Garvan Gallagher
Encyclopedia
Garvan Gallagher is an Irish musician, best known as a Bass Guitar and Double-Bass player.
He was also the Musical Director of the popular RTE children's puppet series Bosco
, writing and recording over 200 songs for the series between 1981 and 1987. Since the beginning of his career, he has contributed to many recordings as player and/or Producer, most notably Irish singer Mary Black
's records of the 1980s and 1990s.
Born in 1951 in Dublin, he is the eldest son of Dr. James (Seamus) Gallagher, whose career took the family from Ireland, through the UK in the '50's, to India, Sri Lanka and Denmark in the 60's. His first band, Naima, (formed in 1974) was a Jazz-Rock vehicle, playing mainly in Dublin. They joined forces with Leo O'Kelly
and Sonny Condell
of Tir na nOg, and Gallagher continues to play with both. The mid-seventies was a busy time of musical cross-pollination, when he played with Supply Demand and Curve, Sleepless Knights, Midnight Well, David Cross
, and many singer-songwriters of the time. He was also in demand as a session bass-player for advertisements ("jingles"), film and TV soundtracks, including an appearance in and playing on the soundtrack of Neil Jordan
's first film, "Angel", and orchestral work which called for bass-guitar, including Liam O'Flynn
's The Brendan Voyage.
In 1979, he formed Metropolis, as an outlet for the compositions of Paul Barrett, Trevor Knight and himself, leading to the recording of the album "Morning Shadows" on the Ceirnini Claddaigh (Claddagh
) label.
In the 1980s, Gallagher played in several versions of Auto-da-Fe, formed by ex-Naima keyboard player Trevor Knight and Gay Woods
, and was a founding-member of the Fleadh Cowboys. At this time he also played with Paul Brady
and Barry Moore/Luka Bloom
, while also touring Ireland and the UK with the legendary Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Then followed twelve years playing in the band of Mary Black, taking them from local popularity in Ireland to international success and tours in the UK, US, Europe, Australasia and Japan. At the same time, he was working frequently with Performance Artist Nigel Rolfe, and Welsh/Breton singer Katell Keineg
.
He has composed music for several plays, including Gaelic (Irish language) plays by Antoine O Flatharta at the Peacock Theatre
, and for "Circus Born", a documentary about the Fossetts Circus family.
Since 2005, he has performed with Pierce Turner
, in both band and duo situations.
His work now mainly consists of playing live, mainly with Leo O'Kelly, and also with various artists of different styles, and recording and producing independently-released cd's.
He was also the Musical Director of the popular RTE children's puppet series Bosco
Bosco
Bosco was an Irish children's television programme produced during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was produced by the Lambert Puppet Theatre. Designed by Jan Mitchell, Bosco was voiced by Miriam Lambert initially; in later years Paula Lambert took over the character...
, writing and recording over 200 songs for the series between 1981 and 1987. Since the beginning of his career, he has contributed to many recordings as player and/or Producer, most notably Irish singer Mary Black
Mary Black
Mary Black is an Irish singer. She is well known as an interpreter of both folk and contemporary material which has made her a major recording artist in her native Ireland, and in many other parts of the world....
's records of the 1980s and 1990s.
Born in 1951 in Dublin, he is the eldest son of Dr. James (Seamus) Gallagher, whose career took the family from Ireland, through the UK in the '50's, to India, Sri Lanka and Denmark in the 60's. His first band, Naima, (formed in 1974) was a Jazz-Rock vehicle, playing mainly in Dublin. They joined forces with Leo O'Kelly
Leo O'Kelly
Leo O'Kelly is an Irish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. He is mainly known as a member of the Irish folk duet Tír na nÓg....
and Sonny Condell
Sonny Condell
Sonny Condell is an Irish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and graphic artist. He is mainly known as a member of the Irish bands Tír na nÓg and Scullion. He released some hits in Ireland as a solo artist like "Down in the city" in 1977 that he covered later with the Belgian singer Micha...
of Tir na nOg, and Gallagher continues to play with both. The mid-seventies was a busy time of musical cross-pollination, when he played with Supply Demand and Curve, Sleepless Knights, Midnight Well, David Cross
David Cross
David Cross is an American actor, writer and stand-up comedian perhaps best known for his work on HBO's sketch comedy series Mr...
, and many singer-songwriters of the time. He was also in demand as a session bass-player for advertisements ("jingles"), film and TV soundtracks, including an appearance in and playing on the soundtrack of Neil Jordan
Neil Jordan
Neil Patrick Jordan is an Irish filmmaker and novelist. He won an Academy Award for The Crying Game.- Early life :...
