Green Suede Shoes: An Irish-American Odyssey

This was the best musical autobiography I've ever read. Larry Kirwan's songs are all stories set to music, often humorous, sometimes heartbreaking. His way with words translates well to prose and his stories are imparted with the same measure of humor and emotion one familiar with his songs might expect. He is an easily relatable author, as he is in face-to-face conversation. I met Kirwan briefly...VERY briefly...in 1996 when I bought a Black 47 CD from him at an Irish festival. Ten years later, I spoke briefly to him again, buying another CD at another Irish festival. Twelve years later...last year...I saw him perform solo. As he stood on the stage tuning his guitar, he looked out into the pre-show audience. Our eyes met and he gave me one of those reverse nods...a quick uptick of the chin that is generally reserved as a sign of recognition. When he finished tuning, I went over to the merchandise table and bought this book. When I handed it to him so he could autograph it, he smiled and said, “We've met before...”