The votes are in.

Last week, with a boredom-busting €25 Golden Discs voucher to be won, I asked you to name your favourite music (song or album) to self-isolate to.

You answered in your tens.

But there could only be one winner.

Third place:

James Stephens – O the Brown and the Yellow Ale

Kingfisher writes:

James Stephens, the writer of The Crock of Gold, The Charwoman’s Daughter, The Insurrection in Dublin, and many poems, sings O the Brown and the Yellow Ale, a song about an old man whose young wife is enchanted away from him by a man from another world. Stephens was desolate after The Rising as a result of which one of his closest friends was executed. This song has a spooky and lonely feel that surely expresses his loss. Listen here.

Runner-up:

The Lonesome Touch by Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill

Otis Blue writes:

Martin Hayes says it best…’The Lonesome Touch is a phrase used to describe a person’s music. It is the intangible aspect of music that is both elusive and essential. The word ‘Lonesome’ expresses a sadness, a blue note, a sour note. Even though the music bares the trace of struggle and of pain, it is also the means of uplift, transcendence, to joy and celebration’.

Winner:

Us And Only Us by The Charlatans

Clampers Outside writes:

One of the most underrated albums of rock/indie music there is. From the opening lush swirling sounds and vocals of ‘Forever’ you know you are in for a rhythmic ride. A ride that takes you with it with the most amazing ease through love songs ‘Impossible’ and ‘I Don’t Care Where You Live’ to tracks that’d put a stride on your strut like ‘A House Is Not A Home’ to my own bluesy favourite (if I have to pick just one) ‘Watching You’.It’s an album you can stick on from the start and let run to the end without ever jumping ahead.

Thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s Voucher

Golden Discs

James Stephens portrait: National Gallery of Ireland