British guitarist analyses Folk Revival Icon Luke Kelly Live in 1974

[@martynphillips5310]

My Dad (Dave Phillips) and Luke were good friends. He was also a folk singer. We lived in B'ham, Luke would crash at our house post gig. I was about 6 and would wake him up far too early on a Sun. morning!

[@dearbhlakerr6497]

The fact you met him is an honour .

[@dearbhlakerr6497]

Just want to say curt cobain was my cousin. Im so proud of them both:)

[@shane7103]

Wow, that's so cool! Both of yez.

[@dermotmcglinchey282]

Phil Coulter wrote this song for his own child, Phil was a townie of mine Derry city , like Luke a wonderful man and I had the pleasure of meeting both of them…Luke slightly different circumstances, I was an international trucker running from Ireland to Western Europe as it was then, I had a load for Cologne (Koln) and had parked beside the factory to deliver in the morning…I caught a tram to a pub about 2 miles away and walked in the door to see Luke Kelly and Barney Mc Kenna sitting down being swamped by Germans who knew exactly who they were m I shouted over “how ya lads” and the looked up and said great thanks..I ordered a beer and whatever Luke and Barney were having, the barman dropped them over and after 5 mins Luke came over and we shook hands, the Dubliners were doing a series of gigs in West Germany (sounds weird to say that nowadays) …He got me to join them and from somewhere 2 banjos apeared😮, the craic was fantastic and the Germans were cheering and clapping so much a neighbour phoned the Poliezi , they arrived and as soon as they seen Luke and Barney they joined in…I never realised how popular the Dubliners were in Germany, they loved them…Needless to say I didnt get back to the truck until 2 am courtesy of the 2 policemen , really nice guys , but those memories I cherish…

[@tonymurray814]

That is so brilliant. Made my night all the way over here in Boston USA. From Dublin originally so extra sentiment. Thank u for sharing that!!

[@zz-im5sp]

I am irish born and raised living now in Chicago I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you were reacting to Luke Kelly!! I am delighted

[@calvinfolan1736]

One of the greatest singers that Ireland has ever known. A man that I have a great admiration for. So glad to see you react to this! Rest easy, Luke. You are dearly missed. ❤️🇮🇪

[@me0860]

Luke Kelly was unique and still is an Irish national treasure. You will rarely find another voice of such intensity. Nice that you chose this song rather than one of the traditionals. In a documentary about Luke his band mates told that he was particularly keen to sing it.

[@caspiandamari1046]

instablaster.

[@charleshoernemann8661]

I wasn't familiar with Luke Kelly. Thanks for that, Fil. The Irish are some of the most musically gifted people in the world IMHO.

[@zz-im5sp]

Thank you yes we are !

[@alexhickey5633]

Luke Kelly was a different kind of person. He was merely a visitor here

[@moominpic]

He was singer and multi instrumentalist for The Dubliners

[@theliamofella]

@@moominpic 5 string banjo was his instrument

[@suehollar2578]

What a sweet song about a child. The music is delicate and respectful. Beautiful.

[@robincortez6586]

Very well said. Such an interesting song that I would probably never come across on my own. 👌😍

[@suehollar2578]

@@robincortez6586 yes

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

What a great song, a great performance. I have to admit I hadn't heard of Luke, but the Dubliner's are one of my daughter's favorite band. She worked in Dublin for a year and knew them and turned me onto their music.

[@robincortez6586]

Let's try to show kindness to everyone, because everyone is fighting a battle. Respect and courtesy can go a long, long way. I love the message of the song, and I also really enjoyed the flute. It added a bit of lightness to the sound, I think. Love the variety of genres on this channel, Fil. 👍

[@robincortez6586]

@Shame nolan 😍 🌻🌻🌻

[@mathewpickels2745]

Luke has been singing straight into my soul my whole life.

[@gsilcoful]

Thank you. I have never heard of Luke Kelly or this beautiful and moving song.

