Thomas McCarthy

Tremendous traditional singer from a long line of traditional singers and musicians. This, you could say, is the real deal. He is deeply connected to the traditional music of Ireland.

I was immediately blown away by his beautifully controlled yet profoundly moving performance.

It's a rare delight these days to come across a singer like Thomas,  who has grown up within oral tradition, learning songs in the old way directly from his family and the interlinked families of the travelling community in Ireland and England. Thomas' intricate ornamented style, with his passion for the songs and deep feeling for their history, reconnects us with centuries of oral culture.

Tom has an outstanding voice, he sings from the heart, as if he were living the story. He stands apart from most modern day folk singers in that he is not a folk revivalist trying to fit into a tradition. He sings both traditional songs passed down from his family and friends in the travelling community and also his own superbly written songs.

Listening to Thomas McCarthy's album is rather like looking at a precious multi-faceted jewel. You have to live with it for a considerable time before you are able to appreciate the beauty of each aspect… The majesty and control of his singing here is something to ponder on. It is full of the high decoration that we associate with the best of the Irish tradition and then on held notes he employs an easy vibrato. Technically, it is singing of the very highest quality.

Thomas used his storytelling skills with a class of 7-9 year olds to take them to a mysterious world beyond their experience. The children loved the session and used his ideas to enhance their own storytelling at school.

The greatest Irish traditional singer in fifty years.

Thomas builds a real rapport with groups. He doesn’t just sing and tell stories. He engages children in discussion and understanding around Traveller culture.