Oblivious by Mick Blake

This collection of ten songs was written over 5 years, and recorded 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 these songs, 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. Having finally gotten around to getting them recorded and mastered professionally, and I’m delighted with the result.

Particular thanks to Ray Duffy for his invaluable contribution over the past eight months - this project would not have been possible without his expertise and patience.

Special thanks to Christy Moore for his encouragement and guidance, to Frank Doherty for showing me all the chords and introducing me to all the great song writers back in Letterkenny all those years ago, to Charlie McGettigan for all his advice and to Enda Stenson for starting the ball rolling.

Mick Blake
Leitrim Village
February 2017

Dedicated to Matthew, Mia and Milo, and to Mary - thanks for thirty great years. xx

Tracklist

1.	Oblivious	5:11

2.	Catch Cries	3:37

3.	The Rich Man's Feast	5:22

4.	Heaven	5:45

5.	The Giveaway	5:07

6.	Purple Ribbons	4:30

7.	Sean MacDiarmada (The Pride of Corranmore)	5:56

8.	Another Child, Another War	4:06

9.	Mr Tepper	5:54

10.	Leitrim (a brief history)	6:03

Videos

Credits

released March 17, 2017

Arrangements, vocals, harmonies, piano, guitar, midi strings and horns, bass, concertina, accordian - Mick Blake

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