Far Away In Australia Album and Tour 2011

Feedback Music Presents:

DEREK WARFIELD & THE YOUNG WOLFE TONES

THE ‘FAR AWAY IN AUSTRALIA’ TOUR – APRIL & MAY 2011

Derek Warfield is regarded by many as Ireland’s greatest living balladeer. Derek has spent  most of his life on the road, many of them in the frontline with the legendary WolfeTones until they broke up in 2001, after nearly 40 years together. Many Irish ballad fans thought that the patriotic spirit of Irish song would die with the breakup of the quartet, but not so. Derek has ensured that the soul of our musical tradition, remembering our heroes and patriots, will never be forgotten and that the rebel musical legacy and spirit will live on. He is now joined on stage by The Young Wolfe Tones, some of the finest Irish musicians and singers from a younger generation.  Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones were nominated, in 2009 as Ireland’s Best Traditional Irish Folk Group. The band toured over 180 concerts in 2010, throughout 6 different countries, with top class fiery introductions from their lead singer, song writer and storyteller, Warfield.

It’s been two years since Derek Warfield first presented The Young Wolfe Tones to Australian audiences and he is making a welcome return to our shores with a new album and a change to the lineup.  The new CD is aptly titled ‘Far Away in Australia.’ This emigrant ballad of the early twentieth century was first recorded and popularised by the McNulty family in New York and inspired the title. The song was written at a time when emigration meant “permanent exile” for many Irish people and Australia was seen as the land of opportunity and offered hope and a better way of life.

The Young Wolfe Tones bring excitement, fun and passion to the Irish tradition and their musical skill and love of our heritage is greatly valued in Irish communities at home and abroad. Damaris Woods who plays tenor banjo in the band, hails from County Meath and is one of the most accomplished banjo players in the country. A multi-instrumentalist, Damaris is widely recognized as one of the finest musicians and teachers in Ireland. Talented singer/guitarist Alan Murray hails from Glasgow in Scotland and his love for the Glasgow Celtic Football team means that he is no stranger to Irish Traditional Music and Irish Patriotic Songs. The singing of Irish ballads and songs has been an integral part of celebration of Glasgow Celtics’ identity since the club was founded in 1888. This singing tradition and heritage of Irish music and song inspired many Glaswegians including Alan, into a career in Irish Music. Bass player/vocalist Niall Donohoe from Cootehill County Cavan, plays and sings his music with  energetic skill, singing the ballad with clear and passionate echoes of the street entertainer. The lineup is completed by the youngest member of the band Big Dan Lowery who hails from ‘County Dallas’ in the big state of Texas. Dan is a multi- talented flute and tin-whistle player, guitarist/ singer and vocalist who hails from a family rich in Irish musical tradition, song and sport. Dan’s ancestry is from County Cork and his family ensured that he was given the wonderful gift of his heritage of Irish music in the Irish community of Texas.