Its Been One Hell of A Year......

RADIO REBEL GAEL TOP TEN : BEST OF 2012

1.) Pol Mac Adaim "My Name Is Troy Davis " CD 

With best song of the album, in my opinion, "Butterflies"

(Although, lets face it, the whole CD is phenomenal, this Belfast bred Rebel balladeer never fails to amaze us)

2.) Damien Dempsey "Almighty Love " CD 

With best song on the album, "Fire In The Glen", Dubliner and pugilist , Damo, releases another belter that stuns audiences, delivering us another musical knock out.

3.)  The Killigans "Another Round for the Strong of Heart" CD

These Nebraska Celtic Punkers have always thrilled me, and this 2012 release is no exception to their tradition of giving us Proletarian Punk Rock rebellion with a heavy Celtic influence. Very difficult for me to choose a best tune of this entire kick ass album, but, I think, "Salt of the Earth" , is one of the finest.

4.) Colm O’Brien “Back To Work?” CD

This Boston based Dubliner, and former band member of NY’s own,  The Prodigals, really impressed me with this mighty CD release. My personal top tune is “Ballad of Little John” .

5.) Screaming Orphans “The Jackets Green”

These Donegal sisters always lift my spirits when I am feeling down, and this album is one of their best examples of the musical heritage that lives on in the hills of Donegal. Favorite on this album must be “The Lark in the Morning”.

6.) John Mccullagh “Working Class Lowlife” CD 

This Yorkshire native, born of Irish miner stock, and now based in Melbourne, never fails to deliver a powerful musical message, speaking for the underclass and reminding us that we are not alone in our daily trials and tribulations. My personal fave on this incomparable album must be “The Ballad of the Belgrano”.

7.) Stephen Leeson “Isle of Hope” CD

Although, technically, it was done in 2011, it wasn’t released for public consumption until 2012, and the top track on this amazing release by one of the best Dublin balladeers gigging these days,  must be “Sky Over Ireland”. The banjo on this version really rocks.

8.) Damaris Woods “With A Banjo On My Knee” CD

Luton based banjo maestro, Damaris Woods, known for her fine work with Derek Warfield’s , Young Wolfe Tones, shines like the sunshine over Croagh Patrick, with this, her debut solo release, that really captures the power and prowess of Damaris with a banjo, like Muhammad Ali in the ring, she will not go down without a fight and her banjo is a powerful weapon as mighty as the fists of the younger Ali, or the RPGs of a South Armagh Active Service Unit.  My favorite on this sublime CD, must be “Jenny’s Welcome To Charlie”, but it’s a close tie with “Lough Mountain”.

9.)    The Langers Ball “The Devil or The Barrel” CD

These twin cities mighty Minnesotans have released probably the best drinkers album since The Dubliners, or The Clancy Brothers, with this great demonstration of what this upstart band have to offer. “Rye Whiskey” was my favorite on this disc, but it’s a close tie with “Whiskey Chaser”. This CD will intoxicate you and you will wake up wondering how you ended up in bed, far from home, with a splitting headache and some strange woman smiling at you, between gaped teeth.

10.)The Mickey Finns “ Prayers And Idle Chatter” CD

Last but never least, this band made up of two former band members of New York’s , The Prodigals, released an album that was more honky tonk than we expected, but nonetheless, one that will be remembered as one of the best Irish Country albums, of all time. My favorite on this album had to be, “The Ballad of Duffys Cut”, which is a hell of better tribute to those 57 Irish workers who ended up in a mass grave in Pennsylvania, than the tune by Wally Page, in my humble opinion, even if Christy Moore did a fine version of it.

I also wanted to give some honorable mention to those CDs that would have ended up on Radio Rebel Gael’s 2012’s Top Ten, had they not been released in 2011, 2010, etc, and those would be :

Chicago Reel  self titled CD.

Christy Moore “Folk Tale” CD

Dropkick Murphys “Going Out In Style” CD

Longtime Courting “Alternate Routes” CD

The Rumjacks  “Gangs of New Holland” CD

The Currency – self titled CD.

Cruachan “Blood On the Black Robe” CD

The Fighting Jamesons  -self titled CD.

