Paul Brady

Paul Brady is an Irish singer, guitarist and songwriter. He made his name in traditional music with The Johnstons, Planxty and Andy Irvine, then turned to writing his own songs, recorded by singers including Tina Turner and Bonnie Raitt.

Career

Brady joined the folk group The Johnstons in 1967, moving with them to London and later New York. In 1974 he returned to Ireland to join Planxty, and from 1976 to 1978 he worked in a duo with Andy Irvine; their 1976 album Andy Irvine/Paul Brady was a success. His first solo album, Welcome Here Kind Stranger (1978), was named Melody Maker's Folk Album of the Year and was his last album of traditional material.

With Hard Station (1981) he turned to pop and rock songwriting. Tina Turner recorded his "Paradise Is Here" in 1986, Bonnie Raitt recorded his songs on Luck of the Draw, and "Nobody Knows" reached No. 5 in Ireland in 1991. The University of Ulster gave him an honorary doctorate in 2009.

Songs to know

• "Arthur McBride" and "The Lakes of Pontchartrain", traditional songs in his versions
• "Crazy Dreams"
• "Nothing but the Same Old Story"
• "The Island"
• "Paradise Is Here"

Selected albums

More Irish music: The Chieftains · Frankie Gavin · the Celtic tradition