Tommy Makem is one of the great purveyors of the folk song tradition. His dedication to Ireland's rich musical culture has had a great effect on American audiences. After making his home in the United States, Makem, with the help of the Clancy Brothers, almost single-handedly popularized Irish folk music in the late '50s and '60s.
Makem continues his musical journey on this late '90s release. Through the course of 16 songs, some original, some traditional, he offers listeners a glimpse into the fascinating world of Ireland and the great folk tradition in general. Not all of these songs have Irish origins. "The Golden Vanity," for example, is an Australian version of the old favorite sea song, while "The Lough Tay Boat Song" is entirely Scottish. However, tunes like "Uncle Dan" and "Sweet Dromintee" (a song about the small village of the same name) are as Irish as it gets. The highlight of the album is "Peace and Justice," written by Makem for an Irish peace rally held at the United Nations.