I Sang Through the Fairs - The Alan Lomax Portait Series

I Sang Through the Fairs - The Alan Lomax Portait Series

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Alan Lomax on recording traditional singers such as Margaret Barry: "There arises an intimacy close to love." And so too might we describe listening to this collection, the definitive portrait of the nomadic Irish balladeer and banjo player whose life was song and song alone. Barry's vocal style--deep lamentation transfused with tremendous vigor--was honed in the streets and pubs of Dublin and the whole of Ireland, where she drifted, much as her family of travelers did, regaling and busking for anyone who'd listen. She can sing with a deep, muscular slur, and then shift to a tingling softness--her command of vocal registers is awesome. Barry's repertoire combines familiar material such as "She Moved Through the Fair" (Barry helped make such songs standards during the British folk revival) with more obscure lyrics, songs that might be forgotten were it not for her. Don't turn to this collection for easy Celtic pleasantries: the raw, poetic soul will stun you. --Roy Kasten

Tracks:

My Lagan Love
The Factory Girl
Me Mother Is Dying
The Galway Shawl (Oranmore)
Breakdown
Kneening, Diddling, And Lillabies
She Moved Through The Fair (Our Wedding Day0
I Sang Through The Fairs
The Blarney Stone
Moses Ritoora-Li-Ay
Let Mr. Maguire Sit Down
The Bard Of Armagh
Ballyjamesduff
Eileen McMahon/Green Grow The Rushes
Her Mantle So Green
Going To Mass Last Sunday
Lovin' Hanna
Gra Machree
The Flower Of Sweet Strabane
When You're Fond Of Music
She Moved Through The Fair
And There's Music Comming Into My Head
The Strayaway Child
Her Mantle So green

Amazon.com

Alan Lomax on recording traditional singers such as Margaret Barry: "There arises an intimacy close to love." And so too might we describe listening to this collection, the definitive portrait of the nomadic Irish balladeer and banjo player whose life was song and song alone. Barry's vocal style--deep lamentation transfused with tremendous vigor--was honed in the streets and pubs of Dublin and the whole of Ireland, where she drifted, much as her family of travelers did, regaling and busking for anyone who'd listen. She can sing with a deep, muscular slur, and then shift to a tingling softness--her command of vocal registers is awesome. Barry's repertoire combines familiar material such as "She Moved Through the Fair" (Barry helped make such songs standards during the British folk revival) with more obscure lyrics, songs that might be forgotten were it not for her. Don't turn to this collection for easy Celtic pleasantries: the raw, poetic soul will stun you. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

Essential Irish........2003-02-04

The tracks are remastered and sound rather good considering the source tapes. Almost as entertaining as the music, are the interview tracks with Maggie herself. This Portrait Series is a beautifully done compilation, complete with an informative booklet and brilliant photos.

As for the music on the disc, it's pure, raw and true. Bare bones banjo playing accompanies a voice that comes from deep within that woman's soul. Critics love to compare such heartfelt singing to Janis Joplin, but she even doesn't compare to Margaret Barry.

Highly recommended.

Music Review: