liveIreland Awards 2006

Well, that time of year again. The only things that really amaze us anymore are how much great music continues to be made in Irish trad, and how fast these years go by.

These are The Livies, presented to the best of the best from 2005. It was another banner year, and some of these choices were easy---some were not. In any case, these Awards continue to be treasured by the winners, as no other Award has the world-wide, instant recognition that The Livies do--as is true of LiveIreland itself. You can find each individual review of these artists' albums in the Archives section of the monthly columns. *Note--some of these albums can be very hard to find. We carry all of them in the store here on the site---or we can get them incredibly fast. So, wherever you are, you can safely and easily order, and get these gems. Sure, this is a flog for the site store. It is also true. The envelopes please:!!

The Livies-2006

Male Vocalist of the Year---Andrew Murray
This former lead singer for De Dannan really has found his voice, and this year's Hell or High Water is his amazing solo album. Deep, pure resonant. This voice wraps you up, keeps you warm and you smile a lot, too. At the danger of being politically incorrect, it is a " man's voice ". The album is great, the voice even greater. He is now performing with The Dave Munnelly Band in what is the best vocal / instrumental group in trad right now. Well done, indeed.

Female New Artist of the Year---Lily Neill
Here is an amazing harp player who has joined Marie Ni Chathasaigh and Michelle Mulcahy in redefining the instrument. Her first album, Without Words, tosses her into the middle of a world stage, as she becomes more and more familiar. Like all great musicians, she must be heard to be understood and appreciated properly. Just know this----this ain't your grandma's harp. A great, great player set for a long, long runl.

Vocal Album of the Year--- The Farthest Wave
Here's an easy winner. Cathie Ryan's, The Farthest Wave may be the best vocal, trad album we have EVER heard, never mind just this year. She is, beyond any debate, the preeminent Irish singer and song writer of her time. This album is so carefully thought out and so passionately performed, we continue to listen over and over and over again. Cathie is fearless. She cut to deep inside her heart, and shared all with the listener. This voice. God gave her the tools. She has built the mansion. A wonder. If you don't have this album, your collection is not really a collection.

Male Musician of the Year---Gerry O'Connor
We first heard Gerry O'Connor's fiddle with one of our favorite groups of all time, Skylark. He comes from a long line of Irish musicians, and it all came together with his wonderful solo album, Journeyman. We loved every note. We still are amazed by the intensity and expression in his playing. Journeyman was actually released in October of 2004, but we didn't get to the review of it until 2005. Makes no difference. What matters is the recognition so richly deserved by this wonderful musician. There is such depth here. Not all flash and sturm and drang, as with others. This man understands Irish music--and in particular, he has mastered the fiddle.

Male Newcomer of the Year---Hanz Araki
He is from Seattle. We had never heard of him. Then, WHAM! His album, Six of One 5 of the Other hit our desk. Araki is a terrific flute player, and a truly terrific singer. It is very rare to find a talent this good on an instrument who also sings this well. Lots of great musicians think they sing well, and are dreadful. Not Araki. We only talked to him once. We still don't know a lot about him personally, but what we DO know is that he has offered this amazing first album. Wow! This is a big time talent---and as we said in the full review, never mind the name, this boy can play and sing!! We love this album. We love this talent.

Instrumental Cut of the Year--- Tunes
Tunes is an album by Michael McGoldrick, Sharon Shannon and Frankie Gavin. We strongly suspect that it was Mc Goldrick who got these performances out of the musicians. All egos under control ( not easy here ). We were offered a great album, and a stunner in Billy In The Low Ground. McGoldrick's whistles and flutes are wondrous. This cut has been played to death in our office. It is infectious, delightful, and a toe tapper that just grows and grows on you. Great fun. Wonderful.

Instrumental Album of the Year---Haven
Flook rides again. Haven is the name of the newbie. It would seem that if Flook does a new album, it will win everything. Just so. This group continues to stun, amaze and delight. Each of the new tunes here are fresh and brill. Look, we've run out of adjectives for Flook. And, if this continues, we'll run out of Awards. There has never been anything like them in the tradition, and there never will be. Unique. Flutes, guitars and bodhrans. Simple. Until those instruments are in the hands of Sarah Allen, John Joe Kelly, Brian Finnegan and the incredible guitarist, Ed Boyd. The only question was, would this album live up to the others ? Yup. Best work of their career so far. Flook is the deal. This album is the deal. 

