Tommy Makem
Aug. 2nd, 2007 02:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rmRIP Tommy Makem.
I'm sad.
You see, I thought we were Irish until I was about nine, because we listened to the music so much at home, and when we went to Chicago when I was five, we saw the Chieftans in some divey Irish bar, and I danced and danced in that peculiar way that children (and I suppose the Irish) can be very grave about cheerful things. I remember my dress, and the stunning black-Irish gent with the cat-like face who bowed to me and taught me a bit of a jig.
And I remember seeing The Clancy Brothers tons of times with my parents, particularly a free concert, at night, at Lincoln Center, and I know I'm supposed to think it cheesy and a dreadful relic of the sixties when I look at those LP covers with the men with the neat hair, ridiculous smiles and damn cable-knit sweaters. I remember learning not to mention such things at school, and taking notes on the names of all the songs on WPLJ so I would know how much I was supposed to say I loved Duran Duran instead.
But this is what I grew up with. This is what I loved. And I still do.
I'm sad.
You see, I thought we were Irish until I was about nine, because we listened to the music so much at home, and when we went to Chicago when I was five, we saw the Chieftans in some divey Irish bar, and I danced and danced in that peculiar way that children (and I suppose the Irish) can be very grave about cheerful things. I remember my dress, and the stunning black-Irish gent with the cat-like face who bowed to me and taught me a bit of a jig.
And I remember seeing The Clancy Brothers tons of times with my parents, particularly a free concert, at night, at Lincoln Center, and I know I'm supposed to think it cheesy and a dreadful relic of the sixties when I look at those LP covers with the men with the neat hair, ridiculous smiles and damn cable-knit sweaters. I remember learning not to mention such things at school, and taking notes on the names of all the songs on WPLJ so I would know how much I was supposed to say I loved Duran Duran instead.
But this is what I grew up with. This is what I loved. And I still do.
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no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 07:33 pm (UTC)I don't know anything by Mr. Makem, but I'd be interested in hearing it. Can you suggest any essential listening?
no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 07:46 pm (UTC)I saw him three years ago or so and he was so frail, he couldn't even stand up, and he looked terrible.
Then I saw him two years ago and he was a laugh riot, going a mile a minute, constant sarcastic commentary and a fine voice.
I hadn't heard he was dead.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 08:56 pm (UTC)Oh, damn. What a loss.
I grew up with those cable-knit records too, and the sad, sad and angry songs of war. I'll have to play some later today and toast his memory.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 10:28 pm (UTC)It was just last Friday night I was talking about him over dinner, and how seeing him in concert when I was much younger.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 11:31 pm (UTC)It was what I grew up with, too. The one time I saw them live I brought all of the old album covers and got them signed.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 11:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 02:42 am (UTC)I remember rocking my daughter and singing softly
"The October winds lament around the castle of Tramore....."
And being a child and wishing I could go away with the raggle-taggle gypsies.
He will be missed.