Prior to launching his solo career, Seán exposed himself to a myriad of musical traditions and styles, from his traditional roots, growing up in Galway, to his experiences as a working musician on the 1970s US folk scene, to writing material for other artists and guesting on CDs, including Davy Spillane’s ‘The Shadow Hunter’.
Over the years Seán Tyrrell has garnered a loyal following at home in Ireland, in the UK, US, Germany and Belgium. His reputation has been built on his musical integrity, his love of language and poetry, his ability to pay homage to great poets through music and not least the magnetic quality of his voice and sympathetic instrumental accompaniment.
Apart from his musical pedigree, Seán has also made his mark on the Irish stage with his adaptation of Brian Merriman’s ‘The Midnight Court’. Described as a ‘traditional-music opera’, it was staged originally at the Druid Theatre, Galway. The production later toured Ireland and enjoyed a week long run in the Olympia (Dublin).
Seán’s first solo CD, Cry of a Dreamer, released in 1996, was greeted with critical acclaim.
His follow-up CD, The Orchard, was released in 1998. The CD later went on to win the Irish Music Magazine Reader’s Poll Award for ‘Best Folk Album ’99’.
While Seán has the ability to make other people’s songs ‘his own’, the CD Belladonna, features a much higher proportion of self-composed material. However, as in his earlier CDs, it also features some wonderful poetry set to music, including the Michael Hartnett poem ‘Belladonna in the Bar’, Francis Ledwidge’s ‘Dead Kings’ and W. B. Yeats ‘Stolen Child’.
Discography:
Cry Of A Dreamer (Hannibal Records, 1995)
The Orchard (Longwalk Music, 1999)
Songs Of Peace (Vredesconcerten Passendale, 1999)
Belladonna (Longwalk Music, 2002)
Live (Longwalk Music, 2005)
Walker Of The Snow (The Vital Record, 2012)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
