Reaction - Horslips - Dearg Doom - The Founders Of Celtic Rock Perform A Glam Song With Pipes

[@jerryoconnor-ps8bb]

Hey Todd, just found your channel and was delighted to see you play Dearg Doom by my favorite band, Horslips. Firstly incase you haven't heard, Johnny Fean the lead guitarist passed away on April 28th 2023. Johnny is sadly missed by all who knew him. He was an excellent guitarist and a true gentleman. Always had time for a word with fans. Dearg Doom is based on an old Irish folk tune; O'Neills cavalry/march. For millions Johnny's guitar riff is immediately recognisable. I was born in Ireland in 1958 and when Horslips came along they created a massive sea change in Irish music. I have been a fan since day one and I have been lucky enough to see them play live many times. I also had the privilege of taking my son Charles to see them play in Killarney and in the O2 in Dublin. I guess you can listen to their first album; Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part you'll get it. New subscriber, and looking forward to more. 🇮🇪 🇺🇸

[@jahdonkey]

R.I.P Johnny. A true gentleman

[@oriainarts]

Hi Todd, the band are as legendary among the Irish diaspora and world musicians as the Irish legends they put to song are. All the albums were essentially concept albums retelling Irish history from the first human footsteps on Irish soil , to the days of the famine and exile to the Americas and beyond in the last two centuries. Their albums Aliens and The Man Who Built America ( which hit the US top 40 IN 79/80) retells the story of the Irish in America from the 1800's to 79. And you are right, they were a huge inspiration to a vast amount of professional musicians in the UK, Canada, US, Australia Europe and Ireland ever since - Artists such as Dire Straits, Emm Gryner, Counting Crows and of course U2, The Corrs, Thin Lizzy and every Irish musician since. The pre Horslips Dublin Beat Poet movement co formed by Drummer Eamon Carr was much sought after and a stated inspiration to Phil Lynott, Marc Bolan and John Lennon. Bassist Barry recorded U2's very first demo ( and blew them away by giving them an exclusive listen to The Man Who Built America Album after the session- an album which had a huge impact for them) and post Horslips went on tour with U2 and shot a number of their videos for them. Charles ( vocalist electric mandolin and fiddle player)moved to Whitby in the UK and continued the concept album theme with multi Instrumentals Angel on the Mantlepiece and The Shell - both based on Whitby's and Cooks role in the age of Exploration ( and I recently shot a couple of videos for him for that) . Johnny played with everyone since and was/is Irelands most loved lead guitarist he passed earlier this year and is deeply missed and Jimmy ( keyboards bodhran flute tin whistle Uielleann Pipes etc) remains a legend who works in Irish radio. The band had reformed at the turn of this century after winning back the rights to their music that were mis-sold by an agent in the 80's to perform a number of tours and re inspired the nation and a whole new generation of musicians in the process . A must watch for all their historic moments in the industry is 'The Return Of The Dancehall Sweethearts' . Every album is unique - so each one will give you that wow moment the first time you hear it Todd x

[@afay8807]

Thanks for the info. They are the sound of my childhood. Some of the best riffs in music. Legends.

[@Fordsierra1224]

The whole album ' the book of invasions' is fantastic. One of the best albums ever.

[@kingcurry6594]

This is actually off The Tain, but both albums are amongst the best ever released. I've seen Horslips many times in concert (all in Scotland) and they were always brilliant. Dearg Doom has one of the greatest riffs in music history and should be the Irish National Anthem. RIP Johnny Fean - a great guitarist and a truy nice guy.

