Last Call
September 17, 2013 to November 15, 2014

Last Call album cover

On Tuesday and Wednesday November 5th and 6th, 2013 Black 47 recorded Last Call at Water Music Recorders recording studio in Hoboken, NJ. With the inimitable Stewart Lerman manning the console, we flew thru 13 tracks.

We recorded 8 songs the first day and 5 songs the second day including New Year's Eve in Olde Tymes Square, which is not on the record and the choral 'Lament For John Kuhlman' which was originally going to be the intro to 'St Patricks Day', but became it's own track on the album so another traditional tune is born. The last few hours were left for the usual tweeks and fixes.
There it is. Here ya go. Up she jumped. Bob's your uncle.

Guest Artists

Oona Roche
Oona Roche
Johnny Comes a'Courtin
Christine Ohlman
Christine Ohlman
Salsa O'Keefe
Dublin Days
Let The People In
Queen of Coney Island
Hard Times
Mike Fazio guitar
Mike Fazio
US of A 2014
Let The People In
Mary Ann O'Rourke, Thomas J. Marlow and Jim O'Donnell singing backup on 'St. Patricks Day' at Paramus, NJ  Bergen Community College Ciccone Theatre
Mary Ann O'Rourke
Thomas J. Marlow
Jim O'Donnell

St. Patrick's Day

GET Last Call complete LYRICS (pdf) or (word doc)
GET Last Call Song Stories (pdf) or (word doc)

Here's a link to all the lyrics and horn charts for every Black 47 song: Black 47 Charts

Quick links to Last Call songs. First played date, Song title and the PDF chart from the chart page

Introduced Song Title Chart
10/26/2013 Salsa O'Keefe PDF
10/12/2013 Culchie Prince PDF
  Dublin Days PDF
  US of A 2014 PDF
10/13/2013 The Night The Showbands Died PDF
11/16/2013 Johnny Comes a'Courtin PDF
  Let The People In PDF
  Lament For John Kuhlman PDF
3/7/2014 St. Patrick's Day PDF
10/13/2013 Queen of Coney Island PDF
  Shanty Irish Baby PDF
  Ballad of Brendan Behan PDF
2/22/2014 Hard Times PDF
Links for "Last Call"
Saturday November 15, 2014
New York City
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Last Last Call
Saturday November 15, 2014
New York City
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Lia Fail Pipe Band
Saturday November 15, 2014
New York City
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Lia Fail Pipe Band
Saturday November 15, 2014
New York City
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Arriving
New York City B.B. King Blues Club & Grill Logo
Saturday November 15, 2014
CBS New York
Black 47 Set To Perform Final Show After 25 Years
Geoff and Bearclaw
Black 47 Last Call Logo
Friday November 14, 2014
Poughkeepsie, NY
Mahoney's Irish Pub
Starry Night
Friday November 14, 2014
UpStateLive
Holy Craic! Black 47 To Close Curtain On 25 Year Career This Weekend With Final Two Shows In Poughkeepsie and NYC
By Steve Malinski

Black 47 performs their second to last (and final Upstate NY) show tonight at Mahoney’s in Poughkeepsie at 8pm, doubling as a fundraiser for the Hudson Valley Regional Police Pipes and Drums. Though the band is from New York City, they have performed dozens of shows in the Upstate NY area over the years making Poughkeepsie a fitting choice for their penultimate show. Tickets are still available for this show, but lately Black 47 shows have been selling out as the final curtain call has been drawing closer.

A final celebration of their career will be Saturday in their home city at the B.B. King Blues Club near Times Square in Manhattan with special guests and friends. With a smirk on his face after a recent show at the Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon, NY, Kirwan mentioned Black 47 has an exciting show planned for November 15. With fans loyal to the band and the band loyal to its fans alike, Black 47 will have a truly special evening of music in store for their last show.

Friday November 14, 2014
Poughkeepsie, NY
Mahoney's Irish Pub
Arriving
Poughkeepsie, NY Mahoney's Irish Pub Logo
Thursday November 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live
Encore
Thursday November 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live
by Andy Shelter
Thursday November 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live
Blood Wedding
Thursday November 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live
Different Drummer
Thursday November 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live
Rockin' The Bronx
Thursday November 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live
The Reels
Thursday November 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live
Arriving
Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live Logo
Thursday November 13, 2014
Black 47/Celtic Crush Newsletter - The Story So Far...

Sorry about sending a combined newsletter but I'm run ragged with all the gigs and the countdown to Nov. 15th. All is going well and it's been great meeting so many of you around the country as well as receiving the general outpouring of love and respect for Black 47.

I know there are many who would like to see the band one last time but there are only two shows left with tickets for sale:
Nov 13 World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
Nov 14 Mahoney's Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie, NY

It's been a wonderful, occasionally tragic, 25 year run and we're grateful to all of you who have been a part of it. The songs and the videos will remain, and hopefully some of our message.

For CELTIC CRUSH listeners I'll devote this coming Saturday's show to the story of Black 47. It will be raw and uncompromising, detailing the downs as well as the ups. You'll get a unique view into the life of a Rock 'n Roll band, not the usual bullshit perspective but the real deal.

Tuesday November 11, 2014
Redding, CT
Georgetown Saloon
Maria's Wedding/Like a Rolling Stone
by William Murphy
Tuesday November 11, 2014
Redding, CT
Georgetown Saloon
Encore
Tuesday November 11, 2014
Redding, CT
By Georgetown Saloon
Tuesday November 11, 2014
Redding, CT
Georgetown Saloon
Fanatic Heart
by William Murphy
Tuesday November 11, 2014
Redding, CT
Georgetown Saloon
James Connolly
Tuesday November 11, 2014
Redding, CT
Georgetown Saloon
End of Sound Check
Tuesday November 11, 2014
Redding, CT
Georgetown Saloon
Arriving
Redding, CT Georgetown Saloon Logo
Tuesday November 11, 2014
Daily Kos
Joe Strummer: 'Black 47 is the only band that matters'
by devtob

That's what The Clash's main man said in the 1990s, according to a wonderful valedictory story about the unique Irish-American band Black 47 in the New York Times on Friday.

Sunday November 9, 2014
New York Times Metropolitan Section
For Black 47, the Pipes Are Calling
Black 47 to Perform Final Show in Midtown
By MICHAEL MALONE

The band — with horns and pipes, sounding like a New Orleans marching band crashing an Irish pub — launched into “Elvis Murphy.” Men in the audience spun women like tops. Young ladies step-danced like pistons. Beer spilled.

Sunday November 9, 2014
New Orleans, LA French Quarter
Frenchmen Street
Busking
Sunday November 9, 2014
New Orleans, LA French Quarter
Frenchmen Street
Party Bus
Saturday November 8, 2014
New Orleans, LA Gallier Hall
International Irish Famine Commemoration
Afterglow at The Irish House
Saturday November 8, 2014
New Orleans, LA Gallier Hall
International Irish Famine Commemoration
Black 47
Saturday November 8, 2014
New Orleans, LA Gallier Hall
International Irish Famine Commemoration
Intro Music
Saturday November 8, 2014
New Orleans, LA Gallier Hall
International Irish Famine Commemoration
Learning the song Black 47 pipes intro
Saturday November 8, 2014
New Orleans, LA Gallier Hall
International Irish Famine Commemoration
Leaving NJ at sunrise and arriving
International Irish Famine Commemoration Logo
Saturday November 8, 2014
WFUV 90.7FM
Vin Scelsa's "Idiot's Delight" For November 8 | WFUV Radio

Celtic rockers Black 47 have been a part of the fabric of New York for 25 years and frequent guests of Vin Scelsa's "Idiot's Delight'® since the early '90s, but on Saturday, November 15, the dynamic band will play its final show at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. Tonight at 8, Vin will have his own radio-style wake for the group that frontman Larry Kirwan and former member Chris Byrne first brought to the show years ago, swaggering with punkish hubris, uilleann pipes, and rich tales of the politics, perils and poetry of the Irish experience and beyond.

Grab a copy of this Idiot's Delight MP3

Friday November 7, 2014
NYTimes.com
For Black 47, the Pipes Are Calling
Black 47 to Perform Final Show in Midtown
By MICHAEL MALONE

Larry Kirwan stood at the microphone in his well-traveled green suede shoes. Fighting bronchitis, he sipped his Jameson’s whiskey with honey and surveyed the crowd. His band, Black 47, has had 2,300 performances over the years. It moved from humble origins playing in Irish pubs in the Bronx to appearing on David Letterman’s show and playing in stadiums.

But on this cool October night, only a dozen shows remained before the band calls it quits after 25 years, and the gig at Emmett’s Castle, a pub on the grounds of a golf course in Pearl River, N.Y., was something new. About 100 people were there, and perhaps a third of them appeared dressed for golf, maybe expecting to hear Irish ditties about green fields and whiskey on Sundays and the bustle of dear old Dublin.

Mr. Kirwan, 66, has said he is looking forward to resting his ragged voice and his beaten body. Black 47’s final show will be on Nov. 15, at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Midtown Manhattan, but the band does not seem to know how to phone it in. At the Pearl River show, Mr. Kirwan strapped on his Stratocaster and set his whiskey on an amp. “Welcome to our very first golf club gig,” he told the crowd. “We thought we’d done everything.”

Black 47 leaves behind 14 albums, its songs set in all five boroughs. As Mr. Kirwan sang of the Irishman with AIDS in “Danny Boy,” he has no regrets. “I wasn’t real impressed by the fame thing,” Mr. Kirwan said. “I knew it for what it was. You enjoy it, and it moves on to someone else. It was always about the music for us — music and politics.”

Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Gloria
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Talkin bout the whiskey
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Walk All The Days
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Fire Of Freedom
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Rockin' The Bronx
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Mychal
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
The Reels
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Pre-gig
Thursday November 6, 2014
NYC
Paddy Reilly's
Arriving
Wednesday November 5, 2014
County Orleans | NOLA DEFENDER
Weekend Events Remember the Irish Famine
by Jason Raymond

The New Orleans International Irish Famine Commemoration begins Thursday (11.06) and continues through the weekend. The event celebrates the local Irish community andrecalls the mid-Nineteenth century European tragedy. Commemoration Board member Joni Muggivan says, “We’re really focusing on Irish culture, and we’re having an Irish dance competition, we’re having Gaelic football matches, we’re having an Irish Famine exhibit, we’re having genealogy seminars, and Celtic canines.”

The government of the Republic of Ireland has been selecting sites to commemorate the Famine since 2009. This weekend marks the first time New Orleans has made the cut. For the New Orleans chapter of the Irish Network, begun just in 2011, the event represents “a big deal” in the words of Treasurer Rich Graham. “People from all over the country will come. We’ve got international entertainment. Black 47 will be there. The U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and the Irish Ambassador to the U.S. will be there. It’s going to be a big deal.”

