1. Foggy Dew - Father P. O'Neill
2. On the Blanket - Mick Hanly
3. Ride On - Jimmy McCarthy
4. Devil's Only Daughter - Brian McNeil
5. Highland Paddy - Sean McCarthy
6. They Wounded Old Ireland - Andy M. Stewart
7. Come Out Ye Black And Tans - Brendan Behan
8. Red Rose Cafe - P. Cartner and D. Black
9. Puppies and Ponies - Jan and Terry Griffith
10. For My Grandfathers - Terry Griffith

2008 Barb Allshouse
216 Oklahoma St
Louisville OH 44641
BarbAllshouse07@aol.com
Published in Renaissance Magazine

FOR MY GRANDFATHERS

Terry Griffith

Irish rebel music cannot be confined to a specific episode in the island's history. It has a timelessness that appeals to the old soul of anyone with a drop of Irish blood coursing through their veins. Eight-hundred years of oppression fed the uprisings of the 20 th century, and the songs of the rebels summoned the spirit of rebellions in past generations. Balladeer Terry Griffith captures that spirit of the ages in For My Grandfathers .

Straightforward and unpretentious, Griffith's talent lies in his passion for Ireland's plight. With the understated elegance of a man and his guitar, he spins magic in his delivery of Irish historic accounts through his music. The rallying tattoo of drums draws the listener in as “Foggy Dew” boldly opens the CD. Griffith's range enables him to move effortlessly from the stalwart approach demonstrated on this track to the gentle poignancy of ballads like “They Wounded Old Ireland,” a plea for peace that will stir even the most stoic heart. In the so-called Dirty Protest tribute “On the Blanket,” Griffith's performance is as stark and unflinching as Mick Hanley's direct lyrics.

While the majority of the tracks on this CD fall under the category of Irish rebel music, it also boasts a few songs that break from the rebel genre. In the title track Griffith explains his connection with Ireland, and how he, as an American, identifies with the ideals behind the music. He does not exhibit the affectations sometimes flaunted as Irishness; his success in this area may be attributed in part to his deep understanding of what he refers to as the Irish “collective memory of great sadness.” The artist also included on this disc a couple of popular songs that are often requested during his live performances. “Devil's Only Daughter” is a tribute with a twist, performed a cappella with a clarity and purity that is engaging no matter how often heard. “Red Rose Café” at first seems an odd choice for this CD, but the infectious Dutch sing-along was a staple in the Irish pubs where Griffith learned much of his repertoire, and will quickly become a favorite of all who hear it.

For My Grandfathers is sure to be enjoyed by anyone with a taste for historical ballads or for Irish music in general, but it will especially stir the senses of those whose ancestors hailed from the strife-torn country of Ireland.

With the understated elegance of a man and his guitar, he spins magic in his delivery of Irish historic accounts through his music. Griffith 's range enables him to move effortlessly from the stalwart approach ….to the gentle poignancy of ballads.

2008 Barb Allshouse for Renaissance Magazine

Published by Celtic MP3s Music Magazine . Celtic music CDs .

Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com .

The title of this album, For My Grandfathers, gives listeners a clue as to where Terry Griffith is coming from as an Irish-American. You can feel the affection he has for Ireland come through in his music, and this nice collection of tunes provides a lovely selection of songs for any occasion. The title track is heartfelt, and there is something really enjoyable about Griffith's voice that shines through on every track here. You can tell that in his heart he is never far from his ancestors , even though he lives in the USA.

On this album you'll find songs to sing along to, such as "Red Rose Cafe," as well as those to just enjoy, like "Ride On". Irish ballads combine with acoustic instrumentation to form the backbone of this CD, making it perfect for the traditional Celtic music lover. This type of album is one to savor when you feel like connecting with Ireland. Between the instruments, vocals and emotion here, you'll feel close indeed. Neither too long or too short, the collection of songs is sure to satisfy.

