Muireann Bradley, Old Soul

Direct from Ireland, 17-year-old Muireann Bradley indulges us (and tugs at our Led Zep heartstrings) with a rendition of Memphis Minnie’s “When the Levee Breaks.” She’s using the ’34 Gibson L-50 borrowed from dad’s collection. “It’s my favorite guitar for sheer playability and has by far the most-comfortable neck profile of any guitar I’ve ever played,” she says. Read our exclusive interview with Muireann and our review of her album, “I Kept These Old Blues,” in the January issue. cloud.3dissue....

[@joedunne6737]

On voice alone? Sensational. Add that guitar picking? Mind blowing. Forget all the greed driven fake influencers. This girl is the real thing.

[@jeffphillips5632]

I'm early 80 years old, and I've never heard anybody play that style like you do. Actually, the only person I knew who could died about 30 years ago, and he couldn't play as well as you. Keep it up. If you're ever in the Southeast USA and need a place, you're always welcome to stay with my wife and me. Don't stop playing...I have your album!!

[@giannibiancocircus]

It's 2024 and Muireann seems unreal, like a beautiful dream. Thank you !✌️

[@MisterNiles]

Stunning. The real deal. Not even a little bit of BS. Pure, deep artistry. Unbelievable.

[@richardswann5300]

Now this, folks, is talent ! So much better than a lot of the garbage produced today. This young lady has a bright future ! Great work miss !!!

[@petehowlett3966]

She is at the start of her journey. We'll see. Pretty much playing all tabbed music available on line. Nothing wrong with that. Very few however make it beyond the cute phase that Muireann is curently in and develop beyond what can only be termed, however competent, copy playing,..

[@aidybopification]

You couldn't be more wrong. She learned everything by ear and is a pure natural. She doesn't have any need for tabs as you ignorantly suggest. You obviously can't deal with true talent @@petehowlett3966

[@kevinmorrow2788]

Yeah right! Try copying what she’s playing!I’ll check up on you in 10 years to see how you’re getting on!

[@cammygray63]

How do you think most of the brilliant musicians started ? Exactly like this. It's not copying. It's an homage to the greats. She's mastering the art form and out of that will develop her own style. Saw her live in Glasgow and was blown away. 😎 Don't listen to any naysayers Muireann.

[@guitartommo2794]

@@petehowlett3966😂 Joke right? Or simplistic and cynical. Do you hear a classical orchestra and think frauds just reading old sheet music?

[@SingleMalt77005]

The future of the blues is in good hands.

[@rrhodes16]

A national treasure right here.

[@peterburke3035]

I love the sound of this guitar. Combined with Muireann's voice she has made another amazing video performance. Thank you Muireann.

[@daviemcf]

What a country/blues picker....gonna be mega in the states.

[@SlimDavenport]

Should be bigger than Taylor Swift.

[@daviemcf]

@@SlimDavenport No problem.

@@SlimDavenport But Taylor Swift writes her own music and lyrics.

[@Deebemc]

Blimey. Memphis O’ Minnie. This is such a great rendition. Muireanne has a great voice, too. ‘Will watch this career rise and rise.

[@X-hoshaq-X]

Does she ever not nail it?! ❤

[@markkubiak8296]

So incredible!! I may have to visit Ireland just to listen to their gorgeous way of speaking. This young woman is so talented it is stunning!!!

[@darnick54]

Absolutely brilliant…….no other words for this girl……brightened my day

[@timwarner5540]

Heartbreakingly beautiful a fountain of pure joy

[@youtrickydog]

Old soul authentic voice, old soul authentic guitar, young Irish girl fingertips

[@paulkossak7761]

Ironically it takes a 17 year old young lady from Ireland to promote this American art form to the world. Life's funny sometimes.

[@kaecake9575]

She makes me have a breath of fresh air. It's very hard to find people in my generation Z who loves this music. I can't listen to my senseless generations music

[@markwallace1251]

American bluegrass is Scotch Irish rooted music, we settled the Appalachians... 😉

[@Sledgehammers_Nail]

I think she's 15, maybe 16. Definitely not 17 yet

[@Sledgehammers_Nail]

​@@kaecake9575 That's how I felt growing up. I'm 26 now and I'm gen z. I've only met 2 other people in person my age that are into old ragtime and delta blues. I've met quite a few older musicians who are pretty into it though. That's just how it is, you aren't special or anything like that. It's an acquired taste. Blues has always been underground music.

