News

New Album Release: “WALLOP THE SPOT” - FOUR MEN & A DOG

“The boys are back in town with this veritable Smorgasbord of traditional tunes and stunning songs. The long-awaited new release, shrewdly entitled Wallop The Spot, is the creation of Ireland’s most exciting ensemble, currently enjoying the zenith of their careers.

In the five years since their last studio project Maybe Tonight, the boys have been whipping up a storm worldwide, bringing music to the masses through their energetic stage performances. And it’s with the same energy, verve and commitment that the five lads have approached this latest project, making Wallop The Spot a must have for all fans of the award-winning band.

The thirteen tracks on offer include deliciously arranged Jigs and Reels, spicy Polkas and exceedingly palatable songs. From the outset the intention is clear with the launch of the first set of tunes leading with Lucy Campbells. Crash, bang, and indeed wallop…the Dogs do their thing on the classic Caledonian Reel. And there’s no letting up as the melee continues through Jigs, Reels and Polkas such as Hags Purse, Teelin Reel, Dan Murphy’s Polka and Dick Cosgroves amongst other prolific takes on endearing traditional tunes. Aficionados of the banjo will enjoy tunes such as Scatter The Mud and the Cúil Aodha Jig as Hayden & O’Connor chase the hare with relentless vigour and a sweeping panache.

On the song front the Calypso-style Bloomsday reveals the bands objective to give the album that global feel. From Caribbean beats to contemporary Jazz in the shape of Low And Lonely and Mary Anne the listener is transported to more colourful terraces, thanks to Doherty’s vocal and lyric skills.

Wallop The Spot is yet another jewel in the crown for the much travelled music maestros and Murphy, Lupari, Hayden, O’Connor and Doherty should take a deserved bow. The ensemble are joined on the album by a plethora of Irish stalwarts such as Arty McGlynn on Guitars and Ciaran Tourish on Fiddle, testament to the veneration enjoyed by the band in Ireland and abroad.”

- Eddie Creaney, Irish Music Magazine

• Four Men & A Dog are: Donal Murphy (Accordion), Gino Lupari (Vocals, Percussion), Gerry O’Connor (Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin), Cathal Hayden (Fiddle, Banjo, Viola), Kevin Doherty (Vocals, Guitar)

• Guest Musicians are Arty McGlynn (Guitars), Ciaran Tourish (Fiddle), Liam Bradley (Drums), James Delaney (Piano, Organ), Nicky Scott (Bass), Jimmy Higgins (Percussion), James Blennerhassett (Bass)

• Four Men & A Dog will officially launch the new album at live shows in Britain (Hammersmith Irish Centre, London 13th October 2007) and Ireland (Lyric Theatre, Belfast 18th October 2007 with special guests)

• Wallop The Spot is available through Claddagh Records (Ireland distribution), Proper Music (GB distribution) and Online at: www.fourmenandadog.com

Photos from the 2007 Capodanno Celtico | Piazzale dei Cannoni, Milano, Italy:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Photos from Cambridge Folk Festival, 2007:

Cambridge Folk Festival 2007, Photo #1

Cambridge Folk Festival 2007, Photo #2

Cambridge Folk Festival 2007, Photo #3

Cambridge Folk Festival 2007, Photo #4

Cambridge Folk Festival 2007, Photo #5

Cambridge Folk Festival 2007, Photo #6

Cambridge Folk Festival 2007, Photo #7

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reports From Washington - Letter from Nicole Krakora, Director of Special Events and Protocol at the Smithsonian Institution.

Subject: Thanks so much for coming to Washington!!

Hello there,

As the sun sets here on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and the first week of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival comes to a close, I wanted to write you a note to thank you so much for sharing the transformative power of your music with all of us here in the United States. What a spectacular week of performances you fellows put on for us!! I knew that the Northern Ireland program was going to be terrific, but I had absolutely no idea how stunning your performances would be. Your collective talent is breathtaking and you brought such spirit and sheer joy to the Festival this year. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to play in the high heat we’ve endured this week, but you boys seemed to take it all in stride.

I’ve worked at the Smithsonian for 12 years and attended each festival and I have to say, you fellows have had more “buzz” than any other group I’ve seen in 12 years—all week long, folks have been saying “you’ve got to go see these guys…” Lots of us skipped out of the office to come to see you play, and we’ve all been officially converted to Irish Music Fans. I immediately purchased your CDs for all of my family and they are already in the mail on their way to California, New York, Georgia, Virginia and South Carolina. My pals are sending them to their relatives in other states, so hopefully, it won’t be long until you guys “conquer America!”

Each year the Festival brings together cultures which would otherwise not have exposure to one another, and it is always moving to watch as participants from one culture see something for the first time that they would otherwise never have seen had they remained at home. This year, I watched two of the Bahnar tribesmen from a remote village deep in Vietnam, who don’t speak any English, and who have never left their village before last week. Yet here they were, on a break from carving their canoe out of a poplar tree, standing outside the Lagan Stage tent listening to your music and grinning from ear to ear while they danced freely and with great joy. In that moment, there was no language or cultural barrier—there was just the spirit of the music, and these men dancing on the National Mall to your rhythm. It was a singular moment. Thanks for that.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Washington, and I hope you had some time to visit some of our pretty countryside. Again, thanks a million for coming over and allowing us to experience your amazing talent. Nicely done!

Please do come back soon!

Sincerely,

Nicole Krakora

Director

Office of Special Events and Protocol

Smithsonian Institution

1100 Independence Avenue, S.W., Suite 3160

P.O. Box 37012, MRC 713

Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

krakoran@si.edu

Photos from the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival:

Cathal Hayden at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Cathal Hayden at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Cathal Hayden and Dónal Murphy at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Kevin Doherty at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Four Men and a Dog at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Gino Lupari and Cathal Hayden at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Four Men and a Dog at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Kevin Doherty at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival