The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem on Rainbow Quest with Tom Paxton 1965

[@runeulriksen]

A little known fact for lover’s of the 5-string banjo. The banjo Tommy Makem plays in this video is the same one Luke Kelly of The Dubliners played from late 68 til 77’ when it fell apart on stage. It’s a Merlin and I’ve tried for years to get a hold of one, but without luck so far. Tommy gave the banjo to Luke because he really did’nt like it all that much. I think it has a great sound, and it looks great too.

[@odonovan]

You can find a number of Merlins for sale on the internet. duckduckgo.com/?q=%2Bmerlin+%2Bbanjo&iax=images&ia=images I left a comment in the Discussion section of your Yahoo! account page.

[@stacyblue1980]

Thats wonderful. How beautiful. I grew up with the Clancy's records. Dubliners a bit later. Much love from North Carolina USA.

[@donhuber9131]

I agree with you, this particular banjo has a wonderful tone. By the late 60s and into the 70s Tommy's banjos did not sound as sweet, and definitely sounded as though they had a plastic drum head. I always wish Tommy's banjos were mic-ed better since Tommy played without picks. Even on the Columbia recordings, particularly on the live albums , his banjo was poorly mic-ed. I also dislike the fact that Columbia stopped giving credit to the studio musicians who played on their albums. There is some excellent three finger, sort of "Scruggsy" banjo picking on the Isn't It Grand, Home Boys Home, and Freedom's Sons albums. It may be the same banjoist on all three albums judging by the styling. I often wondered if it were Eric Weissberg, but that's a shot in the dark.

[@liam4767]

Interesting

[@xntricity6446]

Absolute gold

[@danielmunder810]

Which Clancy is the guy in the middle?

[@liamg353]

That is Paddy Clancy , Tom is the one missing.

[@tomkelleher6491]

Paddy clancy Tom was missing that say?

[@davidmay8104]

Where's Tom Clancy?

[@dollydagger7502]

Too many Guinness the night before….😉

[@davidmay8104]

@@dollydagger7502 😸😅 probably!