A few years ago I heard about a colorful relative of mine,  James "The Rooster" Corcoran, an infamous 19th century, Irish-American gang leader, and colony chief who had arrived in NYC back in the 1840s.  No books existed that mention him directly, only his son Tommy Corcoran gets a mention in the book  Gangs of New York: however, the tabloids of the 1800s had stories that would make your toes curl, belly jostle and mind sparkle.  He was known for his "caustic tongue and ready wit," and often, like most Irish, stereotyped tabloid fodder for the newspapers of the 1800s. Yet when he died at the ripe old age of 82 years he left behind 25,000 dollars, and some fine street horses. 

I began composing songs using these historical documents as primary sources about Corcoran, his wife, daughter and members of his gang (he founded the Rag Gang down in the Five Points). Many of which were hardened criminals of the time. Other historical characters caught my attention too, such as dandy killer Albert E. Hicks whom I found an 1860 broadside about and adapted here for the album.

The songs (ballads) themselves paint a picture that is influenced by traditional Irish and American folks song motifs and melodies. You’ll hear fragments of traditional songs throughout from both sides of the pond. The narrative is not completely linear but it does begin in Corcoran’s place of birth , Balbriggan with ‘ A Man After My Own Heart’ (adapted from a New York Times article of the same title), and then briefly moves to New Orleans (‘Creole Girl’), and then on to the Five Points in New York City. Corcoran soon moves up to 40th street, and is the first to settle a shanty town on a high ridge of ground known as Goat's Hill (‘King Corcoran’). This soon becomes a home for over 100 Irish families newly immigrated.  It’s where the Tudor City is today, and there’s even a Gothic inscription to Corcoran that says, “Here was Corcoran’s Roost till the year 1877.”

There are nine songs in total and musically this album has been one of the longest projects for me, as I’ve spent time learning to play new instruments to me: Irish bouzouki (made specially for the project), chromatic concertina, and dulcimer. I sing all vocals, and added mandolin and some percussion. I was joined by Shane Kerwin (whistle, bodhran), and Sam Harmet (mandolin) and Erica Mancini (accordion). 

This crowdfunder is essentially being used to create a vinyl release of the project, as I feel this album would work in this format.  The monthly time frame is from  Aug 26 to Sept 26, and I hope to make the goal of $2,500. Then the album will go into production and be shipped out before Christmas.

A $20 donation gets you a copy of the album (9 tracks), but feel free to donate more and you can send your friends a gift copy.

Check out the promotional video and feel free to ask questions.

Thanks for the support!

-Vincent