[@shamnet]

I was honestly surprised that you covered this for viewing etc. Luke Kelly was one of a kind. His voice and vocals are unmatched even to today. His death was a loss for music the world over. Thank you for taking on this track. My late son was special needs and this song means as lot for that alone.

[@maryj.3876]

The Celtic violin and flute add so much. Lovely

[@ianmcdonagh9696]

Thanks for doing this analysis...I live in Dublin and Luke Kelly is a legend over here...he had a way of bringing feeling out of the most simple melodies

[@zenhaelcero8481]

Makes me sad to see his statue get vandalized.

[@wonsworld61]

thank you Fil, you are a legend for featuring this Legend. :)

[@derrickmurphy7729]

Luke was the greatest folk singer ever,what a wonderful voice he had.The best man to sing this song.Thank you luke kelly for the wonderful music you left to us.

[@lorellstoneman74]

These children are half way between earth and Angel's.....innocence.....in some ways better people than most. True hearts....Heart felt song...thanks for the share and lessons Fil.

[@theshmed]

My mum always says that they are angels put down here on earth to test us🙏❤️

[@spacemissing]

I had only one sibling, a younger brother with Down syndrome, who died about a month ago (June 2020). Living with Marcus was fairly easy, but never as easy as one would like, and in the 1960s there was a lot of stigma attached to anyone so obviously different as a Down child. Even worse, I suppose, was a non-Down individual like many of those with whom he attended special education. Some of them could barely indicate that they needed to use a restroom. Marcus was much better off in that he could read, do simple arithmetic, and carry on a worthwhile conversation. I cannot say that I know what he knew of his own condition, nor whether he felt bad about it, but he must have known that he was excluded from certain apsects of life because he wasn't "normal".

[@skybird8358]

Deepest sympathies for the loss of your brother. Thanks for sharing. Yes, much stigma attached to physical/mental conditions - even today, though perhaps not quite so overtly.

[@robincortez6586]

I'm sorry for your loss. I believe that people like your brother probably keep their innocence more than the rest of us. Nowadays, innocence is usually stripped away at very young ages. Kids grow up too fast, and I feel sorry for them, though they are considered "normal". My feeling is that your brother was very much loved. He must have known that. ❤ My feeling is also that you are a person of compassion and kindness. Peace and blessings to you and your family. 💕💕⚘⚘💕💕

[@freedapeeple4049]

Many years ago, I would go to work on the same bus as a group of Down's people also on their way to their work. I couldn't help overhear conversations, of course. They were some of the wisest people I ever encountered.

[@johnbethell1952]

Been a huge fan of Luke's vocals for many years

[@devakolb8045]

What a hard song to write, let along sing. Downs Syndrome children are angels sent to teach us compassion and acceptance. Folk music is my roots. the music you can perform around a campfire or alone in the mountains, true soul music. Thanks Fil for bringing this song forward. You analyze so fairly and with such dignity.

[@Keith-x9t]

It's amazing how much great music comes out of Ireland an yet we get to keep it all to ourselves for the most part

[@elizabethspedding1975]

What a beautiful song. Hearing the lyrics really makes you think. It describes the people I have meet with Downs, they are full of love and warmth.

[@mydigicraftscrafts8649]

Luke is a true Irish Icon, He is also one of Ireland's most prolific underrated poets. xx

[@donnacolwell3988]

I don't believe I have heard a Luke Kelly performance before. What a powerful introduction to his singing abilities. This was so beautiful, and so hard to listen to. I became invested in the story and felt all the things I was meant to feel.

[@tominrichmond]

thumbs up, Dubliners, such a great group, so many evocative songs. There's a statue to Luke in Dublin.

[@boysofwexford]

There's 2 actually

[@colmdevlin5340]

What a voice, very strong message, beautiful song

[@pauljackson1456]

Wow, thanks for covering Luke Kelly. My father was a huge fan of his and the Dubliners and passed that along to me too. I would love to hear you analyze "The Town I Lived So Well" from this same show I believe.

