The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (album)

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem is the self-titled debut album by the Irish folk group The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. It was released in 1959 on Tradition Records (TLP 1026). The album is significant as one of the first widely distributed recordings to introduce traditional Irish folk songs to a large American audience, helping to ignite the folk music revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The album features a collection of traditional Irish ballads and sea shanties, sung primarily in English with occasional Gaelic verses. The characteristic vocal harmonies and instrumentation, including the Clancy Brothers' signature Aran sweaters and Makem's banjo playing, established a recognizable and influential sound that would define their subsequent recordings and performances. The album includes tracks such as "Brennan on the Moor," "Roddy McCorley," and "The Rattlin' Bog," which became staples of their repertoire. The album's success paved the way for their subsequent recordings and performances, which solidified their place as leading figures in the Irish folk music scene and popular music in general.