Len Graham

b. 20 Dec 1944, Glenarm, Region Antrim, North Ireland. Traditional vocalist who combines his solid vocal skills with an intensive understanding of indigenous Irish folk music and custom. His rich documenting history in addition has given many tunes to other visible performers. Altan, Battlefield Music group, Boys FROM THE Lough, Cherish The Women, Chieftains, De Dannan, Dick Gaughan, Andy Irvine, Delores Keane as well as the Tone of voice Squad are among those people who have learned tunes from him. Graham originated from a musical family members, with early recollections of hearth performing classes, and 78-RPM information from Delia Murphy and Richard Hayward around the gramophone. In 1964 he fulfilled Cathal McConnell on the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Clones, Monaghan. Their a friendly relationship would confirm a long-standing one, while McConnell became a member of up with Young boys FROM THE Lough, with whom Graham would frequently perform. In 1971 he earned the All-Ireland mature traditional performers competition at Fleadh Cheoil hÉireann in Listowel, State Kerry. Graham’s documenting career, in the meantime, would start in 1975 with Chaste Muses, Bards & Sages, the to begin two duet albums with Joe Holmes. The next, After Dawning, was finished in 1978, simply fourteen days before Holmes’ loss of life. In-between emerged Graham’s first single effort, Wind flow & Drinking water. Before his second single outing, Perform Me Justice (lots 1 Irish folk record), he made an appearance on Boys THROUGH THE Lough’s 1989 record, Regrouped. After his third single set, Ye Fans All, he helped type Skylark in 1986. This group, composed of Graham, Gerry O’Connor (fiddle), Garry O’Briain (mandocello, electric guitar, keyboards) and, since 1989, Mairtin O’Connor (switch accordion) recorded many albums collectively, and toured broadly. Beyond these actions Graham also created a publication with cassettes regarding his field assortment of early north Irish performers and music artists. This received him the Sean O’Boyle Cultural Customs Award in acknowledgement of his function in Ireland like a collector and vocalist. He in addition has caused his wife, sean-nós vocalist Pádraigin Ní Uallacháin, with an recording of kids’s tunes, and storyteller/vocalist John Campbell. As Ciarán Carson offers announced of Graham: ‘By description, any traditional vocalist is appreciated to days gone by; but he assimilates the tunes within the here-and-now, and re-makes them in his personal voice, continually… I’ve heard Len praised for the ‘spontaneity’ of his tone of voice; but there is absolutely no spontaneity without recollection. To become here, you’ll want been there, and Len provides, many moments’.