Roughneck Riot “Night Train With The Reaper” CD

Up The Rebels & Fuck The Begrudgers

RADIO REBEL GAEL PRESENTS : New Years Hooley !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music and Guest Musicians, Mick O’Brien of THE DRUIDS (Wexford), Bill Kavanagh of FENIAN FOLK(Wicklow), and Bobby Mullis of  ERIN OG (Boston) !!

http://archive.org/details/RRGNewYearsHooley_0/

And tons of new tunes and timeless classics by Damaris Woods, Ciaran Murphy, Pol Mac Adaim, Colm O’Brien, Hank III, The Wolfe Tones, The Players Brigade, The  Irish Brigade, The Freemen, The Killigans, The Dubliners, The Mickey Finns, The Popes, The Langers Ball, The Vandon Arms, Kila, Blood or Whiskey, Dead Kennedys, Adelante, Roaring Jack, Weddings Parties Anything,

http://archive.org/details/RRGNewYearsHooley_0/

And all of your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

RADIO REBEL GAEL PRESENTS :
 Santa Gone Fenian !

 

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

 

FEAT. NEW Music & Guest Musician, Pol Mac Adaim !!

 

http://archive.org/details/RRGSantaGoneFenian_/

 

And lots of rebel classics, and new inspirational tunes by Pol Mac Adaim (featuring new music from his new CD, “My Name Is Troy Davis” ), Damien Dempsey (from his new CD, “Almighty Love” !), John Mccullagh (from his latest and greatest, “Working Class Lowlife” !), David Mc Williams, Ciaran Murphy, Kevin Conlon, Seamus Kennedy, The Amadans, The Holohan Sisters, The Irish Brigade, The Bollox, The Gentlemen, The Pogues, The Screaming Celts, The Rumjacks, Roaring Jack, Sydney City Trash, Black 47, Cutthroat Shamrock, Rising Gael, Phoenix, Blood, Sweat and Wars, NECK, Triptych,

 

 

http://archive.org/details/RRGSantaGoneFenian_/

 

And all of your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

Belfast Native Brings Musical Home Run

Pol Mac Adaim “My Name is Troy Davis” CD :

Reviewed by Rory Dub., Radio Rebel Gael

I awaited this new release by Belfast native and Irish Rebel balladeer, Pol Mac Adaim with great anticipation. And without any doubts, my wait was not in vain. And what a marvelous release, dedicated to both, Pol’s mother and Troy Davis, victim of State persecution and injustice, this CD will undoubtedly be remembered as one that stands apart, and proves that Pol Mac Adaim’s contributions to folk music has reached the greatness of Luke Kelly, Woody Guthrie, Pecker Dunne or Matt Mc Ginn, and proves also, that the rebel sounds of Ireland still shake the earth like summer thunder.

Beginning with David Rovics rousing tribute to those Irish soldiers that joined in the cause of Mexican freedom, “St. Patrick’s Battallion” is a great anthem of solidarity and who better to do a fine version of this classic than Pol Mac Adaim, a musician, Fenian, socialist, and working class hero, who has sung songs in four different languages, and who understands the importance of international solidarity, and a reminder of the deep friendship between Irish and Mexican soldiers :

“From Dublin City to San Diego

We witnessed freedom denied

So we formed the Saint Patrick’s Battallion

And we fought on the Mexican side”

Continuing with mighty sing-songs of freedom, “Legacy of Brendan” is a stirring tribute to the legendary freedom fighter, Brendan “Darkie” Hughes, a tune that really causes you to reflect and reminds us all of one of Ireland’s finest and bravest sons. With beautiful melody and moving prose, this rebel ballad will be remembered as one of the greatest Irish Rebel ballads of the 21^st century :

“Farewell to the streets of Old Belfast

The place where I was born

Farewell to my friends and brave comrades

Those gallant ‘dogs of war’

When I think of the lives that were sacrificed

In 30 years of war

And I see what became of my country

I ask myself ‘what was it all for?’

Great ballads always make you stop and think and reflect on great men and women, and this tune ranks as one of the finest of rebel ballads, without any doubts. And if this tune does not resonate with you, you don’t have a heart.