Saturday November 1, 2014
Tampa, FL
Four Green Fields
Maria's Wedding
Saturday November 1, 2014
Tampa, FL
Four Green Fields
James Connolly
Saturday November 1, 2014
Tampa, FL
Four Green Fields
Arriving - Fred and Colin
Tampa, FL Four Green Fields Logo
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Bergenfield, NJ
Tommy Fox's
Maria's Wedding
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Bergenfield, NJ
Tommy Fox's
Walk All The Days
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Bergenfield, NJ
Tommy Fox's
The Reels
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Bergenfield, NJ
Tommy Fox's
Arriving
10/30/2014 Tommy Fox's Logo
Thursday, October 30, 2014
IrishCentral.com
Celtic Crush Samhain Newsletter

By right this Samhain newsletter should go out tomorrow but I wanted you to know about a FREE Black 47 gig tonight Thursday at Tommy Fox's in Bergenfield, NJ. There are only 8 gigs in total left. It's been great meeting you all on the road and for those in the South we'll be playing at Four Green Fields in Tampa on Nov. 1st and Gallier Hall in New Orleans on Nov. 8th Two new gigs added are Nov. 11th Georgetown Saloon, Redding, CT and Nov. 14, Mahoney's Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie, NY Visit www.black47.com for a full schedule before our final performance at BB King's in NYC on Nov. 15th.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014
IrishCentral.com
Black 47 | Things to do in Tampa Bay | Tampa Bay Times
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
IrishCentral.com
Irish Network New Orleans, Black 47, Tara O’Grady to commemorate Irish Famine
by Casey Egan

A highlight of the International Irish Famine Commemoration taking place in New Orleans November 6 – 9 will be the Famine Commemoration Gala hosted by the Irish Network New Orleans in the city’s historic Gallier Hall on November 8.

The gala, held in New Orleans’ former City Hall, will both honor the victims of Ireland’s Great Hunger and celebrate Irish and Irish American achievements in New Orleans. Beloved Celtic rock band Black 47 will perform – their last ever appearance in the South before their farewell concert at BB Kings in New York.

Sunday October 26, 2014
Beacon, NY
Towne Crier Cafe
Rockin' the Bronx
Sunday October 26, 2014
Beacon, NY
Towne Crier Cafe
Intro
Sunday October 26, 2014
Beacon, NY
Towne Crier Cafe
Hammy Phil Joseph
10/26/2014 Beacon, NY Towne Crier Cafe Logo
Sunday October 26, 2014
Beacon, NY
Towne Crier Cafe
Arriving
Saturday October 25, 2014
Wantagh, NY
Mulcahy's
Gloria
Geoff solo
Saturday October 25, 2014
Wantagh, NY
Mulcahy's
Gloria
Doug with the digestifs
Saturday October 25, 2014
Wantagh, NY
Mulcahy's
Connolly's
Tony Tom and Mike
Saturday October 25, 2014
Wantagh, NY
Mulcahy's
Intro Music
Saturday October 25, 2014
Wantagh, NY
Mulcahy's
Arriving
Friday October 24, 2014
Londonderry, NH
Tupelo Music Hall
En core
Friday October 24, 2014
Londonderry, NH
Tupelo Music Hall
Those Saints
Friday October 24, 2014
Londonderry, NH
Tupelo Music Hall
The Reels
Friday October 24, 2014
Londonderry, NH
Tupelo Music Hall
The Reels
Friday October 24, 2014
Londonderry, NH
Tupelo Music Hall
Arriving
Thursday October 23,2014
Portland, ME
Asylum
Encore
Thursday October 23,2014
Portland, ME
Asylum
Pat May and Larry Kirwan pre-gig
Thursday October 23,2014
Portland, ME
Asylum
Poster
10/23/2014 Portland, ME Asylum Logo
Thursday October 23,2014
Portland, ME
Asylum
Arriving
Thursday October 23,2014
UpstateLIVE
Interview: Larry Kirwan Shares 25 Years of Black 47, Politics in Music, and Legacy
by Steve Malinski

Joe Strummer was a huge fan of the band which was amazing to me because I was a huge fan of The Clash. One night at the same place (Paddy Reilly’s) I was playing and had my eyes closed while playing a solo. I couldn’t get the solo right so I kept doing it over and over and you could do that in Black 47. Songs don’t have to be a certain length or whatever. I finally opened my eyes, kinda got it right finally, and Joe Strummer was the same distance as you are to me [a few feet] looking at my fingers and it was like… Joe Strummer?! I almost fell over backwards. So we became friends and he was very instrumental in getting Black 47 some of the gigs out of the Irish pubs. We had wanted to keep it in the Irish pubs and have people come to us rather than go through the CBGB system, which I’ve been through many times before. But Strummer was saying “You have to play this place, you have to play that place” and he would go to those places and say “here’s these guys” and I would be turning him down all the time. Finally the guy from Wetlands, which was a great club in New York, said to me “for God’s sake just do the gig to get Strummer off my back!” Then I said “oh, Strummer’s doing this!” Everyone was calling us for gigs and it was because of Strummer.

Thursday October 23,2014
Black 47 Newsletter
Black 47 Oct. Newsletter - Last Paddy Reilly's Gig/New CD - Rise Up

It's really countdown time now. Just 12 gigs to go.

Wednesday October 22,2014
New Hampshire Music
It's 'Last Call' for Irish rock band Black 47
Wednesday October 22, 2014
Glide Magazine
Black 47 - Rocky Sullivan’s, Brooklyn, NY 10/11/14 (SHOW REVIEW)
by Shawn Donohue

The group is currently finishing up playing their favorite haunts in town and across the country, but one night in particular stuck out on the schedule; Saturday night’s headlining set at Rocky Sullivan’s in Red Hook Brooklyn. Founding member Chris Byrne is Rocky Sullivan’s owner and with his band The Lost Tribe of Donegal slated to perform before Black 47 there was hope for a reunion on this gorgeous fall night.

Sunday October 20, 2014
The Portland Sun
Black 47, at Asylum Thursday, capping a high-level career
by Timothy Gillis

Black 47, the "House Band of New York City," will play at the Asylum Thursday, Oct. 23, in one of the final shows of their 25-year career. After 15 albums and around 2,500 concerts, members of the Irish punk rock band are retiring from the stage and moving on to new pursuits.

Sunday October 19, 2014
Hartford, CT
Infinity Hall
by Lisa Leary Lowry
Sunday October 19, 2014
Hartford, CT
Infinity Hall
Hard Times with Christman Ohlman
by William Murphy
Sunday October 19, 2014
Hartford, CT
Infinity Hall
Salsa O'Keefe with Christman Ohlman
by William Murphy
Sunday October 19, 2014
Hartford, CT
Infinity Hall
Blood Wedding with Christman Ohlman
by William Murphy
Sunday October 19, 2014
Hartford, CT
Infinity Hall
by Scott Bair
Sunday October 19, 2014
Hartford, CT
Infinity Hall
Arriving
10/19/2014 Hartford, CT Infinity Hall
Friday October 17, 2014
Pearl River, NY
Emmett's Castle at Blue Hill
Post gig
Friday October 17, 2014
Pearl River, NY
Emmett's Castle at Blue Hill
Rockin' The Bronx
Friday October 17, 2014
Pearl River, NY
Emmett's Castle at Blue Hill
Arriving
Saturday October 16, 2014
Vienna, VA
Jammin' Java
Fred Parcells and Paul HillDino Paul Larry
Thursday October 16, 2014
Vienna, VA
Jammin' Java
Like A Rolling Stone
Thursday October 16, 2014
Vienna, VA
Jammin' Java
Mychal
Thursday October 16, 2014
Vienna, VA
Jammin' Java
Three Little Birds
Thursday October 16, 2014
Vienna, VA
Jammin' Java
The Reels
Thursday October 16, 2014
Vienna, VA
Jammin' Java
Green Suede Shoes
Thursday October 16, 2014
Vienna, VA
Jammin' Java
Arriving
Thursday October 16, 2014
Maine Irish Heritage Center
Black 47 Concert at the Asylum Maine Irish Heritage Center
Wednesday October 15, 2014
SoundPress.net
CD Review: Black 47 - Rise Up
by Laura Turner Lynch
Tuesday October 14, 2014
Green Left Weekly
12 new left-leaning albums worth a listen
By Mat Ward

In a month when Bob Geldof urged the Scottish to vote against independence and U2 held a desperate-looking free album launch with fellow tax dodgers Apple, it was a relief to see a new album from dissenting Irish rockers Black 47. Their new compilation, Rise Up, is a welcome reminder that there are plenty of Irish musicians that don't suck up to the establishment.

Saturday October 11, 2014
Brooklyn, NY
Rocky Sullivan's of Red Hook
Gloria/I Fought The Law
by Giselle Roberts
Saturday October 11, 2014
Brooklyn, NY
Rocky Sullivan's of Red Hook
Walk All The Days
Saturday October 11, 2014
Brooklyn, NY
Rocky Sullivan's of Red Hook
Rockin' The Bronx
Saturday October 11, 2014
Brooklyn, NY
Rocky Sullivan's of Red Hook
The Reels
Saturday October 11, 2014 Brooklyn, NY Rocky Sullivan's of Red Hook
10/11/2014 Brooklyn, NY Rocky Sullivan's of Red Hook logo
Saturday October 11, 2014
Shite'n'Onions
Black 47: Rise Up – The Political Songs
by Mustard Finnegan

The 15 tracks are Black 47 at their historical and political finest that run the gauntlet of Irish freedom (The Big Fellah and Bobby Sands MP), to socialist heroes (James Connelly & Jim Larkin), historical (Black 47 and San Patricio Brigade) and the more contemporary (Stars and Stripes, Downtown Baghdad Blues & US of A 2014), taken from right across the bands career from the cassette only EP (Patriot Games – the Dominic “brother of Brendan” Behan classic) through their final album Last Call

Friday October 10, 2014
Pittsburgh, PA
Rex Theatre
Walk All The Days
By Michael Connolly
Friday October 10, 2014
Pittsburgh, PA
Rex Theatre
Fanatic Heart
Friday October 10, 2014
Pittsburgh, PA
Rex Theatre
Johnny Comes a'Courtin
By John Grable
Friday October 10, 2014 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theatre
10/10/2014 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theatre Logo
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Drawing by Brighid
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Flying Pig
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Photos Marys Lane
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Gloria
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Photos Michael Connolly
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Walk All The Days
By Michael Connolly
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Walk All The Days
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Different Drummer
Thursday October 9, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
Arriving
Thursday October 9, 2014
WCPO Cincinnati
Top 9 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend (Oct. 9-12) - Story
By Jesse Folk
Thursday October 9, 2014
IrishCentral.com
Ireland, New Orleans, the Famine and 200 years of history (PHOTOS)
by Sheila Langan

Launched in 2009, the annual event aims to keep the memory of An Gorta Mor, Ireland’s Great Hunger, alive while also paying tribute to the outstanding accomplishments of the Irish men and women who left their homeland to escape certain death by starvation and illness, bravely starting new lives abroad and laying the foundations for the now 70 million-strong Irish diaspora.

The Irish Famine Commemoration, which will run from November 6 – 9, is being organized by a board containing a cross-section of prominent figures from Louisiana's Irish community and Irish Consul General to Atlanta Paul Gleeson.

Wednesday October 8, 2014
Columbus, OH
Byrne's Pub
Forty Shades of Blue
Wednesday October 8, 2014
Columbus, OH
Byrne's Pub
Brighid sings James Connolly
Wednesday October 8, 2014
Columbus, OH
Byrne's Pub
Pat Byrne intros the band
Photo Michael Gruber
Wednesday October 8, 2014
Columbus, OH
Byrne's Pub
Arriving
10/8/2014 Columbus, OH Byrne's Pub Logo
Wednesday October 8, 2014
WCBE 90.5FM Columbus 106.3FM Newark
Dan Mushalko and Larry Kirwan pre recording a radio fundraising spot
Wednesday October 8, 2014
WCBE 90.5FM Columbus 106.3FM Newark
Mike Taylor mixing the live show
Wednesday October 8, 2014
WCBE 90.5FM Columbus 106.3FM Newark
Black 47 with Maggie Brennan of Global Village! just before playing live in Studio A
Wednesday October 8, 2014
WCBE 90.5FM Columbus 106.3FM Newark
Arriving
10/8/2014 WCBE 90.5FM Columbus 106.3FM Newark Logo
Tuesday October 7, 2014
City Beat
Cincinnati
Music: Black 47
By Mike Breen
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Kent, OH
Kent Stage
Back stage
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Kent, OH
Kent Stage
Different Drummer
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Kent, OH
Kent Stage
Arriving
Monday October 6, 2014
WVXU
Black 47 Come to Cincinnati for Last Call! | WVXU
By Jim Nolan

Black 47 will be bidding farewell to Cincinnati at The Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati on Thursday, October 9th at 7pm. The IHC is located at 3905 Eastern Ave in Columbia Tusculum.

