Four Men and a Dog are an Irish folk group known for mixing traditional Irish music with a wide range of other styles, including rap, Southern rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, polka, country swing and salsa. They emerge in Ireland in 1990 and build a reputation for energetic live performances that combine dance tunes, covers and improvisation.

History

The band makes its debut performance at Murphy’s Bar in Dungiven, County Derry, before drawing attention at the Belfast Folk Festival later in 1990. Their name comes from the nickname of original vocalist Mick “the Black Dog” Daly. Early members include percussionist Gino Lupari, accordionist Donal Murphy, mandolin and banjo player Brian McGrath, and fiddler Cathal Hayden. Kevin Doherty later replaces Daly as lead singer, while James Blennerhassit joins on bass and Rod McVeigh on piano. Conor Keane later takes over on accordion, and Gerry O’Connor joins on banjo. A later lineup includes guitarist Arty McGlynn alongside Doherty, Lupari, Hayden, O’Connor and Keane.

Recordings and recognition

Their debut album, Barking Mad, is issued by Cross Border Media and wins Folk Roots magazine’s Album of the Year award in 1991, the first time an Irish group receives the prize. Their second album, Shifting Gravel, appears in 1993 and attracts a cooler response, with criticism aimed at the pop-rock elements associated with Doherty’s songwriting. On Doctor A’s Secret Remedies in 1995, Doherty uses more narrative song structures, and the album is recorded at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock, New York, with Garth Hudson and Randy Ciarlante as guests. Rick Danko also tours with the group in the UK, where they perform material by The Band. Long Roads follows in 1996 on Castle Communications, again recorded in Woodstock with Aaron Hurwitz engineering, and features guest appearances by Danko, Ciarlante, Hudson and Richard Bell.

Live performance style

The group are noted for spontaneous live shows, with members not rehearsing before performances. Their setlists draw on traditional dance tunes and reinterpretations of other material, delivered with a fast, high-energy approach.

Members

Four Men and a Dog include Kevin Doherty, Cathal Hayden and Gerry O’Connor.