Rosie Shipley and Gerry O’Beirne to perform Nov. 3

There will undoubtedly be plenty of sonic magic when Gerry O’Beirne and Rosie Shipley perform two special shows together in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday evening, Nov. 3, 2007.

O’Beirne, that rare singer-songwriter who is also a virtuoso guitarist, and much-admired fiddler Shipley will perform as part of the ongoing Music at the Library concert series.

Born in County Clare – located on Ireland’s music-steeped west coast – O’Beirne grew up in Ireland and Ghana in West Africa, and has since lived in England, California and Mexico. His music is rooted in traditional song craft, but both his songs and instrumental works have a timeless sound that draws comparisons with the early work of Bruce Cockburn, Don McLean and Nils Lofgren.

Songs such as “Darkness Now,” “The Holy Ground” and “Half Moon Bay” (the title track on his solo debut release) are dazzling, and O’Beirne’s poignant lyrics are just as effective.
He is also an incredible instrumentalist, as evidenced by the beautiful “Off the Rocks at Clahane,” which showcases his expressive touch playing a 6-string guitar and melodica.
On “When You’re Gone I Say Your Name,” O’Beirne’s ability to layer his playing of Spanish guitar and steel guitar achieves similarly-enchanting perfection.

O’Beirne has been a touring member or recorded with a number of well-known groups, including Patrick Street, the Sharon Shannon Band, Midnight Well and the Waterboys.
Shipley embarked on her recording career with the release of 2002 CD “At Home,” which teamed her with pianist Matt Mulqueen, as well as with her brothers Peter Shipley (fiddle) and Trevor Shipley (uilleann pipes, flute, whistle). Rosie Shipley is a talented fiddle player, able to lend her four-stringed instrument and bow to wonderful displays on jigs, reels and waltzes.
She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and began taking violin lessons at the mere age of three. By age 8, she was already learning traditional tunes from fiddler Brendan Mulvilhill.
In 2003, she teamed with singer-songwriter Lisa Moscatiello to record a full-length CD titled “Well Kept Secrets,” which blended Shipley’s fiddle playing with Moscatiello’s alto soprano on a collection featuring traditional and contemporary songs from Ireland, Scotland and North America.

Gerry O’Beirne and Rosie Shipley will perform at San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, San Juan Capistrano, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2007.
Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children (12 and under).
Information: 949-493-1752.