News
Tim O’Shea & Friends hit all the right notes with new CD
N
NEWS that acclaimed musicians Tim O’Shea and Friends have made a new CD has delighted trad lovers across Ireland and beyond.
The group will unveil the recording “another skin too few” as part of the Gathering Festival in Killarney.
This is Tim’s fifth CD and it will be launched at the INEC Upstairs Bar, on Saturday, February 25, at 5.30pm by Sean Laffey, editor of the Irish Music Magazine. “The CD features musicians, new music, new songs, original tracks and new sounds,” said Tim O’Shea.
“We are happy, proud and humbled to have arrived at this time and place to mark a musical milestone, 25 years on the road. The selection of tunes on this album may be a bit unusual for some, as there are no reels.”
The title of this CD, “another skin too few” has two origins. “Skin” is a slang term in Ireland, meaning someone of good character, “a sound skin”. It can also refer to the literal skin(s) or layers of an onion. Using this idea, Tim says he modified it and was inspired by a documentary on English folk singer Nick Drake, called “A skin too few”.
“Nick’s sister referred to him as not having enough (onion) ‘skins’ to survive the vagaries of life,” said Tim.
“Sadly, it can be common to overlook the music of local musicians and their valuable contribution to the tradition and local music, until they are gone. Presented here you will find a contribution and choice of local music, shaped and influenced by local musicians.”
Tim O’Shea & Friends honour and remember them and their versions of the tunes. “Sadly the musicians commemorated here, are now gone from us, all too soon, but their music and song lives on,” added Tim.
The musicians remembered are Paddy Cronin, (Killarney and Boston), John Cronin (Aghadoe and New York), Steven Carroll (Kilcummin) and Con Durham (Dublin and Dingle).
Tim’s “friends” on this CD feature Kerry musicians Rosie Healy – Headford, (flute, whistle and harmony vocal) and Michael D. Kelliher – Fossa (accordion, melodeon and harmonica).
Tim is producer and provides a musical thread on (guitar – lead and rhythm, vocals – lead and spoken, and bodhrán).
There is a mix of tunes and songs, including one original song by Tim, and an original spoken word piece by Belfast poet Adrian Fox.
The new recording will also be available on CD Baby and iTunes soon.