Performing with a lengthy list of bands, Kavana has blended the musical traditions of the British Isles with blues, country, Cajun, rock and other influences. His collaborations have brought him together with influential musicians from the worlds of British soul, blues, rhythm & blues, rock, Irish folk and folk-rock, and worldbeat music. A talented songwriter, Kavana has written songs exploring history and politics, as well as drinking, dancing, and playing music. The Village Voice has called him a "hard-hitting, no-nonsense realist".
Contents [hide]
1 Biography
1.1 Early career
1.2 Solo career
1.3 Academics and current career
2 Discography (partial)
2.1 Solo
2.2 with The Bucks
2.3 with LILT
2.4 with Juice on the Loose
3 In film
4 References
5 External links
[edit]Biography
[edit]Early career
After cutting his early musical teeth in a R&B band, the Wizards, Kavana moved to London in the late 1970s. He got a job at Rock On Records, replacing Philip Chevron, who was leaving to work full time with his band, The Radiators From Space.[1] In 1977, Kavana put together Kavana's Krisis Band, playing regularly at Islington's Hope & Anchor, a hot spot of the 1970s London soul scene. This band evolved into Juice on the Loose, who became something of a house band for Ace Records, with Kavana as band leader and producer. During this era, Kavana and members of the band toured and recorded with many legendary American acts, including Big Jay McNeely, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Willie Egan, Dr. John, Dough Sahm, Augie Meyers and Flaco Jiminez, Wallace Davenport, Gatemouth Brown, Memphis Slim, Champion Jack Dupree, and Slim Gaillard.[2] Kavana appears on Juice on the Loose's self-titled album, released on Line Records in 1981. Other Juice on the Loose recordings would surface on Kavana's first solo album, Rollin' & Coastin' (In Search of America).
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Kavana also played with Panama Red, The Thunderbirds, The Balham Alligators, and The Alexis Korner Band. Following a European R & B package tour backing Korner, Kavana played an anniversary show for the Boogie Woogie Band's anniversary at Dingwalls, with an all-star band that included Charlie Watts on drums and Jack Bruce on bass.[3]
[edit]Solo career
Kavana released his first solo album, Rollin' & Coastin' (In Search of America) in 1985, on the Italian record label, Appaloosa. The album was a compilation of solo tracks and Juice on The Loose recordings.
In the mid/late 1980s, Kavana opened several tours for The Pogues, whose management considered him as a replacement for departing bass player/singer Cait O'Riordan.[4] The band chose road crew member Darryl Hunt for the job, but Kavana makes several appearances on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall From Grace With God, and co-wrote two songs with Pogue Terry Woods: “Every Man Is A King (In The U.S. of A.)” and “Young Ned Of the Hill”, the former released originally as a B-side and the later included on The Pogues album Peace and Love.
In 1990, Kavana produced the album For The Children. Featuring 29 guests (including several members of The Pogues), the album was a fundraiser for LILT (London Irish Live Trust), a charity organization working for peace in Northern Ireland.
By the late 1980s, Kavana had formed the eclectic group Alias Ron Kavana. The group was subsequently named "Best Live Act in the World" by Folk Roots Magazine in 1989, 1990, and 1991. The Alias Band's first album, Think Like a Hero, was released in 1989. Alias Ron Kavana's second album, Coming Days, followed in 1991.
Terry Woods joined forces with Ron Kavana and recorded the album Home Fire, released as Kavana's second solo effort in 1991. The two appear together in the 1990 Ken Loach film, Hidden Agenda, performing the Wolftones' song “The Ballad Of Joe McDonnell”.
After quitting The Pogues, Woods joined with Kavana and formed a new band, The Bucks. This lineup recorded the album Dancing to the Ceili Band, released in 1994 on WEA. The album and the band's live shows were well received by fans and critics, but disbanded after a short time. Kavana cites lack of label support as a reason, and claims he “never got a penny” for the album.[5]
Returning to the Alias Band, Kavana recorded Galway to Graceland (ARK 002) in 2005. The album was self-financed and produced independently. Due to financial difficulties it was deleted before getting a full release.
Kavana again entered Pogues territory, this time playing guitar in an early version of Shane MacGowan's band The Popes. Kavana’s guitar work can be heard on “Haunted”, a duet featuring Sinead O’Connor. He also came up with the tune for "Snake With Eyes of Garnet" from MacGowan’s first solo album, The Snake, although he received no credit for this work.[5]
[edit]Academics and current career
In 1995, frustrated by problems with record labels and the music business generally, and finding himself in the hole financially, Kavana took a three year break from the industry, enrolling in a full time Humanities course, graduating with first-class honours in Irish Studies and Film Studies.
Working on and off for several years, Kavana released a two-disc set Irish Songs of Rebellion, Resistance and Reconciliation in 2006. This was followed by the 2007 four disc set Irish Ways: Story of Ireland in Song, Music & Poetry. The albums followed Irish history through songs and poems from 1796 to the present day. The albums are credited to The Alias Acoustic Band.
