Crowley and Cogan

An intimate crowd filled the upstairs performance space at Eddie Delahunt's Cafe & last night for the "Captain Mackey's Goatskin & Stringband" concert, otherwise known as Jimmy Crowley & Máirtín de Cógáin. It was a great evening of entertainment, ranging from songs of the Irish in the American Civil War to a truly beautiful version of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." The songs were balanced almost equally by stories, banter, jokes and background information on the boys' repertoire. That interplay between the two was alone worth the price of the ticket.

Jimmy began the night on harmonica the alternated between guitar and bouzouki, while Máirtín gave the goatskin the beating of its life. The two more often than not shared vocal duties, trading verses back and forth and harmonizing beautifully on choruses. Great stuff altogether.

The pair are off to Jefferson City, MO tonight and then head on a southern swing. Catch them if you can along the way. If you can't, get yourself a copy of their new CD. I bet Eddie Delahunt was left with a few at the Cafe, 45th and Bell Streets. Failing that, contact the lads and find out how to get hold of a copy here.