Dáithí Sproule facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daithí Sproule
|
|
|---|---|
Dáithí Sproule in concert
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 23 May 1950 |
| Origin | Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Irish traditional, folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, record producer |
| Years active | 1968–present |
Dáithí Sproule (born May 23, 1950) is a talented guitarist and singer. He is famous for playing traditional Irish music. He is also the grandson of Frank Carney, who was a politician, and the uncle of singer Claire Sproule.
Contents
His Musical Journey
Early Life and Music
Dáithí Sproule grew up in Derry, Northern Ireland. When he was 18, he moved to Dublin to go to university. As a teenager, he loved listening to different kinds of music. This included artists like Bob Dylan and the Beatles. He also enjoyed British folk songs and traditional Irish music.
While in Dublin, he became part of the lively music scene there. He had met the Ó Domhnaill family during trips to Rann na Feirste. This is a Gaeltacht area in County Donegal, where people speak Irish. In Dublin, they formed a band called Skara Brae. This group had a big impact on Irish traditional music.
Guitar Style and Altan
Sproule is very well known for his guitar playing. He was one of the first guitarists to use a special guitar tuning called DADGAD for Irish music. This tuning was first used by Davy Graham. Dáithí Sproule said that DADGAD tuning "just seemed to instantly gel with Irish music." It helped him play along with other musicians easily.
In 1992, he joined the famous Irish band Altan. A "supergroup" is a band made up of musicians who are already well-known. With Altan, he sings and plays guitar. Many people in the music world see him as a very important person in Irish music.
Teaching and Other Projects
Besides Altan, Dáithí Sproule is part of other bands too. He has also released his own solo albums. He enjoys teaching others how to play guitar using the DADGAD tuning. He also teaches traditional songs. He does this at the Center for Irish Music in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Music He Has Made
Dáithí Sproule has released many albums, both on his own and with different groups.
Solo Albums
- The Crow in the Sun (2007)
- Lost River, Vol. 1 (2011)
- A Heart Made of Glass (1995)
With Altan
Other Bands and Collaborations
He has played with many other talented musicians and bands. Some of these include:
- Bright and Early (with Paddy O'Brien and Nathan Gourley)
- From Uig to Duluth (with Laura MacKenzie and Andrea Stern)
- The Pinery (with Laura MacKenzie)
- Seanchairde (with Tara Bingham and Dermy Diamond)
- Fingal (with Randal Bays and James Keane)
- Snug in the Blanket (with Jamie Gans and Paddy O'Brien)
- Overland (with Randal Bays)
- Trian (with Liz Carroll and Billy McComiskey)
- Stranger at the Gate (with Paddy O'Brien)
- The Iron Man (with Tommy Peoples)
- Carousel (with Seamus and Manus McGuire)
- Spring in the Air (with James Kelly and Paddy O'Brien)
- Is it Yourself? (with James Kelly and Paddy O'Brien)
- Skara Brae (their album Skara Brae)
Guest Appearances
Dáithí Sproule has also been a guest musician on albums by many other artists, including:
- Dolly Parton (on Little Sparrow and Heartsongs)
- The Chieftains (on The Essential Chieftains and Water from the Well)
- Liz Carroll (on Lost in the Loop and Liz Carroll)
- The Proclaimers (on Persevere)
- Peter Ostroushko (on Blue Mesa, The Streets of My Old Neighborhood, and Sluz Duz Music)
