Patsy Watchorn
Encyclopedia
Patsy Watchorn is an Irish folk singer. He first came to prominence c. 1969 as the lead singer of The Quare Fellas, a Dublin-based ballad group, in 1969. They evolved into The Dublin City Ramblers in the early 1970s and with Patsy as their lead singer they had hits with songs such as "The Rare Old Times" and "The Ferryman", both of which were written by Pete St. John
.
Patsy also wrote and sang the Irish Football Team anthem for their 1988 European Championship cup campaign in Germany and again for the World Cup in 1990 in Italy "We are the Boy's in Green" (Home & Away Album) with The DCR's. The lyrics changed slightly in both release's in 1988 & 1990.
In 1995, Watchorn left The Dublin City Ramblers and made a number of solo albums. He joined The Dubliners
in 2005, taking Paddy Reilly
's place. He has appeared on their Tour Sampler EP in 2005, as well as the double album Live at Vicar Street
(2006).
Patsy plays the banjo
, bodhrán
and spoons. He cites Luke Kelly
, former lead singer with The Dubliners
as his favourite singer. Patsy now sings with the Dubliners and is well received throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA etc. His distinctive voice is just as sharp today as it was back in the 1960's.
Patsy Watchorn's distinctive and passionate vocals have made him a huge rock on the Irish folk scene. A jovial man with great presence and charisma with no end.
In his solo projects in the mid and late 90's after departing from his band The Dublin City Ramblers, He had session men who used to play alongside him and he used to use the stage name "Patsy Watchorn, agus a Cháirde" (Which Means "And Friends" in gaelic)
Patsy still tours with The Legendary Dubliners across Europe and often at home in Ireland.
Patsy is a True Blue and as he sang so himself from his album with The Dublin City Ramblers "Home & Away" -"I'm a part of Old Dublin - and Dublin is Me" from the DCR's track "Dublin is Me"
Patsy also recorded the said above song on his New album (November 2011) "NOW" with a more organic tone, and again passionately.
Patsy turned 67 in October of this year (2011) and by the looks and sound of his more recent concerts, has the passion and edge of a man 40 or so years his junior.
Pete St. John
Pete St. John is an Irish folk singer-songwriter, most notable for composing Fields of Athenry.St. John is a prolific composer of widely sung modern ballads; his other most famous song is "The Rare Ould Times"...
.
Patsy also wrote and sang the Irish Football Team anthem for their 1988 European Championship cup campaign in Germany and again for the World Cup in 1990 in Italy "We are the Boy's in Green" (Home & Away Album) with The DCR's. The lyrics changed slightly in both release's in 1988 & 1990.
In 1995, Watchorn left The Dublin City Ramblers and made a number of solo albums. He joined The Dubliners
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
in 2005, taking Paddy Reilly
Paddy Reilly
Patrick 'Paddy' Reilly is an Irish folk singer and guitarist. He is one of Ireland's most famous balladeers and is best known for his renditions of "The Fields of Athenry" and "The Town I Loved So Well"....
's place. He has appeared on their Tour Sampler EP in 2005, as well as the double album Live at Vicar Street
Live At Vicar Street
Live At Vicar Street is a live album recorded by The Dubliners at a concert at Vicar Street in Dublin on Sunday, 23 July 2006 as part of their Irish tour. A DVD and double CD of the concert were released. Ceoladh Sheahan joined her father and the band on stage for a rendition of "The Marino Waltz"...
(2006).
Patsy plays the banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, bodhrán
Bodhrán
The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
and spoons. He cites Luke Kelly
Luke Kelly
Luke Kelly was an Irish singer and folk musician from Dublin, Ireland, notable as a founding member of the band The Dubliners.-Early life:...
, former lead singer with The Dubliners
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
as his favourite singer. Patsy now sings with the Dubliners and is well received throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA etc. His distinctive voice is just as sharp today as it was back in the 1960's.
Patsy Watchorn's distinctive and passionate vocals have made him a huge rock on the Irish folk scene. A jovial man with great presence and charisma with no end.
In his solo projects in the mid and late 90's after departing from his band The Dublin City Ramblers, He had session men who used to play alongside him and he used to use the stage name "Patsy Watchorn, agus a Cháirde" (Which Means "And Friends" in gaelic)
Patsy still tours with The Legendary Dubliners across Europe and often at home in Ireland.
Patsy is a True Blue and as he sang so himself from his album with The Dublin City Ramblers "Home & Away" -"I'm a part of Old Dublin - and Dublin is Me" from the DCR's track "Dublin is Me"
Patsy also recorded the said above song on his New album (November 2011) "NOW" with a more organic tone, and again passionately.
Patsy turned 67 in October of this year (2011) and by the looks and sound of his more recent concerts, has the passion and edge of a man 40 or so years his junior.
Discography
- Pub with No Beer (1996)
- Sonia’s Song (1996)
- The Craig and Porter Too (1998)
- Raised on Songs and Stories (2000)
- The Rare Old Times: The Very Best of Patsy Watchorn (2002)
- Hearts on Fire (2003)
- Irish Rebel Heroes (2004)
- Now (2011)