THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1993
Page 5
MUSIC
A Brilliant Fusion
By TOM COXWORTH
Shamrock rap n' roll. What? As sure as Irish and Scottish are cultures unto themselves, so it is for those from the Bronx in New York.
Black '47 is a meeting of diametrically opposed musical styles finding a common bond from cross-cultural currents. The result is an exceptionally brilliant, ethnic fusion of rock, rap and urban street music blended with Irish heritage.
The group draws its name from the worst year of the Irish potato famine, and while they may not wipe out this tragedy, they use this name to identify how their heritage has merged into the new world.
The Celtic-American fusion is directed through Larry Kirwan (guitar, vocals), Geoff Blythe (tenor, baritone and soprano saxophone), Chris Bryne (Uileann pipes, tin whistle, bodhran and vocals), Frank Parcells (trombone, tin whistle
and vocals), and Thomas Hamlin (drums and percussion).
Kirwan, an Irish expatriate, formed Black '47 in 1990 with Blythe, and they drew from styles as diverse as the Ramones, The Clash, 2 Live Crew, The Beatles and Paddy Reilly.
While the songs at times may lilt with traditional Irish melodies, this is no Clancy Brothers band. The music is a shockingly brilliant melee of styles that is not limited by narrow-minded thoughts of what can or cannot be done.
There are no barriers here and therein lies their strength. Rockin' The Bronx, Funky Ceili and Livin' in America are innovative episodes of what they represent. As well, they are able to build sullen and solemn beauty with Blind Mary/Her Dear Old Donegal and Frantic Heart.
Black '47 are innovative and inventive musicians, deserving attention and recognition for their music that knows no borders.
Psychic Q & A
Here's How I Respond to Questions
Will your dreams come true in the New Year?
Will your dreams come true at all?
I thought I'd take a little time out to fill in Celtic Connection readers on my psychic philosophy. Just so you know what you're getting into, should you be curious enough to write to me for a response to your query.
I tend to specialize in emotional and spiritual matters. In other words, if a person is in the wrong relationship I can usually spot it right away. Likewise, if a person is in a good relationship, I can usually tell very easily.
If a person is missing the spiritual spark necessary in making dreams come true, I can often assist in taking steps to correct the problem. If a person is endowed with great spiritual discipline or vision, I can usually read his or her future with 100 percent accuracy.
That is not to say you can't ask a simple question, such as, should I or shouldn't I? Will I or won't I sell my house? Find a new job? Change career, etc. I can answer practically any question, and, rm told by my loyal clients, with 99.9% accuracy.
But what is psychic ability and how do I see it? Well, some
fieople describe it as a gift and 'm sure, like all talents, that gift is a good name for it. But more clearly defined, it is an
ability to be extremely sensitive to people's needs; the patterns, emotional, spiritual and material that they live by and the likelihood of outcomes based on an analysis of where they are presently.
Much like intuition, psychic ability is like an inner knowledge, independent of rhyme or reason. One just knows certain things, about certain people or situations and can sense outcomes before they happen.
Personally, I always guide my psychic ability with the compassion of the "sermon on the mount." I surrender completely my trust in the Lord Jesus that my predictions will shed light where there is darkness and hope where there is despair.
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FOR A PRIVATE READING with Philomena Daly, please see her advertisement in the classified section, page 29.
BLACK 47 — FINDING COMMON BONDS IN CROSS-CULTURAL CURRENTS
A Celtic-American fusion of rock, rap and urban street music blended with Irish
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