Album of The Week –‘Saints and Sinners’ – The Irish Rovers 22 Feb 2020
Celtic Music Radio’s Album of The Week –‘Saints and Sinners’ – The Irish Rovers 22 Feb 2020
Catch up when Hamish Douglas Burgess chats with the boys as they go on tour!
On the heels of last year’s tour where they were honoured as one of Ireland’s greatest emigres, The Irish Rovers release a new album and return to the Maritimes by popular demand.
Over the last 55 years, Ireland has felt the impact of The Irish Rovers long career of bringing Ireland and Irish music to the rest of the world. Their homeland now thanks the legendary band in a big way. The Rovers were honoured with an official Mayor’s Reception and sold out gig in the their hometown of Ballymena, N. Ireland for all they have done over the years for the music industry, and for promoting Ireland across North America and beyond. They were also honoured and hosted in Dublin by EPIC Museum Director Mervyn Greene who considers the Irish Rovers as one of Ireland’s greatest émigrés: “The Irish Rovers are iconic, world class and with very a long career. That’s important to us in Ireland. They’ve truly taken Ireland with them and shown the world.” Curator Nathan Mannion added, “The vault that boasts the Irish Rovers display, our ‘Music & Dance: Sharing the Tradition’ gallery, has repeatedly been voted the museum’s most popular by our visitors. It explores how emigrants and those of Irish origin have impacted the world through music and dance.”
In 2020 / 2021 ‘Kings of Celtic’ The Irish Rovers return to Canada for a celebration of their lifetime of bringing Irish music to us all. “Wasn’t That A Party! 2020” is the Album release tour for “Saints And Sinners”.
There’s sailor songs and love songs, autobiographical songs, a French song (excuse the pronunciation in advance) and for our sun loving fans an Irish, reggae, West Indian calypso type song. As usual, these songs can be enjoyed with an accompanying wee glass of Irish whiskey or perhaps some rum with coconut water. – George Millar
Comprised of original songs by George Millar, the album tells the story of the band from the early days of the Millar family leaving their Ireland home for distant shores, and through the highs and lows of their 55 years on the road. The Rovers were adopted by Canada and even became so much a part of the Canadian culture that Prime Minister Trudeau (the first one) personally asked them to become Canadian citizens in order to officially represent Canada around the world.
Millar says, “It’s been a bit odd, being from both Ireland and Canada. Some fans have found it confusing as well, asking where we’re from.” Millar addresses the issue in the song, “Band Without A Country”. VIDEO:
Other songs, “Braidwater Mill”, “Green Rolling Hills of My Home”, and “Some of Ireland’s Lovely Sights North East South West and Also A Love Song” – personal reflections of the band’s homeland.
The fourteen original songs by George Millar tell the history of the band, their highs and lows and their credo for life.
The CD includes lyric booklet with words to all the songs.
Track Listing
- Saints And Sinners (George Millar)
- Shanghaied Again (George Millar)
- An Irishman In Paris (George Millar)
- ‘Tis of My Rambles (George Millar)
- The Braidwater Mill (George Millar)
- The Green Rolling Hills Of My Home (George Millar)
- Sail Away You Sailor Boys (George Millar)
- Some of Ireland’s Lovely Sights (George Millar)
- The Banshee’s Cry (George Millar)
- Star Of The County Down (Trad)
- Just A Little Kiss (George Millar)
- Mo Chuisle Gra Mo Chrói (George Millar)
- Irish Whiskey Song (George Millar)
- Band Without A Country (George Millar)
- The Irish Reggae Band (George Millar)
Upcoming gigs:-
Sat Feb 22 – The Empire Theatre, Belleville ON 7:00pm
Sun Feb 23 – Showplace Performance Centre, Peterborough ON 2:00pm
Tue Feb 25 – Collins Center for the Arts, Orono ME, USA 7:00pm
Thu Feb 27 – Imperial Theatre, St. John NB 7:30
Fri Feb 28 – Fredericton Playhouse, Fredericton NB 7:30
Sat Feb 29 – Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside PEI 7:30pm
Sun Mar 1 – deCoste Performing Arts Centre, Pictou NS 2:00pm Matinee
Fri Mar 6 – Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay NS 7:30pm
Sat Mar 7 – Strathspey Performing Arts Centre, Mabou NS 7:30pm
Sun Mar 8 – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax NS 7:30
Mon Mar 9 – Capitol Theatre, Moncton NB 7:30pm
Thu Mar 12 – Centennial Hall, London ON 7:30pm
Sat Mar 14 – Casino Rama, Rama ON 8:00pm Tue Mar 17 – Capitol Theatre, Chatham ON 7:30pm ST PATRICK’S
