Author: Tony Clayton-Lea
In 101 Irish Records (You Must Hear Before You Die), Tony Clayton-Lea, one of Ireland's leading music writers takes you on a nationwide tour of the very best of Irish music, from the stars of the arena to the acts you’ve probably never heard of (but will be forever grateful that you have) – from A House to U2, from Lisa Hannigan to David Holmes, from Luke Kelly to Villagers, from Marc Carroll to Van Morrison, from Thin Lizzy and The Pogues to Planxty and The Blades.
Mixed with revealing quotes and insights from the people who made the records, and a substantial feast of other information, this book is essential for the musical anorak and casual radio dial spinner alike. More than just a list, 101 Irish Records documents and highlights the great, the good, the forgotten, the lost and the hardly-ever-listened-to of Irish music over the past fifty years.
About the Author: Tony Clayton-Lea is an award-winning freelance journalist who writes primarily on popular culture for The Irish Times. Chairman of the Meteor Choice Music Prize judging panel, he has also written, among other books, a biography of Elvis Costello and a (co-written) history of Irish rock music.
Product Reviews
Southern Star
February 20, 2012, 17:23 pm
"Each entry includes astute notes on the historical/cultural significance of the chosen album or song, authoritative critical analysis, reasons as to why it has been included, and a number of mini-interviews with bands and singers...well worth a look."
NI Punk
February 20, 2012, 17:18 pm
"...the book is well laid out, easy to read, has plenty of illustrations and has enough detailed info to keep the anoraks happy..."
Nay McArdle, thumped.com
February 20, 2012, 16:59 pm
"It's a rich and varied array of music that presents Tony Clayton-Lea's own definition of this country's strongest offerings from Sean O'Riada's 1959 documentary score for Mise Eire that paved the way for the 'modern school' of Irish music, to seminal work by Thin Lizzy and My Bloody Valentine....The appreciation and attention to detail has carried through from CD inlay cards to the pages of 101 Irish Records. Compact but brightly coloured and well laid-out with album artwork, release details and a foreword by each band before Tony's own words, the book is instantly appealing to the eye and so complements the content within as engaging to the ear."
J
December 20, 2011, 12:58 pm
Good book, but... O'Riada sa Gaiety - shaped trad for the next 40 years No Chieftains? About five or six merit entry ahead of The Thrills Finally, THE trad album that defined all 'modern' trad, Skara Brae by Skara Brae – an unbelievable omission --- Thanks for the comment J; we've had a lot of feedback on the exclusions as much as the inclusions, and we're delighted people are talking so much about Irish music and the book! Caroline, Liberties Press