Wednesday October 1, 2014
IrishCentral.com
FANATIC HEART: Twenty-Five Years of Black 47 | Stephanie Silber Wordsworks
by Stephanie Silber
Monday September 29, 2014
IrishCentral.com
Chris Byrne and Larry Kirwan together again and apart (VIDEO)
by Mike Farragher
Saturday September 27, 2014
NYC
Connolly's
Giselle Roberts's post in 25 Years of Black 47
Saturday September 27, 2014
NYC
Connolly's
Gloria
Saturday September 27, 2014
NYC
Connolly's
Her Dear Old Donegal
Saturday September 27, 2014
NYC
Connolly's
Culchie Prince
Saturday September 27, 2014
NYC
Connolly's
The Reels
by Shawn DjSpawn Foley
Saturday September 27, 2014
NYC
Connolly's
Back stage before going on
Saturday September 27, 2014 NYC Connolly's Arriving
9/27/2014 NYC Connolly's Logo
Friday September 26, 2014
Allston, MA
Great Scott
Rockin' the Bronx
Friday September 26, 2014
Allston, MA
Great Scott
Arriving
Thursday September 25, 2014
Black 47 Newsletter
Sept. CD - Rise Up - Last Connolly's gig Saturday

Last gig in Connolly's this Saturday - Who's coming? Help release the new CD RISE UP - The Political Songs. On stage 10pm.

New and upcoming shows:
  • Sept 26 Great Scott, Allston, MA
  • Sept 27 Connolly's, NYC
  • Oct 7 Kent Stage, Kent, OH
  • Oct 8 Byrne's Pub, Columbus, OH
  • Oct 9 Irish Heritage Center, Cincinnati, OH
  • Oct 10 Rex Theatre, Pittsburgh
  • Oct 11 Rocky Sullivan's, Brooklyn, NY
  • Oct 16 Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA
  • Oct 17 Emmett's Castle at Blue Hill, Pearl River, NY
Saturday September 20, 2014
Englewood, NJ
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Rockin' the Bronx
Bearclaw and Joseph quoting Eddie Van Halen
Saturday September 20, 2014
Englewood, NJ
Bergen Performing Arts Center
The Reels
Jake James dancing
Saturday September 20, 2014
Englewood, NJ
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Sound check
Saturday September 20, 2014
Englewood, NJ
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Opening band
The Bill Weevils

Lisa Kasdan vocals
Bill Bloom guitar and vocals
Dave Abrams guitar
John Ehlis guitar and mandolin
Bruce Agte bass
Matt Hauser drums
Fred Parcells trombone

Saturday September 20, 2014
Englewood, NJ
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Arriving
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
Going from Peekskill to the next gig in Englewood
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
Livin' in America with Mary Courtney
by William Murphy
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
Fire of Freedom
by William Murphy
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
Mychal
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
The Reels
by William Murphy
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
The Reels
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
Celtic Rocker
Saturday September 20, 2014
Peekskill, NY
Hudson Valley Irish Festival
Arriving
Saturday September 20, 2014
R2 magazine Rock'n Reel
Black 47 Last Call
by Sean McGhee
Friday September 19, 2014
New Jersey Stage
Last Chance to See Black 47 at BergenPAC

On Saturday, September 20, the farewell tour makes a stop at BergenPAC (30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, NJ) with special guest The Bill Weevils.

Thursday September 18, 2014
Hoboken, NJ
The Village Pourhouse
View from the stage
Thursday September 18, 2014
Hoboken, NJ
The Village Pourhouse
Arriving
Thursday September 18, 2014
NJArts.net
9/18/2014 NJArts.net Black 47 brings farewell tour to BergenPAC in Englewood
By Jay Lustig

It’s getting close to the end of the road for the New York-based band Black 47, which plans to play its last shows ever in November. It’s possible that its show this Saturday at BergenPAC in Englewood will be its last Jersey appearance.

Wednesday September 17, 2014
Daily Record
Black 47 playing Englewood
by Ed Condran
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
Shilelagh Law
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
After the gig
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
James Connolly
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
Rockin' the Bronx
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
Mychal
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
The Reels Geoff
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
The Reels
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
Back Stage Pass
9/13/2014 Ballston, NY The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival logo
Saturday September 13, 2014
Ballston, NY
The 2014 Irish 2000 Festival
Arriving
Friday September 12, 2014
Lancaster, PA
Tellus360
40 Shades of Blue
Friday September 12, 2014
Lancaster, PA
Tellus360
Living in America with Amanda from The Ogham Stones
Friday September 12, 2014
Lancaster, PA
Tellus360
The Ogham Stones
Friday September 12, 2014
Lancaster, PA
Tellus360
On the way to the gig
Friday September 12, 2014
Lancaster, PA
Tellus360
Arriving
9/12/2014 Lancaster, PA Tellus360 Black 47 Logo
9/11/2014 Hoboken, NJ Noble The Dubliner logo
Thursday September 11, 2014
Hoboken, NJ
The Dubliner
Arriving
Wednesday September 10, 2014
Times Union
Black 47, renowned for hard-charging, politically infused Irish music, to bid local fans farewell at festival
By David Malachowski

Along with Kirwan, the current configuration includes Geoff Blythe (sax), Fred Parcells (trombone, whistle), Thomas Hamlin (drums), Joseph Mulvanerty (uilleann pipes, bodran) and Joseph "Bearclaw" Burcan (bass). After 25 years, the band is hanging up its pipes and beer mugs, but once the choice was made, funny things began to happen, like a last record. "Songs began to flow out," Kirwan remembers, "it seemed like it had been dammed up, it flowed out into the 'Last Call' album."

 
Wednesday September 10, 2014
UpstateLIVE
Hearing Aide: Black 47's 'Last Call'
By Steve Malinski

One last musical statement. One more dance on the New York City skyline. One last call for Black 47.

New York’s Black 47 released Last Call on March 4, 2014 and it is just that: their last call. After 25 years the band made a decision to stand down while they are still going strong and to reinforce that fact made a final musical statement with a solid 13-track album.

Wednesday September 10, 2014
Staten Island, NY
Noble Maritime Collection
Mychal
Wednesday September 10, 2014
Staten Island, NY
Noble Maritime Collection
Going to the stage
9/10/2014 Staten Island, NY Noble Maritime Collection Logo
Wednesday September 10, 2014
Staten Island, NY
Noble Maritime Collection
Arriving
Tuesday September 9, 2014
Black 47 Sept. Newsletter
Rise Up new CD
Last Connolly's gig
Rise Up: The Political Songs
1. Patriot Game (Behan)
2. Sam Hall
3. James Connolly
4. Change
5. San Patricio Brigade
6. The Big Fellah
7. For What Its Worth (Stills)
8. Stars and Stripes
9. Bobby Sands MP
10. The Day They Set Jim Larkin Free
11. Bobby Kennedy
12. Downtown Baghdad Blues
13. Black 47
14. Joe Hills Last Will
15. US of A 2014
Saturday September 6, 2014
South Buffalo, NY
South Buffalo Irish Festival
Encore Gloria
Saturday September 6, 2014
South Buffalo, NY
South Buffalo Irish Festival
The Reels
Saturday September 6, 2014
South Buffalo, NY
South Buffalo Irish Festival
Rince Na Tiarna dancers
photo Jim Caughill
Saturday September 6, 2014
South Buffalo, NY
South Buffalo Irish Festival
photo Robert McLennan
Saturday September 6, 2014
South Buffalo, NY
14th Annual South Buffalo Irish Feis
Caz Park
T-shirt
Black 47
Barleyjuice
McCarthyizm
Forthlin Road
Jack MaHones
Crikwater
Aye Karou
Cosain
Kill the Clock
Blarney Bunch
Saturday September 6, 2014
South Buffalo, NY
South Buffalo Irish Festival
Arriving
Saturday September 6, 2014
Buffalo News
Black 47 to take the stage for the last time at South Buffalo Irish Festival - Gusto - The Buffalo News
by: Anne Neville

A year ago, after an invigorating performance for an exuberant crowd at the South Buffalo Irish Festival, Larry Kirwan, the lead singer of the popular Irish rock band Black 47, had an unusual thought:

Maybe it was time to wrap it up.

A year later, with the band headed back to the South Buffalo Irish Festival on Saturday near the end of its yearlong “Last Call” farewell tour, Kirwan recalled his thought process.

That night a year ago, he said, “The band sounded so great. On the way back I had that feeling you get after a good gig, and they’re all good gigs, but there was something about this one, about South Buffalo. It’s a bastion of Irishness, and yet here Black 47 is a rock band with the big brass sound, and everyone loves it.”

As he mused on the show, Kirwan said his thoughts turned to the future. “I always wondered how Black 47 would end, because I could never see an end in sight for it. We were always on to the next album or on to the next gig, or the next controversy or whatever. But on the way back I was thinking, maybe this is the way it should happen, it should go out with us just feeling really great about the whole thing.”

Friday September 5, 2014
Hoboken Bar Network
BLACK 47 PLAYS HOBOKEN; ZERO ARRESTED
by: Christopher M. Halleron

“We're inextricably linked to Hoboken because of the closure of many bars in the town after an outdoor show that we did back in the summer of 1994.”

Accounts differ on what actually went down that day, but Kirwan’s version is that, “then-Chief of Police Carmen LaBruno grew alarmed when he saw the huge crowd who were—by the way—behaving themselves admirably. He ‘suggested’ that we stop the show… in my opinion that would have been madness—and I still stand by that, as the mood could have changed in moments.”

Thursday September 4, 2014 Hoboken, NJ Mulligan's Smithwicks Sessions Arriving
9/4/2014 Hoboken, NJ Mulligan's Smithwicks Sessions Arriving
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kingston, NY
Hooley on the Hudson
Zac's last gig
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kingston, NY
Hooley on the Hudson
Afterglow
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kingston, NY
Hooley on the Hudson
The Reels
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kingston, NY
Hooley on the Hudson
Poster
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kingston, NY
Hooley on the Hudson
Arriving
Thursday August 28, 2014
Long Beach, NY
The Inn
Red and Joey Knobs
Thursday August 28, 2014
Long Beach, NY
The Inn
The Reels
Thursday August 28, 2014
Long Beach, NY
The Inn
Arriving
Wednesday August 27, 2014
Cincinnati's 'Last Call' for Black 47 | WVXU

This focused farewell tour will bring Black 47 to the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati on Thursday October 9. "We are extremely fortunate to be included in their farewell tour," says Margaret McGurk, a supporter of the IHC.

