Inspired by the Irish government and the poetry of WB Yeats.

The studio version of “Catch Cries” will appear on Mick Blake’s ten track debut cd, “Oblivious”, which can be pre ordered here – https://mickblakemusic.com/

If you’d like to receive a signed copy of the CD just before the official release date, you can order it below.

€13  (plus €2 p&p)

This is an album of ten songs written over the past 5 years, and recorded and produced by Ray Duffy in the Glen’s Centre, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim.

The songs are mainly inspired by events in post-celtic tiger Ireland. I have always tried to get a message across in every song I write – I take the approach that if some-one chooses to give up a few minutes to listen to your work, give them something to think about. I immerse myself in the subject matter of a song once the inital idea occurs to me – because of this, many of the songs took several months to write, often with an elusive word or phrase eventually falling into place when I least expect it.

When I began writing them, I had no idea that the rough recordings and accompanying videos thrown together in my spare bedroom would meet with such a response, with several million views on social media. I’ve finally gotten around to getting them recorded and mastered professionally, and I’m delighted with the result.

Christy Moore (who recorded the title track “Oblivious” for his 2016 album “Lily”) has written the sleeve notes, and Kim Haughton has kindly given me permission to use her iconic photograph for the album cover.

I’d like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement over the past few years, and for sharing my songs on social media.

The track listing is as follows –

Oblivious Another Child, Another War The Rich Man’s Feast Catch Cries The Giveaway

Mr Tepper Purple Ribbons Sean MacDiarmada (The Pride of Corranmore) Heaven Leitrim (A brief history)

The album is due for release on March 1st.