Spud - A Silk Purse

Spud were active in their native Ireland the UK & Europe between 1973 and 1980. They never really had the success there brand of Electric Celtic Folk music merited. They sound like a cross between Steeleye Span and Horslips. Their debut album A Silk Purse came out in December 1974. Produced by Donal Lunny, the sound is of crisply recorded electric and acoustic stringed instruments playing riff laden folk tunes with all members supplying vocals in unison. Spud released 2 albums on the Philips record label - their 1974 debut 'A Silk Purse' and 'The Happy Handful' (in 1975). With these two albums already under their belt, they brought in Paul McGuinness (an old Trinity friend of Don Knox) to manage the band. Paul McGuinness (who later went on to wealth and fame as U2's manager) did his first record deal with Sonet which resulted in the release of Spud's third album, 'Smoking on The Bog', in 1978. The band toured for over 8 years and all the ex-members still play.

Group;
Dermot O’Connor - guitars, vocals
Don Knox - fiddle
Austin Kenny - mandolin, 5-string banjo, recorders
Michael Smith aka 'Smithy' - bass guitar

01 - Tenpenny Piece 2:32

02 - Blackleg Miner 3:33

03 - Brisk Young Widow 3:18

04 - Open The Door Softley 6:03

05 - For The Love Of Sarah Gilder 5:04

06 - Lucan Dairy 1:17

07 - Wind In The Willows 5:10

08 - Brian Borus March 4:53

09 - Crow On The Cradle 4:21

10 - Nancy Brown 3:32

11 - Newry Highwayman 4:08

12 - A Sows Ear 5:50

link to the free album

Spud - A Silk Purse