[@kevinmorrow2788]

Hey! I’m 62, I could count on one hand the ones I know who get this stuff!

[@williamquenneville6727]

Please keep play those amazing old songs. Great guitar I have a 1949 Gibson L-48 F hole spruce top with a thin neck. It belonged to my dad who played Boggie Woogie in a band in the late 50’s and early 60’s. First music I learn to play. Amazing sound the old guitars that have survived are the best.

[@Bluesmusicno1]

I hear robert Johnson, son house and the one and only rory gallagher amazing what a talented artist

[@thomaskeil263]

Great! Originally with two guitars, Kansas Joe rhythm (and vocals) and Minnie lead. Muireann plays it perfect alone on one guitar! Perfect picking!

[@jamesstrickland228]

Thats just phenomenal!!! Loved it! You've got the blues down honey.😊🇺🇸🐓

[@farukcosic7099]

Love it

[@chinto50]

once again.. wow. love that sound.. well done.. love it

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

Wild, just wild! So good.

[@diegooriglia]

Congratulations from Europe !!! Great job. Beautiful youth!

[@josephballerini3730]

Her voice sounds like an old 78 rpm record. Just great.

[@JamesSterling]

Wow! Fantastic playing. You can see who influenced if you look on the wall over her right shoulder. I think he would approve.

[@donwest1869]

Brilliant

[@DwainDwight]

absolutely unbelievable.

[@MrFreakwent]

Thanks, Sep !

[@fiachra4266]

You are going to inspire your generation to pick an instrument and play. Good on ya.

[@jonhughes7264]

Great picking. Great voice. Fantastic.

[@clyderichardson6475]

Incredible!

[@jamescassidy5852]

One of my favourit songs. Thanks Muireann.

[@timothybenbrosnan8999]

BEAUTIFUL AND REALLY FANTASTIC PICKER

[@RockAndRootsGuitar]

Wow!!! Phenomenal!!

[@knucklebutty]

Absolute quality.

[@MaximAndrd]

LOVE IT 4EVER

[@karenjakobsen3607]

Love this.She is so talented. Such a lovely young woman too. ❤

[@tomlatenite8348]

Loving it!! Thanks girl! I wish I could play like that.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Stellar!

[@giannibiancocircus]

Blessed by God. ❤🌷✌️🌹

[@warrengently6418]

I have a 1934 L-50 just like thst, but missing the pick guard. Beautiful sound and fat deep V neck. It is my favorite guitar. Your playing is beautiful and you are surely channeling Memohis Minnie. Keep going! ❤

[@markkubiak8296]

An absolutely beautiful instrument. One of the finest guitars ever made!!

[@marcboozman]

I❤Ballyshannon.

[@mariedevereux2959]

A star ,love it ,so good ❤😊🎶🎵🎼🎸🎸

[@Sydmclean]

so good!

[@robertgriffin7569]

Lovely ,lovely, and lovely... Really grand, just great girl.. Thank you. ✌️❤️😊

[@freak1sees714]

That’s so fkn wicked.. what a sick riff!!

[@franciso.connell1634]

Beautiful was never into this type of music until I heard your voice

[@kaecake9575]

It's the first Rock n Roll. Elvis Presley is a thief.

[@randysmith7231]

Actually, it's all the blues. Country Music is just the blues slowed down and Rock and Roll is the blues sped up...

[@kevinmorrow2788]

All the old blues dudes robbed each other too pal! Some of them even robbed their names! Sonny boy Williamson! Don’t diss the king pal! Uh huh huh!!!

[@kaecake9575]

@@kevinmorrow2788 Most of them were generational music. You know, the cotton fields? The chord progressions were all influenced. Elvis's music is stolen not influenced.

[@ronsmith4434]

Absolutely awesome. Keep it alive young lady

[@greatspottedwoodpeck]

Wow. That is absolutely brilliant! I heard Muireann play it recently on RTE Radio, It was incredible and perhaps sounded even better then, though I couldn't tell for sure if she was playing it live; but it seemed to be even better than this, so I guess it probably was live and she had improved on it. Certainly one of her greatest songs. But no doubt many more to come from this amazingly talented young lady.

[@davidbetz9231]

Love this girl!

