Album Notes

Don is the most recent singer songwriter to emerge on to the Irish folk scene. Stiffe hails from Galway and his singing prowess is up there with that of Sean Keane, Sean Tyrell, Dolores Keane, and Dessy O’Halloran.

“Start of a Dream” is Don’s long awaited debut solo album that was released in 2006 to critical acclaim. Don’s soothing and powerful voice gives us a selection of eleven songs, four of which are penned by Don himself. Grosse Isle, The Returning, Missing Galway and The Banks of the Danube tell us stories both of immigration and returning to Ireland, delivered in Don’s own unmistakable manner. An admirer of Richards Thompson’s artistry, Don puts his own distinctive stamp on Waltzing ‘s for Dreamers and the Dimming of the Day. The classic Monalisa is also given a traditional feel through Don’s passionate singing and the masterful musicianship of Frankie Gavin and Carl Hession. Sharon Shannon, Cathal Hayden, Arty McGlynn and many other fantastic musical colleagues also join Don on the album.

Don lived in Boston, USA, in the 90’s where he was involved in the folk scene. He was a regular visitor to St. Louis where he spent time in the company of the legendary accordion player Joe Burke who described him as “The Bard of Bohermore”. On these musical journeys to St. Louis Don took to the stage with such musical exponents as Ann Conroy, Tony Linnane and Michael Cooney.

Don guarantees a most impressive performance in front of a live audience as those who have seen him in Ireland, Europe and the USA will testify. He has been selling out live performances since the release of “Start of a Dream”. To quote Sean Laffey (Irish Music Magazine) on Start of a Dream “… the musical quality of the album is in the premier league… style, taste, pace and final execution are flawless and his choice of songs is inspired … a class act, with a class album”.