Paddy
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Paddy

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF
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"Celebrating the Irish Way of Christmas Dec 2011"

It’s as much fun listening to Paddy Homan talk as it is hearing him sing — and that’s saying a lot. You’ll have a chance to do both when Homan, one of four nominees for an Irish Music Award as best Irish tenor of 2011, performs at Wilmette Theatre on Friday, Dec. 9.

“Have a song in your soul. That’s what life is all about,” Homan said in the melodic brogue of his homeland. It’s obvious the charming tenor lives by that philosophy. He has managed to integrate song into most aspects of his life, including his career as a social worker — more about that later.

Homan is calling his Wilmette Theatre show, “An Irish Christmas.” He is an authority on that subject, having moved from Ireland to Chicago only five years ago.

Customs of Cork

“Growing up in Cork City in Ireland was about living in community,” Homan said. Christmastime there meant, “understanding the small little customs that meant so much, and understanding the beautiful carols that came from my native Cork City and all of Ireland as well.

“I sang a lot with choirs as a boy soprano and I learned all these fabulous songs,” Homan continued. “It was an amazing time to be growing up and to understand the wonder of Christmas. A lot of it goes back to appreciating the people that we have in our lives.”

Two of those people, acclaimed musicians Dennis Cahill (guitar) and Maurice Lennon (viola), will perform with Homan. “Having those two guys playing is going to be phenomenal,” Homan said. “I’ll be singing with them and have an intricate storyline accounting for our days growing up in Ireland but also, as well, on the whole meaning of Christmas.”

One of Homan’s fondest memories of the holiday in Ireland was an annual Christmas service called “Carols by Candlelight.” “Everybody who attended sang together,” he recalled. Homan is bringing that tradition to the Wilmette Theatre. “At different points in our concert,” everybody will sing together,” he said. “We may not get it right but we’ll have a laugh doing it.”

Homan moved to Chicago five years ago to continue his studies. He is currently working on a master’s degree at DePaul University, where he is studying ways of integrating music and social work into philanthropy. He also works full-time as a social worker for Lutheran Life Communities’ Gero Solutions division. In that capacity, Homan trains caregivers to work with seniors.

Finding songs

“I am so lucky to have the opportunity to bring music into my work,” he said. “I think it is important to understand your own song in life. What we try to do in our work is to engage with people and find their song. The moment that we hear their story, we try to think of how to involve music.

“I visit a lot of people and I sing to them,” Homan said. “It’s fabulous to intersect with people through music. Music isn’t just about singing, it’s about the silences in-between.”

Homan spoke of one client with Alzheimer’s who awoke every morning thinking he was in the south of France. “He said ‘bonjour,’?” Homan related. “We trained our caregivers to say back ‘bonjour,’ and we played French Riviera music.”

Despite his busy work and school schedule, Homan performs frequently, particularly during the summer when he appears at many major festivals and, of course, in March. In addition, Homan appears weekly at Galway Arms on north Clark Street in Chicago.

“We like to say at the Galway Arms, ‘You come as a stranger and leave as a friend,’?” Homan said. That’s sure to be true at Homan’s Wilmette Theatre show, too! - Chicago Pioneer Press


"Margeson on the music May 2011"

MALE NEWCOMER OF THE DECADE
Paddy Homan burst onto the Irish music scene in the late 2000’s. His first, self-titled album redefined what it means to be an “Irish tenor.” When we think of an Irish tenor, we think of some lad in a tuxedo and patent leather shoes on a concert stage. Paddy is more comfortable in a shirt and slacks. But, the voice. A gift from God. Paddy has done his homework, all right. He knows the music, he knows the songs. But good Lord, does he know how to sing them! Paddy Homan is the best male Irish singer we have ever heard. We said that when his album first came out, and we say it still. It is really no “choice” at all. Like Jimmy Keane, anyone who hears Paddy says, “Sure, he’s the best, I mean…he’s the best.” He’s a great guy, and all the rest. But what he really is, is a provocateur of the soul. It is as if God said, “I guess after all these centuries, I’ll make the perfect Irish voice.” That’s Paddy. Perfect. - Live Ireland Music Best of the Decade 2000 -2010


"Margeson on Music - Dec 2009"

Margeson on the music December 09 News Update

A quick note---next month is The Livies. They are our annual Awards for the best of the best for 2009. Don't miss them! No Awards are seen and heard worldwide so quickly, and by so many people!!!! Now as to the reviews:.........

