Leahy!
This post will have a conservative crescendo, but first let me tell you about an incredible concert I attended last weekend at Monmouth University.
An old friend called me with front row tickets to what he said were some Irish siblings from Canada who play the fiddle. I'm a hack guitarist so I dig strings (wind instruments make me snoozy).
The band is called Leahy. There are 12 siblings, and it's not just fiddles. The pianist is a show by herself. I've never seen fingers run over a 5 string bass like that. The drummer pops so hard they keep him in a cage and the guitarist is wonderful too (her dancing is best in the family). On any night you see Leahy, you could get any combination of the Leahy brothers and sisters. Or their spouses who are musicians. Or their 29 children. And it's not just music but tap dancing as well.
Leahy is one of those bands that can't be recreated with words. The sound and visual experience have no words, but let me try. The group is TIGHT. The lead solos in the songs by the fiddles are amazing. The speed is obvious, but the complexity! My goodness the complexity! During a song any one of them at times will put down their instrument and tap dance across the stage. We were treated last friday to one of the fiddler's young daughter tapping on stage with the band. The pride in her dad's eyes was as entertaining as the dancing.
At the encore, something fun happened. The siblings started trading instruments. Fiddlers became pianists. Pianists became bass players. Guitarists became fiddlers. And everyone danced. Talent talent talent.
If you love music, go see Leahy.
In the middle of the show, something that moved me happened. Erin the pianist was left on stage by herself. She began a song that isn't released yet, but will be on Leahy's next album.
The first words she sang I recall being "I'm calling all people to life." Before her next lyric a series of thoughts ran through my head: "This is going to be a pro-life song! Are there others? I'm sure there are, but I can't think of any."
The song was gorgeous. It is written from the predicament of the child, who is pleading to her mother to let her be born. The child makes a hearfelt and compelling case. I was emotional listening to it, rooting for the baby.
When this song is released I'll let everyone know of it. I hope you will help me let the world know of it.
In the meantime, enjoy Leahy jamming to Orange Blossom Special, a sort of fiddler's anthem you may have heard before covered by Charlie Daniels, Roy Clark or Johnny Cash.
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Nov '10
Re: Leahy!
From the video it looks like it was a fun show. Thanks for the introduction!
Jun '10
Re: Leahy!
Love Leahy ---- Just have to correct something --- that's not tap dancing, it's Irish step dancing. Ha ha!
Donnell Leahy is married to one of the world's best fiddlers, Natalie MacMaster, who is all about the Cape Breton style.
Irish traditional music is incredibly complex, and the tight bands are masterful. It's actullly rare to find an Irish musician who plays only one instrument. Glad you shared your excitement with us --- wish I had been there.
Oct '10
Re: Leahy!
Thanks Tommy. My wife and I just spent a delightful 45 minutes on you-tube watching and listening to them. In many ways it reminds me of the River Dance phenomenon. We have a pretty good pub near here, and on Thursday nights the place really rocks. How very good to have another group to add to our list. Years ago we used to go to the Irish festival in Burbank, CA, and spent many hours with such like the Chieftains. Can't get enough.
Thanks again.
Re: Leahy!
I stand corrected! Whatever it's called, I loved it!
StickerShock: Love Leahy ---- Just have to correct something --- that's not tap dancing, it's Irish step dancing. Ha ha!
Donnell Leahy is married to one of the world's best fiddlers, Natalie MacMaster, who is all about the Cape Breton style.
Irish traditional music is incredibly complex, and the tight bands are masterful. It's actullly rare to find an Irish musician who plays only one instrument. Glad you shared your excitement with us --- wish I had been there. · Mar 5 at 5:55am
May '10
Re: Leahy!
Thanks! I love Irish fiddle music. I've tried reproducing it on guitar a few times, and it's certainly difficult. I've got a fiddle (my grandpa's), but haven't started learning yet.
A pro-life song is indeed rare, and appreciated.
Dec '10
Re: Leahy!
Why did the Irish invent a form of dancing where the arms are not moved?
They are the only people who would invent a form of dancing where you don't spill your drink.
Jan '11
Re: Leahy!
Leahy released an album under the Narada label, that doesn't show up on iTunes, but it's wonderful -- called Leahy. If you like Leahy, try The Corrs, or Great Big Sea.
Re: Leahy!
A checked out your music Aaron. You'll have to show me some day how can multi-task those intricate rythems and sing at the same time.
Aaron Miller: Thanks! I love Irish fiddle music. I've tried reproducing it on guitar a few times, and it's certainly difficult. I've got a fiddle (my grandpa's), but haven't started learning yet.
A pro-life song is indeed rare, and appreciated. · Mar 5 at 8:30am
Re: Leahy!
The Corrs used to play in my hometown of Asbury Park. Haven't been around in awhile.
Jan '11
Re: Leahy!
It's funny, I'm a huge fan of Celtic music. Remember the scene in The Jerk where Steve Martin can't follow blues music because it's depressing? Then he hears "white" music and suddenly a whole new world opens up? Well, that's how I am with Celtic music. I try to listen to current pop music, or hip hop. Nothing. Has no effect.
But if I hear the Chieftains, or Shooglenifty (a Celtic bluegrass band) or Old Blind Dogs (a Scottish band), suddenly I have rhythm ...
Jul '10
Re: Leahy!
"OK, guys, sounds great. Now, um, let's just add in some girl dancers in skin-tight hooker outfits and some boy dancers in leather bondage gear...and, uh, which one of you wants to leak a sex tape to Perez Hilton?
Naw, naw...gotta be a girl.
Oh, an' one more thing: you gotta juice up the lyrics, know? Like Black Eyed Peas whole career got the rock from "It's the beat that make ya bump ya bump". Little naughty....tha's what they want.
Now you gotta career goin....
Oh....and lose the Irish thing. Irish don't chart"
Edited on Mar 5, 2011 at 10:53amMay '10
Re: Leahy!
I have been a huge fan of Natalie MacMaster for years. I saw her play with her husband Donnell Leahy last year and could not believe the man's talent. Their music, energy and charisma make for a great show. Leahy, the group, is amazing and I have to agree: "talent, talent, talent". If you ever get a chance to see Natalie or Leahy, or better yet see them together, GO!
Jun '10
Re: Leahy!
"Why did the Irish invent a form of dancing where the arms are not moved?'
The Irish dance world claims it's because during the time of the evil penal laws, when all Irish culture was banned by the Brits, the Irish would continue dancing in their homes, but passing soldiers would look in the window & not see any arm motion, so the dancing was not discovered. It's also said that some of the intricate foot work in hard shoes was used to bang out codes, "Here come the Black & Tans." I have no idea if there is any truth to this.
At any rate, Irish dancers can leap higher & farther than ballerinas, as they've had to rely totally on their leg & core strength, rather than get the extra lift from using arms that ballet affords.
Feb '11
Re: Leahy!
I am now officially in love with a bass player. I ain't talkin' no Geddy Lee, neither.