[@pauljackson1456]

*loved not lived

[@padraigpearse1551]

That would be nice for me to see as well since im from derry :)

[@mathewpickels2745]

"What's done is done. and what's won is won. and what's lost is lost and gone forever" that is one of the most tragic and beautiful lyrics ever sung

[@76ludlow]

Not widely known is that Luke's father, as a child in 1916 was hospitalised after being shot by a British soldier on the streets of Dublin during the Easter Rising. This would be a defining moment not only for Luke's father but also for Luke himself leading him to embrace socialism and republicanism along with his love for Irish folk music. There still exists a photograph of Luke's father recovering in his hospital bed in 1916.

[@thespider2566]

Just a minor correction, it was the Bachelor's Walk shooting in 1914.

[@76ludlow]

@@thespider2566 Obviously facts have been confused down the years. Thanks for the correction.

[@martinmcdonald4207]

Luke Kelly was very precious, and rightly so where and when he sang this very moving song. R.I.P. Luke Kelly. Dublin Legend.

[@iansing5278]

Thanks Fil, Love Luke's voice, very emotive. I Love the Dubliners,

[@frisbeetarian34]

One of my favourite musical performances, thanks for breaking it down. Luke Kelly is majestic.

[@teresafinoalchemy]

First time hearing this song. Bawling my eyes out. 💔

[@paulmct27]

What an absolute legend luke Kelly was

[@BOOMNERD51]

What a stirring song. Luke Kelly's urgently stern vocals are well served by light flute fills and fiddle. I notice a descending bass line,( keyboards or bass?.). Seeing as how all my great-grandparents came from Ireland to America (New England) in 1840s or 1850s I should really get to know his music! Thanks, Fil for the analysis and historical background!

[@lelleithmurray235]

That was a heartbreaking song. The fact that it wasn't performed by a hot looking rock star with perfect pitch and huge ego made this performance even more poignant and relatable. A very touching choice for this evening.

[@Panch21]

He migthnt be hot. But his pitch was beyond perfect

[@johnnykennedy4669]

Plenty of women found Luke Kelly plenty hot!

[@michaelodowd4807]

@@johnnykennedy4669 Ha indeed he had no problem attracting the ladies in O’Donohues pub

[@rachelburke3253]

Luke a wonderful singer and truly missed rest in peace luke 💖💖💖

[@jaimeduenas4162]

What a heartbreaking song, my godson has ADD could not help but to think of him. God will it he will grow up to be a good man.

[@timgreen3770]

ADD cannot be compared to Downs syndrome. Not even close.

[@raskinblog]

@@timgreen3770 my uncle isn't going to talk to me for going on 5 years. With my stuff that isn't a genetic disorder. Close enough lol.

[@raskinblog]

My coworker at Walmart who "pushes carts also" has Down Syndrome. And it took me a while to identify his strengths and his weaknesses. But he is literally one of my best friends now after every argument we had.

[@mikey-mot]

Thank you Fil, as always your analysis is spot on. Luke Kelly is a big hero in my family, I cry when I hear him sing, I guess that's a good thing right? My dad's in his eighty's and already knows Luke will sing him out to "the town I loved so well" My dad's favourite song. Merry Christmas Fil x

[@tonymurray814]

Brilliant analysis of a terrific performance. Bravo my friend!!

[@johnhogan3379]

Sinead O Connor did a beautiful version of this song. But for me Luke's version is incredibly powerful. Sadly both are now gone but will never be forgotten.

[@annelambe5650]

Phil Coulter considered Luke's version to be the definitive one.

[@triffidgrower]

Early '70s...for all my steeping in classic rock as it was happening, personally, another tiny avenue of pleasure, of respite, was a local folk club that used to assemble in the stables of a grand old mansion on the outskirts of Sydney. The price of admission was the bravery to enter a world of, like these people, extremely capable musos, and also to bring your respect and talent if you were game. It was all very much in the vein of this performance. Your own cushion or floorboards were the seating of choice, and as the music did lean to traditional folk and Irish or colonial content, this analysis was a real trip back for me. As you also mentioned Peggy Seeger, I did have the pleasure to see Peggy perform a few years ago in an intimate pub setting. A wonderful timeless evening. That was another speculator on my part, due to Peggy's standing and pedigree. I am in awe of all accomplished performers who provide magical moments for their audience, because, as much as they give us, it is mostly just another couple of hours under the lights for them, business as usual, I guess. Excellent memories...Thanks for this one....Peace...

