The Witching Hour Sessions – 30/01/2018

Sweeney’s Men

Formed in 1966 by ‘Galway’ Joe Dolan, Andy Irvine and Johnny Moynihan, Sweeney’s Men were one of the most influential bands of the Irish folk revival. Heavily influenced by Old Timey American musicians from the 1920s and 30s, the group also drew on Irish, Scots and English traditions.
Dolan eventually left the group and was replaced by Terry Woods (who eventually went on to join Steeleye Span (and later The Pogues) with his wife Gay). Andy Irvine then left and was replaced by Henry McCullough for their last album ‘The Tracks Of Sweeney’ (1969). Johnny Moynihan (surely one of Ireland’s great singers?) had spells with De Dannan, Planxty and The Fleadh Cowboys.

Tonight’s listening;

1 – Sweeney’s Men (1968)

Sweeney’s Men’s debut album was a notable contribution to contemporary Irish and British Isles folk in that it gathered some traditional material from Ireland, not just Britain and America. It also gave some depth to the well-traveled songs — and songs like ‘Tom Dooley’, ‘The House Carpenter’, and ‘The Handsome Cabin Boy”‘are extremely well traveled — with an admirable assortment of instruments, including mandolin, bouzouki, harmonica, tin whistle, and concertina.

2 – The Tracks of Sweeney (1969)

Sweeney’s Men were reduced to a duo on their second album, with the departure of Andy Irvine. Actually, their music got more interesting, in large part because it featured mostly original material (often by Terry Woods) rather than old folk standbys. The music, while still folk and not folk-rock, took on a more personal, moody, and bluesy hue.

3 – The Legend of Sweeney’s Men, (2004);

Double-CD with all studio recordings plus several extras.

Sweeney’s Men – Tom Dooley

I do not own the rights to this song. Artist: Sweeney’s Men Song: Tom Dooley Album: The Legend of Sweeney’s Men Anthology 2004 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd. A Brilliant version of a classic song by the legendary Irish folk Group