[@davidmilliken3360]

Fantastic thanks

[@insideouskraken3424]

"Led" free!

[@brianbarrett5987]

Another winner!!!!

[@gameboy228]

Can't wait to hear some new stuff from you Muireann. Love as always.

[@myronjohnson6799]

Love you for this. Thanks.

[@pjk]

Jaw dropping! she is the real deal....

[@billhall6788]

Soloist par excellent. !!!🎉

[@jamesbooth9771]

Absolutely stunning talent!!

[@ivanmcpcpherson2407]

When Muireann plays I simply cannot look away. I ask myself what other artist has that impact today?

[@richardfieler8685]

Incredible Blues voice. Beautiful playing too.

[@ciarancosgrave]

Very talented young woman!

[@danieldecastro8275]

👏👏👏👏. Excellent, every note sharp and clear and on the money. Vocals are awesome! Thank you young lady!

[@michaelfolchetti4624]

Great job,Young Lady!

[@theupcman]

Very nice pickin' and singin' young lady. My favorite band, Dea Matrona, is also from Ireland. There must be something special in the water there.

[@petersmith9530]

Thats old timey music right there!

[@martincummins8528]

That's our finesht proponent of righteous guit-fiddle playin' right there. Go raibh míle, Muireann a cailín.

[@ecojot8502]

brilliant - real music. No protools or autotune

[@rawmilkmike]

Wow !!!

[@innaminute523]

Wow wow wow that was sweet.

[@Bluesmusicno1]

Rag time at its best 👌

[@giannibiancocircus]

Very nice story ✌️

[@deprogramr]

I wish this young woman a bright future! She's amazing.

[@marcos3ltrv6]

Remarkable👍

[@crostofor]

cool stuff:)

[@jmnstr]

U R AWESOME!!!

[@emet-441]

Sweet 😊

[@zimmee]

I'd like to come and see you play when i come home to Donegal in the summer 💛💚

[@russellcountyonline]

she's got that old timey sound down so well

[@GrahamByrne63]

I got as far as putting my capo on the 5th fret 😂 wonderful talent ❤️👌

[@michaelcarson8534]

Vinyl or cassette? Where is there a cassette player? Cassette never skipped, just broke lol. Beautiful playing by far and the singing. I'm hoping to be able to flow like you again on the fretboard side, eh yeah, picking side needs some fine tuning lol. God bless. 😊

[@darylwatson]

I swear, good lady, I've known the best pickers being in the Watson family. Doc and Merle wouldn't and couldn't be in heaven without watching you scat it out.

[@flash8470]

We Irish do produce some talent but muireann head an shoulders above, absolute raw talent

[@johnboyd9902]

Got your album.epic.looking to get album signed 😊John from Derry

[@movienarka]

👏👏👏👏

[@scottsnyder4266]

Jesus Christ this is great!

[@user-tb9rw7dh2t]

👍👍

[@user-dw9cb5oi8s]

How, appropriate..

[@padraig4530]

Gaun yersel hen👌👍☘️

[@guitartommo2794]

2 grand of guitar worth double now Muireann has played it😊

[@sporranheid]

👍

[@elsmerdinsmore6018]

Iontach!

[@Hoaxer51]

It may be your dad’s Gibson but you owned it! Nice job, thanks.

[@user-tp6xb7bu1o]

Ok, don't shoot me but im not really a fan of this young ladies voice as she sounds pretty much like most 17 year old irish girls singing, BUT her guitar playing is incredible, she has a beautiful style and a very strong picking hand, i love it and i am willing to overlook the nasally voice which will im sure get better with age just to listen to her amazing guitar playing, i don't mean to be nasty by the way, this young lady has a serious future and i wish her all the best. ❤

[@eamonnleyden7040]

I have a daughter called Muireann but here in Ireland we can’t give a child a name without meaning like flo or Bert ,Muireann was a mermaid that was transformed into a beautiful woman,true story.

[@darylwatson]

I love that nose curl when she hits it hard.

[@tinman5680]

I hate the inter webs!! Bravo young lady!!!

[@paulnewsome6289]

There should be a ban on selling cheap guitars to 3 chord strummers. Muireann is what guitar playing is all about.

[@georgecrothers5618]

Spellbinding.

[@manfredolson6889]

Can we get some Lead Belly and Son House out if this girl?