[edit]Discography (partial)
[edit]Solo
Rollin' & Coastin' (In Search of America) - 1985, Appaloosa
Think Like a Hero - 1989,1995 Chiswick
Coming Days - 1991,1995 Chiswick
Home Fire (with Terry Woods) - 1991, Green Linnet
Galway to Graceland- 1995, Alias Recordings
Alien Alert (with The Resident Aliens) [live] - Proper Records, 1999
Irish Songs of Rebellion, Resistance and Reconciliation - 2006, Primo Records
Irish Ways: Story of Ireland in Song, Music & Poetry - 2007, Proper Records
[edit]with The Bucks
Dancin' To The Ceili Band - 1994, WEA
[edit]with LILT
For the Children - 1990, Alias Records
[edit]with Juice on the Loose
Juice on the Loose - 1981
(see also "Rollin' & Coastin' (In Search of America)")
[edit]In film
Kavana has appeared in and/or composed music for the soundtracks of such films as Sid and Nancy, Ryan's Daughter, and Hidden Agenda (1990).
[edit]References
^ Philip Chevron, 15 January 2010, writing on the Pogues' on line forum: http://www.pogues.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2808&start=15
^ All Music Guide entry; also Ron Kavana, interview printed in liner notes of Kavana's 1999 live album "Alien Alert", published by Proper Records.
^ All Music Guide; also Ron Kavana, interview printed in liner notes of Kavana's 1999 live album "Alien Alert", published by Proper Records.
^ Pogue Mahone Kiss My Arse: The Story of the Pogues, by Carol Clerk, published 2009
^ a b Ron Kavana, interview printed in liner notes of Kavana's 1999 live album "Alien Alert", published by Proper Records.
[edit]External links
"Ron Kavana Page". Proper Records. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
"1998 Interview/Article: The philosophies behind Ron's Songs: Ron Kavana - great songwriter and sometimes philosopher". FolkWorld. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
Young Ned Of The Hill
Ron Kavana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or seen the raven black as night upon the windswept sky
To walk the purple heather and hear the west wind cry
To know that′s where the raparee must die
To know that's where the raparee must die
Since Cromwell pushed us westward to live our lowly lives
Theres some of have deemed to fight from Tipperary Mountains high
Who will fight with Gaelic honor held on high
Of such a man I′d like to speak a raparee by name and deed
His family disposessed and slaughtered, sworn to fight the British breed
His name is known in song and story and his deeds are legend still
I tell you now the sorry tale of Young Ned of the Hill
You may rob our house and fortune even drive us from the land
But you'll never break our spirit and you'll never understand
The love of dear old Ireland that will forge an iron will
As long as theer are gallant men like Young Ned of the Hill
As long as there are gallant men like Young Ned of the Hill
A scourge to the redcoat soldiers with a price upon his head
To tempt a weaker soul to tell where he kept his bed.
One night as he lay sleepin′ - his head beside his sword -
Murdered by his cousin Dwyer to claim a coward′s reward.
The day after O'Dwyer had murdered Young Ned in his bed
He went for his blood money but was jailed himself instead
For Ned he had been pardoned the very day before
And a noose upon the gallows was O′Dwyer's just reward.
You may rob our house and fortune, even drive us from the land
But you′ll never break our spirit and you'll never understand
The love of dear old Ireland that will forge an iron will
As long as there are gallant men like Young Ned Of The Hill.
A curse upon you Oliver Cromwell, you who raped our motherland
I hope you′re rotting down in Hell for the horrors that you sent
To our misfortunate forefathers who you robbed of their birthright
"To Hell or Connaught!" may you burn in Hell tonight!
You may rob our house and fortune, even drive us from the land
But you'll never break our spirit and you'll never understand
The love of dear old Ireland that will forge an iron will
As long as there are gallant men like Young Ned Of The Hill.
As long as there are gallant men like Young Ned of teh Hill
The lyrics of Ron Kavana's song "Young Ned Of The Hill" tell the story of a brave and legendary Irish rebel who fought against the British during the era of Cromwell's rule. The song begins by evoking the imagery of walking in the lonesome hills and hearing the cries of the curlews and ravens. It paints a picture of the rugged Irish landscape and the windswept sky, setting the stage for the tale to come.
The song then introduces the raparee, a term used to describe a fugitive or outlaw, who is willing to die for the cause of fighting against the British oppressors. The raparee is portrayed as a noble man with a strong will and a connection to Gaelic honor. His family has been dispossessed and slaughtered, which fuels his determination to resist the British breed.
The narrative takes a tragic turn as we learn about the raparee named Young Ned of the Hill. Despite his efforts to evade capture, he is eventually betrayed by his cousin, O'Dwyer, who murders him in his sleep in hopes of claiming a reward. However, the twist of fate occurs when O'Dwyer realizes that Young Ned had already been granted a pardon the day before his death. O'Dwyer is subsequently imprisoned and ultimately hanged for his treachery.