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Wow ,I’ve never had the pleasure of hearing about this band/ man. It’s very emotional. We must love unconditionally. Life happens and we must learn ,grow ,and love ❤️. I can feel the emotion in their presence. Guys hanging out . Beautiful.

[@paulmckeown8840]

Well done fil the legend that is Luke Kelly

[@dalem8332]

BEAUTIFUL lyrics. Beautiful musically. Touching. ♥️♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦

[@lieslwindjulie3230]

I've never heard this song before. The lyrics and the melody are pretty moving 🥺 🖤🤘🏽

[@Irish780]

A hero in Irelandi. Can't thank u enough for this

[@debravirden7130]

Beautiful tribute to kids with special needs. I have a dear nephew with Autism and Developmental Delays.His parents set about teaching him, finding a great program for him and treating him the same as his older sister. He is a wonderful 39 year old today. Thank you for the wonderful analysis.

[@derrickmurphy7729]

Thanks for this favourite of mine both singer and song.You educate a lot of us out here with your knowledge 👍.

[@lynndow3185]

Deceptively casual and, well, simple. Tears my heart right out, but in a good way. ......I was so puzzled, I KNOW this song, but never heard of Luke Kelly before. It's Ian Shortall who does a cover version...he only covers the best!

[@lynndow3185]

@Shame nolan Thank you, I will...I am loving his voice and delivery!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yes Ian requested this one! ☺

[@mrblue8439]

You are the best. Thank you

[@zenhaelcero8481]

Luke Kelly!!!! The original Dubliners are all back together again, wherever they are. Would absolutely love to see Fil take a look at Ronnie Drew or the Clancy Brothers.

[@francishynes645]

The fiddle player is Still alive

[@davidfielding8001]

Being brought up in the 60s and 70s there was empathy and humanity everywhere. Lots of troubles as there always has been and always will be but it was a simpler life with less individual pressure to conform to social media ideals than there is today. Great vid Fil.

[@theliamofella]

It seems like it was destiny that Luke met with the other Lads from the Dubliners, (only John Sheehan present in this video) because with his passionate voice and Ronnies original voice and the world class musicianship of Barney and John all added to a very special group of people

[@shannondawn44]

Some how I missed this when it was posted . I am such a fan of Luke . Thanks for this one

[@thebillryan]

Phil ,thank you. You have no idea what this means to me, Irish in Taiwan.x

[@1tommymulligan]

Luke didn't sing this often but such a beautiful song written by Phil Coulter about his son. The term Simpleton was used in them days but wouldn't be used nowadays.

[@TheDivayenta]

Fil- did you ever hear of Irish Trad pioneers and icons, Planxty? With Andy Irvine and Christy Moore? Their eponymous album is a folk classic and spectacular. Anything from it is great!!!!!!

[@3210-n1x]

Thanks for this man. Can you please do more of luke kelly.

[@kaspinet]

Had I been scrolling through a list, I would have probably passed over this. But because this performance was featured here, I've learned to give everything a chance and I'm glad I did.

[@drewpall2598]

Some of the best performance I've seen are those unrehearsed. just musician playing off one another as this seem to be. another enjoyable analysis Fil.

