Don't forget, the headline is a question, not a statement. All I have done, in this labour of love, is to trawl YouTube for some clips of the female Irish singers/musicians whose music - and, in a couple of cases, friendship - has been important to me over the years. I say that's all I have done, but it has taken a long time; what a good job Friday is the Muslim world's Sunday equivalent, giving me day-off time in the UAE to devote to the exercise. What we end up with is a dozen of the best, which I have spit into two parts, the second of which will appear here by tomorrow morning (Sunday). Where possible, I have deliberately avoided over-familiar songs in favour of something a little different. There are people, or versions of songs, I simply couldn't locate, so I can hardly claim to have eliminated familiarity altogether. Never trust an old hack with new technology. But see what you think, and if anyone knows any of the individuals who placed the clips at YouTube, let them/me know - I'd like them to know they're in appropriate hands, and me to know that they approve.
The wonderful Cathy Jordan of Dervish kicks off the list....... I remember once dashing across London from having seen Altan at the Fleadh to catch Dervish at the Waterman's arts centre in Brentford. A luxury of riches....
One of the best gigs I ever attended was Touchstone playing a club in Bristol in the early to mid-1980s (a club I recall as being in or just off The Centre, and having an old telephone kiosk plonked in the middle. You can either watch the interesting graphic (unrelated to the band) or, if you were there the same night in Bristol, close your eyes and still see Claudine Langille sitting on a table, swinging her legs to and fro as she plays banjo and joins Triona Ni Domhnaill in the best version of Jack Haggerty I've ever heard.....
Speaking of Altan, as I was a second ago, this list would not be complete without Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. Tá mo Chleamhnas Déanta is taken from a 13-year-old BBC recording. I will never forget my many warm encounters with Mairéad, and of course the late, hugely missed Frankie Kennedy, in the UK and Ireland....
Sinead O'Connor's voice sends a shiver down the spine. That shiver becomes an uncontrollable tremble when she takes on My Lagan Love.....
Anything from Sharon Shannon would be likely to seem familiar; she is such a prolific performer, and gets herself involved in so many collaborations that most of her output seems to keep coming back in different formats. She doesn't sing, of course, and barely speaks when on stage, but her music communicates beautifully. Here is a terrific-looking session with Dessie O'Halloran applying that marvellous old-timer's voice of his to Say You Love Me....
Jim S, a visitor to Salut! Live, commented after the first two instalments f "Irish music at its best" that he hoped I would include Dolores Keane in my next selection. I could choose almost anything she sings, but especially admire her exemplary version of Paul Brady's great song of The Troubles, The Island. One thing, though: if ever Dolores calls for requests, don't ask for Peggy Jordan. "Fair play, it's a great song ," I heard her call back once. "But I don't sing it."
Six down - and hands up those who lingered at YouTube to explore other clips by the same artists.
Twelve in one go would have a little too much. Turning the project into a two-parter also gives me time to renew my search for a couple of artists or songs, and to reflect on whether I could even extend it to a three-parter......
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