Search - Tommy Makem :: Song Tradition

Tommy's Most Recent Triumph

Don Huber | The Midwest | 12/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Tommy's newest album and it's extremely well done. Makem's voice is still nearly as vibrant as it was in the sixties durring the heyday of the Clancy Brothers. But the arrangements of the songs are richer and have more savvy than older albums without being over-arranged.As usual with TM, this album is a blend of traditional folk songs and Makem originals. Songs like "Long Woman's Grave" "Peace And Justice" and "Ships Of War" are new classics written by Makem. Tradional songs like "Lough Tay Boat Song" "Sweet Dromintee" and the riotous "Uncle Dan" are given wonderful interpretations by Tommy. There are also several reworkings of previously recorded material in keeping with the "Song Tradition". And thank you Tommy for finally, after almost forty years, recording "Whiskey In The Jar" entitled "Captain Farrell" on this CD.One final note. A good deal of the instrumental work and backing vocals on this CD are by Tommy's own sons which I feel only ads another layer of meaning to this album's title, "The Song Tradition". I simply cannot imagine any fan of The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem not enjoying the heck out of this CD."

Disappointed

SUSAN Cottrell | Bonne Terre MO | 06/08/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"There are good songs on this album, however, I was extremely disappointed in the quality of the CD. Makem's voice doesn't ring true compared to other albums. It seems somewhat muffled and the tone is not clear. If not for that, I would have rated it much higher."

Tommy Makem's final recording

music lover | 10/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Tommy Makem's final solo CD, released in 1998. This would not be his last recording however, as you can find his last work on the sub-par "Treasures from the Folk Den" by Roger McGuinn, and a great live performance from "This Land is Our Land" from PBS TV. This CD is a great mix of unrecorded material from Tommy Makem, and although older, he still has the great storytelling power that he had possessed his entire career. I give this 4 stars because the CD dosen't sound like Tommy Makem as the solo star, it sounds like The Makem Brothers with Tommy Makem. His sons are a very successful Irish singing group and they provide all of the instrumentation on this CD, but it's a little uneven. Also, the recording technique leaves a little to be desired, as Tommy is a little distant in the mix. Overall, this is a great Irish music CD, and is one of the last performances Tommy Makem ever recorded. A must have for any fan."