Never to cease to amaze us with great anthems of proletarian rebellion and Fenian resistance, Pol marches on triumphantly, with a brilliant tribute to the people of Mayo, “Do You Feel?” , who are standing up against the tyranny and injustice of Shell Oil Corporation. Stripped of their native rights to fish their own bays and seas by the Corporate parasites and Free State puppets whose greed has no bounds and who do not have a bone of compassion or courage in their over-fed bodies, this great tune reminds us of the courage of the people of Mayo , fighting back to protect their waters from the toxins of Shell , whom have no ethics nor any respect for the people nor the people’s natural eco-system and their need to defend that eco-system from the Fat Cats of Shell Oil. As Pol says himself so well :

“So here’s a health to the people

Who’ve kept up the fight

For the cause you’ve embraced

Is both noble and right

And a message for the gangsters,

Their henchmen and media clowns

Despite all your tricks and your tactics so sick

Like the system that you’ve rammed down our throats with a stick

Your methods will all be in vain, We won’t let you prevail….”

Next, Pol does a stellar cover of Christy Moore’s tribute to the Blanketmen and all the Irish Freedom Fighters confined to the H Blocks in the 1980s. Well done, Pol, no one else can tackle a Christy Moore classic like yourself and breathe new life into an old mighty ode to the Men of 81’ like Pol Mac Adaim.

Afterwards, Eamon O’Doherty’s accolade to gallant Joe Mc Cann is done splendidly by Pol, reminding us of how much of an impact, just one man can have, even when faced with his own inevitable death, but still deciding to fight with his last breath against all odds :

“His cause was the freedom of the people in this land,

The Protestant and Catholic working man

But he caused the Bosses fear and for this they paid him dear

So they murdered brave Joe Mc Cann.”

Next, without skipping a beat, the rousing title track, “My Name Is Troy Davis”, begins with a mighty harmonica call-to-arms, reminding us of the cruel injustice and State brutality that still continues in the “United States of America”. Pol’s stirring ballad, reminds us all of Che Guevara’s wise words on solidarity in the face of injustice :

“If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.”

And also reminds us that even in the “land of freedom”, if you happen to be black, poor, not one of the privileged class, or just not wealthy, and you are at the wrong place at the wrong time, you can become another victim of injustice in this so-called “democratic state”.

Next, another amazing and powerful original by Pol is his “H-Block to Maghaberry”, , causes us all to pause and reflect on the P.O.W.s in Maghaberry and Portlaoise, and their daily tribulations:

“I know this is now and that was then,

But the same situation is looming again

As British intransigence drags us all back through the slime

How long will we let the Brits dictate

What is a crime in this illegal state

As they rape, murder and pillage

Their way through time?”

Pol’s tribute to the imprisoned Freedom Fighters in Maghaberry and Portlaoise is a powerful reminder that the fight goes on and that as long as there is a British military presence in Ireland, the injustice and tyranny that is always a part of the British Occupation will keep Ireland without freedom, equality, justice, peace or sovereignty. No matter how the Media, the British Crown, and their Sinn Fein puppets spin it, the chances of having a United Ireland under these unjust circumstances is very slim.

“Wild Mountain Thyme”, next takes us away from the slum landlords, drugs, violence, turmoil and tribulations of the city, for a nice intermission, and Pol’s splendid version of this William Mc Peake classic is worth your while. Mellow tunes are always a great listen after songs of rebellion, war, tragedy, injustice and the fight against tyranny, just like sitting down and having a beer with the guy you just fought, after the rumble.

Afterwards, “Another Day”, is a great tribute to the freedom fighters of Palestine and a great reminder of the horrors and injustice of foreign occupation and Zionism. As Pol says himself in this brilliant tune :

“In the White House they refuse to hear our children scream

Far too busy trying to fool the world, with their American Dream

But humanity knows and humanity cares,

Humanity will bring an end to the oppression of the people there

Then we’ll see another day in Palestine…”

And as this great CD comes to a grand conclusion, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the last track of this stunning album, “Butterflies”, a nonpolitical and very spiritually uplifting tune, was to be my favorite song of the CD. Another brilliant original by Pol, this song kind of creates a musical dreamscape where the melody gives you wings and allows you to fly, like a butterfly :

“Would you like to fly away

With me for a year and a day?

