The things that people are saying........
“Darragh McGann, who’s made a name for himself as The Singing Taxi Driver, offers a collection of crossover classics on his first solo album, A New Beginning. The album occupies a point on the Celtic music spectrum near that of, say, Celtic Woman (minus Máiréad Nesbitt’s frenetic fiddle work) or The Irish Tenors—with an emphasis on strong vocals and dense musical accompaniment, though McGann does best when singing with spare adornment, as on “Sally Gardens.”
Possessing a rich baritone voice that can call to mind Roger Whittaker, McGann has chosen a wide range of material, from John Denver’s plaintive “For You” to Jimmy McCarthy’s wistful “The Contender”. His version of “Blowing in the Wind” owes as much to The Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling” as it does to Bob Dylan. Though covers dominate the album, McGann contributes two original songs, which he wrote. One of them—”Make a Wish”—was released as a single to benefit the charity GOAL.
Two songs that weren’t included on the album but which can be heard on his Web site ably showcase McGann’s talents: a powerful rendition of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables and the obligatory “Danny Boy.” Songs such as those clearly hit his sweet spot. And while the tracks on A New Beginning occasionally take him outside his comfort zone, he consistently delivers easy listening pleasure!”.
Walt Campbell is an avid listener of Celtic music and an occasional performer. A former journalist and technical writer, he now writes mostly for fun and is much happier that way. Walt also writes reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.
“Enthralling, Emotional and Amazing are just some of the many words used to describe the recent performance given by Irish Lyrical Baritone and Cobh Native, Darragh McGann at a sell out concert in the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh.
It takes a very special person to not only perform with heart and soul, but also to connect with the audience, but the concert in the Sirius proved what a unique talent that Darragh is, as he had the entire audience singing along with favourites such as The Contender, And I Love You So and What a Wonderful World.
For many who attended this magical night, it was a journey that covered many different genres and eras of fine songs, some that were old favourites, and others that were performed for the very first time.” Cork News
As each familiar song washes over your senses you will find yourself swept away by the uniqueness of Darragh’s voice – East Cork Journal
As each familiar song washes over your senses you will find yourself swept away by the uniqueness of Darragh’s voice. – East Cork Journal
Darragh’s Performances are packed with emotion, honesty, atmosphere and a dream-like musical soundscape – Allan Meek (Music Reviewer)
“Darragh McGann, who’s made a name for himself as The Singing Taxi Driver, offers a collection of crossover classics on his first solo album, A New Beginning. The album occupies a point on the Celtic music spectrum near that of, say, Celtic Woman (minus Máiréad Nesbitt’s frenetic fiddle work) or The Irish Tenors—with an emphasis on strong vocals and dense musical accompaniment, though McGann does best when singing with spare adornment, as on “Sally Gardens.”
Possessing a rich baritone voice that can call to mind Roger Whittaker, McGann has chosen a wide range of material, from John Denver’s plaintive “For You” to Jimmy McCarthy’s wistful “The Contender”. His version of “Blowing in the Wind” owes as much to The Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling” as it does to Bob Dylan. Though covers dominate the album, McGann contributes two original songs, which he wrote. One of them—”Make a Wish”—was released as a single to benefit the charity GOAL.
Two songs that weren’t included on the album but which can be heard on his Web site ably showcase McGann’s talents: a powerful rendition of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables and the obligatory “Danny Boy.” Songs such as those clearly hit his sweet spot. And while the tracks on A New Beginning occasionally take him outside his comfort zone, he consistently delivers easy listening pleasure!”.
Walt Campbell is an avid listener of Celtic music and an occasional performer. A former journalist and technical writer, he now writes mostly for fun and is much happier that way. Walt also writes reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.
“Enthralling, Emotional and Amazing are just some of the many words used to describe the recent performance given by Irish Lyrical Baritone and Cobh Native, Darragh McGann at a sell out concert in the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh.
It takes a very special person to not only perform with heart and soul, but also to connect with the audience, but the concert in the Sirius proved what a unique talent that Darragh is, as he had the entire audience singing along with favourites such as The Contender, And I Love You So and What a Wonderful World.
