Bright Star of the West: Joe Heaney, Irish Song Man (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780190469627)

Bright Star of the West traces the life, repertoire, and influence of Joe Heaney, Ireland's greatest sean-nos ("old style") singer. Born in 1919, Joe Heaney grew up in a politically volatile time, as his native Ireland became a democracy. He found work and relative fame as a singer in London before moving to Scotland. Eventually, like many others searching for greater opportunity, he emigrated to the United States, where he worked as a doorman while supplementing his income with appearances at folk festivals, concerts and clubs. As his reputation and following grew, Heaney gained entry to the folk music scene and began leading workshops as a visiting artist at several universities. In 1982 the National Endowment for the Arts awarded Heaney America's highest honor in folk and traditional arts, the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship. Although Heaney's works did not become truly popular in his homeland until many years after his death, today he is hailed as a seminal figure of traditional song and is revered by those who follow traditional music.

Author: Sean Williams,Lillis S. Laoire
ISBN-10: 0190469625
ISBN-13: 9780190469627
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Language: English
Published: 01/01/2016
Pages: 274
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.70d