Throughout the song, there is a theme of resilience and indomitable spirit in the face of adversity. The Irish people, represented by Young Ned and others like him, may face the loss of their homes, fortune, and even their lives, but their love for Ireland and their unwavering determination will never be broken.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever walked the lonesome hills or heard the curlews cry
Have you ever experienced the solitude of the hills or listened to the melancholic sounds of the curlews?
Or seen the raven black as night upon the windswept sky
Or witnessed the presence of the dark raven soaring in the vast, wind-blown sky?
To walk the purple heather and hear the west wind cry
To wander amidst the purple heather and witness the mournful sound of the westerly wind
To know that's where the raparee must die
To understand that it is in that place where the freedom fighter will meet his death
Since Cromwell pushed us westward to live our lowly lives
Ever since Cromwell displaced us to the western lands, forcing us into humble existence
Theres some of have deemed to fight from Tipperary Mountains high
There are those who have chosen to resist from the lofty Tipperary Mountains
Noble men with wills of iron who are not afraid to die
Courageous men with resolute determination who fear not the face of death
Who will fight with Gaelic honor held on high
Men who will engage in battle, upholding the proud traditions of the Gaelic people
Of such a man I′d like to speak a raparee by name and deed
Allow me to recount the tale of a particular raparee, whose identity is known through his actions
His family disposessed and slaughtered, sworn to fight the British breed
His family unjustly stripped of their possessions and massacred, compelling him to swear vengeance against the British oppressors
His name is known in song and story and his deeds are legend still
His name has become legendary, immortalized in songs and tales, forever etched in the collective memory
I tell you now the sorry tale of Young Ned of the Hill
I now relate the tragic narrative of Young Ned of the Hill
You may rob our house and fortune even drive us from the land
Although you may seize our possessions and forcibly evict us from our homeland
But you'll never break our spirit and you'll never understand
Our indomitable spirit shall remain unbroken, and your comprehension of it shall forever elude you
The love of dear old Ireland that will forge an iron will
The deep affection for our beloved Ireland will fortify us with an unwavering determination
As long as there are gallant men like Young Ned of the Hill
For as long as there are brave individuals like Young Ned of the Hill
A scourge to the redcoat soldiers with a price upon his head
A bane to the British redcoat soldiers, with a reward offered for his capture
To tempt a weaker soul to tell where he kept his bed.
To entice a feeble-minded individual to reveal his hiding place
One night as he lay sleepin′ - his head beside his sword -
One fateful night, as he peacefully slumbered, his sword close at hand
Murdered by his cousin Dwyer to claim a coward′s reward.
Betrayed and killed by his own cousin Dwyer, driven by the desire for a dishonorable prize
The day after O'Dwyer had murdered Young Ned in his bed
The very next day after O'Dwyer committed the murder of Young Ned while he slept
He went for his blood money but was jailed himself instead
O'Dwyer sought to collect his blood money but ended up incarcerated instead
For Ned he had been pardoned the very day before
Unbeknownst to O'Dwyer, Ned had received a pardon just a day prior
And a noose upon the gallows was O′Dwyer's just reward.
Consequently, O'Dwyer met his just end on the gallows, his punishment for his treachery
A curse upon you Oliver Cromwell, you who raped our motherland
May a curse be upon you, Oliver Cromwell, for the atrocities you committed against our homeland
I hope you′re rotting down in Hell for the horrors that you sent
May you suffer eternal damnation for the horrific acts you inflicted upon us
To our misfortunate forefathers who you robbed of their birthright
To our ill-fated ancestors, whom you deprived of their rightful inheritance
"To Hell or Connaught!" may you burn in Hell tonight!
"To Hell or Connaught!" May you face damnation this very night!
You may rob our house and fortune, even drive us from the land
Though you may plunder our homes and wealth, and forcibly expel us from our land
But you'll never break our spirit and you'll never understand
Yet, our spirit shall remain unbroken, and comprehension of it shall forever elude you
The love of dear old Ireland that will forge an iron will
The profound love for our cherished Ireland shall mold an unyielding determination within us
As long as there are gallant men like Young Ned Of The Hill
For as long as there exist courageous men akin to Young Ned of the Hill
Writer(s): Jeremy Max Finer, Andrew Ranken, James Fearnley, Shane Mac-gowan, Peter Stacey, Philip Chevron, Darryl Hunt, Terence Woods, Ron Kavana
Contributed by London F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Aponiwe
I CANT believe this performance has so few view, this is just incredibly great
@asn.n.s1868
Outstanding¡.Very good performance.
@McTash100
My favourite Irish song. Best version in my opinion.
@Necropedophile1985
what an excellent version of one of my favorite songs
@Eratosthenes0815
Thanks to Ron for doing this song! - This is one of the songs of my life...
A really well performed version. Thanks for this being online. (Where to get "hi-resolution-version" of this for my "HiFi"@home?- THNX)
@Ken1957100
this makes gettin internet worth while
@yoda5075
My dad's mate from the rising sun Islington brooksby St , use to watch him at the weaver's arms 😊
@jhiken
Ultimate godlike masterpiece! 🤘🤘🙏🙏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@lasrachtech.1341
WOW
@mattiasfaldt1725
so good. erin go bragh <3