[@robertorourke6614]

Once again you suprised me Phil with the great diversity you infuse into your choice of songs. The song is great & the singing performed to perfection You have the great ability to point out lots of fantastic snippets of information that we can then go back, enjoy, & review again with enhanced appreciation . So thank you once again Phil, for a great job done entertainingly well. When the spirit is moved , THE BODY sheds tears in solidarity with its commander.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@alexhickey5633]

If you ask me hes one of the best if not the best singer thats ever lived. Been a fan of his music for quite a few years now. He could put power behind his voice, something not easy for someone of his voice classification

[@mickdunne981]

Hey 👋 I'm new I have subbed and liked the video greetings from Ireland 😊. It's a Pitty you don't get brilliant music like that anymore

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@victoriateague9012]

OMG! Beautiful.😭😭💖💖I love the Irish. The Irish and Americans are so misunderstood 😂😂🤣🤣God bless our hearts.😎

[@gerrymcglynn7390]

Rip in peace, Luke Kelly 🙏 i bought Luke many a pint and my friends,when we worked in the, Burlington hotel as Chef's, i think the pub was called the ,Leasson pub ❤😂

[@anthonyleeper4610]

Brilliant choice of song Fil..Luke was such a unique talent..taken way too soon. Keep up the good work 👍

[@MrSadsack56]

Folk!! finally.. unusual choice but such a great song.. raw ! soon you will hopefully do renaissance!!

[@ursafan40]

I am NOT crying

[@FinMckee]

The Dubliners and luke Kelly the main singer used to stay in my grannies house everytime the played in Kilkenny in Ireland and played music with my grandad

[@johnnypatrickhaus890]

Lad. You're like Mozart. You listened to it once you have it. 💚 from 🇮🇪.

[@conordarcy4663]

an interesting fact about this song is that Luke and the Dubliners refrained from singing this song on stage and bars as they did not like to preform sentimentality to the people

[@LonskiBig]

......That opening picking sequence shows how great acoustic guitars are....electric guitar playing can't achieve that kind of sensitivity.....I don't care what Van Halen says.....

[@danr5105]

This acoustic sound vrs the electric. For the last year I have had to practice outside. This is great as I do not drive anyone crazy with the repetition of practice but there is a drawback. Acoustic guitars sound so much better when played inside (or so I think) I get a good amount of joy feeling the body of the guitar vibrate (feeling these vibrations when test playing my Martin at the music store is what convinced me I had found "the one") so outside is good enough. Those rare times I play inside are so much more enjoyable because of being sent out back for practice so much. Soon I pick an electric guitar. This is OK as I already have a spot to play at. I am pretty darn lucky to have this practice spot outside of my apartment and just today I found out my lease will be renewed. OH, I get my acoustic amp out of layaway in two weeks.Yeah.

[@LonskiBig]

@@danr5105 ...Right- on......

[@michaelgovers8036]

A wonderful review Phil, keep well :)

[@B1N4RYGH0ST]

Fil, why would 8 people thumb this beautiful song down? Please cover Luke Singing the Rocky Road To Dublin. I'm Irish. Peace and Happy Holidays.

[@ridgebackdk]

Davy Spillane - Caoineadh Cu Chulainn Uilleann Pipes ... think you will really enjoy it.... uilleann pipes have a dark melancholy that no other instrument can really capture... also think you understand how important dynamics are and how music should sell the story and not take away from it ... thanks for this one ..

[@Eltonlaleham]

This song is awesome in billions of ways, and well sang by Luke Kelly,

[@marilynsheffield612]

Thank you Fil. Everyone should take the time to listen to this. My heart aches with tears.💔

[@redbirdjazzz]

Ronnie Drew called “Seven Drunken Nights” “a medley of our hit.” The Dubliners were amazing.

[@Eltonlaleham]

The year this song was done I was aged 5 having been born, in the year 1969 and how I really wish in retrospect I had been born earlier than 1969 say in 1963 the year when classic Dr Who began on tv on bbc1 in monochrome with Bill Hartnell and ran for 26 golden years before it was axed.

[@NikCan66]

Excellent analysis

[@Eltonlaleham]

I do say both Luke Kelly and Jim MCcann, have the same hairstyle as actor Tom Baker who played the 4th incarnation of Dr Who and Tom Baker had brown hair like Jim,s and also Luke Kelly did act a bit as well as sing and I think Jim and the fiddle player John Sheehan wee also actors for a time as well.