Saturday August 23, 2014
Newport, RI
Newport Celtic Rock Festival
Back in the van homeward bound
Saturday August 23, 2014
Newport, RI
Newport Celtic Rock Festival
Soundcheck and a pint for Kirwan
Saturday August 23, 2014
Newport, RI
Newport Celtic Rock Festival
Bearclaw and Andrew having a Guinness
Saturday August 23, 2014
Newport, RI
Newport Celtic Rock Festival
Arriving
Friday August 22, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
After the gig back in the van
Friday August 22, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
After the M Music & Musicians Magazine band photo shoot with Stacey McCarthy
Friday August 22, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
Blood Wedding with Christine Ohlman
Friday August 22, 2014 Collinsvile, CT Bridge Street Live Arriving
Thursday August 21, 2014
Manchester, NH
The Shaskeen
The Gobshites
Thursday August 21, 2014
Manchester, NH
The Shaskeen
Poster
Thursday August 21, 2014
Manchester, NH
The Shaskeen
Arriving
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Transport back after our set
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
The Red Hot Chili Pipers horn section warming up before their gig
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Fanatic Heart
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Photos from Jennifer Wells-Sperry's post in Fans of Celtic Crush
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Black 47 at the Milwaukee Irish Festival (Thanks to Nez Llrlrr for the photo)
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Three Little Birds
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
The Reels
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Celtic Rocker
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Going to the Leinie's Stage
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Waiting for transport
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Program
8/16/2014 Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Irish Festival Logo
Saturday August 16, 2014
Milwaukee, WI
Arriving/Sigmund Snopek playing an Alpine horn at The Old German Bier House
Friday August 15, 2014
Chicago, IL
Beverly Arts Center
Encore with backstage found theater costumes
Friday August 15, 2014
Chicago, IL
Beverly Arts Center
Waiting in the wings moments before showtime
Friday August 15, 2014
Chicago, IL
Beverly Arts Center
A toast with Paul Wendt
Friday August 15, 2014
Chicago, IL
Beverly Arts Center
Arriving
Friday August 15, 2014
Chicago, IL
Beverly Arts Center
Poster
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Irish Fest Special Edition | Tuning In With Randy-O

Milwaukee Irish Fest, August 14-17, Maier Festival Park (irishfest.com)

Starting Thursday, the 34th edition of Irish Fest opens its 4-day run at Maier Festival Park (aka the Summerfest Grounds) on Milwaukee’s Lakefront. Generally regarded as one of the world’s largest celebrations of Celtic culture, the festival features music, dance, theater, history, sports, Celtic Canines, cuisine…not just from Ireland, but from all Celtic lands, including Scotland, Canada, Australia, Wales…even France and Spain!

And of course, a wide array of great music acts will be on hand, including returning favorites like Gaelic Storm, Milwaukee’s Frogwater and Athas, fabulous Chicago fiddler Liz Carroll, Different Drums of Ireland and Black 47 (in their Irish Fest farewell performances!), brilliant accordionist Sharon Shannon, the high-energy Spanish piper Carlos Nunez, Milwaukee’s rowdy Reilly and Whiskey of the Damned, the lusty vocals of the High Kings, longtime local acts Blarney and Leahy’s Luck, and many, many more.

Monday August 11, 2014
Black 47 with Special Guest The Bill Weevils Set for bergenPAC, 9/20 - BWWMusicWorld

They played more gigs at Shea Stadium than The Beatles, shut down the city of Hoboken, appeared multiple times on Leno, Letterman & O'Brien, starred in a movie with their fans Matt Dillon and Danny Glover, helped spring the Guilford Four and the Birmingham Six from British prisons, saved an Irish immigrant church from the wrecking ball.

The Bill Weevils are a folk-rock group sporting members Lisa Kasdan on vocals, Bill Bloom on guitar and vocals, Dave Abrams on guitar, John Ehlis on guitar and mandolin, Bruce Agte on bass, Matt Hauser on drums and Fred Parcells on trombone.

Monday August 11, 2014
Black 47 August Newsletter - New Gigs - Last Connolly's - BB Kings

As we head into the band's final three months many shows will be our last in your area before lights out at BB Kings on Nov. 15th. New shows are being added every week, so check in on www.black47.com Tour If you're missing a CD or t-shirt then visit SHOP at the same site.

New shows added recently:
Aug 28, The Inn, Long Beach, NY
Oct 8, Pat Byrne's, Columbus, OH
Oct 9, Irish Center, Cincinnati, OH
Oct 10, Rex Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 19, Infinity Hall, Hartford, CT
Oct 26, Towne Cryer, Beacon, NY

Take care of yourselves and see you Friday night at our last South Side Chicago gig at Beverly Arts Center and Milwaukee on Saturday for Irish Fest.

Saturday August 9, 2014
UpstateLIVE
Port Chester Bids Farewell to Black 47 at Garcia’s
By Steve Malinski

Garcia’s, with its bar stretching a decent portion of one side of the venue, was filled with a typical evening pub crowd relaxing and loosening up a bit. The stage was set for the entertainment of the night – a house band perhaps? Well, that’s what it felt like as the folks were hanging out until Irish rockers Black 47 took the stage there on July 31. Though, there was a special anticipation in the air as Black 47 winds down its career later this year while the music is still ripe and fresh, with just a few dozen more shows to go.

Setlist: Green Suede Shoes Celtic Rocker Wedding Reel Johnny Comes A’Courtin’ Culchie Prince Fanatic Heart Rockin’ In The Bronx Five Points Fire of Freedom The Night the Showbands Died James Connolly Salsa O’Keefe Funky Ceili Encore: Like A Rolling Stone

8/9/2014 Pearl River, NY The Brew House Gig Cancelled
Cancelled
Saturday August 9, 2014
Pearl River, NY
The Brew House
Sorry but this gig has been cancelled by the venue (nothing to do with the band)
Saturday August 2, 2014
Dublin, OH
Dublin Irish Festival
Sharon Shannon Tin Whistle
Alan Connor Piano
Jim Murry Guitar
Rathlin Island (reel)
Saturday August 2, 2014
Dublin, OH
Dublin Irish Festival
The Reels
Saturday August 2, 2014
Dublin, OH
Dublin Irish Festival
Celtic Rocker
Saturday August 2, 2014
Dublin, OH
Dublin Irish Festival
Back stage pass
Saturday August 2, 2014
Dublin, OH
Dublin Irish Festival
Program
Saturday August 2, 2014
Dublin, OH
Dublin Irish Festival
Arriving
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
Fan Photo Collection
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
by Jeff Dubnick
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
Three Little birds
by Robert Moe
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
Geoff and Fred on the Big Screen
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
Uilleann van Halen
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
Shout out to P2 and Jo
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
Celtic Rocker
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
The Dressing Room
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
The One and Only Steve Duggan
8/1/2014 Queens NYC Citi Field Mets Plaza Arriving
Friday August 1, 2014
Queens NYC
Citi Field
Mets Plaza
Arriving
Thursday July 31, 2014
Port Chester, NY
Garcia's at The Capitol
Encore
Thursday July 31, 2014
Port Chester, NY
Garcia's at The Capitol
Rockin' The Bronx
Thursday July 31, 2014
Port Chester, NY Garcia's at The Capitol
Arriving
Monday July 28, 2014
UpstateLIVE
Port Chester to Raise One Last Pint to Black 47
By Steve Malinski
Friday July 25, 2014
Westport, CT
The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
Rockin' The Bronx
Bass Solo
Friday July 25, 2014
Westport, CT
The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
The Reels
Friday July 25, 2014
Westport, CT
The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
Hammy's Drums
Magically Delicious
Friday July 25, 2014
Westport, CT
The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
Arriving
Sunday July 20, 2014
Pearl River Patch
Tickets on Sale for Black 47's "Last Call" at Pearl River Brew House Aug. 9 - Entertainment - Pearl River, NY Patch
Posted by Wendy Mitchell

Black 47 capped off a frantic St. Patrick’s Day season with an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon http://goo.gl/ljb2DW after playing to a sold out house at BB King’s in Times Square and starting their morning as special guests on VH1 where they performed Salsa O’Keefe http://goo.gl/qcKOp7 ….it was an incredible way to spend their last St. Patrick’s together as a band. Luckily for fans, the tour continues on with shows every week until the finale on Nov. 15th at BB Kings, exactly 25 years after their first gig in The Bronx.

Formed by Chris Byrne an NYPD detective and Kirwan, a playwright, Black 47 – who took their name from the worst year of the Irish Potato Famine – caused an immediate stir by introducing original music and political context into the Irish bar scene. Black 47 was soon signed to EMI Records,Funky Ceili lit up Alternative Radio and MTV, and the band became a feature on Leno, Letterman and O’Brien.

Geoff Blythe (saxophones), Fred Parcells (trombone/whistle) & Thomas Hamlin (drums) are the other three original members. Joseph Mulvanerty(uilleann pipes/bodhran) joined when Chris Byrne left in 2000, and Joseph “Bearclaw” Burcaw (bass) came aboard in 2007.

Sunday July 20, 2014
Berea, OH
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Funky Ceili
Saturday July 19, 2014
Berea, OH
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul
Friday July 18, 2014
Berea, OH
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
The Reels
Friday July 18, 2014
Berea, OH
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Arriving
Friday July 18, 2014
Berea, OH
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Poster
We were opening for Scythian - Immigrant Rock
Friday July 18, 2014
Celtic Crush July Newsletter
better a lucky day than an early start
Thursday July 17, 2014
Akron Beacon Journal
Irish festival at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this weekend
By Daryl V. Rowland
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
After the gig back at the hotel on my way to the bar, Dangerous Curves, the Plus Sized Belly Dancer Convention was in full swing.
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
MEIJER MAIN STAGE/Orchestra Hall
The Reels
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
My friend Al Rude the bass player's band The Root Shakers
RockinBlueBilly
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
MEIJER MAIN STAGE/Orchestra Hall
My Detroit sibs Charlie, Dave and Katie; Thanks for the support - helping us rock Detroit in Orchestra Hall!!
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
MEIJER MAIN STAGE/Orchestra Hall
Soundcheck
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
MEIJER MAIN STAGE/Orchestra Hall
Conjunto Chappottin y sus estrellas (Cuban Son)
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
Backstage Pass
Saturday July 12, 2014
Detroit, MI
Concert Of Colors
MEIJER MAIN STAGE/Orchestra Hall
3:30 p.m.
Conjunto Chappottin y sus estrellas (Cuban Son)
5:30 p.m.
Black 47 (Celtic rock)
8 p.m.
7th Don Was Detroit All-Star Revue: Bob Seger’s LIVE BULLET Revisited (rock) Scott Morgan & The Sights, Spyder Turner, Detroit Cobras, Liz Larin, Nadir w/ Steffanie Christi’an, Doop & The Inside Outlaws, Mayssa Karaa, The Infatuations, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells, Corktown Popes, Jess Domain, Luder, Lamont Zodiac and The All-Star Revue Band.
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Gloria / I Fought The Law
by Michael O'Connor
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
40 Shades of Blue intro
A failed attempt at a Bone cam
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Johnny Comes a'Courtin with Julie Notwicz
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
The Reels Geoff solo
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
The Reels
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Joey 'Knobs' plays bass
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Larry with the Captain
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Load-in
Thursday July 10, 2014
NYC
The Jewel
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Arrriving
Monday July 7, 2014
Black 47 July Newsletter - New Gigs - Boat Cruise - Citifield/​Beatles

THE LAST ROCKS OFF CRUISE
On Thursday, July 10, under an almost full moon, Black 47 will take a last cruise on the good ship, The Jewel, around New York Harbor. Hear James Connolly beneath the Statue of Liberty, jig with Bridie and the baby under the Brooklyn Bridge, kiss the Culchie Prince, or just enjoy a cool night out. Join us!

