Had a little bit of trouble finding a good time to see Mick in his kitchen in Poole - so he came to mine! He and Paul Downes had some time in between gigs, en route from Essex to Grimsby, so the milky bars - i.e. the cakes - were on him. Extraordinary revelations re his method of songwriting.
Mick Ryan is a fine songwriter, leaning strongly towards the traditional idiom in terms of style. He has written many folk musicals, with historical storylines, but always connecting with contemporary themes. He is also a very strong traditional singer..
Interview
Reprisals - available on 'Grand Conversations' by Mick Ryan & Paul Downes on Wild Goose Records
Love is Life - version 1 on 'The Widow's Promise' by Mick Ryan & Pete Harris on Terra Nova. Version 2 available on 'Away in the West' by Mick Ryan & Paul Downes on Wild Goose Records
Christmas in No Man's Land available on 'Won't you come away' by Maggie Boyle on Wild Goose Records.
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