Vocal Cut of the Year---Wildflowers
It is ironic that Award winner Cathie Ryan's album, The Farthest Wave, is the most introspective of her career----yet, this Award-winning song was penned by another. John Spillane authored this masterpiece, and then got lucky by Cathie's selection of it for her album. She is the perfect vehicle to deliver these goods. It is most definitely not hyperbole to say this may well be the most moving song we have ever heard. Ever. If you have anyone in your life who is difficult in any way, if you've thoughtlessly been hurt or saved by anyone, if you know someone who has special needs, or a child struggling within him or herself, listen to this song. The first time we heard it was at a Cathie concert in the States. The audience was completely silent at the end. Then the applause exploded in a confirmation of the wonder they had just heard. We think if we had world power, we would insist everyone listen to this song once. It is a life changer and a life affirmer. Swear to God---if you have not heard this, you are the less for it. Find it.

Concert of the Year---Bridies
Saturday night concert, 2005 Irish Fest in Milwaukee. Four thousand people on their feet. We cannot explain a Bridies show, and we don't think they can. This group has superior musicians all-round. But, the show. The Show!! Hysterical, sexy, filled with wonderful music, an explosion right in front of you. You may have read our article here on the Bridies. If not, check the Archives. This group is SO hot right now, and unique. Irish Fest invited them back for 2006 immediately. Smart. This is a great act. "Entertaining" doesn't cover it, and we can't describe it! Get up, 'ya gells!!.

Female Musician of the Year---Michelle and Louise Mulcahy
The Mulcahy family put out a new album this year, Notes From The Heart. Michelle Mulcahy has redefined the harp. We saw her at Irish Fest in Milwaukee playing with a super group led by Mick Moloney. She was clearly the most amazing musician on a very crowded stage. Is there an instrument she does NOT play? But, it is the harp that has consumed her, and the harp is the better for it. She is a stunner. The grace and power of her playing simply has to be heard. What is she? 20? 21? Good Lord, you should have seen the other harp players watching her like hawks in her solo performance at the Fest. She is a prodigy. So is her fab sister, Louise. She is an equally stunning musician. A pipes player and great flautist, she and Michelle again remind us of these unbelievable families in Ireland that seem to nurture this music with their very souls. Right out of the ground. Louise is a great musician, shown in this album to her best. We can't wait to see her in person, as well. Both these young women have so much in front of them, and have already given so much. Aren't we lucky to have them?

Female Vocalist of the Year--Eilis Kennedy
This Dingle, Co. Kerry singer has won this Award from us before. Small wonder. Her brand, brand new album made it to our desk just in time for this year's Awards. The new one is entitled, One Sweet Kiss. What a great title, because that is what the album is itself. A full, modern take on the tradition, at the same time featuring some gorgeous sean nos singing. There is no better singer in the tradition. Nor a nicer one. Eilis' voice is a universal gift, accessible to all. There are great songs here, many with a sea flavor, as to be expected from Dingle. Boat races, whaling, broken hearts, found loves----epochs we tells 'ya! Such wonderful side musicians are here, too. Who wouldn't want to be asked to play on the album? Eilis is just so special on so many levels. We have often remarked here about how hard it is to put into words what the ear hears. In the case of Eilis Kennedy, just close your eyes, open your heart , and think of the perfect voice for the music. There she is.

Vocal / Instrumental Album of the Year
The Sligo-based Border Collies released a new album, Unleashed. What a winner. Pure in the tradition. These six musicians are led by the great, Colm O'Donnell. A gifted singer and flute player, Colm brings us the real deal straight out of Coleman Country. The good news is that the band is picking up its touring schedule, and is set for a star turn at the 2006 Milwaukee Irish Fest. Can't wait! Terrific tunes, and even a lovely turn from Colm's daughter on vocals, this album truly has it all for the trad lover. Hard to imagine this being done better. This album will get you through the winter, all right. A major winner. The Border Collies beat out groups like Altan and Danu for this Award this year. What does that tell you? Trust us. You want this album! The best.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!