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about
From the small town of Rosmuc, Ireland comes the story of Maisie Mannion O'Brien - Mother, Grandmother, and joyful light for so many, Kathleen Parks pays tribute to such a powerhouse from her mother's side of the family - a woman who left the beauty and greenery of Ireland not knowing what she was going to find on the shores of America, carrying nothing but her child and a suitcase full of songs, built a family and a life of true treasures from the dirt floor of a basement in New Jersey. First single from the first solo record of Kathleen Parks [powerhouse fiddler and songwriter of Americana artist Twisted Pine] here is Star of the West.
lyrics
Star of the West by Kathleen Parks
I’m a second gen. dreamer of the American quest
Singing songs for fans, friends, and family
But I wouldn’t be here if not for Ireland’s best
Maisie Mannion O’Brien the Star of the West
She left home with her first born at her husband’s insist
Crashing waves made the way more harrowing
After 12 days at sea they saw Liberty’s dress
Welcomie Maisie O’Brien, the Star of the West
They started on the dirt floor of a lonely basement
The stress and the mess was uncanny
But they managed to get out of man’s dirt poor grip
Thanks to Maisie O’Brien, the star of the west
In time there’d be 6 more babies and pets
In the house on Tuers Avenue in Jersey
Cooking dinners, a breadwinner as a mighty waitress
Being Maisie O’Brien the Star of the West
She was quick with hail marys, and no mass was skipped
She loved her Hank Williams and Patsy
And you wouldn’t dare to leave her without a kiss
She was Maisie O’Brien, Star of the West
After 50 long years of Jersey’s old tricks
Her first born moved her out of the city
With dozens of cousins up in Salem, Mass.
All hailed Maisie O’Brien, the Star of the West
Connemara, she cried on the day that she left
And I took to the stars for answering
Emblazoned in orange was a creamsicle bliss
Calling Maisie O’Brien, the Star of the West
Now St. Patty’s she’s coming
Wear the green on your chest
Get your Guiness, Jamo, and Bailey’s
If you sing out a tune, I make one request
Make it Maisie O’Brien’s the Star of the West
credits
released March 15, 2024
Music & Lyrics by Kathleen Parks
Kathleen Parks: Vocal, Guitar, Fiddle
Micah Nicol: Guitar
Chris Sartori: Upright Bass
Arthur Terembula: Banjo
Alex Formento: Pedal Steel
Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Brad Bensko at Bearded Cat Production.
Lead guitarist for Sammy Rae & The Friends, Will Leet is a darling dear friend of mine. He released this epic record in fall of 2022 and I was so fortunate enough to lay down some fiddle this beauty. Kathleen Parks
My duo's record from 2019! Featuring Brad Bensko who is head engineer at Bearded Cat Production in Mystic, CT. Half of the album was recorded there on tape, this album is full of good throwback feels! Kathleen Parks
My band, Twisted Pine. I've been performing, writing, and recording with this band since the very beginning. These are people I love and stay tuned for our upcoming new record in Fall of 2024! Kathleen Parks
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