To most of us when we hear the phrase “We’re playing the Palace!” it harkens back to a by-gone era when Vaudeville or later Sinatra ruled the performance stages and in, particular, this landmark Times Square theater that signified that you had made the big time. To a couple of Irish musicians the axiom will ring true next month once again when they take to the fabled stage as part of a ensemble put together by the multi-talented Vanessa Williams entitled “ Silver and Gold” to launch her new holiday CD (Lava Records) of the same name. You can’t blame whistle player Cormac Breatnach or his guitar-playing partner Martin Dunlea if this little holiday fantasy come true still amazes them. They will be sharing the stage with the gifted actress after recording two selections in a London studio “Silent Night” and “The Holly and the Ivy” for her new release. 

It was a serendipitous Saturday morning when the pair were passing through New York in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy. Ms. Williams heard them playing and talking about their music on the popular trad music show ‘A Thousand Welcomes’ hosted by WFUV’s Kathleen Biggins. So taken with their music which features traditional tunes on whistle and guitar skillfully arranged with contemporary sensibility and flair, that Williams tracked them down through their U.S. agent and asked them to record with her down the road. On a subsequent trip to London they were invited into a studio to work with the very respectful star of stage, screen and television and a former Miss America who yielded her title in a controversy in 1983. When this holiday show at the Palace was planned, they were invited to come over with all expenses paid while in New York. There are seven performances at the Palace Theater (1594 Broadway) beginning Dec. 1 to Dec. 5 and tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster or other Broadway outlets.

The Wicklow -based musicians have just completed a West Coast tour before coming to New York and will be featured on the afore-mentioned A Thousand Welcomes this coming Saturday morning (Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 90.7 FM or online at www.wfuv.org ). Breatnach hails from Dublin originally and Dunlea from Cork and their last recording was entitled ‘Music for Whistle & Guitar’ in 2000 containing choice selections that marry the traditional sounds of the whistle and guitar with a tasteful jazzy overlay. The duo will also perform on their own at Satalla (37 West 26th St.) in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 9:30 p.m. For information contact 212-576-1155 or check www.satalla.com. 

Musician Returns to Glucksman House

A year has passed and I am happy to say that the Blarney Star Concert series continues under the dedicated watch of its producer Don Meade, despite having to take its act on the road. 

Since vacating its long-time residence at the old Blarney Star Tavern on Murray Street in New York and enrolling as a monthly musical offering at NYU’s Glucksman Ireland House, it has maintained its high standard and artist variety. Meade’s insatiable appetite and eye for talent assures an interesting night no matter where the venue. Upcoming for the last show of the year is Donal Maguire, one of Ireland’s finest singers and instrumentalists in a solo gig. 

Maguire appeared once at the precursor of the Blarney Star, the Eagle Tavern on West 14th in its early days as an Irish music haunt but he is a rare visitor to New York as a performer. Known as an exceptional artist, it should make for an interesting evening in the Fifth Avenue Mews House headquarters just above Washington Square Park. The Louth native, who has lived in England since his teenage years. immersed himself in the English folk scene and as a young man gained exposure to legends like Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, John Faulkner and Seamus Ennis through the Singers Club in London. 

The Blarney Star concert (www.blarneystar.com) takes place on Friday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. in the upstairs parlor library at Glucksman Ireland House. For more information contact 212-998-3950 and admission is $15 though Ireland House members. NYU students with ID are admitted for free.