RecentMusic - Frank Harte/Donal Lunny New Releases

Frank Harte/Donal Lunny

Frank Harte was a distinguished traditional Irish singer and collector of songs, beloved for his extensive repertoire and dedication to the preservation of Irish musical heritage. Born in Chapelizod, Dublin in 1933, he spent a lifetime accumulating and performing traditional Irish songs, focusing especially on narratives of historical events, political struggles, and the everyday lives of past generations. His passion for Irish music was kindled during his childhood and, through his work as an architect and lecturer, he maintained his deep connection to folk music, becoming one of the most respected figures in Irish folk tradition. Harte’s vocal style was marked by its clarity and emotional depth, bringing to life the stories contained within each song. He was a regular fixture at folk festivals in Ireland and the UK and produced several acclaimed recordings before his death in 2005.

Harte often collaborated with esteemed Irish musician Dónal Lunny, whose virtuosic skill on the bouzouki and guitar helped to bring a new dimension to these traditional songs. Lunny, born in Tullamore, County Offaly in 1947, was instrumental in the evolution of Irish folk music, co-founding seminal bands like Planxty and The Bothy Band. His influential career has been marked by a series of innovative projects and collaborations that have expanded the boundaries of traditional Irish music. His fusion of Irish folk with contemporary sounds and his production work have earned him both national and international acclaim. Together, Harte and Lunny bridged the old and the new, with albums such as "And Listen to My Song" and "My Name is Napoleon Bonaparte" showcasing the power of traditional music reinterpreted through their combined artistic vision. Their recordings not only celebrate Irish culture but also serve as important documents of its rich, albeit sometimes tragic, history—as seen in works like "1798 the First Year of Liberty" and "The Hungry Voice (The Song Legacy of Ireland's Great Hunger)", which evoke the spirit and struggles of past generations.

Genres