John O’Malley

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Singing. Irish songs.
"Macushla," "A Little Bit of Heaven," "Mother Machree" and "Irish Eyes."
A well built, pleasant looking, kindly eyes Irishman strolled out leisurely on the Prospect stage Monday evening and tenored his way through a quartet of Celtic melodies, delivered in a rich Irish dialect that came perilously close to the classification of a "brogue." At his finale, another triumph was partially registered for Musical Ireland for O'Malley "delivered," int every sense of the word, particularly from an artistic and musical standpoint. His selections, while appropriate in a general way, could be greatly improved upon, especially those comprising the first section of his specialty. O'Malley, dressed in his national garb, opened with an Irish ballad rendered in the entrance, followed this with another and then offered "Macushla." He closed with "A Little Bit of Heaven" and "Mother Machree." The two last mentioned earned him an excellent opportunity for the exhibition of his toning and volume. The first song could consistently remain, but "Irish Eyes" and "Macushla" lack the punch for O'Malley. With all due respect to his delivery, they will never bring the desired returns, for in neither number can O'Malley exercise his musical proficiency. One might suggest a "Comallye" in one spot provided O'Malley could pick the proper type. At any rate the turn is apparently still in the experimental period and eventually the principal will adjust his numbers to the best possible advantage. Otherwise O'Malley makes an excellent acquisition for vaudeville.
Source:
Variety, 38:11 (05/14/1915)