Old friend walks down Freedom Road
Kevin Dolan as he looked when I first met him in the early '90s
I was psyched the other day when I got an email from an old friend of mine, Kevin Dolan. For anyone who’s read my bio on this site, you’ll know that Kevin was a big influence when I was first considered moving from the punter’s seat to the stage. He and Marty Quirk were extremely supportive when I would show up at The Wild Rover in Manchester, bodhran in hand. Not only did they let me join in on the occasional song, but we had many long conversations about music, songs, and life in general.
Anyway, when I got Kevin’s email, it had been a while since we had last spoken. But he was excited to send me a link to a YouTube video that his bandmate Simon Crawford had put together for one of Kevin’s songs. Called ‘Freedom Road,’ it’s a tribute to the men and women in uniform that serve our country. I thought it was definitely worth sharing…
I’ve always been a fan of Kevin’s songwriting and I even do one that he wrote called ‘Kings Highway‘ — I got that one from a bootleg called “Kevin is Dead.” Long story behind that name…and I dare not get into it here. 
As you may know, I don’t usually suggest CDs here, but you might want to check out one of the albums Kevin did with his band, Acoustic Nuisance. Our friends at Ossian USA can hook you up with their first one, and the live album they did a few years ago is on CD Baby.
Of course, nothing beats seeing Kevin perform live. I’m trying to get him to have him come down to Portsmouth to sit-in with Dave and I on a Monday night at Ri Ra, but that hasn’t worked out yet. In the meantime, if you’re up north for a ski weekend, he plays every Sunday at The Shannon Door Pub in Jackson, NH. You should definitely pop-in for a pint, a bite and a song from himself.
Great hearing from you, Kev. Freedom Road is a fine song. Good on ya, me ol’ china!
That’s great news Dave! I wish I could be there for “opening night”. Early next year…
We wish you and Tara could be here too! I’m tracking your cool photos from Prague in the meantime.
Awesome! I hope sometime I can make it to see you. Although 8 o’clock is my bedtime (I get up at 3:30 on a work night.)
I’m glad you have a new place.
WooT! Will do my best to come and cheer you on!!
Sue, if you’re there, you’re playing. Bring the goat!
Congrats on your new digs!!! Wish we could come but will in the future!
Char and Brett
Sounds promising, a good new idea for a format, particularly at RiRa. I look forward to hearing how it works out, and to friendly kibbitzing.
Dave,
You may not remember me, but you and Mr. macIntyre played at our wedding ceremony at Union Chapel in Rye, NH on Sept 22, 2001. You played Wild Mountain Thyme and The Water is Wide during the ceremony and then did some instrumentals for the opening reception at Victoria Inn in North Hampton. Since then, my husband and I have been searching everywhere for information on where to see you perform in NH— Are you still with McIntyre? Even if you’re not, where are perfoming these days?
Best,
Lynn Austin
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.
yah…Thanks for the warning, my friend!! LOL If you print the words, I’ll sing ‘em!! =) ‘course, a glass of itself will also go a long way.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.
Yes! Sue takes up the challenge…we know she is more than equal to the task. Now I’m looking forward to tonight ‘Even Mor’
Yes but does the Fairytail come with…Pataytoes, wish I could make it but I’m pickin up my 15 lb Prime Rib for THE day. (and yes the Prime Rib will come with…..Pataytoes!
Great story about Amelia. Thankis for that. The first tune I ever played on stage with a fiddle was Amelias Waltz at First Night in Rockport,Ma. I learned that tune via ther Boston Scottish Fiddle Club , must be 20 years ago. It’s basically a great solid tune!
OMG!! Ya’ll met the REAL Amelia!!! How wonderful!!! This tune AND the composer are truely NH treasures!! Thank you for sharing!
Amelia’s mother Deana and Bob McQuillen still play for contra dances together, as part of the band Old New England. In fact, they’ll be playing soon at UNH/Durham at the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend, Jan 15–17. See http://www.nhcountrydance.com/music/rpdlw.html
Deana appears once in a while at the Barley House session in Concord. Met her there.
That is a good story! I never knew the details, but I met Amelia several years ago when she came with Bob and Deana over to one of the Ossian house concerts (in Loudon, NH). It sounds like you got a good conversation in, though. Amelia is still my favorite waltz, and one of the most popular here on the West Coast, too.
… um, and leave your accordion with me….”
I love that joke. It never grows old.
Just like the one about the bodhran player….
=P