MusicReview Niamh Parsons and Graham Dunne at NYIC By Alice Farrell-Pearlman - October 22, 2023 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp How it’s New York: At the New York Irish Center in Long Island City, NY How it’s Irish: Noted Irish traditional singer Niamh Parsons performing with guitarist Graham Dunne Last week the Blarney Star Concert Series at the New York Irish Center welcomed the long awaited return to NYC of Niamh Parsons and Graham Dunne. This was their first trip to the area since before the pandemic. It was a great treat to have an intimate evening of mesmerizing song and excellent guitar from this powerhouse duo who were in the midst of an East Coast US tour. The evening included many of Niamh’s classic ballads such as Valentine O’Hara, The Boys of Barr na Sráide and Robert Burns’s Slave’s Lament. She was in great voice with her lovely smokey tone enchanting the whole room. She brought out one of her trademark songs, not often sung these days, the gorgeously haunting Tinkerman’s Daughter by Mickey McConnell and Harry Donovan’s delightful Dublin character song Daffodil Mulligan, both total crowd pleasers! Graham treated us to his lively and lyrical backing on guitar, and a few solo spots throughout the evening, including a song in Irish. Niamh showed her lighter side with a few more contemporary songs such as Linda Thompson’s No Telling What a Love Song Can Do and Ron Kavana’s The Men That God Made Mad. They finished off the evening with Niamh’s captivating rendition of Carrickfergus and a sing-along of Black is the Color. Truly a magical evening of glimmering vocals and glorious backing, in the true style of bringing the best of Irish Music to the New York City area. Hats off to Don Meade of the Blarney Star Concert Series and George Heslin and all the staff at the NYIC who have created a wonderful space celebrating the best that Irish Arts has to offer. For the latest news on Niamh and Graham, check out their upcoming dates and music here. For upcoming events at the New York Irish Center, click here. Share this:FacebookTwitterLinkedInTumblrPinterestEmailPrint