But, Paddy Homan is the deal. Complete. I hesitate to say the next bit. He is a tenor. Stop. Don’t roll your eyes. Everyone--and I do mean everyone—says the same thing. “I don’t like Irish tenors-----but Paddy is not an Irish tenor.” Well---yes he is. But that is like saying Secretariat was simply a horse. This Cork native is no patent leather shoe, tuxedo-wearing poseur. We are all, all sick of the guys screaming out nasal tenor voices improperly placed in the glottal area and too high in the throat. You know exactly the type I’m talking about. You’ve heard them. And, they seem to be rapidly breeding and reproducing. Get a dart gun.

Then comes Homan. The album is self-titled. Recorded at the growingly important studio of Dennis Cahill. As stated, Paddy is originally from Cork. Wait. Let’s look at it this way. Check out this list of accompanying musicians---Jimmy Keane on accordion, Dennis Cahill on guitar, Maurice Lennon on fiddle, John Williams on button box, Jimmy Moore on four different instruments, Kathleen Keane on fiddle and whistle and Pat Broaders on bouzouki. Incredible musicians, but here is the point. These musicians get asked constantly to work on albums. They can pick and choose at this level. And, they are all on this album, supporting this singer.
The voice. Oh, the voice. Clear as a bell, and a gift from heaven. Now, we hear Paddy has had formal voice training, but he fortunately has taken the best of the formal stuff and left the other squealy nonsense behind. Oh, the voice. The recent album launches also offered Jimmy Keane, Dennis Cahill and Maurice Lennon accompanying. I have never been at better sessions. I kept thinking I’d eagerly pay $50 or more for this ticket, and all it took to be was the purchase of a pint of Smithwick’s!!

Nobody sings like this, and nobody sounds like this. The voice never, ever grates. The range is stunning. The interpretation is perfect. This is the whole, total complete deal wrapped up in one voice, one talent. I suspect Paddy Homan is going to get very famous, and I hope very rich. You read about him here first, and radio show partner Mary Ann Keifer and I were thrilled to offer the world premiere of his album on our Monday night program a few weeks ago. I know you can get the album online. goggle his name and get to his site. Now, stop sitting there. Get this. I warned you at the start of this column—but here it comes---this is history in the making. The day you bought Paddy Homan’s first album. In a world of lunacy and junk, there is this voice. And, it sings to every one of us, reminding us all of what could and should be. Get up. Get it. Good Lord, this is a new level. I warned you. Rating: Four Harps—oh, hell---throw away the Harps rating, there aren’t enough Harps! Paddy, you are THE boyo!!
- Irish Music Magazine, American Public Radio & Live Ireland.com


Discography

Paddy Homan- Dec 2009

Far From The Land - 2005

Photos

Bio

Hailing from County Cork, Paddy Homan isn’t just another name on the list of Ireland’s gifted tenors; he is a natural, elevating traditional Irish songs to new heights. A born entertainer, Paddy adds a layer of warmth and familiarity to his performances, bringing the audience not just closer to the music, but welcomes them into a unique Irish experience. Paddy’s quick-witted, Cork humor and spontaneity on the stage gave birth to the nickname Paddy 'The Show-Man- Homan'. He has earned his place beside a wide variety of talented musicians who are recognized as the best in the business. Paddy doesn’t just create an atmosphere of beautiful music, but rather, crafts an authentic real Irish experience."