THE POOR CLARES are James McCormick (bass), Betsy McGovern (lead vocals, guitar), Justin Murphy (flute, whistles, bodhran), Patrick O'Flaherty (mandolin, harmonica, vocals), Randy Randolph (bodhran, bongos, percussion), Beth Waggoner (bouzouki, vocals, shruti box, cor anglais, doumbek, bones) What the Critics Say….. “We were just passing by and heard your voice, and wanted to come in and see who it was. You’re a breath of fresh air.” Paul McCartney, summer 2002 “I listened to [your CD] and was dazzled and just had to write and tell you that it’s wonderful. I mean really, really wonderful.” Bill Bryson, Author (private correspondence, May 19, 1997) “As far as modern Celtic singers go, she is simply one of the best. When she sings, her voice fills the room with life. Each song lingers in the corners and hovers overhead, filling every space with a warm blend of clear, yet complex vocal styling.” Brenda Lee, Offbeat Magazine, February 2004 “The incomparable Betsy McGovern sings some terrific ballads with her big, full voice and backs it with robust guitar.” (Steve Winick, Dirty Linen Magazine, August/September 1997) “Vocalist Betsy McGovern draws on her impressive folk background in the spinning of her balladry.” (Gambit Weekly, April 25, 2000) “First and foremost, she has a glorious singing voice. Her clear, pure sound harkens back to Judy Collins…serenely beautiful, [she] performs with first-rate vocal ability….McGovern’s taste in songwriters is superb…Betsy’s singing comes straight from the heart.” (Sean O’Meara, OffBeat Magazine, May 1995) “Jazz Fest Great Discovery! With her nightingale voice, McGovern and her band explore the melancholy and exuberance of Irish Folk music.” (Lagniappe/Times-Picayune, May 5, 1995)