Our troubles we’ll cast to one side

As we embark on our mystical flight

We can be butterflies….”

www.polmacadaim.org

Folk The System !

RADIO REBEL GAEL PRESENTS : Voices of Rebellion !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music and Guest Musician, Erik Petersen of Mischief Brew !!

http://archive.org/details/RRGVoicesofRebellion/

And lots of rebel classics, and new inspirational tunes by Pol Mac Adaim (featuring new music from his new CD, “My Name Is Troy Davis” !), Declan Hunt, Hank III, Ray Collins, Shane MacGowan, Terry “Cruncher” O’Neil, Bob Marley, Jun Tzu, Bog Savages, Cruachan, Whiskey of The Damned, Siobhan, The Screaming Orphans, The Wakes, The Langers Ball, The Fisticuffs, The Killigans, The Fighting Jamesons, The Dubliners, The Currency, The Wages of Sin, Roaring Jack, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Flatfoot 56, 

http://archive.org/details/RRGVoicesofRebellion/

And all of your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

From New Jersey to Norfolk, From Dublin to Boston....

RADIO REBEL GAEL PRESENTS : Sounds of Liberation !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music & Guest Musicians, Colm O’Brien (Boston), and Gerry T. Moran (Norfolk/Dundalk) !!!

http://archive.org/details/RADIOREBELGAELSoundsofLiberation/

And lots of rebel classics, and new inspirational tunes by Paddy Mangan (featuring his new tune, “Just Foreign News” !!), Dropkick Murphys, (from their brand spanking new CD, “Signed and Sealed in Blood !!! “), Pol Mac Adaim (featuring new music from his new CD, “My Name Is Troy Davis” !), Screaming Orphans, Sean Murphy, Ronan O’Snodaigh, Charlie and The Bhoys, The Amadans, The Prodigals, Spirit of Freedom, The Players Brigade, The Clancy Brothers, The Currency, Blood or Whiskey, Roughneck Riot, 

http://archive.org/details/RADIOREBELGAELSoundsofLiberation/

And all of your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

Wear Your Balaclava With Pride

RADIO REBEL GAEL PRESENTS : 

Old Caubeen (w/ A New Reel) !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music & Guest Musician, 

Keith Fay of CRUACHAN (Dublin), 

http://archive.org/details/RadioRebelGaelOldCaubeen_/

And lots of rebel classics, and new inspirational tunes by Pol Mac Adaim (featuring new music from his new CD, “My Name Is Troy Davis”), The Amadans, Pascal Burke, Roughneck Riot, Erin Go Bragh, Shebeen, Cruachan, Ciaran Murphy, Donal Lunny, The Ryans, The Black Family, The Fighting Jamesons, The Skels, The Players Brigade, The Kreellers, The Bareknuckle Boxers, Adelante, The Irish Brigade, The Killigans, The Larkin & Moran Brothers, The Portrayal, Niblick Henbane, Planxty, Andy Irvine, Whiskey of The Damned, John Spillane,

http://archive.org/details/RadioRebelGaelOldCaubeen_/

And all of your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

“When the law can stop the blades of grass
From growing as they grow,
And when the leaves in summer time
Their verdure dare not show,
Then I will change the colour
I wear in my caubeen,
But till that day I'll stick for aye
To wearing of the green.”

I just got Pol Mac Adaim's new CD, "My Name is Troy Davis", what an amazing CD, it has some great versions of David Rovic's "Saint Patrick's Battallion", Christy Moore's  "Ninety Miles from Dublin", "(Ballad  of) Joe Mc Cann", by Eamon O'Doherty, "Wild Mountain Thyme" by Belfast native, William McPeake , as well as some phenomenal originals by Pol Mac Adaim himself, including "Legacy of The Dark (Brendan Hughes)", "Do You Feel?" ( a great tribute to the people of Mayo battling against Shell Oil corporation), "My Name Is Troy Davis", "Another Day", a moving tribute to the embattled people of Palestine; "Butterflies", which is a brilliant and spiritual melody, and my favorite song of this album; "From H-Block to Maghaberry", this is really a mighty release that I was honored to have the opportunity to listen to....Thanks again to comrade Pol Mac Adaim for inspiring and motivating all of us, with his powerful ballads and rebel harmonies !