[@gavintuesday4959]

The riff for the song comes straight from the Irish Trad piece written by Sean O’Riorda called Marcshulla Ui Neill (O’Neill’s March ) so yes, rock / pop but the riff is immediately recognisable as Irish trad (much thanks to the band who made it more popular ) The riff is massively popular because in 1990 when Ireland qualified for the World Cup in Italy , the theme song for the team was called Put ‘em Under Pressure (Larry Mullin Junior of U2 produced it ) that version song was number No 1 for about 9 weeks . The melody and ole ole os still sang by Irish fans

[@alastairmcintyre4752]

Haven't seen this clip since I originally watched it in 1974 ! It's from a session they did for a programme on BBC TV called The Old Grey Whistle Test which in the 70s was the ONLY place you could watch decent bands on UK TV BTW the pipes are Irish Uilleann ( elbow ) pipes - similar to bagpipes but without the drones and played by using bellows under your right elbow to fill a bag under your left which is squeezed to give the sound . Troy Donockley from Nightwish uses them too Thanks for the reaction

[@mindhead2005]

Charles O’Connor was playing electric mandolin, and Barry Devin (bass) and Johnny Fean( guitar) sang lead on other tracks. If I could suggest Trouble With A Capital T for a listen? Better production and integration of Celtic instruments and Johnny on vocals Or King Of The Fairies for an instrumental :) Greetings from Ireland!

[@tas6313]

Always wanted to hear Horselips! Thank you for this, Todd. Sounds like these guys were forerunners of U2 and the Alarm. Love the pipes and whistle at the end.

[@mindhead2005]

The Táin is pronounced “thaw-yn” with the “h” being almost silent and the “y” very short! It’s a story about a bull! :) I adore Horslips ! There’s a 35 disc box set I just bought and we just lost legendary guitarist Johnny Fean recently. Thanks for featuring the pioneers of Celtic rock

[@waltjohnson8324]

Excellent reaction, thanks. If you haven't yet, give a listen to Book of Invasions. That was my introduction back in the day, for which I'm forever thankful.

[@speedtriplerider7853]

Ey up Todd. Another fabuouls choice to react to, great recommendation from one of your followers. I bet you've researched those pipes by now but if you haven't they are Uilleann pipes and sound great in this song. I've always liked Horslips especially back in the day when they were around. In my musical world they were eclipsed by Thin Lizzy in this particular genre but still a great band nevertheless. Keep on truckin' mate.

[@noelkavanagh6637]

Try "The power and the glory" from their album "The Book Of Invasions " it will blow your mind! 😂

[@danodonoghue8014]

Great reaction video to a Horslips classic. I suggest you check out other Horslips tracks, two great instrumental pieces are King of the fairies and Exiles

[@drivingwithtodd1781]

Hi @danodonoghue8014 ... I do plan to do more Horslips reaction in the future. Keep watchin' and rockin' ...

[@PeterMcCluskey-cb1ck]

It's Celtic based rock, not just the usual blues based rock. They have lots of great music. Try the album Aliens or The Man Who Built America.

[@lauramagnier2009]

Uilean pipes.

[@kilo1981]

Great, intelligent reaction! I personally think Dearg Doom is one of the best guitar riffs of all time, which I believe the main riff is based on an old Irish war march called O'Neill March: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6XCcoqLrKiEb9E Probably the next most accessible song, is called Trouble With a Capital T. Here's a version of it, but not sure if it's best one available to be honest: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpOxmWWmnM2CrJo

[@drivingwithtodd1781]

Hi @kilo1981 ... Thank you for the wonderful compliment on my reaction. I will keep your recommendation in mind for a future reaction. Keep rockin' ...

[@crazymankelly]

The uilleann pipes

[@gavintuesday4959]

Kate Bush’s mother was Irish hence her knowledge of “Celtic music”

[@johndoyle2397]

Thats the uillean pipes. Pronounced illen

[@johndoyle2397]

And the d in dearg is pronounced as a soft j

[@johndoyle2397]

Try sword of light

[@gavintuesday4959]

The riff for the song comes straight from the Irish Trad piece written by Sean O’Riorda called Marcshulla Ui Neill (O’Neill’s March ) so yes, rock / pop but the riff is immediately recognisable as Irish trad (much thanks to the band who made it more popular ) The riff is massively popular because in 1990 when Ireland qualified for the World Cup in Italy , the theme song for the team was called Put ‘em Under Pressure (Larry Mullin Junior of U2 produced it ) that version song was number No 1 for about 9 weeks . The melody and ole ole os still sang by Irish fans