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It’s All in the Song A Tribute to Andy M. Stewart The swan was in her movement and the morning in her smile. From “The Queen of Argyll†There it is, right in front of you, perhaps the most vivid description of a woman’s beauty ever found its way into a song. That’s Andy, that’s the way he writes; it’s life itself. If you want to know him, it’s all in the song. Any one of his songs. And if you want to know how we feel about him, it’s all here, in the songs we’ve collected to sing the praises of Andy M. Stewart. We decided to stand up and sing and pay him a long overdue tribute. And pay him back for all the stories and tunes, the laughs and lyrics, the insights and moments over the years. There’s not an Irish or Scottish singer anywhere in the world that doesn’t owe Andy a debt for the chance to sing one of his songs. To lift up a performance, an audience, even a career. Andy’s songs are that good. He’s the most influential Celtic songwriter in modern times, and since the gentle explosion of Irish and Scottish music over the last few decades, Andy’s songs have casually slipped to the fore and taken the music to another place. That place is his voice. Not just his distinctive singing voice, but his writing voice, his oh, so ancient, yet contemporary voice. Storied and evocative, engaging and welcoming, his is a voice that rises above the clamor of the pub, flashes images into smoky corners, spreads a hush over a crowded hall, settles upon a misty evening, shakes up a soul or two, squeezes lovers closer together and elbows a laugh out of you like an old farmer with a toothless grin. There’s not another voice like it, and so it’s to that, and to the man behind it, that this collection is dedicated. We’re humbled to add our voice to Andy’s. Andy M. Stewart http://www.andymstewart.com Called one of Celtic music’s most gifted singers and arguably the best songwriter in the entire folk tradition, Andy M. Stewart has been delighting audiences with his music and humor for two decades. Born in Perthshire, Scotland, Andy grew up in a family noted for its fine traditional singing. He first drew the attention of the music world with his work as lead singer and instrumentalist for Silly Wizard, with whom he toured until their break-up in 1988. It was while Andy was in the Wizards that he gained much recognition for his beautiful interpretations of the traditional songs of Scotland and Ireland and became known as a master of songwriting in the traditional style. Self-penned gems such as “The Ramblin’ Rover,†“The Queen of Argyll,†and “The Valley of Strathmore,†have become almost instant classics, and have been recorded by many artists and are included in this collection. Known for his wicked wit and sterling live performances, Andy M. Stewart is among the finest singers in the Scots/Irish traditional genre, with a voice that “conveys more emotion in one line than most singers do in a lifetime.†(Beacon Herald) Andy has recorded four solo albums, By the Hush, named Folk Album of the Year by Melody Maker Magazine, Songs of Robert Burns, Man in the Moon, and his most recent release, Donegal Rain, Mojo’s Folk Album of the Month, January 1998. He has also recorded three albums with Manus Lunny: Fire in the Glen (also featuring Phil Cunningham of Silly Wizard), Dublin Lady, and At It Again. Go to Andy’s Web site for a complete listing of Andy’s 23 recordings and links to his roots. Performers Tony Egan http://www.tonyegan.info Tony was born and raised in Ireland during the sixties and seventies, a time when Irish folk and traditional music was experiencing a major revival. He busked his way through France, Germany, Austria and as far as Israel on his way to Pittsburgh, where he now makes his home. He brings his distinctive delivery and fine voice to the most respectable establishments where Irish ballads are appreciated. Mike Gallagher http://www.mike-gallagher.com Native Pittsburgher Mike Gallagher has been a constant musical presence for over two decades. He backs his clear tenor voice with sensitivity and versatility on the 12-string guitar. His original works draw on the influences of American roots music and Celtic traditions. Master of the Irish ballad as well as haunting love songs, Mike has established himself as an entertainer who brings emotion, humor and spirit to every performance. Terry Griffith http://www.pittsburghirish.org/griffith Terry has been performing Irish ballads in local Irish pubs as well as performances at Irish festivals and fundraisers all over the U.S. for the last 20 years and has been a working musician for the last 38 years. His rich baritone voice is suited to ballads from the humorous to the emotional and his repertoire is sure to take audiences through the highs and lows that only Irish music can span in an evening. His favorite quote by Andy is, “Scotland is not for the squeamish.†Guaranteed Irish http://www.guaranteedirish.info Jimmy Lamb, Bruce Foley and Paddy Folan combine accordion, guitars, pipes, whistles and voices in their own distinctive way to generate an infectious sound true to the Irish tradition. The group is often joined by percussionist Deke Kincade. Guaranteed Irish has performed at festivals, concerts and pubs in Detroit, New Orleans and Boston and enjoyed a memorable tour of western Ireland in 1992. They have also opened for such notable acts as Patrick Street and The Irish Rovers. Laughrey Connolly http://www.laughreyconnolly.com Performing under the name Laughrey Connolly, singer-songwriters Christopher Laughrey and Lawrence Connolly combine performances of original compositions with arrangements of traditional Celtic music. They are currently regulars in the best pubs in the Pittsburgh area, where they are often joined by Duane Davis on bass and Lee McGinn on drums. Their CD, Home from the Field, was released in July 2005. Recording Engineer Al Snyder http://www.corbinhanner.com One of the original members of nationally-known Corbin Hanner Band who have five national CD releases, all reaching the top 20/30 on Billboard’s Country charts. Many artists, including Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis and Don Williams, have taken their original songs to Number One on the charts. Al is the owner and producer/engineer of Albey Road Studio, where most of these hits were first laid down, and where most of the songs on this CD were recorded. Check out the artist's website: http://andymstewart.com Track List: 1. The Queen of Argyll (3:04) 2. The Valley of Strathmore (4:16) 3. At It Again (3:05) 4. If I Was a Blackbird (4:50) 5. Ramblin’ Irishman (4:55) 6. Tae The Weaver’s Gin Ye Go (4:12) 7. Heart of the Home (3:30) 8. Take Her in Your Arms (3:09) 9. Where Are You (Tonight I Wonder) (2:57) 10. Brigit O’Malley (4:31) 11. The Gold Claddagh Ring (2:55) 12. Lover’s Heart (4:33) 13. They Wounded Old Ireland (5:33) 14. The Ramblin’ Rover (2:08) Other Genres:
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