IRISH NIGHT WITH THE METS AT CITIFIELD
Black 47 played Shea Stadium more times than The Beatles. On Friday, Aug. 1st they expect to go one up on the Fab Four at Citifield. Come to Irish Night and see The Mets/Black 47 send The Giants on the "road to ruin."

Saturday June 28, 2014
Herndon, VA
Arrowbrook Center Park
Different Drummer
Saturday June 28, 2014
Herndon, VA
Arrowbrook Center Park
One Starry Night
Saturday June 28, 2014
Herndon, VA
Arrowbrook Center Park
Dressing room w/deli-tray
Saturday June 28, 2014
Herndon, VA
Arrowbrook Center Park
Arriving
Saturday June 28, 2014
Fairfax County, Virginia
Irish Rock Band Black 47 Performs at Arrowbrook Centre Park
Thursday June 26, 2014
Springfield, MA
Stearns Square Thursday Night Concerts
Last Night's Fun with Black 47 in Springfield, MA
By Bill Murphy
Thursday June 26, 2014
Springfield, MA
Stearns Square Thursday Night Concerts
Gloria
Thursday June 26, 2014
Springfield, MA
Stearns Square Thursday Night Concerts
Different Drummer
Thursday June 26, 2014
Springfield, MA
Stearns Square Thursday Night Concerts
The Reels
Thursday June 26, 2014
Springfield, MA
Stearns Square Thursday Night Concerts
Arriving
Saturday June 21, 2014
Beacon, NY
Towne Crier Cafe
Photos by JG Riley
Saturday June 21, 2014
Beacon, NY
Towne Crier Cafe
Intro to encore
40 Shades of Blue
Saturday June 21, 2014
Beacon, NY
Towne Crier Cafe
Hard Times
Beacon, NY Towne Crier Cafe Logo
Friday June 13, 2014
CELTIC CRUSH Newsletter
Celtic Crush June Newsletter Bloomsday Show Playlists Come Cruisin'
Thanks to everyone who's been coming out to see Black 47 over the last month. It's great to put faces to email addresses, so make sure you come up and say hello. The shows have been even more intense than usual - probably because they're the last in most venues. The next gig will be on June 21st at The Towne Crier in Beacon, NY. Don't forget our last Cruise (in NY Harbor) on Thursday, July 10th. It's always a blast and a great way to see New York with Black 47 serenading you.
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
O'Malley's March
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Funky Ceili with Martin O'Malley
2nd verse to end of show bows
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Funky Ceili with Martin O'Malley sitting in
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
The Reels joined by Billy McComiskey (accordion) and Jim Eagan (fiddle)
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Martin O'Malley introducing Black 47
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Dressing room
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Larry Kirwan introducing O'Malley's March
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Arriving
6/7/2014 O'Malley's March Baltimore Soundstage flyer
Saturday June 7, 2014
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Soundstage
Jared Denhard, Jim Eagan, Sean McComiskey, Pete Miller, Mac Walter, Jamie Wilson and Martin O'Malley are O'Malley's March
Saturday June 7, 2014
Celtic Beat
Last Call Review
by Arthur Ketchen

After twenty five years Black 47 has decided to go out with a bang. This CD is an achetypical collage where Jack Kerouac meets up with William Butler Yeats and James Joyce on the mean streets of Americay.It is a celebration of the end of one era. Where all the old paths have led to dead ends. And yet the truth in history must be remembered.

Friday June 6, 2014
Boston Irish Festival
Canton, MA
Izzy's Irish Rose
The Screaming Orphans
Friday June 6, 2014
Boston Irish Festival
Canton, MA
Arriving
Friday June 6, 2014
Boston Irish Festival
Canton, MA
Poster
Wednesday June 4, 2014
BLACK 47 Newsletter
Black 47 June Newsletter - Boat Cruise - New Gigs - Fallon Show
Thank you all so much for coming out to see us recently. With 165 days to go until we "stand down" on Nov. 15, so many of these upcoming shows will be our last in your area. That will make them even more special and we're looking forward to saying hello/goodbye and thanking you for your love and support over the years.
Tuesday June 3, 2014
The Washington Post
O’Malley’s March booked as opening act this weekend for long-running Celtic rock band
By John Wagner
After moonlighting as a street musician on Memorial Day, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has a real gig this weekend.
Monday June 2, 2014
The Baltimore Sun
O'Malley's March to open for Irish rock band in Baltimore on Saturday
By Michael Dresser
Monday June 2, 2014
Short Story Contests
Still Doing the Funky Ceili at Forty
Midlife Collage
By Rachel Doherty
Sunday June 1, 2014
Queens, NY
Rockaway Beach/Breezy Point Irish Festival
St. Camillus Church Parking Lot
Encore
Sunday June 1, 2014
Queens, NY
Rockaway Beach/Breezy Point Irish Festival
St. Camillus Church Parking Lot
Johnny Comes a'Courtin with Oona Roche
Sunday June 1, 2014
Queens, NY
Rockaway Beach/Breezy Point Irish Festival
St. Camillus Church Parking Lot
Arriving
6/1/2014 Queens, NY Rockaway Beach/Breezy Point Irish Festival St. Camillus Church Parking Lot
Sunday June 1, 2014
Queens, NY
Rockaway Beach/Breezy Point Irish Festival
St. Camillus Church Parking Lot
Saturday May 31, 2014
The Wild Geese
Black 47's Last Call - The Wild Geese
I don't know what milestone I had passed when it struck me. Party band. Good musicians. Good times. Collected. For the Irish. By the Irish. I realize I over thought this CD. Black 47 is not an obsessed and frustrated composer seeking audience and brilliance. These boys have fired the furnace of many a feis. They've kicked their heels up in the sawdust of many a Bronx bar and kept time to reel and rocker alike. I hear the patron's shrieking and the maids giggling. And yes, I smell the pints and the fags burning.
Posted by Kevin Gleeson
Friday May 30, 2014
The Boston Irish Reporter
A June two-step for Boston Irish Festival
Celtic potpourri will enliven ICCNE’s campus
Larry Kirwan ruminates about the end of the run
By Sean Smith
Monday May 26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
The Gothard Sisters sitting in with The Screaming Orphans
Monday May 26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
The Gothard Sisters watching The Screaming Orphans
Monday May 26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Rebecca Miller photos
Monday May 26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Izzy's Irish Rose
Black 47 joined by The Screaming Orphans
Taken from the audience by Mary Kotapka
Monday May 26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Izzy's Irish Rose
Monday May 26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Black 47
Monday May 26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Fanatic Heart
Sunday May 25, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Different Drummer drum solo
Sunday May 25, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Southside Chicago Waltz
Sunday May 25, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Three Little Birds
Sunday May 25, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Arriving
May 23-26, 2014
Oak Forest, IL
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest
Promo
Saturday May 24, 2014
East Durham, NY
BlackThorne Resort
Packing up for the last Blackthorne gig
Saturday May 24, 2014
East Durham, NY
BlackThorne Resort
Different Drummer drum solo
Saturday May 24, 2014
East Durham, NY
BlackThorne Resort
Rockin' the Bronx instrumental
Saturday May 17, 2014
McKee Farms Park
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg Days
Rockin the Bronx
Thanks to Jay Allen for all the hospitality
and The Kissers
Saturday May 17, 2014
McKee Farms Park
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg Days
Culchie Prince
Saturday May 10, 2014
NYC
Connolly’s
Funky Céilí
5/10/2014 NYC Connolly’s Logo
Saturday May 10, 2014
NYC
Connolly’s
Black 47
Tuesday May 6, 2014
Thomas Wictor
A Talk with the Bearclaw - Thomas Wictor
Monday April 28, 2014
Darien News
Column: Ghosts of rock 'n' roll past
It's an out-bloody-standing night of rock, reggae and hip-hop, played only the way Black 47 can; beautiful, magical, sweet rock 'n' roll for the soul.
Saturday April 26, 2014
New York Post
David Amram’s encounters with Dizzy Gillespie, Patti Smith, and others
“I performed there (Connolly’s Pub) with the great Irish band Black 47 when Malachy McCourt was running for governor in 2006. We knew Malachy wouldn’t win, but he was so much fun to be with. Everyone was drinking up a storm, but because of my advancing years and because I work 16 hours a day, I was drinking diet ginger ale . . . I shock and disappoint people by not fulfilling my role as the stoned-out, aging boy wonder — I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs. When I go to schools, I tell the kids I’m living proof you can be just as much a crashing bore stone-cold sober as stoned out of your head.”
Saturday April 19, 2014
Fairfield, CT
Stage One
Rockin' The Bronx
Lisa's album
A difficult gig with half the PA blown out and Geoff in England promoting DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS THE TEAM THAT DREAMS IN CAFFS
Saturday April 19, 2014
Fairfield, CT
Stage One
Arriving
Saturday April 19, 2014
HAN Radio logo
Fairfield, CT
The Open Hour on HAN Radio
Larry Kirwan talks to John Kovach
Tuesday April 15, 2014
Connecticut Post
Catch Black 47 on final tour when it performs at FTC
by Christina Hennessy
Saturday April 12, 2014
Bardonia, NY
Albertus Magnus High School
The Tom Collins Gymnasium
Dan Sullivan Foundation Benefit
Intro to Encore
Saturday April 5, 2014
Newark, NJ
McGovern's Tavern
Fanatic Heart
Saturday April 5, 2014
Newark, NJ
McGovern's Tavern
Arriving
Friday April 4, 2014
Princeton, NJ
Princeton University
The Night The Showbands Died
Friday April 4, 2014
Princeton, NJ
Princeton University
The Reels
Friday April 4, 2014
Princeton, NJ
Princeton University
McCarter Theatre Center, Berlind Theatre
Monday March 31, 2014
Black 47 Newsletter - Free Concert - New Gigs - Last Call - Transport Last Week

Thanks to everyone who came out to see Black 47 over the course of our St. Patrick's Season Tour and for those who didn't see the band on the Tonight Show here's another chance. We also played Salsa O'Keefe earlier in the day on VH1

Saturday March 29, 2014
FATEA - Reviews

For me, two songs-oddly enough in sequence- stand out especially. USA 2014 shows just how skewed the American Dream has really become, the lopsided nature of society there-replicated elsewhere too, it must be said-laid bare in searing lyrics and music. The Night the Showbands Died, which has as its core the Miami Showband murders in 1975, is a lament not only for those who died, but also for the death of our innocence, in an era when we hung like limpets to the words of journalists travelling in the back of the Transits the length and breadth of Ireland and -during Lent, the U.K.

