Black 47 earned their chops playing the pub scene in Manhattan and self-producing their first indie record, Black 47, before converting The Cars' Ric Ocasek to the cause and gaining mainstream attention with their second album. The band celebrated their 20th year in 2010, but I wanted to take a look back at their major label debut, which still serves as their finest hour.
Black 47 espouses an unblinkingly political and thoroughly Irish form of rock 'n' roll, with songs covering topics from the Northern Ireland conflict to civil rights and urban unrest in contemporary New York. Larry Kirwan writes music of an epic nature, and on this album, every track is memorable.
In short, this disc nails it. With its disparate roots and influences, the album sounds like Springsteen influenced by traditional Irish music instead of R&R and R&B. Black 47's music encompasses a range of subject matter and emotion, all tied together by the recurrence of the "Living in America" theme throughout the album.
This band was doing Irish punk alongside the Pogues and before Flogging Molly or the Dropkick Murphys. Veterans of thirteen albums on various labels, if anyone is left standing, it will be Black 47.
Cool I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteErin go bragh!
PK-
ReplyDeleteThey've got a bunch of albums, and most are pretty good, but this one is their best, in my opinion. It's a Saint Patty's tradition for me (listened two it twice already)!
I'm also playing Horslips and The Saw Doctors, in addition to the new Dropkick Murphys.
No green beer though. My employer frowns on that.
LC
>>....."Black 47 espouses an unblinkingly political and thoroughly Irish form of rock 'n' roll, with songs covering topics from the Northern Ireland conflict to civil rights and urban unrest in contemporary New York."
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but that sounds like code for "they're flaming liberals".
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Oui, I wish I'd have thought of that St. Patty's Day tie-in. I like the Chieftians too, although they're a bit more traditional.
ReplyDeleteMcDogg-
ReplyDeleteThese guys are Irish by birth, so yes, they will have ideas and politics that do not align with yours (or mine, for that matter). Aw come on, I'll bet most of your favorite musicians are liberal, too. It's music. Enjoy it!
EV-
I love the album, and recommend it highly. They just put out a compilation (www.black47.com) as well. I listen to it a lot, and faithfully on St. Paddy's Day!
Larry
>>.....Aw come on, I'll bet most of your favorite musicians are liberal, too.
ReplyDeleteNope. Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis? The only liberal musician I have in my music collection is Todd Rundgren. (And that I didn't buy - it was a gift.)
;o)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Ah yes, you're right. That Springsteen fellow is a staunch conservative!
ReplyDeleteSpringsteen? Is HE in my collection? (How'd THAT get in here?! Someone snuck into my house and put it here. I've been framed! Framed, I tells ya!)
ReplyDeleteAlright, I stand corrected.
(Although I'd rather be lying-down-drunk.)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'