Spirits of the Past, Sounds of The Future.....

RADIO REBEL GAEL PRESENTS : The Samhain Sing Song !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music & Guest Musician, John Mccullagh (Yorkshire/Melbourne) !

 

http://archive.org/details/RRGSamhainSingSong/

And lots of classics, and new tunes by Declan Hunt, Podgie, Terry “Cruncher” O’Neill, Captain Moonlight, Bluestack, The Ryans, The Druids, The Killigans, The Fisticuffs, The Currency, The Larkin Brigade, Spirit of Freedom, Black 47, The Men of No Property, Sydney City Trash,

http://archive.org/details/RRGSamhainSingSong/

And all of your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

Look Out ! I Think There's a Bomb in That Jack O' Lantern

RADIO REBEL GAEL PRESENTS : The Halloween Hooley !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music & Guest Musicians, Leeson O’Keefe of NECK (London) & John Jo of THE AMADANS (Glasgow) !!!

http://archive.org/details/RRGAELHalloweenHooley_/

And lots of classics, and new tunes by Linda Byrne O’Riordan, Damien Dempsey, John Mccullagh, Seamus Moore, Vinnie Caprani, Ciaran Murphy, Christy Moore, Woody Guthrie, Athenrye, Bluestack, Pat Shortt, Blood or Whiskey, Kilmaine Saints, Bible Code Sundays, The Prodigals, Larkin, The Mighty Regis, The Dubliners, The Navigators, The Mickey Finns, The Wages of Sin, The Lucky Bullets, The Irish Rovers, The Skoidats, The Wolfe Tones, Kila, Dancin’ Knuckles, The Zydepunks, The Tossers, The Pogues,

http://archive.org/details/RRGAELHalloweenHooley_/

And your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

FWD: Thanks, Fionnbarra Ó Dochartaigh, UPDATE ON THE TYRONE 4
THE TYRONE 4 PROTEST-FAST ENTERS ITS 4OTH DAY @ MIDNIGHT, SEPT. 23rd. 2012, YET THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING FROM 'OUR' POLITICIANS, CLERGY, and MEDIA. ALAS, IT IS SAD TO TO RELATE, EVEN SOME 'REPUBLICAN" GROUPS HAVE YET TO TAKE A PUBLICSTAND IN SUPPORT OF THEIR DEMAND FOR THE IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE "SEGREGATION CLAUSES" OF THE STEELE REPORT OF SEPT. 2003. SPEAKING OUT NOW CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - POSSIBLY BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

A HISTORY LESSON, ESPECIALLY FOR 'SLOW-LEARNERS'.

The significance of the Hunger Strike is deeply embedded into Ireland's history and mythology, and for Irish Republicans especially. This religio-political martyrdom has an iconic connection with THEIR pantheon of fallen comrades. The use of Hunger strike (The Troscad) dates back to pre-Christian Ireland when there was a strong tradition of oral laws, Brehon Laws (Laws of the Fénechus). In ancient Ireland, self-help was the only method at people's disposal to enforce a claim or right a wrong within the context of these laws. The hunger striker gave notice of their intent and, according to the law tract Di Chetharslicht Athgabhála, if the person who is being fasted against does not come to arbitration, and actually allows the protester to die, then the moral judgement went against them and they endured shame and contempt until they made recompense to the family of the dead person. If they failed to make such amends, they were not only damned 

 by society but damned in the next world. They were held within Irish society to be without honour and without morality

RADIO REBEL GAEL Presents :

Over The Moon (w/ a Mighty Tune) !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music and Guest Musician, Paddy Ryan of THE RYANS (Liverpool) !!

http://archive.org/details/RRGOverTheMoon/

And lots of classics, and new tunes by Mary Courtney, Brian Finnegan, John Mccullagh, Stephen Leeson, Ray Collins, Ciaran Murphy, Gerry T. Moran, Kevin Conlon, Pol Mac Adaim, Christy Moore, Johnny Cash, Rising Gael, Foster & Allen, Athenrye, Erin Og, Flook, NECK, Icewagon Flu, Bluestack, Shebeen, Mischief Brew, Roaring Jack, Blood or Whiskey, The Druids, The Tossers, The Fighting Jamesons,

http://archive.org/details/RRGOverTheMoon/

 http://archive.org/details/RRGOverTheMoon/

And your Grand Pa’s favorite melodies !