Saturday March 22, 2014
Washington, DC
ShamrockFest
Funky Céilí
Saturday March 22, 2014
Washington, DC
ShamrockFest
Rockin' the Bronx
Saturday March 22, 2014
Washington, DC
ShamrockFest
Darthead Mike and crew
Saturday March 22, 2014
Washington, DC
ShamrockFest
Zac (pointing) gets the crowd going
Saturday March 22, 2014
Washington, DC
ShamrockFest
The Reels
Saturday March 22, 2014
Washington, DC
ShamrockFest
Some Good Craic Irish Radio Show T-shirt
Saturday March 22, 2014
Washington, DC
ShamrockFest
Arriving
Friday March 21, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
The Night The Showbands Died
Friday March 21, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
Johnny Comes a'Courtin
Friday March 21, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
Bill Murphy's photos
Friday March 21, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
Stacey McCarthy Photography
Friday March 21, 2014
Collinsvile, CT
Bridge Street Live
Lisa's photos
Monday March 17, 2014
The Aquarian Weekly
Black 47 @ B.B. King Blues Club
by Everynight Charley Crespo
Monday March 17, 2014
BB Kings
Flyer
Full Show broadcast live from BB King's on 3/17/2014 7pm on SiriusXM
St. Patrick's Day 3/17/2014 mp3 (148MB)
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
End of show Black 47 with Jimmy Fallon — Notice me holding my phone; which is the video on the left
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Thanks to my friend Dennis Heaphy who caught every mention of Black 47
The YouTube video was taken down by NBC. Here's the file as wmv (windows media) for download (180MB)
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Slideshow
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Performance 'St Patrick's Day'
The official NBC video
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Introduction
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
About to go on
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Band signs Jimmy's guest book
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Kermit the Frog Rehearsal
Monday March 17, 2014
New York City
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Arriving for sound check
New York City B.B. King Blues Club & Grill Logo
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Camera blocking
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Sound check
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Setting the lights
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Dressing room
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Backstage pass
Monday March 17, 2014
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Arriving with daughter Claire and driver George
Monday March 17, 2014
The New Yorker
Black 47: B. B. King Blues Club & Grill : The New Yorker
The local Irish rock band is calling it quits after twenty-five years of stirring passions here and abroad. Named for the worst year of the Irish potato famine, Black 47 has always been politically aware and hard-rocking in equal measure. Its leader, Larry Kirwan, who is also a journalist, novelist, and playwright, has steered the band on a wide course, embracing diverse musical genres a host of social issues during its long run. The group’s final album, “Last Call,” came out earlier this month. (B. B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St. 212-997-4144. March 17.)
Monday March 17, 2014
NYTimes.com
Pop & Rock Listings for March 14-20 - NYTimes.com
Wear green and catch them while you’re able. At 7 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, 800-745-3000, bbkingblues.com; $25 in advance, $30 at the door. (Anderson)
Monday March 17, 2014
Black 47 & CELTIC CRUSH Newsletter
ST. PATRICK'S DAY MESSAGE

On one day a year, they congregated outside St. Patrick's Cathedral off Prince Street in New York City and marched in celebration. To some of these immigrant Irish and their American born children it was a religious occasion, but to most the gathering was an affirmation of their right, not only to survive but to thrive in their adopted country. That's what I sense on St. Patrick's Day - an echo from a time when the Irish were despised outsiders. And that's why I go along with the raucous energy, the excitement and even the green beer, the plastic shamrocks and the ubiquitous leprechaun.

I didn't always feel that way. When I arrived from Ireland, these manifestations of Irish-America were at best embarrassing. Back home, our own celebrations were rigid and religious; we did sport actual sprigs of shamrock but there was no beer, green or otherwise on this gloomy church holiday. The Parade up Fifth Avenue and the ensuing bacchanal seemed downright pagan by comparison.

I had other immigrant battles of my own ahead. Black 47 was formed to create music that would reflect the complexity of immigrant and contemporary Irish-American life and to banish When Irish Eyes Are Smiling off to a well earned rest at the bottom of Galway Bay. This idea met with not a little resistance in the north Bronx and the south sides of Boston and Chicago; but when irate patrons would yell out in the middle of a reggae/reel "Why can't yez sing somethin' Irish?" I would return the compliment with, "I'm from Ireland, I wrote it! That makes it Irish!"

With time and familiarity, Irish-America came to accept and even treasure Black 47, probably more for our insistence that each generation bears responsibility for solving the political problems in the North of Ireland, than for recasting Danny Boy as a formidable gay construction worker. I, in turn, learned to appreciate the traditions of the community I had joined along with the reasons for the ritualized celebration of our patron saint. And now on St. Patrick's Day, no matter what stage I'm on, mixed in with the swirl of guitars, horns, pipes and drums, I hear an old, but jarring, memory of a people rejoicing as they rose up from their knees.

Sunday March 16, 2014
Empire City Casino - Yonkers Raceway
Black 47 & Shilelagh Law
The Reels 30°
Sunday March 16, 2014
Empire City Casino - Yonkers Raceway
Black 47 & Shilelagh Law
In the dressing room which is the owners box
Sunday March 16, 2014
Empire City Casino - Yonkers Raceway
Black 47 & Shilelagh Law
Arriving building the stage
Sunday March 16, 2014
Empire City Casino - Yonkers Raceway
Black 47 & Shilelagh Law
Poster
Sunday March 16, 2014
The Rockland County Times
Irish Rockers ‘Black 47’ Concert at Empire City Casino this Sunday March 16th

Fans from across the tri-state area will descend on Empire City to see the performance before Black 47 makes its scheduled St. Patrick’s Day appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in New York City on March 17. The band will keep the St. Patrick’s Day party going with a performance that same night at BB King’s on 42nd Street where their show will be broadcast live by SiriusXM.

Sunday March 16, 2014
lohud The Journal News
Black 47 bids farewell in Yonkers this weekend

"It's kinda interesting being back in Yonkers," Kirwan says during an interview at Empire City. "Some of our first gigs were in a place called Fibber McGee's on McLean Avenue. It's good to come back."

Rather than wrap up with "greatest hits" gigs, the band decided to record one more album, "Last Call," which came out earlier this month. It offers a slate of new songs like rap-rock farewell "US of A 2014" and Latin-flavored "Salsa O'Keefe" to balance longtime fan favorites like "Funky Ceili" and "Maria's Wedding."

The album also introduces a new singer on the reggae-tinged "Johnny Comes a' Courtin": 18-year-old Purchase College student Oona Roche, niece of folk music trio The Roches.

Saturday March 15, 2014
Wakefield, RI
Ocean Mist
Front of House
Saturday March 15, 2014
Wakefield, RI
Ocean Mist
Arriving
Friday March 14, 2014
Asbury Park, NJ
Stone Pony
The Reels
Friday March 14, 2014
Asbury Park, NJ
Stone Pony
Front of house
Friday March 14, 2014
Asbury Park, NJ
Stone Pony
Back Stage Pass
Friday March 14, 2014
Asbury Park, NJ
Stone Pony
Arrive
Friday March 14, 2014
Asbury Park, NJ
Stone Pony
Poster
Friday March 14, 2014
Black 47 Last Call
All Access
Thursday March 13, 2014
USA Today
Black 47 closes out 25-year career with a bang
by Steven P. Marsh, The (Westchester County, N.Y.) Journal News
Thursday March 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live

Larry explains what a Culchie Prince is

Thursday March 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live

Front of house

Thursday March 13, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live

Arriving at the gig

Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Post show with Nick
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Band with Nick End of taping
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Performance of Salsa O'Keefe
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Getting ready to tape live Funky Céilí
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Makeup
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Rehearsal
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Rehearsal Salsa O'Keefe
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Soundchecking the drums
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Preshow shots
Tuesday March 11, 2014
VH1
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey

Arriving at the Viacom building to tape 2 songs for air on St. Paddys Day

Tuesday March 11, 2014
Newsletter
Black 47/Celtic Crush - Appearance on Tonight Show!! - New Gigs - Playlists

One more combined Black 47/Celtic Crush Newsletter during March Madness!

Black 47 will appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on March 17th. We'll be shuttling between BB Kings and the NBC studios most of that evening. SiriusXM will also broadcast our last St. Patrick's Day show live from BB's.

Thanks so much to all of you who've come to the recent shows. We've been having a blast, and remember - feel free to take pictures or tape the show - they're neve the same. See you at World Café, Thursday; Stone Pony, Friday; Ocean Mist, Saturday; Empire City Casino, Sunday; BB King's Monday. Some of these will be our last gigs in those clubs, so you can be assured, they will be special.

Sunday March 9, 2014 8:45pm Back at the hotel Posting this Realizing we just did a gig in Long Island and one in Florida in less than 20 hours. going to bed.

Sunday March 9, 2014
Saint Augustine, FL
The St Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage

encore Gloria

Sunday March 9, 2014
Saint Augustine, FL
The St Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage

Sunday March 9, 2014 1:45pm Arrive at Jacksonville airport Shuttle to the hotel in St Augustine Sh!tShaveShower back in the van At the gig Have a beer Doing the gig Great gig...Ok made it through the crunch Relax tomorrow's a travel day
Sunday March 9, 2014 1:45am Home from Bay Shore. Set the clock ahead one hour (spring ahead). Pack for Florida. Set my alarm for 5:30am. Try to close my eyes. Alarm Get up Have a coffee Start driving to La Guardia 495 is closed 10 minutes from the airport Stuck for ½ hour Head exploding Construction Railroaded off the highway Lost in Queens Stop the car I'm!!$*&%gonnamissthisflight!!.. Try to get it together..GPS Many turns There's an airport at the end of the block. Gogogo made the plane with seconds to spare. im rattled

Saturday March 8, 2014
Bay Shore, NY
NY Boulton Center for the Performing Arts

St. Patrick's Day

Saturday March 8, 2014
Bay Shore, NY
NY Boulton Center for the Performing Arts

The Reels

Saturday March 8, 2014
Bay Shore, NY
Boulton Center for the Performing Arts
Friday March 7, 2014
irishcentral.com
Black 47 to apprear on Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Show' on St. Patrick's Day
by Kate Hickey

Black 47 to appear on The Tonight Show on March 17th with Jimmy Fallon. They will also perform the same night at BB King’s on 42nd Street where their show will be broadcast live by SiriusXM. It’s been quite a year so far for the band who will do their final show in New York exactly 25 years after their first gig in the Bronx in November 1989.

The band will also appear on VHI’s Morning Buzz with Nick Lachey. They have also just received the good news that two of their most influential albums, Home of the Brave and Green Suede Shoes will be re-released by Universal Records later this month.

On Last Call, Kirwan was committed to honor the New York music scene as well in his choice of collaborators. “Christine Ohlman has been on our records for years and is an important voice on Black 47,” Kirwan says. “Mike Fazio playing the atmospherics has really added an element of the band over the years as well. Oona Roche, a niece of the Roches, did some great work as well and it was important that these folks be part of the last call, particularly Christine. We always had this big support among New York musicians and it's great to have them in there.”

Friday March 7, 2014
SoundPress.net
Feature Article: Black 47 Serves Up Last Call as Fans Drink in Last Days of the Band in Paramus!
Concert Review

Black 47 Serves Up Last Call as Fans Drink in Last Days of the Band in Paramus. A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch

Heralding from New York City, Black 47 rocks hard for the passion of music and politics. Black 47 concerts are animated affairs. Their songs are a potent brew of Celtic rock, folk, jazz and reggae topped off with rousing lyrics about civil rights, Ireland, urban unrest and war. Black 47 is a band that has boldly spoken their mind for the past 25 years but they plan to go their separate ways in the fall of 2014.

Friday March 7, 2014
Paramus, NJ
Bergen Community College Ciccone Theatre
World premier of 'St. Patrick's Day' with the three banditos; Mary Ann O'Rourke, Tom Marlow and Jim O'Donnell

Larry announces that Black 47 will be on Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show" on St Patrick's Day.

Friday March 7, 2014
Paramus, NJ
Bergen Community College Ciccone Theatre
Poster
Friday March 7, 2014
Philly.com
'Last Call' for Celtic rock's Black 47
By Nick Cristiano, Inquirer Staff Writer

It was late last summer when Larry Kirwan first thought about bringing the saga of Black 47 to a close.

"We were coming back from a gig in Buffalo, and I remember thinking, 'Wow, the band sounded really good,' " the frontman for the Celtic-rock sextet said from his home in New York. "And I thought, 'This would be a good time to call it a day - go out when you're sounding really good rather than for other reasons.' . . . Everyone in the band was down with it. It feels like a great time" to finish.

