LIVE: Pól Mac Adaim – Songs of Historical, Cultural and Social significance

Pol began audio engineering 16 years ago and has been involved in producing music for the last seven years. He has played alongside some of the world’s finest folk, rock and pop musicians from bands such as Shakespears Sister and Seal as well as The Pogues, Delores Keane, Stockton’s Wing, Brush Shiels, Calico, The Wolfetones, The Dublin City Ramblers and Bacaan. He has also toured internationally and shared bills with many of Ireland’s leading artists, such as Davy Spillane & Kevin Burke, Christy O’Leary & Bert Deivert, Gerry O’Connor and the Moya Brennan band(Clannad).

His album ‚Forsaken Land‘ won a national award in 2007 when it was voted by the Irish public as ‚Best Irish Folk Album 2007’on the Dublin City FM show Sin e. Pol plays traditional Irish music, writes and sings songs of social, historical and cultural significance. He tours much of europe and has also toured in America. His debut solo album ‚If we don’t help them now‘ and second album ‚Internationale‘ have also been very successful and are aired in 22 countries around the world. The albums feature Patrick Martin (Former Riverdance instrumentalist), champion Uillean/Highland piper and Tin Whistle player.

2002 saw the launch of Pol’s acting debut in the film The Magdalene Sisters directed by the legendary Peter Mullan (Actor of the Year, Cannes Festival) from PFP films Scotland. The film was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Golden Lion award at the 2002 Venice Film Festival, as well as winning top prize in the Canada film festival. Pol was responsible for the musical arrangements and organising the band that perform during the opening scenes of the film. Pol can be seen playing a Bodhran duet with an Irish priest at the beginning of the film. The film addresses the totalitarian ‚Magdalene laundry’regime established by the Church in Ireland. Women suffered physical, sexual and mental abuse by members of the Church during their incarceration in the Megdalene Laundries Ireland, which continued until 1995. It is based on the accounts of three girls who were forced to go there.

Reviews:

Pol Mac Adaim definately takes his heart and soul to the microphone with him and captures it well here on this album. The music remains simple, because the real highlight is the message and its delivery–both of which ring true here.‘ – Catherine L. Tully, Celtic MP3s Music Magazine USA

‚Belfast born and bred Pól Mac Adaim mixes the protest folk tradition of Woody Guthrie with the rebel/ballad tradition of his native Ireland – reminisent of fellow protest Celt – the late great, Ali Hulett or even Christy Moore at his most mellow/political – though unlike Christy I doubt Pól drives a fancy car – this is way more authentic and I bet he uses deodorant too.

Forsaken Land winner of Best album of 2007 at the Sin é folk music awards. Belfast born Celtic/Protest singer-songwriter in the tradition of Christ Moore and Luke Kelly.‘ – Review by Shite & Onions Music Mag. USA.

Like it A LOT‘ – Christy Moore, one of Ireland’s most successful solo artists.

‚Pol MacAdaim’s voice is so pleasantly filled with passion it begs for action in support of Human Rights. Outstanding!‘ – Bard Marc Gunn, Celtic MP3 Music Magazine USA

‚The voice of the people‘ – Andersonstown News. Ireland.

‚The power of music!‘ – North Belfast News. Ireland

‚Gets the boot into folk!‘ – Sunday world. Ireland