Ramblin’ Ringo recalls old pubs

To coincide with the launch of the project, Lisburn busker Ian McPherson, who is better known as ‘Ramblin Ringo’ and is a familiar sight and sound in the city centre, has penned a song entitled ‘The Old Pubs of Lisburn’.

Stephen and Ian came into contact with each other on Twitter and through the power of social media the pair decided to merge their talents on this exciting project.

“In his ‘tweets’, Stephen has been very complimentary about my music, particularly about my song ‘Jack McMaster’,” explained Ian. “On that basis, he recently asked me if I had any songs about Lisburn pubs as he was finishing off a photography project on the subject.

“I didn’t, but the seed was planted and the song sprouted, grew and flowered rather rapidly. On the morning of Friday, August 1st, I had the basic lyrics and tune worked out. That afternoon, using my old Tascam 4-track cassette recorder, I put together a demo. Stephen liked it and it rapidly became relatively popular.

“I have since revised the lyrics and re-recorded the vocals and guitars and added some ‘pub ambience’ sound effects.

“I refrained from mentioning by name any pubs that still exist, though I allude to them in the final verse. ‘The Robin’s Nest’ is the only possible exception as it is still there, but under a new name. There were many more I had to leave out for the sake of brevity. I didn’t want the song to turn into a mere list.”

As well as recording ‘The Old Pubs of Lisburn’ Ian is also joining forces with another Lisburn musician, Candace Cambden at this weekend’s Raceview Fest in Broughshane.

Whilst performing at the festival, Ian will be launching his CD, which includes tracks about another Lisburn stalwart - Jack McMaster - the well known ‘horse-and-cart’ milkman.

You can listen to ‘The Old Pubs of Lisburn’on reverbnation at www.reverbnation.com/ramblingringo.