The Kingdom of Dál Riata :

[Regarding picture below], published in the year George Buchanan died, "Rerum Scoticarum Historia", " Praised by Dr Johnson and the later Hugh MacDiarmid as a ‘prince of poets’, George Buchanan (1506-1582) found time to re-write Scottish history, starting from the mythical Fergus Mór mac Eirc, legendary king of Dál Riata, and founder of Scotland."

The history of the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, has been misused and misunderstood, and even has some Loyalists and Unionists (and others) promoting this pseudo-history that this ancient Kingdom of "Scots-Irish" is some kind of British idea. This is patently false, and I was reminded today, watching a documentary about Mary Black's family today; "Ceol na n-Oileán ", filmed in Rathlin and "features performances from Mary, Frances and Michael Black and younger members of the Black Family, as well as local singers Teresa McFaul and John McCurdy", in which the family talks about the common Gaelic lineage of Irish and Scots, and talks about the history of the ancient Gaels, in ancient times, just GAELS, not as of yet, Scottish or Irish, but the ancient Gaels of Dál Riata, who lived in the Gaelic isles and regions that stretched throughout Antrim and parts of what is know "Scotland", who orginally spoke one Gaelic language in common, and who resisted, as a common people the British encroachment upon their common indigenous Gaelic lands......Far from being a history of "British" or "Scots-Irish", this Kingdom of Dál Riata, was a proud Gaelic people who spoke one Gaelic tongue and were the ancestors of both Irish and Scottish Gaels.........And who all throughout history resisted the British encroachment of their lands. Clearly, not the same story as the pseudo-historians of the Unionist and Loyalist mindset.

--- Rory Dub., Radio Rebel Gael

RADIO REBEL GAEL Presents :

August Bonfires !

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

http://spinxpress.com/bronxgael/

FEAT. NEW Music & Guest Musicians; Chris of ERIN GO BRAGH (Dublin),  and Paul Holohan of WHISKEY STILL (Dublin) !!!

http://archive.org/details/RRGAugustBonfires_/

And lots of classics, and new tunes by John Mccullagh (from his new CD, “Working Class Lowlife” !!), Damaris Woods (from her new debut CD, “Banjo On My Knee: !), Colm O’Brien (from his new CD, “Back To Work !!),  The Langer’s Ball (from their latest “The Devil or The Barrel” !), Andy Irivine, Donal Og, Phil Coulter, Girsa, Kila, Neck, Chicago Reel, Fenian Folk, The Navigators, The Druids, The Players Brigade, The Fisticuffs, The Pikemen, The Mickey Finns,

http://archive.org/details/RRGAugustBonfires_/

And much more….

BANNING OF SPIRIT OF 76' FILM (1917), MORE UGLY PROOF OF THE LONG STANDING SUPPORT OF EVERYTHNG BRITISH BY THE U.S. GOVT.

The Spirit of '76 (1917) was a silent film directed by Frank Montgomery that depicted the American Revolution , and due to its depiction of British atrocities against Americans, caused the U.S. government to ban the film, and send its producer, Robert Goldstein, to Federal Prison for ten years, because it "violated the Espionage Act and was critical of the U.S.A.'s ally in WWI"

The film was produced by Robert Goldstein (born September 21, 1883), a Jewish immigrant from Germany who owned a costume shop. The Spirit of '76 was considered controversial at the time because of its depiction of the British atrocities during the American Revolutionary War, and "offended" tender pro-British sensibilities in America, while Wilson wanted to open up the Market to American Corporate Interests with the help of Britain.

