Passing of a legend, end of an era
Liam Clancy, 1935-2009
If you’re a fan of Irish music, I’m sure by now you’ve heard the news that Liam Clancy, the youngest and last surviving Clancy brother, passed away on Friday (Dec. 4). He finally lost his long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, the same disease that claimed his brother, Bobby, in 2002.
A lot of the media reports are quoting Bob Dylan, who described Liam as the “best ballad singer I’d ever heard in my life.” When you think about how many ballad singers Dylan has met, and that statement is fairly mind-blowing.
The praise for Liam’s contributions have begun. Brian O’Donovan did a spectacular tribute show yesterday on WGBH’s Celtic Sojourns, during which he and his guest made the case that Liam’s approach to singing — especially as a solo artist — redefined how Irish folk music is sung and that all modern performers can draw a line from him. I don’t know if that’s true, I’m no expert…but I have no reason to doubt it.
Liam Clancy’s voice was part of the soundtrack to my childhood. I am forever grateful for the stories, poems and songs he introduced to me through his records.
I’m saddened that we’ll never hear him sing again unless it’s a recording. This YouTube post seems as good as any to remember him by.
Re “during which he and his guest made the case that Liam’s approach to singing…”
Brian’s guest was Scott Alarik, who had just completed an article about Liam for “Sing Out!”.
From Scott’s biography: “Scott Alarik has been the principal folk music writer for the Boston Globe since 1986. He is also a frequent contributor to Sing Out! the Folk Music Magazine, and was folk critic for the public radio program “Here and Now” for seven years. From 1991-97, he was editor and chief writer for the New England Folk Almanac.
Pete Seeger calls Alarik one of the best writers in America,” and Dar Williams calls him “the finest folk writer in the country.” Irish Echo and Wall Street Journal critic Earle Hitchner says Alarik is “one of America’s most astute music critics and chroniclers.” Troy Record critic Don Wilcock wrote,For my money, Alarik is the best….”
Source: http://www.scottalarik.com/index.php?page=bio
Thanks for the note, Jeff. I was driving at the time and didn’t make note of who the guest was. Glad to give Scott his due.
For anyone in the area, we’ll be dedicating tonight’s show at RiRa’s in Portsmouth to the life and art of Liam Clancy…we’ll be singing a few songs we don’t normally do that he helped make famous. Hope you can join us.