For many who attended this magical night, it was a journey that covered many different genres and eras of fine songs, some that were old favourites, and others that were performed for the very first time.” Cork News
As each familiar song washes over your senses you will find yourself swept away by the uniqueness of Darragh’s voice – East Cork Journal
As each familiar song washes over your senses you will find yourself swept away by the uniqueness of Darragh’s voice. – East Cork Journal
Darragh’s Performances are packed with emotion, honesty, atmosphere and a dream-like musical soundscape – Allan Meek (Music Reviewer)
Concert Reviews
DARRAGH DID IT HIS WAY AT SIRIUS ARTS CENTRE CONCERT
Darragh McGann certainly knows how to connect with his audience, and the proof of this was on Friday October 29th when he had a packed Sirius Arts Centre singing along and enjoying the cheerful banter.
A lyric tenor with a silken voice, Darragh performed with ease and entertained his enrapt audience with many old favourites, the songs we all love, but do not hear very often. His easy style and ability to connect with his audience, coupled with an amazing vocal dexterity, made this concert one of the most enjoyable and entertaining events held in Cobh.
Many local concert goers are familiar with John Crone who provides high quality sound systems for a number of events here in Cobh, but on the night John showed his amazing talent as a songwriter. Darragh sang two hauntingly beautiful compositions while John accompanied him on guitar.
Sheelagh Chadwick came all the way from Tipperary to join Darragh and she sang so beautifully, her duets with Darragh were sublime, particularly their rendition of “Perhaps Love” and “All I Ask of You”.
A number of people were remembered by Darragh who dedicated songs to his late father Peadar, to the late Sheila Hayes who will be remembered by many Irish dancers, and for the late Dan McCall he sang “Solitaire”. He thanked accompanist Dominic Finn for his ongoing support and said the concert would not have been possible without his help and guidance.
Darragh also paid tribute to his mother, Josephine:
“My mother has given me everything in life, I love her so much”.
In 2011 the city of Baton Rouge in the US will host its first St. Patrick’s Day concert and Darragh will be the headline act, and he will, no doubt, be a perfect ambassador for Great Island.
Mary O’Connor(Great Island News)
Darragh’s Performances are packed with emotion, honesty, atmosphere and a dream-like musical soundscape – Allan Meek (Music Reviewer)
Darragh McGann connects deeply with his audience, possibly because of his own honesty and humanity, even to the point of vulnerability, which soon becomes very obvious. Then, when he deploys his surround-sound voice, he delivers an authority and majesty to these songs that you can really only appreciate in live performance. – Steven Murray (Galway)
Darragh McGann certainly knows how to connect with his audience, and the proof of this was on Friday October 29th when he had a packed Sirius Arts Centre singing along and enjoying the cheerful banter.
A lyric tenor with a silken voice, Darragh performed with ease and entertained his enrapt audience with many old favourites, the songs we all love, but do not hear very often. His easy style and ability to connect with his audience, coupled with an amazing vocal dexterity, made this concert one of the most enjoyable and entertaining events held in Cobh.
Many local concert goers are familiar with John Crone who provides high quality sound systems for a number of events here in Cobh, but on the night John showed his amazing talent as a songwriter. Darragh sang two hauntingly beautiful compositions while John accompanied him on guitar.
Sheelagh Chadwick came all the way from Tipperary to join Darragh and she sang so beautifully, her duets with Darragh were sublime, particularly their rendition of “Perhaps Love” and “All I Ask of You”.
A number of people were remembered by Darragh who dedicated songs to his late father Peadar, to the late Sheila Hayes who will be remembered by many Irish dancers, and for the late Dan McCall he sang “Solitaire”. He thanked accompanist Dominic Finn for his ongoing support and said the concert would not have been possible without his help and guidance.
Darragh also paid tribute to his mother, Josephine:
“My mother has given me everything in life, I love her so much”.
In 2011 the city of Baton Rouge in the US will host its first St. Patrick’s Day concert and Darragh will be the headline act, and he will, no doubt, be a perfect ambassador for Great Island.
Mary O’Connor(Great Island News)
Darragh’s Performances are packed with emotion, honesty, atmosphere and a dream-like musical soundscape – Allan Meek (Music Reviewer)
Darragh McGann connects deeply with his audience, possibly because of his own honesty and humanity, even to the point of vulnerability, which soon becomes very obvious. Then, when he deploys his surround-sound voice, he delivers an authority and majesty to these songs that you can really only appreciate in live performance. – Steven Murray (Galway)