September 1986, in Dublin, on our Honeymoon, we were walking along a pedestrian mall when we heard Paul’s song “The Island” from outdoor speakers attached to a record store. We went right in and bought it, and have been Brady fans ever since. Our 38th Anniversary this year, and Paul’s voice still resonates for us of those glory days.
Was roofing in Oregon in the mid-80s when the album version of this tune came over the local radio. I almost killed myself flying down the ladder to call the station and find at who/what it was. Went that afternoon to the record shop and the owner ordered "Welcome here kind stranger" for me and the LP came a few weeks later. That was 36 years ago!! The whole album is amazing and I still have it.... but this song is the standout. Thank you Mr. Brady for sharing your otherworldly artistry, it has meant alot to me.
I remember singing this in a pub in Belfast and everyone just went silent The words are beautifully written but the way its sang that irish vibe its beautiful i used loved singing it ❤❤
A talented man in touch with his soul..........................................................to capture the essence of a song is not easy to do but Paul does it seemingly with ease. I don't think they know who wrote these words but they think it was during the American civil war where I can only imagine pain, misery, confusion and conflicting emotions were everyday occurrences. I can almost feel this man's weary soul crying out for the gentle human touch of love and kindness in a mad depressing world. Of course we can only imagine and it will likely be far far away from the actual misery he and thousands endured.
La primera vez que escuché esta canción fue en un disco de Planxty a principios de los años 80. Quedé subyugado por ella. Soy fiel seguidor de todo lo que hicieron Planxty... tal vez mi grupo irlandés preferido. Pero cuando escuché la primera y demás versiones de Mr Paul Brady me sorprendió aún más : Paul aportaba una fuerza y sentimiento muy especial, con su habitual mixtura entre sentimiento prifundo y fuerte carácter. Brutal. Esta versión, es simplemente una obra maestra, Paul ha ganado matices vocales con los años y su habilidad instrumental sigue intacta. Thank you Paul!! ❤ Un saludo desde Bilbao, en el País Vasco,
The Planxty gang are the best music weavers to ever have played, and written, and moved the world with words since the bards of the Dannan in the bronze age
Amazing vibrato in his voice, suits the style so well. Traditional songs are the best, as they picture the sad definitive farewells people had to face in life. Sometimes music is so beautiful, that it hurts.
Some people write the songs, and nobody can do it better. Some people do the songs better than anyone else can. This may not be his song, but I haven't heard anyone yet who can do it better than he does.
It gives me goose bumps. It is a haunting song and so wonderfully sung by Paul Brady. I've got a few of his albums and every now and then I delve into one, like today at lunchtime, wonderful. He makes me proud of my Irish heritage.
I'm an Australian acoustic musician I play guitar mandolin and piano And was introduced to Paul Brady 14 years ago You have much to be proud of A truly rare talent Thati have learnt so much from He made me want to be a better musician I now play in many alternative tunings on guitar and mix it up on the mandolin Love Paul Brady
It's true, I live on the banks of Lake Pontchartain, and if you can talk food, music, sports or politics, you'll always be welcome in a Louisiana home.
Thank you for this... I have been trying to find a path to sing this song... you have set my feet well back to the place i need to explore... gracias !
I thought it was very beautiful, I only know The Be Good Tanya's style of this song, I liked the way you sang don't worry about the comment of the last guy.
Hardly. They’re all over the place. You just have to look. Find this song on Spotify and go from there. It’ll suggest similar artists for you. The torch of the 60’s 70’s songwriters is being carried forward quite well.
It's fascinating hearing Paul Brady from 2013 after listening to his stunning 1977 performance. In the newer video he seemed at first not completely at home with the song, throwing in vocal flourishes that didn't quite fit, but in the last couple of verses he settled down into it, and sounded quite well indeed.
