me it was the first relief he had had in weeks - their music just took him to another place and cheered him up. That's what I like about them. Their music and the spirit in which they sing it draws people in. I'll always be grateful to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem for making Dad feel better during those dark days.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 01:40 AM

The Clancys' and Tommy Makem's albums are still available in most large music stores in the U.S. And alaso in catalogues.

They were my heroes in my younger day, and had it not been for their influence, I would not be a professional performer today.
It has been been my honour and privilege to have played in concert with them in their various incarnations. I played the Cape Cod Melody Tent and the Syracuse Irish Festival (and a few others) with Liam and Tommy.

Tom, Paddy, Bobby and Robbie O'Connell appeared on a TV show I put together with my old partner Tom O'Carroll in the '70's; and I've appeared in recent years at quite a few Irish festivals with Tommy Makem, who remains one of my great inspirations to this day.

I would wish for you all to experience the joy, pride and exhilaration of playing and singing with your musical heroes, and finding out that they are really as great and as classy as you thought they were.

Tom Clancy, Paddy Clancy and Bobby Clancy are dead.
Liam is still alive and kicking, and performs regularly with his son Donal and nephew Robbie O'Connell here in the U.S.
He lives in the Gaeltacht area of Co. Waterford called Ring where I believe he has a recording studio.

Tommy Makem lives in Dover, New Hampshire, and still performs his high-quality show at concerts and festivals around the country - with or without his sons, the Makem Brothers (who along with the Spain Bros. are an excellent band in their own right) - and he is currently battling lung cancer. He is putting up one helluva fight!
So my affection, repect and prayers go out to him.


Seamus

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 10:11 PM

I first saw them perform live as a group in 1965 or 66 and instantly became a lifelong fan. I have since seen Tommy & Liam as a duo and as single performers on several occasions. I met Tommy and Liam in Halifax O'Carrolls Pub in Halifax after they had performed at a concert. They were both very friendly and very willing chat. I still perform some of their songs.
               Slainte,
                Sandy

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 10:10 PM

Paddy & Tom C. were here earliest. When the 4 started singing together they worked sometimes for the Guthrie Children's Fund doing concerts at a small proscenium-arch theater in Gr. Vill. Ed McCurdy also sang there. At one point (in the late '50s?) the 3 Clancys were in a production of Behan's THE QUARE FELLOW at Circle In The Square. (Could have been as late as '61?) The world lost a fabulous laugh when Tom Clancy died. I sat on his lap a few times as a 7 & 8 yr. old, and that laugh came up from his heels and rumbled warmly in his chest on it's way to his throat/mouth/head. Paddy was very gentle & kind. And I loved the poetry too. The basic position the group took was that singing is a pleasure and a way to tell stories which are important--a healthy thing to do on all counts. Truth is true, and lasts a long time.                      Tw

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 09:45 PM

I saw the Clancys with Robbie O'Connell in South Bend, Indiana. I've seen Tommy Makem and even the Makem Brothers.

I don't care who you are, I like these folk folks and I'll say it over and over. It was a shame when Tom Clancy died a few years ago; folk lost one of its greats.

Pete Seeger played with the Clancys on one of their first Columbia albums.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 04:53 PM

Thanks, Art, it is good to know they are still active, although I think it is safe to say, based on their posted schedules, that I'll not be seeing either of them soon.

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: Greg B
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 04:49 PM

Liam and Tommy went their separate ways about a decade ago.

Tommy lives in New England, Liam in Ireland. I'm sorry that
it happened, as I believe the whole is greater than the
(considerable) sum of the parts. But they are two very
different people in their approach to everything, including
life.

I was lucky enough to hear one of their last performances
together at Tommy's pub in New York. It was brilliant, just
brilliant. It was my first night (ever) in NYC, and I was
wandering about that afternoon in the neighborhood of the
Drake, and ran across the Irish Pavilion, and there it was...
they were on for that very night! I was a single, and was paired
up with a very nice young woman who also came to hear the music
(my god, I even just happened to have my Aran sweater in my bag,
and my tweed jacket!). A big Irish family was at a neighboring
table, and the busybody matron kept asking her to join them,
fearing I must be some sort of 'masher' I suppose. I finally
whispered to her "tell them that I'm a priest." She did, and
the woman suddenly looked very chastened. I suppose that wouldn't
work today...

Their 'last hurrah' album was called 'The Makem and Clancy Collection'
and remains one of my most treasured.

After the break-up, I think each faltered a bit, but managed to
find their own feet after a year or two.

I grew up with their music. I still think it's brilliant. Pete
Hamill wrote the intro to their song-book, and it talked about
how they got started, singing in New York together. I found it
made me wish I'd been there to see it.

I don't believe they've diluted anything. It was four brothers,
singing songs they knew, which they found made them money.

Consider the time...this was the age of 'Tooralooraloora.' Talk
about diluted! And 'My Wild Irish Rose.' Here were lads singing
the real thing, no orchestra, no over-produced bullshit. I, as
a little kid, had always thought of Irish music as the tenor on
Lawrence Welk, all affected and operatic. And the stage presence!
Funny! Even crude!

They paved the way for groups like The Dubliners and De Dananaan.

Tommy, of course, added his mother's pedigree to the line-up.

I love Makem's voice. Always have.

We've had both Tommy Makem (on multiple occasions) and Liam Clancy
to the Festival at Mystic. Tommy is just what you'd wish he'd be.
Unassuming, kind, and quiet. A teetotaler (of long-standing) for
those who don't know. Liam had such a good time at the Festival,
I thought maybe his face would crack from grinning. He's not quite
a teetotaler. I have an abiding memory of sitting with him at
the after-party on the deck of the Mystic Whaler, in the wee small
hours, and him reciting Yeats. Nobody recites Yeats like that man.

These are, like Peter Seeger, truly good people whose music I knew
from my childhood and whom I'm glad and honored to have had the
opportunity to spend time with in my later life. They have my
undying respect and gratitude...all of them.

Now the Clancys have passed their music...and their cordiality...
on to a new generation in the person of Robbie O'Connell. Robbie
has taken the music to the next level of intensity...check out
the Green Fields of America.

Trivia: who took Tommy Makem's place when he left the Clancy Brothers
and Tommy Makem?

Answer: Lou Killen!

Subject: RE: The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
From: PNB
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 04:29 PM

My wife and I own a Celtic shop in Montana. I carry some of the Clancy/Makem cd's. There are still a lot of people that fondly remember them and still buy the cd's. I enjoy them also and play them when traveling. Tommy Makem's sons have a group and we have seen them in concert a couple of times. They put on a great show.