Biography
Jimmy Crowley discovered an enduring captivation with vocal performance upon reaching his teenage years, one that maintained its intensity through the many years that followed. While mastering cabinetmaking as a young man in his hometown of Cork, he grew steadily absorbed by Ireland's deep reservoir of traditional stories and tunes, among them narrative ballads and witty comic numbers. These threads of social and musical history later shaped his concert appearances, in which he functioned as a present-day chronicler through song.
Crowley began amassing Ireland's songs and folklore at the age of sixteen. He paid especially close heed to Cork and to smaller communities such as Miltown Malbay. There he came to know players like Willie Clancy and Nicholas Toibin, as well as exponents of the unaccompanied sean nos tradition. His own selections shift between the moving and the comic, among them "The Holy Ground," "Clonakilty Blackpudding," "The Boys of Fairhill," "Johnny Jump Up," and "Bandon Car."
Within folk circles Crowley stands as the vocalist of choice for other singers. Liam Clancy keeps one of his tapes in the car at all times. Martin Carthy, Mary Black, and Christy Moore likewise remain devoted listeners.
Crowley began amassing Ireland's songs and folklore at the age of sixteen. He paid especially close heed to Cork and to smaller communities such as Miltown Malbay. There he came to know players like Willie Clancy and Nicholas Toibin, as well as exponents of the unaccompanied sean nos tradition. His own selections shift between the moving and the comic, among them "The Holy Ground," "Clonakilty Blackpudding," "The Boys of Fairhill," "Johnny Jump Up," and "Bandon Car."
Within folk circles Crowley stands as the vocalist of choice for other singers. Liam Clancy keeps one of his tapes in the car at all times. Martin Carthy, Mary Black, and Christy Moore likewise remain devoted listeners.
Albums
