The Lads Who Would Give Them Hard Clouts

For the second time in the last few months, I spent yesterday evening at the Barbican listening to a bunch of Irishmen revisiting one of their landmark moments. Last time out it was Microdisney performing "The Clock Comes Down The Stairs". This time it was Andy Irvine and Paul Brady and their eponymous album from 1977, which is widely - and rightly - regarded as one of the classic Irish folk albums.

Andy and Paul are both in their seventies now, but you wouldn't know it because they are both sounding as good as ever. They were ably supported by the backing musicians from the original album, Donal Lunny and Kevin Burke, both fairly legendary figures in their own right.

We were treated to two full sets, a selection from their respective solo careers in the first half and then the whole album after the break. Inevitably, "Arthur McBride" was the stand-out moment, but the show was excellent from start to finish.

Here's one track apiece from Andy and Paul from the original album, plus as a bonus "The Cocks Are Crowing" from Paul's most recent album, "Unfinished Business" - one of the highlights of the first set.

"Mary And The Soldier" - Andy Irvine and Paul Brady

"Streets Of Derry" - Andy Irvine and Paul Brady

"The Cocks Are Crowing" - Paul Brady