Henry Martens Ghost plays traditional and modern Irish music with passion and attitude. Irish songs and original compositions feature on the bands three albums. Direct descendants of the ballad groups of yore which mixed popular songs with great tune sets, Henry Martens Ghost turn their back on pretentiousness and thumb their nose at sophistication. Irish music played and sung with such feeling will always attract attention. Henry Marten's Ghost is no exception and their unique brand has kept the press busy for several years.
Formed in 1994, Henry Marten's Ghost has played extensively to audiences all over Europe. Singer/ guitarist Padraig Lalor is from Belfast and began singing at an early age. His vocal range which is full of angst and passion has been compared to ‘Christy Moore with a bad temper’ and is reputed to have had Shane McGowan crying into his pint with envy. The frontman writes and performs songs that are steeped in his Belfast roots. For example, Rinty Monaghan tells the tale of the famous Belfast Flyweight who was world champion during the ‘40s and ‘50s, and Two Pennies, the poignant story of a little boy who watched as his father sailed on the ill-fated Titanic.
Piotr Jordan, on fiddle, provides an element of surprise and gives familiar tunes a new reading because of his Eastern European style, which provides a contrast to the players schooled in the Irish or Scottish approaches.
Huw Rees on drums and percussion has been with the band for over a year having formerly been with the Rag Foundation. His drumming is one of Wales best kept secrets!
Jill O’ Shea on whistle and melodeon adds a rhythm section that is quirky and not overstated. She has been with the band for nearly three years and features on the latest album ‘High on Spirits’.
Henry Marten's Ghost play Traditional and modern Irish music with passion and attitude.
Irish songs and original compositions feature on the bands three albums. Direct descendants of the ballad groups of yore which mixed "popular" songs with great tune sets, Henry Marten's Ghost turn their back on pretentiousness and thumb their nose at "sophistication".
3 or 4 piece - Male Vocal, Guitar, Fiddle, Drums/ Percussion, Whistle/ Melodeon
Celtic music review USA
Lalor’s voice is clear, concise and compelling- the quality of vocals that eventually quiet down a bursting-at-the-seams venue person-by-person, until all heads are turned towards the direction of the marvellous sounds.
Oxford Nightshift
Henry Marten's Ghost... the singer's lusty voice is a sort of Christy Moore with a bad temper.
The Sunday Telegraph
I would go a long way to see Henry Marten's Ghost.
Buzz Magazine (Ireland)
Henry Marten's Ghost has an innovative approach to traditional Irish music their song 'thimbleful of the western wind' surges like the foam on the rocks of Galway.
Oxford Mail
Henry Marten's Ghost have earned a strong reputation for mixing classy musicianship with a well developed political consciousness.
Glamorgan Gazette
An instrumentally talented band, Henry Marten's Ghost is now set to make inroads into the Welsh music scene.
Rambles USA
...it would take a great deal of roving indeed to find a group or an album with more energy or more memorable character. Henry Marten's Ghost is good company, whose haunting conversation will keep you ‘High on Spirits’ many a night.
Please Note: The fees indicated below are approximate and based on a central location for each county. They are intended to provide a rough guide only and exact quotes can only be given once the date and exact location of your event have been provided.