So Black 47 will end in November, exactly 25 years after beginning with the simple ambition of "Rockin' the Bronx." The band went on to do more than that. With a big sound incorporating both uilleann pipes and horns, and spicing the rock with rap and reggae, Black 47 hit like a galvanic blend of the E Street Band and the Clash (Joe Strummer was a big fan).

Black 47, with Barleyjuice, plays at 7 p.m. Thursday March 13 at World Cafe Live

Thursday March 6, 2014
Explore LI
Where to watch Irish bands perform on LI

St. Patrick's Day is traditionally celebrated by raising a pint or chowin' down on some corned beef and cabbage. Why not shamrock it up by taking in a Celtic-flavored concert? Here are five shows that will help you kick-start your Irish pride.

WHEN|WHERE 8 p.m. Saturday March 8, YMCA Boulton Center in Bay Shore

Wednesday March 5, 2014
The New York Public Library - nypl.org
Great Albums You Might Have Missed: Black 47's Fire of Freedom (1993) | The New York Public Library - The New York Public Library
by Shawn P Donohue

I was sitting shotgun on DJ duty during a long volleyball road trip back in high school when I put on a new tape (yes, cassette days) that I was loving of a band I had recently seen playing live at SUNY Albany (yes, pre Internet days). The group was Black 47, the album Fire of Freedom . After about 30 seconds of "Livin' In America" my witty coach who was driving commented "Irish Music is a step below Irish Food", my response was "This isn't Irish Music, it's New York City music."

With St. Patrick's Day on the horizon I wanted to take a second to showcase one of the better albums that my coach would lump in as "Irish Music". Sure you can find loads of traditional songs in audio form or in books, you can find Irish bands who update the traditions in punk-ish or even prog-rock ways but Black 47 plays Irish music in a New York way.

The group during the recording of the album was Dave Conrad (bass), Thomas Hamlin (drums), Fred Parcells (Trombone), Geoffrey Blythe (Sax), Chris Byrne (Uilleann Pipes/Vocals) and Larry Kirwan (Guitars/Lead Vocals). The core played various whistles and programmed drum machines to go along with a host of backing vocalists but at it's center was the 6 players and their style.

Saturday March 1, 2014
Newton, NJ The Newton Theatre
Rockin' The Bronx
Saturday March 1, 2014
Newton, NJ The Newton Theatre
Taken by Joseph Juntunen
3/1/2014 Newton, NJ The Newton Theatre Poster
Saturday March 1, 2014
Newton, NJ The Newton Theatre Poster
Saturday March 1, 2014
ShamrockFest Mania
OnTap Magazine

After nearly 24 years as New York’s most popular and political celtic rock band, Black 47 is calling it quits this year, but not before they rock stages – including ShamrockFest’s – one last time on a final coast-to-coast tour.

The six-piece outfit not only brings a rollicking, upbeat musical game, their songs also delve deeply into issues that matter, ranging from longstanding political conflicts in Northern Ireland to civil rights and socioeconomic problems in their hometown of New York City. Frontman Larry Kirwin explained the band’s breakup as amicable.

We’re looking forward to raising a pint of Guinness to Black 47 at ShamrockFest one last time.

Don’t miss out on ShamrockFest March 22.

Friday February 28, 2014
Lancaster, PA Tellus360
Geoff sax solo on Gloria.
Friday February 28, 2014
Lancaster, PA Tellus360
Livin' In America with Amanda the pipes player from The Ogham Stones.
Friday February 28, 2014
Lancaster, PA Tellus360
Three Little Birds
Friday February 28, 2014
Lancaster, PA Tellus360 Sound check
Our sound man Joseph Juntunen checks Larry's mic
Friday February 28, 2014
Lancaster, PA Tellus360
Road Manager Zac Yurkovic loading in

Friday February 28, 2014 Black 47 & CELTIC CRUSH Newsletter Almost March Madness 2014

LAST CALL is Black 47's final album. It will be released and available on all digital platforms (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) on March 4th but YOU can NOW buy the CD or download the 13 tracks at theconnextion You can also find the lyrics, chord charts, stories, pictures of players and guests at the Black 47 Archive. LAST CALL is on sale at all Black 47 gigs.

★★★★ On "Last Call," Black 47 serves a 200 proof cocktail made with a shot of funk and two fingers of Irish malarkey thrown in for good measure. Larry Kirwan saves the best for last, using roots, rock, and reggae to bring the final curtain down on the most influential Irish American band in history." Mike Farragher/Irish Voice

This is a combined B47/CC newsletter to alert you to LAST CALL and let you know the St. Patrick's Day season dates for the band. We're especially highlighting BB Kings on March 17th. as this will be our 25th St. Patrick's Day appearance in NYC and our last. In fact many of the upcoming shows will be our last in many venues so we'd love to see you all out enjoying yourselves and raising the rafters one more time in the coming months.

All the best,
larry kirwan

Wednesday February 26, 2014 Black 47: Irish-American rockers to visit Tellus360 on its last tour - LancasterOnline: Music

Local fans will get the chance to celebrate the band's last go-round when it performs with opening act Ogham Stones Friday at Tellus360 in downtown Lancaster.

Tuesday February 25, 2014 Pictures from Rockville Centre, NY Molloy College: The Madison Theatre with Hard Times from Last Call - So the NEW Black 47 album Last Call sounds excellent !! I just put this slideshow together real quick . It features the Stephen Foster song Hard Times and the pictures I took at Molloy College . I'll be playing a few songs off the new album on Some Good Craic tomorrow night . I'd like to say thanks to Black 47 for all the years of great music, great shows and great memories . Some Real Good Craic ….25 years worth ! The new album is now available for download. Some Good Craic
Saturday February 22, 2014 Radio Friendly and Insightful-Last Call by Black47 | The Celtic Music Fan

I think that the decision for the placement of Salsa O’Keefe by Black 47 as the opening track of The new album Last Call( and perhaps their final one before disbanding later this year) celebrates their years in the music world as the one and only band that fuses Irish and Reggae while maintaining that Punk Rock energy. Wow the last one? You mean to say that perhaps we will never get to hear them together again? But knowing how passionate these guys are, I am sure we will hear them in various incarnations. I guess it is not easy to carry a huge band like this especially in this changing landscape of the music industry. Maybe these questions will be answered once I hear from the main guy Larry Kirwan.

Last Call could be the unapologetic tongue in cheek take on what it means to be Irish in New York city. But when I read the press release it says here that : , (Last Call)explores the life and psyche of Irish playwright, Brendan Behan, model for Shane McGowan and a host of Celtic rockers. No wonder I feel that poetic passion all over the songs. Culchie Prince features a fantastic uilleann pipe, tin whistle and a whole bunch of traditional Irish instruments on top of what could be one for the greatest modern rock song in history.

Let the People In celebrates diversity and explores themes covering immigration. You check out the lyrics because I know this will stir up that patriotic string in your heart and reminds us the reasons why America is called the land of the free. There are thirteen songs and every song has its ‘style’ to show. It closes with an interesting cover of Stephen Foster’s Hard Times. Like I said this could be the last album you will hear from this legendary band so better grab your copies. We fans keep the music alive!

Saturday February 22, 2014 Rockville Centre, NY Molloy College: The Madison Theatre Funky Ceili - The PA blew up and we were down to 2 mics. The tin whistle is useless with no amplification so I made this video instead. David Conrad our original bass player coined this 'the bone cam'.
WUSB Listener Supported Community Radio
After the gig I met Chris LaPorta who has a show on WUSB Listener Supported Community Radio.
Friday February 21, 2014 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Beer Week Fanatic Heart
Saturday February 8, 2014 Connolly's NYC Culchie Prince
Saturday February 8, 2014 Connolly's NYC Salsa O'Keefe
Saturday February 8, 2014 Connolly's NYC Livin' In America with Mary Courtney
2/8/2014 NYC Connollys Logo
Saturday February 8, 2014 Connolly's NYC
Saturday February 8, 2014 Salem, MA The First Universalist Church Different Drummer
Saturday February 8, 2014 Connolly's NYC Gloria
The Pandemics
After the gig I met Chris Malone the trombonist for The Pandemics.
Friday February 7, 2014 Empire City Hosts Outdoor Irish Concert Featuring Black 47, Shilelagh Law | The White Plains Daily Voice

YONKERS, N.Y. -- Empire City Casino recently announced that it will be hosting its first pre-St. Patrick's Day performance to honor the Irish and will feature popular bands, Black 47 and Shilelagh Law on Sunday, March 16 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Shilelagh Law is known to embody New York Irish music. By interpreting traditional Irish music through a filter of urban grittiness, Shilelagh Law defines the Irish-American experience.

Wednesday January 29, 2014 Black 47 January Newsletter - New Gigs - Hard Times Extended

Thank you so much to the 599 people who joined us in raising the money to pay for the recording costs of Last Call, Black 47's final CD. This album is as much yours as ours and it's one of our best! We're close to finishing it and your pledge incentives will be going out soon. There are two days left to make a pledge - this will ensure that you will get a download copy of the album some time before the general public. Click on the link below to get information, enjoy previews and other information.

Saturday January 18, 2014 Salem, MA The First Universalist Church
Getting overhead video of Hammy's drum solo

Here's the video from above
Saturday, January 11, 2014 As he completes "Last Call" CD, Black 47's Larry Kirwan is busier than ever | Off The Record | IrishCentral

Many of us, including this writer, got the inspiration to crack open an Irish history book after hearing a Black 47 lyric. Last Call, the band’s final album, will have a bit of that as well.

This time, band leader Larry Kirwan shines the light on fellow author and playwright Brendan Behan on the track “The Ballad of Brendan Behan.” Kirwan sings, “Born in the glory of Russell Street/you grew up humming Amhrán na Bhfían/your auld lad did time in a Free State jail/for Republican activities beyond the pale/you were your Granny’s best boy, your Mammy’s best chap/you loved to cheer all the old ladies up/but your soul had been scorched with the Orange White and Green/you were the one and only Brendan Behan.”

Tuesday December 31, 2013 New Year's Eve at Connolly's view from the audience

New Year's Eve at Connolly's view from the audience

and the view from the stage

New Year's Eve at Connolly's view from the stage
12/31/2013 NYC Connollys Logo
Tuesday December 31, 2013
Black 47's 16th New Year's Eve gig at Connolly's in New York City
Monday December 30, 2013 Last call: Black 47 plans to disband | West Milford Hewitt Newfoundland NJ | Entertainment

NEWTON — Irish rock band Black 47 will perform at the Newton Theatre on Friday, March 1.

Thursday December 26, 2013 Black 47/Celtic Crush - Happy Holidays - Free Download - New Year's Eve

I'd like to wish you the very best in this holiday season and I hope you're all enjoying yourselves. Because I'm writing this on Christmas Day and am a bit rushed I'm combining the two newsletters but will add the Celtic Crush playlists at the bottom. Thank you all for supporting Black 47 and Celtic Crush in 2013 and I hope you'll have a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2014! As a gift we'd like to invite you to a FREE DOWNLOAD of New Year's Eve in Olde Tymes Square from the LAST CALL recordings.

larry kirwan

Thursday December 13, 2013 Black 47/Celtic Crush Hard Times Ticket Offer/New Gigs/Holiday Gifts

Hard Times to reopen at the cell from Jan. 9th to Feb. 2nd

LAST CALL! Getting close!