The Spirit of '76 premiered in Chicago in May 1917, just one month after the United States declared war on Germany. The head of Chicago's police censorship board, a Mr M. Cicero Funkhouser, confiscated the film at the behest of Woodrow Wilson's Justice department on the grounds that it "generated hostility toward Britain", America's brand new ally. Goldstein trimmed the offending scenes, got federal approval for the censored version, and resumed the Chicago run. But when the film premiered in Los Angeles a few months later, Goldstein reinserted the deleted scenes concerning British atrocities. This was considered aiding and abetting the German enemy by the U.S. government, which after an investigation, arrested Goldstein.

The film was again seized and Goldstein was charged in federal court with violating the Espionage Act. At trial, the U.S. prosecutor argued that as the World War I effort demanded total Allied support, Goldstein's film was seditious on its face. Goldstein was convicted on charges of attempted incitement to riot and to cause insubordination, disloyalty, and mutiny by U.S. soldiers then in uniform as well as prospective recruits, and he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

"AND JUSTICE FOR ALL (AND ALL THAT CLAP TRAP)"

The Mickey Finns “Prayers And Idle Chatter” CD (Mankeltray Music) 2012:

Shane MacGowan once said that “….there’s no point in Ireland getting the six counties back, if Irish culture has been totally forgotten and destroyed. That will  have meant that they’ve won in the end.”  ( “A Drink With Shane MacGowan, Victoria Mary Clarke, 2001, Grove Press)

And bands like the Mickey Finns always remind us, of how much of an important part of Irish culture, the music really is.

With their third CD release, “Prayers and Idle Chatter”, The Mickey Finns are proof positive that no matter how much you drink,there’s not the slightest chance of Irish music being forgotten.

Beginning this new Mickey Finns bout with “Return of the Prodigal Son”; you can feel that whiskey-inspired Ceili-Country rhythm that brought so many fans to Paddy Reillys, night after night, to sing and dance to that rowdy Urban Cowboy sound that is the Mickey Finns. If Lucinda Williams and Christy Moore ever got together, The Mickey Finns would be their bastard child.  Bastard, in a positive sense of the word, perhaps like a Culchie troubadour, who, while he may be without a father, due to lack of family ties, he has the freedom to wander, busking on street corners, traveling the way of the Hobo musician, giving Boxcar Willie a few lessons on the way, with only a banjo and a coonskin cap to keep him company. Okay, maybe not. Maybe Boxcar Willie would get him drunk, pick his pockets and get him involved in a late night poker game, where he would lose his coonskin cap and his banjo. And didn’t we all learn about the evils of drinking and gambling in Sunday school ? So maybe this bastard child isn’t a saint, and has many musical parents, but who cares who the father is when the son is rocking the roof right off that roadhouse? Its that something special, that Irish Rogue-gypsy-hobo-culchie sound that will pack dance halls, pubs and roadhouses every night with an infectious Irish Rock n’ Reel mass appeal, that is 100% Mickey Finns. And bandmates Ray Kelly, and Brian Tracey, formerly of NY’s legenadary, The Prodigals, have a proud family tradition that transcends blood and lineage. Believe  it.

Afterwards, “Sweet Clare Girl” keeps us wandering these County Clare moors and beyond, in search of a musical sweetheart.

Just be careful with that “Sweet Clare Girl”, ladies and gentlemen, because she’s bound to break your heart :

“Said that love was only for the fools,

But you were never playing by the rules…..”

Despite the subject matter, this is really an upbeat tune that tells you to take it easy and not take things so seriously. A tune that would make Johnny Cash proud, whether or not the song makes you reminisce about unrequited love, or just a holiday romp with a beautiful Colleen, this tune is bound to become a crowd-pleaser.

Next, “McGuinness’ Mass” allows us to contemplate on the mysteries of life while totally banjaxed, or as they say in the States, “shit-faced”. This mighty pub sing-along is probably one of the best drinkers anthems ever written and is really about the existential nature of Alcohol & Religion. Like a Priest drunk on his own sacramental wine, we delve deep into the heart of intoxicating Ceilidh rhythms, libations, and toasts to friends, fiends, winos, langers, and family :

“Some men fought in wars and some tasted defeat

While others chased girls on their cold blistered feet,

But this was their haven, a safe place from harm

A place filled with song and with chatter and charm……”

A rocking and rolling pub sing along song of cheer and warmth that might even cause some to reschedule their Sunday afternoons. And while I wouldn’t recommend this tune to recovering alcoholics, I couldn’t recommend it enough to everybody else. Unless you’re a Jesus Freak. In that case, just stick to your Christian Rock and Gospel.

