Michael Banahan: Broken Heart
Musicians:
Michael Banahan – Guitar, Bodhrán, Harmonica, Vocals
Bill Shanley – Guitars, Bass, Bouzouki, Weisenborn, Hammond Organ, Keyboards, Percussion,
We proudly recognise Broken Heart as Michael’s debut album of original music. Based in Roscommon, this talented multi-instrumentalist brings a wealth of experience both onstage and behind the scenes. His previous releases include, Liftin’ of the Latch, Tecumseh Valley, The Baileys (a collection of Irish ballads), and extensive performances across Europe and North America; both as a solo artist and as founding member of critically acclaimed traditional/folk collective Rig The Jig, with whom he recorded five albums. Still, no previous achievement quite captures the personal significance of Broken Heart. To say Michael is proud is an understatement; this album of original work represents a deeply meaningful milestone in his musical journey.
Broken Heart is written by Michael and co-produced with Bill Shanley; one of Ireland’s legendary guitarists & record producers. Broken Heart has been taking shape in Michael’s mind for the past few years, and in 2024, the songs finally arrived, followed closely by the production. Reflecting on the experience, Michael shares: “The process was healing in many ways, and as always, working with Bill on the production was a gentle and positive journey.”
“Congratulations on your new album, Michael. “Broken Heart” is a wonderful collection of soul-baring songs sung with honesty and deep feeling by you and beautifully produced by Bill Shanley.” – Eleanor Shanley
"This is a beautiful collection of songs from Mike, the songwriter, who weaves through the lived experience of love, loss, uncertainty and yearning anchored always by an undercurrent of hope. With sublime production from Bill Shanley this is a gorgeous album that lingers long after the final note." - Mike Hanrahan Dublin 2025
“Eleven songs from a Broken heart, bravely addressed and tenderly told" - Mick Hanly "It's rare and refreshing to hear original and timeless songs recorded to a high quality in this day and age. Michael has managed both on his debut album." - Ultan Conlon
"Outstanding tracks for me are "Winter in the city" and "The Busker" has lovely pictures in it; also "Finding My Own Way back". Great songs." - Charlie McGettigan
Michael Banahan's Broken Heart album launch,
featuring Bill Shanley, takes place in Lis na Carrig, Foxrock, Co. Dublin on December 5.
Audio
Track 1: The Tango
Track 2: Ballad of Mikey Carthy
Track 3: Pollavarddy Dance Hall
Track Listing
- Winter in the City 3.54
- The Tango 2.30
- Ballad of Mikey Carthy 3.48
- Hit the Road. 2.14
- Broken Heart 3.20
- Leaving on Your Mind 3.44
- The Busker. 3.31
- Walking on Eggshells. 2.11
- Finding My Own Way Back. 1.56
- Closing Time. 3.54
- Pollavarddy Dance Hall. 3.52
Michael sings A Song for a Winters Night
Also available from Copperplate
The Baileys: A Song For Ireland
Rig The Jig: Live in Dublin
Press Reviews
R'n'R Magazine Jan/Feb 26
MICHAEL BANAHAN **** Broken Heart (OWN LABEL) www.michaelbanahan.ie
A founder of Rig The Jig, with whom he toured extensively and recorded several albums, and an established interpreter of Irish traditional ballads, this is nonetheless Michael Banahan's first solo album of his own compositions. With a voice like warm velvet — and a particularly beautiful harmonica tone — Banahan accompanies himself on guitar, alongside Bill Shanley and Andrew Holdsworth on everything else, to produce a warm sound that will put its arm round your shoulder when the cold wind's too sharp.
With songs touching on love lost and found, and the daily trials of the down-on-their-luck, this belongs to that deep lineage of country-tinged Irish balladry wearing its heart unashamedly on its sleeve. For some the sentiment of sorts like 'The Busker' may be a little too unvarnished. Equally, however, this is precisely what will draw others to the album. Indeed, the lyrics of 'Leaving On Your Mind' address head-on the fact that sometimes a cliché can be the best thing for the job.
Polished and beautifully performed, Broken Heart is resonant with that curiously comforting melancholy that invites you to sit, listen, and take things a bit easier for a wee while. Oz Hardwick
HOT PRESS 25.11.25. Michael Banahan-Broken Heart
TC1398
Singer-songwriter in reflective mood. 8/10
Ex-member of Rig The Jig, Roscommon-based Michael Banahan can carefully craft and sing highly-personalised songs, which are not only snapshots of the human condition, but depict the broadly downbeat mood of the modern era.
So, the aptly-titled Broken Heart opens with ‘Winter In The City’ and suitable harmonica. It’s a timely, reflective song depicting the miseries of modern city life, with its mix of inclement weather, traffic, bad temper, homelessness and the absence of snowy landscapes. Not exactly your jolly Christmas ditty, though there’s a gleam of optimism amid the heartache.
The soul-baring and partly autobiographical ‘The Tango’ is a country-lite song about the uncertainties of romantic courtship, while ‘Hit The Road’ addresses the exploits of a serial charmer and the freedom his motorbike brings him. ‘The Busker’, meanwhile, is a graphic portrayal of a homeless Dublin singer, delivered in a style that recalls Mike Hanrahan.
Throughout the record, Banahan’s dark, melodic voice is bolstered by mighty musical and production support from the revered Bill Shanley. Together, they’ve created a work of conviction that doesn’t shirk the dark side. Yes, it’s a jungle out there to be sure – but let’s applaud Banahan for having the honesty to remind us that we could be so much better. Jackie Hayden
Folking.Com
Michael Banahan, from Roscommon, is well known in Ireland as a solo singer of traditional music and a member of Rig The Jig but mostly as a promoter and manager. However, Broken Heart is a departure, being his debut album of original material. Michael plays guitar, bodhran and harmonica and is supported by Andrew Holesworth (who also mixed the record) on keyboards, and percussion but mostly by Bill Shanley doing everything else including production. There is a timelessness about the album – I’m tempted to say “old-fashioned” just because it takes me back to the listening of my youth.
The first track, ‘Winter In The City’, paints us a rather gentler picture than Alan Hull did but beneath that veneer is a hard edge that recalls the notion of winter roaring in. ‘The Tango’ suggests a personal story from Michael’s past as does the title track a couple of steps down the road. ‘Ballad Of Mikey Carthy’ is probably a piece of fiction but you can never tell with Irish songwriting. It has a tongue-in-cheek chorus which leads into ‘Hit The Road’, a song that begins with the same chorus, this time as an intro.
‘Leaving On Your Mind’ is another song of lost love but now I’m beginning to wonder how many sad love affairs that Michael has suffered. ‘The Busker’ is an updated take on Mikey Carthy’s story set in an unkind world and I can’t help but think that there is a nugget of truth in this tale. Don’t tell me if I’m wrong, I’d rather cling to my dreams. ‘Walking On Eggshells’ is an almost funky song returning to unhappy love affairs while ‘Find My Own Way Back’ sees Michael coming out the other side.
‘Closing Time’ is a metaphor for regrets and yet another unhappy love affair told with the wisdom of the older man, The final track takes us back to 1935 when “De Valera ruled our land” and from the opening you’re led to thinking that this is about a major historical event down there in County Mayo. In fact, it’s the story of the building of ‘Pollavaddy Dance Hall’ which must have been a big thing back then and it’s great that Michael Banahan has chosen to celebrate it. Take it out of Ireland and it would make a great country and western song.
Broken Heart is a gentle album, mostly of reminicences turned into songs – some wistful, some joyful bur always listenable. Dai Jeffries