Ireland Concerts
Christy Moore plays Athlone
Yes folks, the legend himself came to the Athlone Radisson Hotel last week. He joked that the last gig was in the Dean Crowe theatre and the one before that in the old Ritz Cinema (demolished years ago, that was).
If you’re asking who Christy Moore is, you need to go here.
Rumours are already circulating that this concert was one of his best ever.
Date: May 15th, 2007 |
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Robert Blake plays the Shack in Athlone
Excuse me - Robert Sarazin Blake (those cursed tabloids!).
You’ll remember my recent post on Robert Blake’s Bog Lane show, but Mr Blake is 2/3 of the way through his Irish tour at this point and conducted a very well-received show at the Shack Pub in Athlone this past Saturday.
I managed to get some video of the concert’s beginnings, but forgot an extra tape, so ran out before Mr Blake got deep into his set. I did, however, manage to capture some fine performances by opening acts My Fallen Empire, Fergal Cox and, my humble self played a few songs as half of Kerbside. I’ll see if I can get a chance to edit something out of it and post it here later this week as a video blog.
Date: April 24th, 2007 |
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Robert Sarazin Blake in Ballymahon
Hailing from the most northwest corner of the most northwest city in the most northwest state in the lower 48 United States, he comes once, maaaybe twice a year to Ireland: a troubadour lugging a massive, but necessarily rugged, white flight case for his guitar. He carries one set of clothes - slacks, shirt, vest, shoes and hat. Sometimes he keeps an extra vest with him.
Scorning busses and trains, he mostly hitchhikes from gig to gig across Ireland. He carries no mobile phone, books no hotel room. Just when the crowd is restless at the club he’s playing that night, just when it’s 3 minutes before he’s due onstage, just when you think he’s not going to make it this time . . . he arrives, hefting his flight case from the depths of a samaritan’s car boot, bright smile splitting his black-bearded face wide.
This time he comes equipped with a new album and a new name: Robert Sarazin Blake.
Why the change? In his words:
Date: April 14th, 2007 |
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Moonshine in Ballymahon
“We call it ‘old-timey’ music . . . although I suppose it’s pretty new compared to the Irish stuff.” Thusly did Moonshine introduce its style of americana-meets-trad-and-bluegrass to a small audience last Saturday.
Moonshine is the latest outfit of former Sweeney’s Men and Planxty musician, Johnny Moynihan. This legend of Irish music finds himself if talented company as evidenced by his new trio’s performance this weekend in Ballymahon’s Bog Lane Theatre. The concert was another one of of No Ego’s surprising shows.
Surprising, you may ask? Well, getting people and groups that usually play to thousands to appear in an intimate 68-seat theatre in the country is an amazing feat that No Ego has been pulling off for the last 6 months, starting with the Damien Dempsey concert last year.
Date: February 6th, 2007 |
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Sofa King Cool
This band has the best name of any rock band ever. I just simply can’t believe no one has used it before. Sofa King Cool is the name - and if you don’t get the joke yet . . . well, what can I say.
Date: November 13th, 2006 |
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2007 Midland Songwriter Night
So everyone wants to know how the songwriter night went. I believe the evening was a great success. Here’s what my day was like:
6am: the munchkin is awake early and her cries sound . . . different. As I lift her from the cot I can’t help but notice she feels hot to the touch. A quick thermometer reading later - sure enough, she has a 102-degree temperature. The poor little thing just about inhales a sippy cup of apple juice and then gives way to some listless cuddling - not at all like her normally active self.
The next couple of hours are spent on the phone with the nurse and contemplating the munchkin’s behavior to determine whether this particular illness requires medical intervention. Some packing and preparation for the concert occurs.
Date: May 1st, 2007 |
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David Kitt in Ballymahon
I must be just about the only person in Ireland who didn’t know who David Kitt was. At least, I was until last Wednesday when he played two shows in Ballymahon, the first solo in The Bog Lane and the second with more instruments in Cooney’s Hotel.
I was there as a sound tech and really, having no idea who David Kitt was, had absolutely no idea what to expect. I did run into him in the jax while we were setting up and he seemed a quiet, affable sort of guy. An hour or so later I encountered the zeal and excitement of the folks waiting outside for the two sold-out concerts. Robert Blake opened in the Bog Lane with his dynamic, energetic performance. Primed from the fabulous opener, I was eager to see what Kitt was like.
Date: April 15th, 2007 |
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Gareth Pearson plays Athlone
So there it was, Valentine’s Day and wifey a couple of thousand miles away.
Not to fear, faithful readers, I was there, pint in hand, in good company among the other bachelors at the Gareth Pearson concert in the Palace Loft.
Gareth Pearson? You may ask. You may. Let me put it this way: 17 years of age, Tommy Emmanuel’s signature there just above the soundhole, Gareth hails from Wales (I’ve always wanted to say that) and can reach into his bag of tricks for anything from Chet Atkins to Leo Kottke and all your Jerry Reed in between.
Did I mention he writes his own stuff as well? For feck’s sake, folks, the word is “prodigy.” Everyone is probably asking “What’s this kid going to be like in 20 years if he’s playing like this now?” I think that’s missing the point.
Date: February 16th, 2007 |
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Johnny Cash’s legend lives on in Ireland
One of the things that caught me by surprise when we moved to Ireland was the Irish predilection for country music. I mean, there are American country music format radio stations in this country. There is even a subcategory of the genre called Irish country which features a number of very Irish bands singing in not-so-very Tennessee accents.
In any case, almost every red-blooded Irish person - country fan or not - loves Johnny Cash. The man in black may no longer be with us, but his music is . . .
. . . and last night his guitarist was too.
Bob Wootton, Johnny Cash’s guitarist of 30 years, put in an appearance in Moate’s Grand Hotel last night. His set consisted of the unmistakable telecaster twang and a surprisingly apt vocal treatment of the Johnny Cash canon, especially on his first song, Folsom Prison Blues
Date: November 24th, 2006 |
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Roisin Dubh
It was a wet one last night.
At the end of the slick roads we drove last night was Galway and The Roisin Dubh. It being our first time playing this prestigious venue we didn’t really know what to expect. Truth be told , the last time I’d stopped in at the Roisin Dubh was years ago - and my, has the place changed.
The cozy little bar I remember has been changed significantly. Downstairs toward the back and through double doors there is now a huge club-style stage and bar area. We were playing upstairs and shlepped the gear up a couple flights of stairs into the new upstairs bar. It was a cozy little area with a large rooftop beer garden opening up just down the hallway. The garden was a blessing and a curse in that every smoker downstairs stopped by; some lingered attentively, others raised their voices to continue their conversation despite the ongoing performance.
Date: October 11th, 2006 |
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