See Liz's paintings of Ireland here:
http://lizryanlandscapes.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Andy Irvine Concert - Spectacular!
Last night, my friend Ron and I went with my nephew Colin to see legendary Andy Irvine in concert in Madison, NJ as part of the Rose City Concert Series. I also ran into local Irish musician Frank Curran, one of "The Boys of County O'cean" who plays in the weekly "Sessions" at St. Stephen's Green Publick House. The venue was gorgeous and Andy said he really appreciated the acoustics of the old museum building. Very warm and lovely. About 50 of us filled the small auditorium and hung onto every note. His voice was in exceptional condition throughout the two-and-a-half-hour show -- this was the ninth gig of his tour, so he was in excellent form. Of course, there is no one who can play the way he does: lightening fast and oh-so-tastefully on his handmade instruments! Andy included a number of songs from his latest CD, "Abocurragh", introducing each one with a delightful story about its history or composition. One of the high-points of the evening for me was just before the intermission when he introduced "My Heart's Tonight in Ireland". He said: "This next song is for Greg." I nearly fell out of my chair! I had emailed him earlier in the day telling him I hoped he would be performing it that evening and he had replied that he would be. How thoughtful! How doubly-thoughtful!! If you ever get the chance to see Andy in concert, do not miss the opportunity. In the meantime, visit his Web site at www.AndyIrvine.com to learn more about him and to listen to his music. And get yourself a copy of "Abocurragh."
P.S. Liz and I will return to The Green on Sunday, November 13 (6:00-9:00). Come join us for an evening of Irish folk songs, including "My Heart's Tonight in Ireland" -- as an homage to Andy Irvine. :-)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, August 21 (6-9pm)
Lots of new tunes.
Hope to see you there!
(One of Liz's beautiful paintings of Ireland.)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Magdalene Charity Video - Must see!
Some of Ireland’s top stars like Sinead O’Connor and Daniel O’Donnell have come together to produce a wonderful song and video in aid of the Magdalene survivors’ charity. Watch especially for Tommy Fleming at about 1:54. Terrific!
We'll be at the Irish-American Club in Manchester on August 14 (private party). We'll be back at St. Stephen's Green on Sunday, August 21 (6:00-9:00pm).
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Family Night | June 12 - 6:00-9:00pm.
Lots of cousins will be with us tonight. Bring your family along, too.
View a slideshow here. (Then use your BACK button to return here.)
Spring Lake Heights, NJ. Hope to see you there!
View a slideshow here. (Then use your BACK button to return here.)
Spring Lake Heights, NJ. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
St. Stephen's Green | May 22
Join us at St. Stephen's Green, Sunday, May 22, 6-9pm. Lots of new songs -- and the old favorites.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Aran Sweaters and Bright Lights!
Just saw this online article in the archives of Independent.ie dated Saturday, January 22 2011:
They wore Aran sweaters and sang the old ballads, popularised Irish music in the US and became "the best known Irishmen in the world" in 1961 when they performed to 84 million Americans on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Some even credit them as starting the Sixties folk revival; certainly Bob Dylan was a huge fan.
A crusade to bring Irish culture to the rest of the world. Sound familiar? Well you won't be surprised to learn then that the makers of Riverdance are working on a stage musical which will result in the music of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem being heard once again on stages from Carnegie Hall to London's West End.
The Diary can reveal that Riverdance director John McColgan is developing a touring musical based on the life and times of the Irish folk legends who once entertained US President JFK.
"The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were the first rock and rollers. When you look into their story, it's incredibly fascinating.
"They made Irish ballads popular again but they were also poets and actors. They created a whole new folk movement in the Sixties and Bob Dylan famously said Liam Clancy was the best ballad singer he ever heard," John McColgan told The Diary this week. The co-creator of Riverdance said the stage musical he's developing around the ballad singers' story will be in the style of the hit musical Jersey Boys, which in words and song dramatised the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
"What we're hoping to do is a drama held together by song in the same way as Jersey Boys. We're only in the early stages of development but I'm very excited about it," added Mr McColgan. Working with the former RTé man on the project is director Alan Gilsenan who masterfully told the Clancy Brothers' story in his award-winning The Yellow Bittern in which he interviewed last surviving member Liam Clancy shortly before his death in December 2009.
The Diary hopes they can find room for Tommy Makem's name in the title of their new musical, because during his lifetime the banjo player had to endure US promoters' habit of putting only 'The Clancy Brothers' on their posters for reasons of space.
+++++
I just hope this show sees its way to the New York stage!
We hope to see you at St. Stephen's Green on Sunday.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
St. Stephen's Green - Sunday, March 27
Friday, March 18, 2011
Follow Us on Twitter @GregRyanSings
"Follow Us" by going to www.twitter.com/GregRyanSingsLiz and I had a GREAT time playing at The Irish Rail yesterday. Lots of fun people having lots of fun. The four hours flew by. (Liz will post photos from yesterday on our Facebook page soon.) We will be at St. Stephen's Green on Sunday, March 27 (6:00-9:00). We'll do lots of the old favorites and many new tunes (for us, anyway) as well. If we couldn't do your request for you the last time we were there, we have it ready for you this time. We hope to see you there. Tell your friends. The more the merrier! :-)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Featured in "Barfly" Magazine!
Liz and I are featured in the March issue of Central Jersey's "Barfly" magazine, which I understand is available at many establishments in the area. (Email Liz and ask for a PDF of the article. Feel free to pass it along to your friends.) On March 6, we'll be playing at the Notre Dame Club of the Jersey Shore's "Belmar Parade Day celebration" at the Spring Lake Manor. On March 27 we'll be back at St. Stephen's Green (6:00-9:00). We hope to see you there!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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