Brent Cassidy on syntynyt Amerikassa, hänen sukujuurensa ovat Irlannissa ja hän on asunut Oulussa 17 vuotta.

"The Port Seal is my debut album featuring traditional, adapted and original stories with Irish Gaelic Songs.

The stories on The Port Seal album are inspired by the oral traditions, people and landscapes of my life. This album represents my artistic expression and pays tribute to the storytellers of my life, especially those gentlemen whose influence positively inspired my life as a boy.

"It's been such a pleasure witnessing Brent move along his storytelling path, and seeing his telling be shaped by tradition, as well as his own creativity. His musical sensibility and compelling voice serve him so well, as he takes us on a journey with him through these rich stories - I look forward to hearing many many more!" - Órla Mc Govern, Storyteller

1 The Port Seal & An Mhaighdean Mhara story & song
The Port Seal is a story inspired by the Selkie folklore tradition. One sunny day as I was snorkelling in the crystal blue Adriatic Sea, the sun rays beamed down through the water upon me and in that moment as I gazed up, I felt like a seal.

An Mhaighdean Mhara is a love song telling of a mermaid, Mary Chinidh, leaving her two children behind as she returned to the sea after they found her crown. This song is popular along Donegal coast, which is where I learnt it from a local singer many years ago in Gleann Cholm Cille.


2 Folk Tale story
Folk Tale is a story of a young man’s journey. I believe it’s the journey, not the destination, that shapes one’s own life and very much agree with J.R.R. Tolkien who said, "Not all those who wander are lost”.

3 Máire Mhór song
Máire Mhór is a Gaelic love song sung by a confident male suitor professing his interest and love for Mary, albeit with a bit of bad luck humour. I learnt it from Síle Denvir, a highly respected singer raised in Indreabhán in the Connemara Gaeltacht.

4 The Calling of the Calves & Aililiú Na Gamhna story & song
The Calling of the Calves is inspired by the rural surroundings of my early and present life combined with elements of Irish myth and folklore.

Aililiú Na Gamhna is a song celebrating the joy of calling in the calves with the vitality of summer and freedom of the open fields of sweet, fresh grass and the evening reward of their share of the still warm milk. I learnt if from singer, writer and arranger Lorcán Mac Mathúna.

5 Geaftaí Bhaile Buí song
Geaftaí Bhaile Buí is a poetic yet humorous love song telling of a young man’s failed attempt at seducing his female companion. Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill taught me this song and she learnt it from the well known singer Aodh Ó Duibheannaigh. It’s one of my favourites and originates from Rann na Feirste in the Donegal Gaeltacht.

6 Outro