- Black 47
Infobox musical artist
Name = Black 47
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin =United States
Genre = Rock,Celtic punk ,Celtic rock
Years_active = 1989–present
Label =EMI , Mercury, Shanachie
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URL = http://www.black47.com/
Current_members = Geoffrey Blythe
Thomas Hamlin
Larry Kirwan
Joseph Mulvanerty
Fred Parcells
Joe Burcaw
Past_members = Chris Byrne
Andrew Goodsight
Notable_instruments =Based in New York City, Black 47 is a
Celtic rock band made up of Irish expatriates, formed inthe Bronx byLarry Kirwan andChris Byrne in1989 . Their name is derived from1847 , the worst year of theGreat Irish Famine .The Early Years
Black 47 began as a two-piece with
Larry Kirwan on vocals and electric guitar andChris Byrne on whistles. Their first performance was in the Bronx on October 2, 1989. During the first year a horn section was added with Fred Parcells on trombone and Geoffrey Blythe on saxophones. Later they were joined by Thomas Hamlin on drums.In 1991 the band created a stir in the downtown
Manhattan scene with their weekly residency at Paddy Reilly's on Second Avenue. In the same year, the band released an eponymous independent album which gained the attention of the music industry.The Cars 'Ric Ocasek produced "Fire of Freedom" their first major label release in 1993. During this year, the singles "Funky Céilí" and "Maria's Wedding" were in heavy rotation on alternative radio and MTV's 120 Minutes."Home of the Brave" followed in 1994 with
Jerry Harrison serving as producer. The album continued the band's socio-political themes of American labor andcivil rights ,Irish nationalism , and the immigrant experience.In 1996 the band shifted from
EMI toMercury Records . They released "Green Suede Shoes" which had been their most critically successful album since "Fire of Freedom."In their tenth year together, Black 47 released a limited edition compilation "Ten Bloody Years" and their first live recording "Live In New York City" which took place in the now defunct Wetlands nightclub.
In 2000, founding member
Chris Byrne left the band to focus on his solo music project Seanchaí and the Unity Squad.Today
Black 47 is at once political, irreverent, militant and feisty. Their broad musical influences include
punk rock ,rock and roll ,Irish music , rap/hip-hop,reggae , and soul. They maintain a loyal fan base while touring in theUnited States andIreland .They continue their tradition of their Saturday night performances in
New York City at Connolly's ofTimes Square .Discography
*1989 - "Home of the Brave/Live in London"
*1991 - "Black 47"
*1992 - "Black 47 (EP)"
*1993 - "Fire of Freedom"
*1994 - "Home of the Brave"
*1996 - "Green Suede Shoes"
*1999 - "Live in New York City"
*2000 - "Trouble in the Land"
*2001 - "On Fire" (live)
*2004 - "New York Town"
*2005 - "Elvis Murphys' Green Suede Shoes"
*2006 - "Bittersweet Sixteen" (popular songs & rarities collection)
*2008 - "Iraq"Band members
* Geoffrey Blythe : tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet
* Joe Burcaw : bass, vocals
* Thomas Hamlin : drums, percussion
*Larry Kirwan : lead vocals, guitar
* Joseph Mulvanerty : uilleann pipes, flute, bodhrán
* Fred Parcells : trombone, tin whistle"Early members"
*
Chris Byrne : uilleann pipes, tin whistle, bodhrán and vocals (1989-2000)
* David Conrad : bass (1991-1993)
* Kevin Jenkins : bass (1993-1995)
* Andrew Goodsight: bass (1995-2006)External links
* [http://www.black47.com/ Black 47 band website]
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