Following the 2003 release of “The Irish-American’s Song,” David Kincaid’s second effort of songs of the Irish in the American Civil War, a European tour was organized centered around this new album. It would run from January 30 to February 21, 2004, and include performances in Germany, Holland, Belgium and Denmark, with three of the shows being recorded. These tapes, immaculately recorded in digital format, were dusted off at the beginning of 2010, and have revealed an incredible passion and fire from the band, and then back again from the audience, and have made us feel very fortunate that this unique tour was documented. Featured in the band was front man David Kincaid (lead vocals, mandolin, bodhrán, acoustic guitar and banjo), along with The Brandos’ Ernie Mendillo (bass, backing vocals) and Frank Giordano (backing vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica), and Christopher Layer (uilleann pipes, flute and whistle).
Of the twenty songs on this album, eighteen were taken from the show on Feb. 10, 2004 at the Theaterhaus, Stuttgart, Germany (an amazing concert venue of pristine acoustics), while the remaining two are from Feb. 15, 2004 at the Columbia Fritz, Berlin, Germany (a converted movie theater originally built for US servicemen). The majority (16), are songs of the American Civil War, featuring fifteen songs from both of David Kincaid’s Civil War albums, “The Irish Volunteer” and “The Irish-American’s Song,” along with one previously unreleased Civil War song, “Merrily Kissed the Quaker/The New York Volunteer.” Also included are four tunes by The Brandos (David Kincaid’s rock ‘n roll band), played in this unusual format. With the work beginning in March, 2010, these recordings have received meticulous attention in the post-production, mixing and mastering with the most state-of-the art technology. This 2-CD set, in a beautiful 6-panel fold out digipak package, includes a 12-page booklet featuring a number of great tour photos and liner notes by David Kincaid.
Captured as only a live concert can; crackling with all the emotion, intensity and great live energy that the fans have long come to expect from both David Kincaid and his band, The Brandos, this rare and gripping recording is not one to miss.
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