Sunday Supper: Now and Then
Ye Vagabonds (photo by Rich Gilligan, PR)
March is a busy month for music. St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, a cause to celebrate with parades but also Irish music, not just on Sundays but all week long. For starters, there's U2, The Chieftains, and Hozier, or, for Irish here in the U.S., Cherish the Ladies, RUNA, and Niall Connolly.
For me, one of the most exciting Irish bands is Ye Vagabonds, featuring the brothers Brian and Brian Mac Gloinn. They moved from the small town of Carlow to Dublin in 2012 and proceeded to make a name for themselves. Ten years ago, they crossed paths with Glen Hansard, who arranged tours for them and whose harmonic richness appealed to them.
Ye Vagabonds have won traditional folk awards from the BBC and RTÉ and have just released their fourth album, All Tied Together, produced by Philip Weinrobe (Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker), with collaborative arrangements from a group of up to ten musicians. The band just played New York City in January, at Music Hall of Williamsburg and Rough Trade NYC, but I hope they'll be back soon.
From the new album, enjoy this tune, "On Sitric Road," from All Tied Together, recorded live at Lilliput Press
March is also Women's History Month. I've got a special place in my musical heart for those who've shared their wisdom on "Sunday Supper" over the years, from Judy Collins and Joan Baez to Mary Gauthier and Susan Werner.
I've been thinking this month about Mary Chapin Carpenter, whom I've interviewed five times. For our first session, we had a slow start — she'd got out of bed on the wrong side (as any touring musician will tell you can happen) — until I asked her about her precious dogs and Carpenter opened right up. That's the way all our conversations went: nothing fancy, just down to earth honesty.
I've picked one of her "Sunday Supper" sessions from 2012, which occurred after three important events: her recovery from a pulmonary embolism, the death of her father, and a breakup with her husband.
Carpenter was backed on guitar by Duke Levine for this track from Ashes and Roses, her most personal album yet.
Looking ahead to April, I suggest you listen to the superb singing of the Irish-born Grainne Hunt who will be part of "On Your Radar" at the Bitter End on April 14.
["Sunday Supper: Now and Then" is a monthly feature.]
