Grammy winner Tim O’Brien for Campbell’s gig

One of the finest modern purveyors of American folk, Tim O’Brien plays Campbell’s Tavern on Friday, next August 16, where he will be joined by ace guitarist Arty McGlynn. 

A Grammy Award winner for his album Fiddler’s Green, O’Brien has collaborated with The Chieftains and has a long-standing connection to Ireland.

“My first visit to Ireland was in 1976,” he says. “I went to the All-Ireland Fleadh in Buncrana, and then met some people and travelled around for maybe a week after with a fella, camping on the West Coast.

“Went down to Clifden, took the bus to Dublin from there and hung out with some traditional musicians.  That was my first trip, but my great-grandfather came from Cavan to America in 1851, and his future wife had arrived there from Donegal.

“It took me another 13 years to get back, I came over with Hot Rize in ’89.  Then back again in ’93 when Maura O’Connell got married, and I’ve been coming back every year since then.”

One of Tim’s many projects is the Two Oceans Trio with New Zealand based guitarist and singer Gerry Paul – formerly of the Irish/American trad band Gráda – and former bass player with the Waterboys, Trevor Hutchinson.

 “The Two Oceans Trio is an ongoing thing,” he says. “It just been sporadic; we’ve got it together to travel to New Zealand for a trip about three or four years ago. We’ve started a second recording; I keep up with those guys but we hardly ever play together.

“We had about four or days recently, when Gerry and Trevor came through Nashville. I’m hoping to see them this summer on my trip, but I don’t really know if we’ll intersect. I’d love to play in Ireland [with them] and again Down Under.”

The Whileaways will be opening for Tim O’Brien at his Campbell’s show.  One of their members is Nicola Joyce, another former member of Gráda who worked with Tim when he produced their last album

“I thought Gráda was fantastic, I really enjoyed their work in the studio and live,” Tim says. “Nicola’s a great singer and I really loved her interpretation of American tunes, especially.  I saw a video of The Whileaways, I didn’t realise Nicola played the guitar at all! It should be a nice reunion.” 

For a complete interview with Tim O’Brien see this week’s Tribune here