Audio and Video Clips

Seamus Carmichael has been singing traditional songs in both Irish and English for the last ten years. He has developed a more theatrical style which he feels brings out the dramatic or comic aspects of the songs.

Although he works primarily as a solo unaccompanied singer Carmichael also performs with Matt Miskie or Steve Stanislaw and Steve Sciniere as the Gansey Brothers where they get to share their love of traditional songs in the style of the Clancy Brothers and the Dubliners

This Song, “Here I Am Amongst You” is a comic song collected by Irish Singer and Collector, Len Graham in Rocktown, County Derry where Seamus Carmichael grew up. When Len Graham and Brian Hart visited Lebanon in April 2013 Graham shared the song with him.  Carmichael added a verse to it and uses it as an introduction to his set of comic songs.

Sessions are a regular activity for those who enjoy Irish traditional music, and singers are a part of the music whether singing Sean Nos (Old Style an ornamented Art Song style) or more contemporary folk styles. Sessions are the way many people learn the repertoire of dance tunes and songs that are commonly played at these gatherings and since Irish Music is a living tradition, new tunes and songs emerge and are shared here too.

The next song “The Road To Lisdoonvarna” is a popular dance tune of which someone inquired, “Aren’t there words to that tune?” Carmichael took it as a challenge and wrote these lines which explore the plight of a bachelor farmer in rural County Clare, trying to find a mate at the famous Matchmaking Festival.

Seamus has recorded a CD of Celtic Christmas Songs called Nollaig Fado (Christmas Long Ago) which is available by contacting him here. Copies are $15 and price includes shipping, The Art and illustrations were also produced by Carmichael. You may hear samples at Soundcloud

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