Irish music veteran Jimmy Crowley has released his new album, Life, and plays Cork City Library on 14 April and Liberty Hall, Dublin on 16 April. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Life is his fifteenth album and covers stories from throughout his life including 50 years in the music during which he has worked with a who's who in Irish music,
Largely distilled from the aftermath of his marriage break-up and a move to Florida, Life "recounts his journey in his honest, if sardonic, perspective."
Growing up in Douglas, Co. Cork, Jimmy formed his folk orchestra Stokers Lodge in the late sixties. After their demise, he formed The Electric Band, whose reggae version of The Boys of Fairhill went straight into the pop charts.
He pursued a solo career from the '90s onwards and more recently, recorded an album of Child ballads with Eve Telford, drawn from the rich heritage of Irish Travellers.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m a professional musician, a sailor and sometimes very cranky.
How would you describe your music?
Folk, both traditional and contemporary.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Seán Ó Riada, John Lennon, Anthony Carlos Jobin.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem at City Hall, Cork in the early sixties.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The Wild Rover - The Dubliners.
What’s your favourite song?
September Song by Jimmy Durante.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Slán le Máig by Aindrias Mac Craith.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Coinleach Ghlas an Fhómhair - Micheál O Domhnaill and Kevin Burke.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Jimmy Crowley on Spotify, and for sale on my website.
Alan Corr
