Brian Byrne

Bio:

Brian Byrne played in a folk duo with his brother Michael called The Spicelanders in the late 60s. This duo from Sheffield then teamed up with Donal Lunny and Brian Bolger, late of the Emmet Folk, to form the Emmet Spiceland in 1968. Hugely successful in Ireland, the Emmet Spiceland had run it's course by 1970, though a short-lived reformed line-up with Honor Heffernan and Brian Byrne emerged in 1973.

Brian's solo debut was a single on Pye in 1970 which I have not heard. In 1971 he performed "An Sean Seanchai" (The Old Storyteller) in the National Song Contest, finishing fourth. This was not released on vinyl. His solo LP was recorded in November 1972 and released the following year. It's a pleasant if minor effort, not too far removed from the Spiceland, and featuring Donal Lunny on most instruments and Jolyon Jackson of Supply Demand & Curve.

The LP was issued on Hawk Records in 1973, but some labels carry a (p) 1976 date. These may be later pressings, or it may simply be a typo. As far as I am aware, there was no delay with the actual release which went ahead in 1973 as planned. 1973 was the year of the brief Emmet Spiceland reunion in which Brian was involved.

Brian appeared in the stage musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in the UK and Ireland. He is featured on the Irish recording of songs from the latter (as "The Prisoner"), released on Ram Records in 1974. This appears to have been the end of his recording career.

   


note the "(p) 1976" date

side one:
Carnloch Bay
This Town Is Not Their Own
Next Market Day
Lakes Of Coolfin
John Barleycorn
Coulters Candy

side two:
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
Magherafelt May Fair
Droop All The Flowers
Handsome Sally
The Parting Glass

Notes: Credits:
Donal Lunny - guitars, bouzouki, tin whistle, moog synthesizer, organ
John Curran - flute
Jolyon Jackson - cello, organ
Martin Walsh - bass
Brian Masterson - tambourine

Traditional Arrangements Donal Lunny and Brian Byrne. Recorded at Eamonn Andrews Studios, November 1972. Produced by Donal Lunny.

track: Bantry Bay

Help!: We need your help to complete this entry. If you can tell us more about this band then please do! We welcome any corrections, missing details, connections to other bands, where are they now, etc. We also need photos, scans, copies of releases or live or demo recordings, and any other memorabilia gathering dust in the attic.