Afro Celt Sound System

**Sun Feb 26, 2006 5:05 pm**

Are there any other Afro Celt fans amongst you? I love the first 3 albums they did.

**Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:19 pm**

I haven't any albums, but quite like them, think I saw them at the Fleadh a number of years ago but was quite drunk that day so I can't remember. I know I've seen them somewhere. :wink:

**Sun Feb 26, 2006 8:49 pm**

I have the first album somewhere.The re is a Pogues link isnt there?
Occassionall pipe player or something?

**Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:54 pm**

Yep, James McNally.

Some pics are here and here.

**Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:07 pm**

duncan disorderly wrote:I have the first album somewhere.The re is a Pogues link isnt there?
Occassionall pipe player or something?

Yes, James McNally, who is a key part of the Afro Celts, joined the Pogues when James Fearnley and Terry Woods quit after Waiting For Herb. He was a member of the Pogues on Pogue Mahone and co wrote Living In A World Without Her with Darryl. Strangely, he was also in Terry Woods' band, The Bucks, at about the same time. I think he's a really talented musician and his solo album, Everybreath, is well worth seeking out. It includes a cover version of Fairytale Of New York and features Jem Finer, Darryl Hunt, Andrew Ranken and Jamie Clarke from The Pogues and Tommy McManamon from The Popes. He was also, with McManamon, known as Storm, who often supported The Pogues in the late 1980's/early 1990's.

**Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:46 pm**

Thanks Michaelo
(and Zuzana)
Im going to look for that solo album now.The TOmmy MacManamon link has interested me cos Im learning Tenor Bnjo and he is my "axe hero"!

**Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:30 pm**

duncan disorderly wrote:Im going to look for that solo album now.The TOmmy MacManamon link has interested me cos Im learning Tenor Banjo and he is my "axe hero"!

I think Tommy only plays guitars on that album. (don't have the booklet to my hands right now)

**Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:41 pm**

duncan disorderly wrote:Im going to look for that solo album now.The TOmmy MacManamon link has interested me cos Im learning Tenor Bnjo and he is my "axe hero"!

I don't want to discourage you here, but you should know that the Afro Celt Sound System sounds nothing like The Pogues, The Popes, Storm, etc. It's a lot of "African beats" combined with traditional "Celtic instruments" creating some kind of international flavored dance music.

I quite enjoy it and have all three albums but would caution you against rushing blindly into the purchase wihtout first listening to some samples (I'm sure Amazon could help you with this).

**Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:10 pm**

Talking of Storm, does anyone know if they ever made an album? I have never been able to find one. In fact the only track by them I have ever found is "4610", which I have on a compilation CD.
I agree Afro Celts are very different to Pogues etc, but I meant "Everybreath" by James rather than his work with Afro Celts (who I also like). That album is also different to Pogues- is more of an easy listening sound and less energetic than Pogues. Alex is quite right, Tommy plays on half a dozen tracks but only plays guitar. I think the only banjo on the album is by Jem Finer (on Fairytale).

**Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:17 pm**

Ooer I put a bid on that Everybreath.It does sound a bit of a relaxation CD from the description! but if i get it cheap I dont mind.
BIt like the ones you get doing classic songs on Pn Pipes for aquid.
I would rather hear Storm if they ever recorded anything.I was hoping for some rocking banjo a la Macmanamon.Nevr mind.

PS Yeah I know what AFRo Celt are like DZm.I have seen them play live

**Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:26 am**

Wow. The synchronicity....it may just be me. I was just reading an ad here in Oz for an Irish event looking for a guest Irishman. The host of said events surname was MacManamon. He lives in Manilla, New South Wales, as opposed to say Manila, Philipines

But I mean, I read his name on the Sydney 2006 St. Patrick's Day official parade website not 5 minutes before seeing Tommy's name here. *oooh, spooooky!* :wink:

**Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:22 pm**

storm did make a cd in around 1992 or 93...it was made up of demos mainly...but they sold it at gigs (i think)...so there must be copies around somewhere...in my opinion infinatley better than everybreath...whilst well made-well played- most definatley elevator music ! Sorry James ! :oops:

storm were awesome live though...with loads of banjo aswell as guitar from Tommy..so many instruments....at the same time :?:

and James can play that whistle...

**Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:29 pm**

clarky wrote:James can play that whistle...

Yeah, he is a really hot player.

**Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:45 pm**

clarky wrote:storm did make a cd in around 1992 or 93...it was made up of demos mainly...but they sold it at gigs (i think)...so there must be copies around somewhere...in my opinion infinatley better than everybreath...whilst well made-well played- most definatley elevator music ! Sorry James !

storm were awesome live though...with loads of banjo aswell as guitar from Tommy..so many instruments....at the same time

and James can play that whistle...

Thanks Clarky, I will try and hunt a copy down. Storm were due to appear at my university back in 1990/1. I went along to the gig, only find a sign on the door saying "Cancelled- due to illness in the band". I was gutted.
p.s. If you are the same Clarky I think you are (Jamie), do you have any plans to tour the UK in the near future?

**Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:23 am**

I like the song that Sinead O'Connor was on. I don't know the name but I found it on some compilation CD -- either that, or I found the song on iTunes and downloaded it. I can't remember. The song is excellent though. Good powerful drums and great uilleann piping too. Yes! I do like some of Sinead's singing even if she acts like a stupid arse most of the time.