Andy Irvine

by Val McGarry

Andy Irvine is one of the great Irish singers, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland.

He has been hailed as “a tradition in himself”.

Musician, singer, songwriter, Andy has maintained his individual performing skills throughout his over 60-year career.

From Sweeney’s Men in the mid 60s to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, and then from Andy Irvine & Paul Brady to Patrick Street, Mozaik, LAPD and Usher’s Island, Andy has been a world music pioneer and an icon for traditional music and musicians.

As a soloist, Andy fills the role of the archetypal troubadour with a show and a travelling lifestyle that reflect his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie.

His repertoire consists of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes and a compelling canon of his own self penned songs.

Andy is no stranger to Australia, having toured all over the country since 1984.

However, this is his first visit for five years and he is raring to go!

Andy will be playing a guitar shaped bouzouki, a bass bouzouki, an octave mandola and a normal mandola, with harmonica, and telling you many stories.

He has recently concluded a very successful three week tour of the UK and has a new album of Woody Guthrie songs ready to come out in the new year.

Andy Irvine Official Website: www.andyirvine.com