's first film, "Angel", and orchestral work which called for bass-guitar, including Liam O'Flynn
Liam O'Flynn
Liam O'Flynn is a master uilleann piper and prominent Irish folk musician. In addition to an impressive solo career and his work with the Irish traditional group Planxty, O'Flynn has recorded with many prominent international musical artists, including Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Enya,...
's The Brendan Voyage.
In 1979, he formed Metropolis, as an outlet for the compositions of Paul Barrett, Trevor Knight and himself, leading to the recording of the album "Morning Shadows" on the Ceirnini Claddaigh (Claddagh
Claddagh
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city...
) label.
In the 1980s, Gallagher played in several versions of Auto-da-Fe, formed by ex-Naima keyboard player Trevor Knight and Gay Woods
Gay Woods
Gay Woods is an Irish singer. She was one of the original members of Steeleye Span.-Early years:Gabriel Corcoran was born in Dublin, a neighbour of her future husband Terry Woods . Gay's elder brothers shared Terry's love of hillbilly music and blues. Gay and Terry performed together in 1963 at...
, and was a founding-member of the Fleadh Cowboys. At this time he also played with Paul Brady
Paul Brady
Paul Joseph Brady is an Irish singer-songwriter, whose work straddles folk and pop. He was interested in a wide variety of music from an early age...
and Barry Moore/Luka Bloom
Luka Bloom
Luka Bloom is an Irish folk-rock singer-songwriter. He is the younger brother of Irish folk singer Christy Moore.-Early life:...
, while also touring Ireland and the UK with the legendary Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Then followed twelve years playing in the band of Mary Black, taking them from local popularity in Ireland to international success and tours in the UK, US, Europe, Australasia and Japan. At the same time, he was working frequently with Performance Artist Nigel Rolfe, and Welsh/Breton singer Katell Keineg
Katell Keineg
Katell Keineg , is a Breton-Welsh singer-songwriter, based in Dublin and New York.-Early life:Born in Brittany and raised in Cardiff, Katell Keineg is the second child and only daughter of Breton poet and playwright Paol Keineg and his then wife, Judith, a Welsh political activist and...
.
He has composed music for several plays, including Gaelic (Irish language) plays by Antoine O Flatharta at the Peacock Theatre
Peacock Theatre
The Peacock Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, located in Portugal Street, near Aldwych. The 999-seat house is owned by, and comprises part of the London School of Economics and Political Science campus, who utilise the theatre for lectures, public talks, conferences,...
, and for "Circus Born", a documentary about the Fossetts Circus family.
Since 2005, he has performed with Pierce Turner
Pierce Turner
Pierce Turner is an Irish singer-songwriter. After forming a duo with Larry Kirwan he went solo in the mid-1980s and has since released several albums to critical acclaim.-Biography:...
, in both band and duo situations.
His work now mainly consists of playing live, mainly with Leo O'Kelly, and also with various artists of different styles, and recording and producing independently-released cd's.
Selected Discography
- Midnight Well (Midnight Well, Mulligan, 1977)
- Rainy Sundays, Windy Dreams (Andy Irvine, Tara Records, 1980)
- Morning Shadows (Metropolis, Claddagh Records, 1981)
- The Brendan Voyage (Liam O'Flynn, Tara Records, 1980)
- This is where I live (Bosco, RTE, 1983)
- Luka Bloom (Luka Bloom, Mystery Records, 1987)
- All I Remember (Mick Hanly, Ringsend Road, 1989)
- By the time it gets dark (Mary Black, Dara, 1987)
- No Frontiers (Mary Black, Dara, 1989)
- Babes in the Wood (Mary Black, Dara, 1991)
- The Holy Ground (Mary Black, Dara, 1993)
- Circus (Mary Black, Dara, 1995)
- Shine (Mary Black, Dara, 1997)
- The Red Crow (Altan, Green Linnet, 1990)
- The Acoustic Motorbike (Luka Bloom, WEA, 1992)
- Burn the Black Suit (Juliet Turner, East West, 2001)
- Backwater Awhile (Sonny Condell, 2003)
- Navigation (Sonny Condell/ Radar, 2007)
- Proto (Leo O'Kelly, Clarinda and First, 2008)
- Will (Leo O'Kelly, Life and Living Records, 2011)
- Gorgeous and Bright (Thom Moore, Starc, 1996)
- Musical Journey (Cormac Breatnach, 1998)
- O Seasons, O Castles (Katell Keineg, Elektra/WEA, 1994)
- Perpetual Motion (Mairtin O'Connor, Tara, 1990)
- Raifteiri san Underground (Tadhg Mac Dhonnagain, Futa Fata, 1992)
- Walking the Waves (Francis Xavier, Red Coral, 2005)
External links
- http://www.katellkeineg.com/press.html
- ttp://www.mary-black.net/album.jsp?id=5
- http://www.irishplayography.com/search/play.aspx?la=en&play_ID=2715