TamalinHistory of Folk, Roots and Traditional music in NI is a family-based band from west Belfast, Northern Ireland, who originally began playing Irish traditional music in the early 1980s under the name The McSherrys. Toward the end of the 1980s they were joined by long term friend Kevin Dorris on bouzouki and subsequently changed the name of the group to Tamalin.
In the early 1990s the band became close friends with legendary drummer and percussionist Dave Early who had settled in Belfast and was playing with Mary Black. When not touring with Mary, Dave worked closely with Tamalin playing concerts and experimenting in the studio. An album was shaping and in July 1997 Rhythm and RhymeIrish Times (Sept 1997) was released on the Grapevine label.
In October 1996 Dave Early died in a car accidentIrish Times (Oct 1996) outside Dublin and never saw the release of the band's debut album.Irish Music Magazine (August 1997). "Tamalin: Making a bold debut" John McSherry had a parallel career for many years, being a member of Donal Lunny's Coolfin as well as co-founding the band Lúnasa along with Michael McGoldrick.
In 2016 The McSherrys featured in Season 2 (episode 6) of the TG4 series ‘Ceol an Chlann’The Clare Herald (Feb. 2016)
Members Tiona McSherry: flute, vocals John McSherry: Uilleann pipes, whistles Joanne McSherry: fiddle Paul McSherry: guitar Kevin Dorris: bouzouki
Discography 5th St Patricks day Celebration (1994) Rhythm and Rhyme (1997)
Compilations Now and in time to be (1997) The meeting of the waters: W. B. Yeats (1997) Intuition (1997) Forever Celtic (1997) Celtic Heartbeat (1999) Celtic Waves (2002)
References