1. Broad Black Brimmer - Noel Nagle
2. Missing You - Jimmy MacCarthy
3. City Of Chicago -Barry Moore
4. Galway To Graceland - Richard Thompson
5. Black Velvet Band - Traditional
6. Almost See Ireland From Here - J. Stewart and D. Ashdown
7. The Town I Loved So Well - Phil Coulter
8. Nancy Whiskey - Traditional
9. The Voyage - Johnny Duhan
10. Rare Auld Times - Pete St. John
11. Reconciliation - Ron Kavana

Review Published on Celtophilia http://www.celtophilia.com/ ,
November 10, 2009
By Mike McDaniel, mike@celtophilia.com

This CD was presented to me as a collection of recordings for folks that wanted to hear something very akin to what Terry's pub show is like. I'll tell you a secret: I love this sort of live music, but don't get to hear nearly enough of it, so this CD might as well have been created for me personally. While I do enjoy the complicated, multi-layered sounds of modern music from time to time, I can be perfectly happy to hear nothing but a guy and his guitar just doing what they do best. That's exactly what Songs From The Pub is about, and it delivers in a massive way. Now, the big challenge is going to be getting over to Pittsburgh to see Terry perform live.

One of the things I love about getting to listen to traditional Celtic music is hearing how different people will take a trad song and make it their own. In Terry Griffith's renditions of several Celtic standards, what I hear the most is a real passion and understanding for the music and the lyrics. Listening to Black Velvet Band on this CD is like hearing it for the first time, and actually feeling the bitterness and frustration of a man being transported halfway around the world. “The Town I Loved So Well” puts on an equally raw and passionate display, and this being one of my all-time favorite Irish songs, instantly becomes my favorite on this CD.

While it's all well and good for me to claim that “The Town I Loved So Well” is my favorite track on “Songs From The Pub,” the simple fact is that it ignores the fact that there are no less than a dozen tracks on this CD that could easily rank up with the best Irish tunes I've ever heard. Several of them I'm not entirely familiar with, but they're rebellious, or lonely, or emotional, or various perfect combinations of those three.

Do yourself a favor, head over to www.CDBaby.com and buy this CD, look Terry up any and everywhere you can find him playing, and go see him live. If you want more information, you can find it at www.pittsburghirish.org/griffith

Slainte, Mike

Sat - January 12, 2008

IT SEEMS TO ME THE REASONING IS A LITTLE OUT OF SYNC

but the song, and the singer, are right in tune.

everal other blogs and even a few of the mainstream media outlets have directed your attention to this great little ditty, but after exchanging a couple of messages with Terry Griffith , the Pittsburgh-based Irish Balladeer and creative genius behind it, I had to contribute to the accolades and attention here at TWM, if only to be sure that no one missed it. Because this one is surely not to be missed.

It's a ballad and a broadside and a wonderful protest song, yes, but it's also just a great song greatly played and sung by a man with charm and talent and intellect to burn. Truly brilliant work.

You can see Mr. Griffith perform The Drink Tax here .

You can visit Mr. Griffith's web site, complete with booking information and a live performance schedule, here .

And, because he gave me permission to use it and because I love to showcase songwriting I admire, you can enjoy the lyrics, in all their righteous, rhythmic, poetic glory, right here...

--Chad Herman, Very popular Pittsburgh blogger and author of the Carbolic Smoke Ball, http://carbolicsmokeblog.blogspot.com/

My experience with Mr. Griffith has been a very good one.  I have seen his ability to sing with a group, lead a group, and write lyrics to songs.  He has shown commendable ability at each of these tasks. 

     As King Henry VIII at the new Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and as Staff Director for the same festival in 2007, Terry was a great blessing when we were in rehearsal due to his ability to sing common songs of the time period, and play guitar to lead the music portions of rehearsals.  He also wrote a song for King Henry to sing to the tune of "Turn the Page".  Without much rehearsal together, we debuted the song at one of the final "pub sings" at Pittsburgh where it was a hit. 

     In conclusion, I would recommend Mr. Griffith as an entertainer to anyone looking for a good Irish-music based solo act.

Sincerely,

John Blankenbehler,

Staff Director, Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival
cell 724-205-0186

"In listening to the music of Terry Griffith , you will hear the 'soul' and 'spirit' of an Irishman. His strong, rich voice and eloquent guitar playing will help you visualize the scene of the song. Terry's interpretation and delivery of the music is excellent. He writes songs with a lot of 'heart' and his lyrics help you feel his feelings. Terry Griffith is a wonderful ballad singer and his music is a 'MUST' for your Music Library.

"It is always a pleasure to work with Terry on a variety of projects, he is very knowledgeable in Irish History and he has excellent technical skills and can create ideas and implement them to the fullest." –

Diane V. Byrnes,
Echoes of Erin Radio Program
WEDO Radio, 810 am in Pittsburgh , Pa.
diane.byrnes@verizon.net