Folk legend Andy Irvine to play the Floral Pavillion

Sep 7 2011 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

A PIONEER in the revival of Irish traditional music, Andy Irvine is one of the great Irish singers. His voice is one of a handful of truly great ones which gets to the very soul of Ireland.

He is playing the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton this Saturday, alongside Wirral acoustic roots band Elbow Jane.

He plies his trade as archetypal troubadour, with a solo show and travelling lifestyle which reflects his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie.

A world music pioneer, he has built up an enviable repertoire, comprising Irish traditional songs, dextrous Balkan dance tunes and a compelling canon of his own material.

A founding member of two groundbreaking groups – Sweeney’s Men and Planxty – Andy has inspired Irish traditional music-makers for a generation.

In his two years with Sweeney’s Men, their successful singles Old Maid In The Garret and The Waxie’s Dargle topped the Irish hit parade.

Andy left the band in 1968 and travelled around Europe, hitchhiking around Bulgaria, Romania and Yugoslavia, earning his living as a street musician and absorbing the musical traditions of the Balkans.

Returning to Ireland, he united with fellow Irish music legends Christy Moore, Donal Lunny and Liam O’Flynn to form Planxty, fanning the flames of Irish traditional music well into the next generation.

Planxty took a break in 1976 and Andy worked and recorded with Paul Brady, making the classic album Andy Irvine & Paul Brady.

After a brief time with De Dannan, he rejoined the reunited Planxty from 1979 until their break-up in 1983.

In the years which followed, he created the Irish supergroup Patrick Street and the pan-European group Mosaic.

Drawing from a wealth of cultural traditions, Andy has become a world music pioneer.

He has performed in Liverpool regularly over the years – the last few times at the Rodewald Suite as part of After Eight, the Phil’s series of folk, roots, jazz and unplugged performances.

He enjoyed the shows so much that now he’s decided to play over the water. Expect a blisteringly good live performance, along with tales from his varied career.

Alongside him will be Elbow Jane, who have fast established themselves as one of the hottest bands on the UK folk and acoustic scene performing on festival stages bringing energy, excitement, commitment and enthusiasm to their performances.

Newly signed to legendary folk label Fellside Records, they blend acoustic folk instrumentation with a fresh exciting sound and energy.

Their exceptional blend of bouzouki, mandolins, guitars, piano and percussion is complemented by expressive vocals and stunning harmonies.

Frontman, singer, guitarist and songwriter Richard Woods said: “We are excited because the Floral is the premier venue on our home patch. We were fortunate enough to play at the Floral on two previous occasions but that was before the amazing refurbishment.”

ELBOW Jane and Andy Irvine play the Floral Pavilion on Saturday. Tickets are £13 from 666 0000 or www.floralpavilion.com