The London Lasses will be launching their 25th Anniversary Album LL25 over four dates in Ireland.

Featuring all new material and including both past and present band members, LL25 celebrates the band’s musical journey over the past quarter-century and showcases the powerfully traditional signature sound which they´ve become known for. The album spans four centuries of Irish music, from ‘Planxty Thomas Burke’ penned by the harper-composer Carolan (1670-1738), to newly composed tunes by concertina player Edel Fox, flute player Tommy Fitzharris and harper Michael Rooney. Captivatingly sung by vocalist Bróna McVittie, the album´s four songs include the beautiful Bánchnoic Éireann Ó (The Fair Hills of Ireland)´, a song in praise of Ireland dating from the 1700s.

The London Lasses will be launching LL25 with four special dates in Ireland this summer:

Thursday 1st June - Matt Molloy´s, Westport (Co. Mayo)

Friday 2nd June - The Dock, Carrick on Shannon (Co. Leitrim)

Saturday 3rd June - An Taibhdhearc, Galway (Co. Galway)

Sunday 30th July - Fiddler´s Green Festival, Rostrevor (Co. Down).

“There is great life and energy in the music from start to finish and it’s wonderful to see past members joining the current group for this celebratory recording.” Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha, Head of Music, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

LL25 is a celebration of both the close-knit group of musicians who have been part of the Lasses’ story so far, and the long history of traditional Irish music in London, a rich cultural heritage which they are extremely proud to be part of. As band leader Karen Ryan, Director of the annual Return to London Town Festival and one of the leading lights of traditional Irish music in London, says:

“This album is one that’s very close to my heart. It brings together 16 wonderful musicians and brings back a lifetime’s worth of musical memories and friendships.”

Since first getting together for an informal tour of the US in 1997, The London Lasses have performed at some of the biggest festivals and venues in the world including the Royal Albert Hall in London (where they played the first ever BBC Proms céilí), Cambridge Folk Festival, Dublin City Hall, the Concertgebouw, Philadelphia Irish Festival and Glastonbury.

From mellifluous vocals to lively instrumentals, The London Lasses invite you to join them on this special musical journey and experience the beauty and richness of traditional Irish music!

Track list
01. JIGS: Caves of Kiltannon, The New Home, The Clare Shout
02. REELS: Dandy Dinny Cronin, Moving In Old Decency, Ballintore Fancy, Over The Bridge To Peggy
03. SONG: Rathfriland on the Hill
04. Planxty Thomas Burke
05. JIGS, REELS: The Woods of Caolrua, Dancing Eyes, The Crock of Gold, The White Fairy
06. SONG: Bánchnoic Éireann Ó
07. MARCHES: Jamesy Gannon’s, Triumphal March
08. REELS: The Leitrim Rover, The Punchbowl
09. SONG: The Blackbird of Mullaghmore
10: BARNDANCE, REEL: Peach Blossoms, The Sunny Banks
11. SLIP JIGS: Séamus Connolly’s Favourite, Gort Na Móna, The Night Before Larry Was Stretched
12. REELS: Martin Wynne’s No. 4, The Curlew, Nana Jo’s
13. SONG: Sweet Portaferry
14. REELS: The Culfadda, Farewell to London, Rossmore Jetty

CICD210 (LoLa Records in association with Cló Iar-Chonnacht)

• Buy LL25 as a CD or Digital Album on Bandcamp
• The London Lasses on Facebook.
• londonlasses.net