MICK HANLY, one of Ireland's greatest songwriters, plays the Town Hall Theatre on Sunday May 8 at 8pm, joined by Donal Lunny, to perform songs from his new album, Homeland.
The alliance with Donal Lunny, for both the album and tour, is apt, given Lunny's former band Planxty were an inspiration to Mick for this new album.
“The search for the big song got me started," Mick recalls. "In the early seventies Mícheál Ó Domhnaill and I opened for Planxty in Athlone. After the concert I remember hearing Christy, Donal, and Andy rehearse the harmonies for the chorus of 'The Well Below The Valley'. When I eventually heard the entire song...the feeling of mystery, the hypnotic effect of the chorus, and the bizarre nature of the content fascinated me.
"Over the years it sat somewhere in my brain....along with 'Little Musgrave', 'The House of the Rising Sun'. Every time one of these songs came to mind, it was like a scold, "You haven’t tackled the big canvas yet, Mick? What’s the problem?” So began 'The Lady Avonlee', 'Patrick’s Hill', 'The Birdcatcher', and a few more."
Homeland, Mick's first release of new material in more than a decade, came out in March. Hanly's best known song is 'Past The Point Of Rescue', and many of his other compositions have been covered by Christy Moore, Mary Black, and Dolores Keane.
Tickets are available from the Town Hall on 091 - 569777 or www.tht.ie
