Today’s “Albums That Changed the World” focuses on artists and recordings that influenced the West Michigan frontman for Irish folk favorite the Conklin Ceili Band, from folk to rock to Celtic classics.
‘Singer of Songs and Stories’: Mick Lane (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for West Michigan singer and guitarist Mic Lane. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Mick Lane describes himself as “a singer of songs and stories.”
A listen to clips online confirms this as a pretty accurate description. Part musician, part labor supporter and organizer, and all Irish, the West Michigan guitarist and singer lends his voice and his music to shows, festivals and efforts to promote diversity, unions and other such causes.
Lane says it’s all derived from his upbringing. “I come from a background as an Irish-American, the culture, the identity. Music played a big role from my earliest time,” he says.
Mick Lane (Photo/Local Spins)
The 73-year-old says that music was an eclectic mix, dating back as far as Bill Haley & The Comets and other early rock ‘n’ rollers, along with the music of the ’60s, from the folk sounds of Bob Dylan and others, to the rock emanating from the British Isles.
“The late ’60s and early ’70s was the most amazing time in rock and folk. There was such a blending,” he says, pointing to everything from the Left Banke’s baroque rock to Procol Harum’s melding of progressive rock, psychedelia, classical and blues.
At the same time, he was embracing his Irish roots. “What ties it all in is … Irish music. What I am is an Irish-American folk musician. It’s the music of the (Irish) diaspora.”
That’s led him to the Conklin Ceili Band, which describes itself as “an Irish-American folk band, playing the songs of our ancestors.” The band — which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary — has long performed at numerous Irish festivals around the region as well as other shows, mixing jigs and reels, songs and stories.
1. Peter, Paul and Mary, “Peter, Paul and Mary” (1962) – I was 11 or 12. A neighbor took me and her three boys to a (Peter, Paul and Mary) concert at the Civic Auditorium (in Grandd Rapids). It was my first concert ever. The music just grabbed me. “If I Had a Hammer,” “Freight Train,” kind of folksy songs. I saved my nickels and dimes and bought my first (record). It was music with a message. I fell in love with the idea of entertaining and getting a message across.
Listen: “If I Had a Hammer”
2. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, “A Spontaneous Performance Recording!” (1961) – I heard Irish music on “Ed Sullivan” (the TV show). My grandma had it (this record). That tied me into Irish music, but was folk. Pete Seeger played banjo on it. I played with him. Later on he became a good friend.
Listen: “The Moonshiner”
3. Buffalo Springfield, “Buffalo Springfield Again” (1967) – The idea of folk-rock came to me. It was retro, like on “Broken Arrow.” “Bluebird” – my buddy and I tried to figure out how the hell to play it. “For What It’s Worth” (from the band’s first album), “I Am A Child” (from the band’s third and last album) – those things drove me a lot to use music to get a message across. Buffalo Springfield amazed me. The Byrds were inspirational, too.
Listen: “Broken Arrow”
Currently Loving: Joe Jencks/Brother Sun, “Lady of the Harbor” (originally released 2013 by Brother Sun) – Now I’ve fallen in love with the voice of Joe Jencks. He was in Brother Sun. He sang a song called “The Lady of the Harbor.” It’s very slow: “From far away, and distant lands, The tempest-tossed with hopeful hearts and calloused hands, And she welcomes them with open arms.” Then he relates it to himself. “We’ve forgotten we all came here to sing the same song.” Irish kids – that’s our story 100 years ago. Look at the discrimination against Germans after World War I. (He then compares it to those same ethnicities today discriminating against others.) I’m from the school of singing great stories. People say I ought to write songs, but I can reinterpret them.
Listen: “Lady of the Harbour”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Mick Lane’s Playlist on Spotify
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
