I'd like to thank everybody who made both nights work so well.
The musicians - Paul Brady, Dónal Lunny, Liam O'Flynn, Paddy Glackin, Johnny Moynihan, Terry Woods, Bruce Molsky, Rens van der Zalm, Nikola Parov and George & Manoli Galiatsos who came unexpectedly all the way from Athens for the concerts.
Leagues O'Toole and all at Aiken Productions in Vicar Street who made life so easy.
But most of all to the members of the audience. I would never have believed we would sell out two nights in Vicar Street.
Many thanks to you all.
How I enjoyed playing with Sweeney's Men after so many years!
Terry and me in fits of giggles in The Waxie's Dargle.
Johnny singing The Handsome Cabin Boy just as he did 45 years ago!
Sweeney's Men - Johnny Moynihan & Terry WoodsThen the buzz of playing with Mozaik. We hadn't played since November 2009. That was a great thrill.
MOZAIK - Dónal Lunny, Bruce Molsky, Rens van der Zalm and
Nikola ParovMy lovely old friends George & Manoli who I knew so long ago in Melbourne, Australia and whose departure from there to thier native Greece about 20 years ago caused the Melbourne scene never to be the same again.
When I heard they were coming over, I knew we would be able to incorporate them into "The Last Dance" - Greek tune that Nikola leads on the Clarinet. What I did not know was that the piece had words and that Nikola knew them!
The sight and sounds of Nikola & George singing in Greek was one of the high points of the night for me!
Nikola sang with George & Manoli Galiatsos BrothersBrady was in great form!! Jumping up and down and exploding on the stage as he does best!
with Paul BradyLAPD finished off in fine style and then we had the finale with Mozaik and Paul joining Liam, me, Paddy Glackin and Dónal.
LAPD - Liam O'Flynn, Dónal Lunny and Paddy Glackin with Paul
BradyI couldn't have asked for a better 70th birthday experience!
Thanks everybody from the bottom of my heart!!
Andy