Happy 100th Birthday, Danny Boy | MOJO | 11/29/2013
Friday November 29, 2013
Happy 100th Birthday, Danny Boy | MOJO

“In the film, I use Johnny Cash’s 1965 recording of Danny Boy as the prism to investigate the appeal of the song to country artists. His daughter, Rosanne Cash, speaks of why it’s such a natural fit for poor white southerners and their tough, intense lives. While Larry Kirwan of the Irish-American band, Black 47, explains how 19th Century Irish immigrants brought their fiddles and music to the Appalachians. This subsequently influenced bluegrass – then country. With an ancient Irish tune, the Londonderry Air, at the song’s musical heart, it was all beginning to make sense.

“Songs like Danny Boy that last 100 years are rare. They appear simple, but are beautifully complicated. You need a bunch of keys to unlock the mysteries of Danny Boy, but I believe one of its most essential elements is its emotional dialectic – loss and hope, joy and pain, sunshine and shadow – and these lie at the very centre of all our lives.”

Tuesday November 26, 2013
Celtic Crush Thanksgiving Newsletter
Ireland Trip 2014 - Price of Turnips

A MESSAGE TO YOU, RUDY

What do you think of Robert Anthony Noonan? Doesn't ring a bell? Well, he's originally from Buffalo but could just as well be hailed as the Mayor of Bleecker Street. Oh, you mean Willie Nile? Yeah, the very man!

I don't know when I first met Willie thought I do remember his record company president, the legendary Clive Davis, boasting that Willie would be the next Dylan. Back in the early 80's that was akin to a death sentence. Willie has had a number of near misses in the superstar stakes but I'm firmly convinced this is his time. Why, because he's got great songs and the wherewithal to deliver them onstage. His new album, American Ride, is a revelation.

It hasn't been easy for Willie, but then again, the man wanted it all - the family, the music career, the home life, the bright life. He raised four children and still managed to hone his craft and turn out a number of top-class albums - all the while developing his legendary stage presence. There were times he had to do without himself in order to put food on the table for his family. That's the Buffalo Irish ethic. You do it, you do it quietly, and you only talk about it years later when it's history. "We all got through it, and were tougher and wiser for the experience," he shrugs, although those of us aware of the full story know the cost.

That's what a dream does for you - and no matter what calamity befell him Willie always kept his eyes on the prize. Probably no surprise since he's descended from Noonans, Kiernans, Kanes, and Gallaghers; from an early age he was determined to fuse the immigrant poetry of their lives with the rock & roll he grew up listening to on FM Radio. That's what propelled him onto the mean streets of New York as a young man. He got a job in the mailroom of a publishing house and played the Bleecker Street strip at night, burning the candle up the middle as well as at both ends. Ending up with an illness that one doctor feared was Leukemia he was forced to return to Buffalo for some years to restore his health.

No one on the strip doubted that he'd be back and his friends were always there for him. Willie too was never less than encouraging to his peers: I don't know how many nights I saw him in Paddy Reilly's bopping to the beat while urging on Black 47. But he never lacked for his own fans. The late great Mayoman, Pat Kenny booked him numerous times, and it was while performing at Kenny's Castaways that the New York Times gave him a spectacular endorsement on his return to New York.

Bruce Springsteen is another admirer and has invited him onstage at Shea Stadium and other arenas. I asked Willie about that experience - "It was great, man," he replied with a glint in his eye, "except that one night Clarence Clemons' ring fell off and rolled over center stage. When I tried to retrieve it for him, I looked up and Bruce was staring down, no doubt wondering what I was doing on my knees in front of him."

Bono too thinks the world of Willie. Speaking about American Ride, he enthused, "There are a few Americas here to discover - the mythic, the magic, the very real. It's one of the great guides to unraveling the mystery that is the troubled beauty of America."

Willie's family is grown now. He raised his kids and did the right thing. But the dream still shimmers before him. He's on the road much these days, in Europe and all across America, punching the Rock & Roll clock and enjoying every moment of it. There's a lot of ear candy out there - mucho gloss with very little substance. When you want to get to the heart of the matter and come face to face with the real deal, Robert Anthony Noonan is your man - or should I say, Mr. Willie Nile.

Thursday November 21, 2013 Black 47 Newsletter
New Gigs/Last Call

Black 47 has finished recording the tracks for Last Call. We're at present adding overdubs and guests, and will soon begin mixing for a late January release. We'd love if you could join us on this last sonic adventure and pledge $10 for a pre-release download of the CD.

TOURING 2014

Black 47 will be playing many gigs right through Nov 15th, 2014 when we'll do our final show in New York City. Right now we're planning on hitting as many parts of the country as possible and have already scheduled soon to be announced performances in IL, WI, OH, FL, NV, LA, with many more in the works. We'll announce them as they get confirmed. We expect to play many Irish festivals in a farewell tour through the summer and hope to see you. Thanks for your love and support.

Black 47 returns home to Paddy Reilly's 11/16/2013
Saturday November 16, 2013 Paddy Reilly's, James Connolly

Wednesday November 6, 2013 I got 8 ½ hours sleep last night and actually feel human again. Great day in the studio. I finished all my parts for the rest of the songs: Hard Times Come Again No More (we had to do that one over), US of A 2014 (Geoff did the horn arrangement), Let The People In, Saint Patrick’s Day (I wrote a strange intro using a musicbox from John Kuhlman's collection), Ballad Of Brendan Behan, and finally New Year's Eve in Olde Tymes Square.

Tuesday November 5, 2013 11:45pm Recorded 8 songs today: Johnny Comes ‘a Courtin’, Queen of Coney Island, The Night The Showbands Died, Salsa O’Keefe, A Culchie Prince, Shanty Irish Baby, Dublin Days, Hard Times.
By the last tune I fell in a heap on the couch behind the console while the band struggled thru.
Tuesday November 5, 2013 4:45am Woke up early today with all the new tunes swirling around in my head. We're going into the studio to record the new album 'Last Call'. Putting the final touches on the charts and making copies for the horns.

Saturday October 26, 2013 Rocky Sullivans of Red Hook Brooklyn, Salsa O'Keefe from album Last Call
by russrose13
Saturday October 26, 2013 Rocky Sullivans of Red Hook Brooklyn NY with Chris Byrne for Walk All the Days/Gloria/I Fought the Law
by dartheadmike
Wednesday October 23, 2013 "SOME GOOD CRAIC" Some Good Craic welcomes back to the show Fred Parcells. I'll be playing some tunes and interviewing Fred. He was my guest on the very first Some Good Craic radio/interview show. Episode 1
Black 47 winding up for long goodbye
Tuesday October 22, 2013 Irish Echo Black 47 winding up for long goodbye - Colleen Taylor
This weekend I’ll also be listening to… Black 47 | The Cedar Lounge Revolution
Saturday October 19, 2013 The Cedar Lounge Revolution This weekend I’ll also be listening to… Black 47

...an Irish blog with a unashamedly, but undogmatically, left-wing view of the world

The title of the bands 2010 album ‘Bankers and Gangsters’ is evidence that their political outlook hasn’t changed and is still to the fore. They have recently announced that next year , after 25 years a-rockin’ the band will be disbanding . They will shortly be recording a final album ‘Last Call’ and embarking on a final tour, so hopefully they’ll be coming your way soon.

And heres a few final selections , covering the different aspects of the band across the years- history, politics, the emigrant experience and pure comedy.

Down memory lane into Paddy Reilly's
Wednesday October 16, 2013 Irish Echo Down memory lane into Paddy Reilly's - Pat Fenton
Black and white photo showing Black 47 performing against the back right wall of Paddy Reilly's on 28th St and 2nd Ave. From left to right; Geoff Blythe, Jeffrey Ladd, Fred Parcells, Chris Byrne, and Larry Kirwan (not shown but present is Thomas Hamlin playing percussion on a front row table)
Saturday October 12, 2013 Black 47 Connolly's Pub Klub 45 NYC
Culchie Prince - world premier of a new tune to be recorded November 2013 for the upcoming album 'Last Call'
Connolly's NYC Logo
Black 47 announces new album, farewell tour - UPI.com
Wednesday September 18, 2013 UPI News Feed. Irish rock group Black 47 says it will disband after 25 years
Wednesday September 18, 2013 NY Daily News Longtime New York Celtic band Black 47 to call it quits next year

Black 47 - New York’s most prominent, political and beloved Celtic band - will fade to black in November of 2014.

In an email sent out by band leader Larry Kirwan, the singer announced that the group will pull-the plug just over 13 months from now.

The timing coincides with the 25th anniversary of Black 47’s first gig.

In a long and detailed statement, the musician claims “there are no fights, differences over musical policy, or general skulduggery. We remain as good friends as when we first played together.” Kirwan puts the split down to “a simple wish to finish up at the top our game after 25 years of relentless touring and, as always, on our own terms. The last gig we played at the South Buffalo Irish Festival was as good as any we've ever performed. Our goal now is to play another full year plus and dedicate all those performances to you who've supported us through thick and thin.”

Kirwan, who has his own radio show on Sirius XM, also promises new music from the band. “Rather than just running out the clock,” he wrote, “we will be recording ‘Last Call,’ an album of new songs this November. We would like to say good-bye to you all personally and will make every effort to come play in your city, town, college, pub, club, performing arts center and should you wish to alert your local promoter you can download booking particulars here.”

Kirwan, a native Irishman from Wexford, moved to New York at age 19. He formed the band with Brooklyn policeman Chris Byrne in 1989. They took their name from 1847, the worst year of the Great Irish Famine.

The group created their fan base by playing relentlessly at Paddy Reilly’s bar on the East Side of Manhattan. Their got their national breakout after being heard by Frank Murray, manager of the great Celtic-punk band The Pogues. They released their first album, “Home of the Brave, Live in London,” in 1989.

In his missive, Kirwan summed up the band’s core meaning and legacy. “Black 47 has always been more than a band. We've spoken out for the nationalist population in the North of Ireland, against the war but for the troops in Iraq, for our gay brothers & sisters, immigrants - legal and undocumented - as well as for the voiceless of 1845-47.”

Yet, Kirwan admits, “in the end it all comes down to the music, the songs, and the desire to give audiences the time of their lives and send them home smiling and, perhaps, with a question on their lips. We look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming gigs. Thanks for the support and the memories - lets make many more over the next year.”

GOOD-BYE BLACK 47! Newsletter 9/18/2013
Tuesday September 17, 2013
Black 47 Newsletter

GOOD-BYE BLACK 47!
In early November 2014, exactly 25 years after our first gig, Black 47 will disband. There are no internal disagreements, "differences over musical policy," or general skulduggery, we remain as good friends as when we first played together. We just have a simple wish to finish up at the top our game after 25 years of relentless touring and, as always, on our own terms. The last gig we played at the South Buffalo Irish Festival was as good as any we've ever performed. Our goal now is to play another full year plus and dedicate all of those gigs to you who've supported us through thick and thin. Rather than just running out the clock we will be recording "Last Call," an album of new songs in November. We would like to say goodbye to you all personally and will make every effort to come play in your city, town, college, pub, club, performing arts center, and should you wish to alert your local promoter you can download booking particulars here.

Black 47 has always been more than a band, we've spoken out for the nationalist population in the North of Ireland, against the war but for the troops in Iraq, for our gay brothers & sisters, immigrants - legal and undocumented - as well as for the voiceless of 1845-47; but in the end it all comes down to the music, the songs, and the desire to give audiences the time of their lives and send them home smiling and, perhaps, with a question on their lips. We look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming gigs. Thanks for the support and the memories - let's make many more over the next year. Take care of yourselves. Beir bua!