[@RoryVanucchi]

Don Gibson wrote some monster songs. Sea of Heartache. Oh Lonesome Me. I Can't Stop Loving You. Just One Time, etc. Legend

[@denisconor648]

Great stuff love Luke.

[@moominpic]

The fiddle player is John Sheehan

[@declancoyle3673]

A great song, Luke was a force, a great song written by Phil , a song about Phil's song with autsuim, only when something affects you do you really connect

[@shane7073]

This is the only footage or performance of this song Luke refused to sing it at gigs as a matter of respect for Phil and his family. This footage and the recording on his solo album is all that exist

[@cosmyccowboy]

Almost everybody smoked back then... we had what we called the cancer pit at the high school, a designated smoking area!

[@danr5105]

"Behind the "K" building" at Simi Valley CA High School. I don't think the tradition is observed today.

[@drewpall2598]

Reading your comment reminded me of the song (Smokin' in the Boys Room ~ Brownsville Station) 1974

[@danr5105]

@@drewpall2598 I could see that (great song also) This would have been from 1968 to 1972 for me. There was a large area (two baseball diamond sizes) All the kids (jocks,cowboys,stoners,misfits) were all able to find a spot for their groups. We were able to see from a pretty good distance if any teachers were coming. There was a lot of "smoking" going on but I did not know one kid with a hard drug or alcohol problem all the way through HS. I can't remember one girl getting pregnant either. Maybe it happened and no one found out. My graduating class,probably 600 kids. we did have some anti-war/anti-draft protests at school but most of that stuff stayed in the San Fernando Valley or "over the hill" in LA City proper. Hey. I think Fil is going to show us the "where's the PA" cartoon he made on tonight's livestream. It is perhaps a 6-7 minute cartoon (great art)and it is very,very funny. Tune in to tonight's livestream if you have a chance. C'mon everybody get down get with it C'mon everybody get down get with it C'"mon everybody get down that's rock and roll (Eric Carmen)

[@cosmyccowboy]

Drew Pall I can’t imagine the class of 75 being told they had to wear a mask

[@jasonparsons7653]

Definitely and many still do my family included lol. But Definitely not as many people as there was just 30 years ago even.

[@wubcow743]

What a tearjerker

[@jimhuggard5398]

From the Dubliner's 1972? album "Revolution". Produced by Phil Coulter it must be their masterpiece. Luke Kelly does vocals on 7 of the 13 tracks.

[@siobhansmithers5121]

Brilliant artists,Song Phynomal 🎤🎹🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️

[@lessnodgrass1381]

Hey Fil, now that you are highlighting Irish folk maybe you could analyze the Scottish legend Doogie McClain. He is the writer of the excellent anthem Caledonia and has another great song called Ready for the Storm. I would be curious to your take on his masterful use of the guitar capo and his outstanding vocals. Just a thought for you. Have a blessed day!

[@eileenmurphy2019]

Thank you for your analysis of Celtic folk music The Dubliners, in my opinion were right at the top in this genre along with The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. It was my understanding that this song was written about Phil Coulter's son. I don't know for certain if this is a fact.

[@39thala]

Fil, how about Astrud Gilberto With Stan Getz - Girl From Ipanema (1964). The second most recorded song "in pop music history".

[@sherrard5492]

If we’re going to head in that direction, how about João Gilberto and Stan Getz playing guitar and sax on the heart-stoppingly lovely Desafinado?

[@crashcorrigan9733]

I like this guy.

[@donone0750]

Love folk singing. More Humble, at eye level....

[@albertsmith1048]

Real music.

[@RoryVanucchi]

How about the Richard Harris epic MacArthur Park or Waylon Jennings Wurlitzer Song or Luchenbach Texas

[@micheleparker8123]

Ok; I cried... 😭

[@BUSTER.BRATAMUS]

another awesome video,,sure wish he had gone easier on the cigarettes..

[@Teffers]

Sitting listening is Jim McCann (this is from his TV show) , another great Irish singer - maybe worth an analysis of his own one day.

[@mopo8552]

The Dubliners 🙌🏻