29th July 2004:Europe Tour 2004. Sweden: Mullsjo Irish Music festival.
In the Mid Summer sun I shared the bill with great musicians and dancers from around the world. There were several dance troupes from Louth, Denmark and Sweden. Among the other acts on the bill were names like Davy Spillane, Kevin Burke, Gerry O'Connor, Ash Plant, Christy O'Leary and Bert Deivert, The Moya Brennan Band and The Eimear Quinn Band. Attendance was lower than expected, but the audience were warm and quite wonderful. I'd like to thank everyone who attended for the warm welcome they gave me on my first visit to Sweden. For pictures and more details check out the
Gallery section of the site.
27th July 2004:Review of Pól Mac Adaim's CD 'Internationale'
This latest offering from Belfast born Protest singer Pól Mac Adiam, has not in any way disapointed this listener. It's a cd of workers songs, a cause that was very much brought to the fore in the late sixties and early seventies by non other than Luke Kelly and the great Ewan Mc coll.
I feel Pol's approach is the right one he has stripped it down as only real protest singers can , its the real deal, I loved his version of Joe Hill.
Pól Mac Adaim we tip our hats to you as you keep the red flag flying.
Mick O Brien
Presenter
Sin E
Dublin City Anna Livia FM
Anna Livia Website
20th July 2004: Live show 'Anna Livia FM with Mick O'Brien
Patrick Martin and I did a live set and interview on the Mick O'Brien radio show 'Sin é'. Mick has been a great asset to folk music in Ireland througout the years. He has done shows with some of the finest names in folk Irish folk music, including Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, Wally Page, Jimmy McCarthy, the list goes on and on. I have to admit, I don't what to expect when I take part in one of his shows, this guy is to the point and fast with it. If your in the Dublin area I recommend you give his show a listen, it goes out live at 10pm on Tuesday evenings, 103.2 FM.
1st July 2004: International Irish Dance Magazine Review
International Irish dance magazine review Pól's debut album 'If we don't help them now'July 2004.
Pól is a Belfastman in his early 30s and this is his debut CD.
He's a bright young spark, brought up in a troubled city and much of his music and song reflects his selfless care for righting wrongs.
He's outspoken and uses his talent very powerfully to articulate his view of injustices carried out all over the world. That said, he is extraordinarily multi talented and can play a bewildering range of instruments.
In fact, it's easier to say there's almost no instrument in trad Irish music Pól cannot play - he must be a delight to watch in concert.
His Strong Northern dialect comes through in song and he has a very pleasant voice. Pól is a good uilleann piper too, but defers to fellow irishman,
Patrick Martin to play that most demanding of instruments.
A short debut CD at only 32 minutes and 8 tracks, but a testimony to Pól's capabilities and there's no doubt we shall be hearing a lot more of this young Northerner in time to come. The world is ready for a young Paul Brady and here he is - welcome Pól Mac Adaim, - 'lovely hurlin by'.
