Glasgow Celtic is more than a football (soccer) team, it represents the hopes, dreams and memories of the Irish diaspora on the British Isles and all over the world. Derek Warfield, since the breakup of The Wolfe Tones has been exploring the place of the Irish in history. He has done three albums on the American Civil War and now he turns to Glasgow Celtic. In a 28 ( booklet he explains the relationship between the team founded in 1884 and Ireland’s aspiration to independence.

The two CD album with 36 songs features not only the Irish patriotic anthems that are a feature of Celtic games, but also songs specific to the football team. Derek is a master of the rebel ballad and, with support from his seven piece band, he performs them (including the seldom recorded Irish Soldier Laddie) with his usual brilliance. But it is the songs specific to the team that makes this a must have CD for all Celtic fans: Hail, Hail The Celts Are Here, Celtic, Celtic That’s the Team for Me, Hampden in the Sun, Celtic Crazy, Willie Malley, Bye, Bye Rangers, Johnny Thompson, Coronation Cup Song, Ballad of Martin O’Neill among many others. The album also contains three brand new songs: The Ballad of Michael Barrett, written by Father Joe McVeigh, tells of Barrett’s execution after having been wrongly convicted of the Clerkenwell bombing. Derek contributes two new songs - The Irish in Glasgow and a lighthearted, yet sincere, salute to A Decent Cup of Tea.

DW 005 Double-CD $25

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