MUSIC Three musical bards for tonight’s Acoustic Yard

ACCLAIMED?Limerick singer SiobhΡn O’Brien is on the bill tonight’s Acoustic Yard in Matt Molloy’s, Westport, along with Gerry Creen and Mike Langley.

Three musical bards for tonight’s Acoustic Yard


The Acoustic Yard in Matt Molloy’s, Westport, tonight (Tuesday), May 27, will be filmed by IrishTV and feature three acclaimed singer/songwriters. A monthly event, The Acoustic Yard showcases the best songwriters, not only in Ireland but around the world.
Gerry Creen is acknowledged as one of Belfast’s finest singer/songwriters. Having lived all his life in the city, Gerry emerged from its vibrant folk scene of the 1960s and 70s sharing stages and billings with some of the world’s finest songwriters, including Nanci Griffith, Paul Brady, Ralph McTell and Tom Paxton.
Creen is a great exponent of the art of finger picking, with a voice and melodies to match. His classic song ‘A Rose By Any Other Name’, which was written in 1977 during the darkest days of the Troubles, is considered by many as one of Ireland’s leading peace anthems. It was recently re-released on CD, along with his new CD ‘Hindsight’.
Mike Langley was recently inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2012. A superb guitar player and evocative lyricist, he’s the son of legendary country songwriter Jack Langley, also a hall of fame inductee.
Mike lived and toured in Austria, Hungary, Italy, Germany, France and the UK in the mid ’80s playing at international jazz and folk festivals and recording movie soundtracks. He moved back to the USA in 1997 and formed his independent record label Orange Carpet Music whilst playing with his late brother, Jon, in The Langley Brothers Band. A regular visitor to these shores, many of his songs invoke the spirit of the West of Ireland.
Limerick singer SiobhΡn O’Brien has a strong connection with Matt Molloy’s, as she has performed as a guest vocalist with The Chieftains at Boston Symphony Hall. Her third album, ‘Songs I Grew Up To’, features The Chiefain’s Paddy Maloney on her versions of ‘Long Black Veil’ and ‘Lakes of Ponchartrain’.
SiobhΡn, a niece of Brendan Bowyer of The Royal Showband, has performed for Bob Dylan, Christy Moore, Donovan, The Cranberries, Damien Dempsey, Sharon Shannon and Paul Brady. Her solo work incorporates traditions of American song, including folk, blues, country and Irish traditional music.  In recent years, she has toured extensively in the US, performing with The San Diego Symphony in California and appearing recently on the popular Ginger TV in New York City to promote her latest CD, simply called ‘SiobhΡn O’Brien’.

Doors open at 8.30pm, so come early to avoid disappointment. Musicians interested in performing at The Acoustic Yard can contact David at theacousticyard@gmail.com.