Reviews
Back in 1991, brothers Tom and Brian Leahy decided to merge their families in a traditional Irish band.
Tom sang and played the bass, his daughter, Maura played the accordion and his son, Evan played the bodhran, a distinctive Irish drum. Brian played acoustic guitar and did the bulk of the singing. His daughters Michelle, Sarah and Caitlin, handled violin, flute and tin whistle.
So far, Leahy's Luck has had a distinct run of good fortune. The kids have matured musically and the group has recorded three albums in four years.
The first two have made money and the third, which was just released, is being carried by Barnes & Noble. They've also drawn high-profile gigs at Milwaukee Irish Fest and Erin Feis in the Quad Cities and toured as far away as Marquette, Mich. And they've found a musical home of sorts at the Milwaukee Ale House.
These days, however, several of the younger Leahys are in college and it's getting harder to get everybody together for a gig. As a result the group has tapped other young talent. For a recent gig at the Irish Cultural Center, Brigid O'Sullivan sat in on fiddle and Asher Gray helped out on tin whistle.
At the moment, Brian admits that he and Tom are uncertain whether they want to bring in outside help and make Leahy's Luck as formidable as possible, or just use it as a forum to help develop young talent. Although Brian sang with the Milwaukee Opera Company and Tom is a cantor at St. John Vianney parish in Brookfield, neither brother is a full-time musician. Brian is in sales and has a mobile deejay business, while Tom is a driver for Federal Express.
Tom cites Luka Bloom as an inspiration. The group's new CD, "Tree Rings," blends traditional material such as "Johnny's Gone For a Soldier" with surprises such as a Celtic arrangement of "White Bird." Other outstanding tracks include "Valley of Strathmore" and an original song by Tom called "Umbrella."
Fans interested in "Tree Rings" or the group's first two albums can check out their Web site at www.execpc.com/~gleahy. The disc is also available at the Barnes & Noble stores at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa and at 16220 Blue Mound Road, Brookfield.
Milwaukee's own Leahys Luck has produced its third album, Tree Rings (1998), proving the durability of this remarkable young family. Comprised of two Leahy brothers, Brian and Thomas, accompanied by their five talented children, Michelle, Sarah, Caitlin, Maura and Evan, Leahys Luck sings all the popular Irish ballads in a clean and straightforward style, devoid of any gimmicks and affectation.
Much of their material is reminiscent of the Clancy Brothers, but the Leahys are not mere imitators. They have developed their own distinct style - and that's what makes them a listening pleasure.
The group's first album, Leahys Luck, produced in 1995, includes such favorites as "The Moonshiner," "The Fields of Athenry," "The Orange and the Green," and "Will Ye Go, Lassie Go." The following year came Leahys Luck, 2nd Time Around, a nice blend of popular ballads like "Goodbye Mrs. Durkin" and Brennan on the Moor" with rarer pieces such as Peter Jones' "Kilkelly" and Andy Stewart's "The Fisherman's Song." Their latest, Tree Rings, includes Pete St. John's "The Ferryman," and Tommy Sands' "There Were Roses," (beautifully sung by one of the girls) as well as traditional pieces like "Toss the Feathers," "Irish Rover," "Tam Lin," and "A Nation Once Again."
This is the third and most advanced effort by the Milwaukee-based family group Leahy's Luck. On this recording they tackle the popular songs "Irish Rover" and Tommy Sands' "There Were Roses" sung delicately by Sarah Leahy but also lesser-known traditional pieces like "Donald McGillavery" and "Johnny's Gone for a Soldier" delivered sweetly by Maura Leahy. "The Ferryman," "Whatever You Say," and "A Nation Once Again" are performed in rousing Wolfe Tones' vocal style. Instrumentally Leahy's Luck has evolved since their first two recordings as evidenced on selections like "Toss the Feathers" and "Tam Lin," which demonstrate the improved abilities of fiddler Michelle Leahy and accordion player Maura Leahy. In an unexpected but pleasant turn, Leahy's Luck offers a meticulous rendering of It's a Beautiful Day's "White Bird" recapturing David LaFlamme's violin and vocal part with incredible accuracy. ~ Dave Sleger
You can contact Leahy's Luck by e-mail.