If that wasn’t enough of an alcoholic reverie for your tattered soul, than “Absinthe (Makes The Heart Grow Fonder)” shall give Hank III, Waylon Jennings and Luke Kelly (R.I.P.) a run for their money. From the hallowed halls of musical legends (driven to drink), comes the spirit of true “don’t cry in your beer, just guzzle it and smile”, reminding us, yet again, that life and love can be but a joke, even in the darkest of times. Hallellujah buddy ! This got to be one of the best drunkards prayers, this side of the Mississippi.

But probably one of the best tragic Irish love songs tackling the dark subject of sectarianism, is the Mickey Finns, “Tanks and Barbed Wire”, a mighty tune that will tug at your heart strings, and cause you to hope that people on both sides of the religious divide will wake up and reject the British propaganda of the “old divide and rule”, and put the religious hatred----- behind them. This song always moves me, in a way that only a deeply stirring and emotional song can. Beautiful and tragic, like Ulster.

Next, “The Jester”, is a happy tune that reunites us with our old chums in the drinking schools of McLean Avenue or the Quays. And with every rebel who breaks the mold , class clown that disrupts the boredom of school, or huckster who tries to talk us into playing his shell game, there’s always a Jester that stands tall amidst all the chicanery, turmoils and challenges of life, and keeps his head held high, because :

 

“Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall,

But the Jester still stands tall...

He’ll remain a rogue all his life, whiskey and the road , shall be his wife”

 

Whether or not this song for you, represents the rebel, the outlaw, or just the class clown, “The Jester” is an absolutely happening song, and one that Ken Bruen, The Mc Court Brothers, or Brendan O’Carroll would definitely relate to, and yet another amazing melody on a phenomenal CD that is almost all originals, written by The Mickey Finns. (The three instrumentals are the only covers on the entire CD). Really, you can’t get much better than that.

 

If that wasn’t crack-a-lackin’ enough for you, from the jubilant mirth of “The Jester”, we’re given more brilliant gypsy harmony that calls us to the road and the wanderers path, beyond the suffocating confines of city life and suburbia, “Dark Roll Down The Dawn” is one of a hell raiser and is destined to raise the roof where ever the mighty Mickey Finns take the stage.

But truthfully, the last ballad of this album, “The Ballad of Duffy’s Cut”, really must be the best song the Mickey Finns have written yet. And next to their equally great ballad “Tanks and Barbed Wire”, probably one of their most seriously heavy duty ballads, hands down. Telling the tragic true story of fifty-seven Donegal, Tyrone, and Derry natives, who emigrated in 1832 to work for railroad contractor, Phillip Duffy, near Malvern, Pennsylvania, and in less than two months, all of these hardworking sons of Ireland were all to die in disputed circumstances, most of them to be buried in mass graves, one account that they died of a cholera pandemic, while others say that they were massacred by Protestant nativists. Recent excavations and research has shown forensic evidence that more than a few of these 57 workers, were indeed murdered, by gunshot, and blunt force trauma, to the head. Additionally, many of those buried in unmarked mass graves, died due to the refusal of anti-Irish nativist locals , to allow them proper medical care:

“You’d thought you’d be in heaven, where the streets are paved with gold,

But you found yourself on a railway line, digging ditches in the cold...

There were 57 men, and 57 dreams

And 57 bodies in the ground, from evil schemes..”

A better song, in my opinion, by far, than the Willy Page “Duffys Cut” song that Christy Moore and others have covered, its also the best ballad on the tragedy of immigration and xenophobia, ever written. Fair play to the Mickey Finns, who can party hard and than get dead serious with you, and who’ve created one of the finest Irish Rock n’ Roll albums that I have ever heard. And believe me, I’ve heard many !

 

 -- Rory Dub., Radio Rebel Gael