We are thrilled to have Andy Irvine back here! His 'Mother's Day' show several years ago is one the most memorable ones here. He played before a spellbound audience singing his songs, Irish songs, and playing some of the most fascinating rhythmic Balkan dance tunes. There was a lot of dancing going on in the halls! He was accompanied by Rens Van der Zalm, but this time we have Andy as a solo!

Forty years on the road.......Andy Irvine has been hailed as "a tradition in himself." Many refer to him as the 'Woody Guthrie of Ireland!' He writes about the plight of the common man.
In 2001 Andy received the FIDDLER'S GREEN HALL OF FAME AWARD in Rostrevor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, "Presented annually to person or group who has made a significant contribution to the cause of Irish music and culture."
Here's what people are saying:

"His forte, his genius is playing his mandolin, mandola and bouzouki. I have never heard such clarity of sound, such perfect and precise rhythmic variations or brilliant melodic figures from this family of instruments," San Francisco Examiner. Hot Press says" Any Irvine is Woody Guthrie's representative on earth."  Boston Globe says "Andy has been one of Ireland's most creative talents for over 20 years." 
"Andy Irvine is a tradition in himself," the Irish Press.

Musician, singer and songwriter, Andy has maintained both personal integrity and highly individual performing skills throughout his 40-year career. From Sweeney's Men in the mid sixties and the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, to THE Irish super group, Patrick Street, since the 80s, and his current “dream band,” Mozaik, Andy has been a world music pioneer and icon for traditional music and musicians. 
Irvine occupies a unique place in the musical world, plying his trade as archetypal troubadour, with a solo show and traveling lifestyle that reflects his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie.  Few others can equal his repertoire, Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes, and a compelling canon of his own material that defies description. 

In his two years with Sweeney's Men, the group ignited an interest in traditional Irish music that survives to this day. Their successful singles, "Old Maid in the Garret" and "The Waxie's Dargle" landed at the very top of the Irish Hit Parade. Andy left the band in 1968, and made his first trip 'way out yonder', traveling by 'the sunburnt thumb' in Bulgaria, Romania and Yugoslavia, earning his living as a street musician and absorbing the musical traditions of the Balkans. Returning to Ireland, Irvine united with 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 Irvine 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 its breakup in 1983. . Andy’s his first solo album, “Rainy Sundays ... Windy Dreams”, followed, as well as “Parallel Lines” a duo album with the great Scots troubadour, Dick Gaughan. Never one to rest on his laurels, Andy formed Mosaic, a pan-European band that included Donal Lunny and Hungarian singer Marta Sebestyen. After one blissful summer traveling through Europe with this band, Andy returned to solo and duo work. This work soon grew into Patrick Street, featuring Kevin Burke (Bothy Band), Jackie Daly (De Danaan) and guitar maestro Arty McGlynn. Patrick Street, originally billed as Legends of Irish Music – one of the few times such hoopla was accurate, recorded three albums from 1987 to 1990. Andy then recorded his second solo album, “Rude Awakening”, and created the hugely influential ”East Wind”, an album of Balkan music, produced by Bill Whelan and featuring Davy Spillane on Uilleann Pipes. Patrick Street regrouped in 1993 with Kevin, Jackie, Andy, and Ged Foley. To date Patrick Street has released eight recordings, all on the Green Linnet label. Early in 2002, Andy drafted some long-time musical friends and formed his “dream band” for a one-off tour of Australia. Calling themselves Mozaik, reminiscent of the earlier cross-genre group, Andy was joined by Donal Lunny, Dutch guitarist Rens van der Zalm, Hungarian bagpiper Nikola Parov and American fiddler Bruce Molsky. The response was so positive that they might well have another go at it. October 2002 saw the release of Patrick Street’s Street Life, arguably their best ever. It showcases an ecumenical approach, while never letting go of the tradition that binds these amazing musicians, all at the very top of their game. Although an integral part of the finest Irish bands of our time, Andy Irvine continues along the road he set for himself so long ago - a vibrant career as a solo artist in the old style, a teller of stories and maker of music. You can read more about Andy on his website.

Andy has countless CDs recorded with his many bands, as well as several solo albums. Have a listen to some of his tunes below and you can hear more at show #26 (scroll down below)

Reservations ($15) for this show are necessary and can be made at (919) 787-6378 or email bett@bettpadgett.com. Please limit reservation parties to 4 people and allow 3 days for a confirmation. We are thrilled to have Andy back here. There is already interest in this show, so don't wait too long to save your seats!