Musical influences from the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits seeped into Cork songwriter Mick Flannery’s creative DNA during his younger years; Mick absorbed, learned, and honed his songwriting skills, which helped mature him to the songwriter he is today.
“…to me it really places him into a select group of Irish songwriters that you could probably count on one hand.” Matt McGinn, Folk Radio (Mickmas EP)
Following the release of his number one self-titled album exactly one year ago, the award-winning double-platinum selling artist has announced the impending arrival of his seventh album: ‘Alive – Cork Opera House,’ coming July 24th 2020.
Recorded in front of a sold-out audience at Cork Opera House in 2019, the 17-track album will feature stand out songs: “Wasteland,” “Boston,” “Red to Blue,” “I Own You…”, and even comical interludes such as “Brad Pitt from the Neck Down” and “Dead Thing Missing,” written by Mick’s friend Andrew House for their ‘Side Project’ Christy Skulls.
‘Alive – Cork Opera House 2019’ is a fully independent release, with all proceeds being distributed evenly between Mick’s band and crew, who have lost work this year due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Mick says: “I’m very glad this album is coming out, I think it showcases the talents of the people I’m lucky to share stages with. I’ve been playing music with this band for quite a while now and this was a particularly nice night to capture on a recording. We had done a tour of promoting a new album and we were familiar with the whole set, new and old. Things happen in live gigs that don’t happen so easily in studio settings, the atmosphere of the room and the audience plays in, perhaps a home-crowd helped also. I think this album captures the in-the-moment spontaneity of the musicians, and that’s great to hear.
This project is also a profit share, All profits will be divided equally amongst the musicians and engineers. Thank you.”
Mick’s band and crew members are: Chloe Nagle (sound engineer), Christian Best (drums), Alan Comerford (electric guitar, vocals), John Fitzgerald (monitor engineer), Karen O’Doherty (violin, synthesiser, vocals), Matthew Berrill (saxophone, clarinet), Mike O’Connell (bass, vocals), Phil Christie (keyboards, vocals), Sandra O’Mahony (sound engineer), Yvonne Daly (vocals).
The release of this Live album, further solidifies the fact that Mick Flannery is one of the hardest working Irish touring musicians. Since the release of his last record in July 2019, Mick has performed nearly 100 shows between Ireland, the UK, USA, and Canada. However, there’s nothing quite like performing to a full house back in your hometown. Mick Flannery’s seventh album ‘Alive – Cork Opera House 2019’ comes out 24th July 2020. Pre-order now at: https://shor.by/aSPR
Today, Friday 5th June, Bandcamp are waiving their fees. A portion of profits from all sales from Mick Flannery’s Bandcamp store will be going to the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland. “MASI fight for the dignity of people in, what I see as a very ugly system, direct provision.” – Mick
Bandcamp: https://mickflannery.bandcamp.com/
(Album artwork: Mick, 3 Chords and the Truth, 2020, oil on canvas, 48 x 72 inches, by Rainer Andreesen)