Constant delight on Constant Sorrow release.

This compilation is A 'Must have' for Folk appreciators, enthusiasts and general music lovers.

Lets go back to a time when Brother acts were immensely important among the roots of bluegrass. And to recordings that featured the most intricate musical interplay and vocal harmonies ever heard. 

As a direct result of the enormous growth of the recording industry in America in the 1920s and 1930s, many rural markets were exploited by the early phonograph companies. It was out of this music that bluegrass evolved. 

And artists such as:

The Stanley Brothers (Ralph and Carter) formed their Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946 in emulation of Monroe’s new Blue Grass Boys. The brothers’ legacy has been acknowledged by Emmylou Harris, and Ralph continues to inspire at the age of 83, reaching a whole new audience through his involvement with the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Charmingly known as “Old Time Music” or just “Old Timey”, the hillbilly precursor of bluegrass did indeed have a long history stretching back across the Atlantic to the pre-record folk music of Britain and Victorian parlour songs

This marvelous cd includes:  Uncle Dave Macon, Mainer's Mountaineers, The Delmore Brothers, The Carlisle Brothers, Roy Hall’s Blue Ridge Entertainers, Jimmie Skinner, The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, Jim Eanes & The Shenandoah Valley Boys, Mac Wiseman, The McCormick Brothers, Joe Maphis and Jimmy Martin. Classic bluegrass numbers include “I'm A Man Of Constant Sorrow”, “Footprints In The Snow”, “Orange Blossom Special”, “I'll Fly Away”, “Angel Band” and “Feudin' Banjos”-

May oh May what gal: Imelda May

Is there any thing bad one can say about this lady? no. She deserves every last bit of success she gets.

Since releasing her debut album 'Love Tattoo' in 2008,  to say that things have taken off for Liberties lady Imelda May would be the understatement of the year.  Platinum sales, Sold out shows and performing to a crowd loving Electric Picnic and alongside Jeff Beck at the Grammys in the intervening two years, Imelda is now on the cusp of stardom. And rightly so.

With the routinely back stories of paying ones dues while slumming it in pubs and bars of all shapes and sizes, Imelda May has been described as a lounge singer with a difference, but here is a MEGA STAR in the making. 

Joined by a superbly brilliant, flawlessly talented band, of snappy basslines, roaring Guitar licks and smooth as a thump in the night drum lines, Imelda may is not so much a solo act - more a part of something that only happens in certain musical lifetimes. 

LEGEND.

Mixing 1950s rock and roll influences with country western vibes, Imelda and band echo the 50's and 60's atmosphere of dance till you drop and can't stop, and in times like this, its just what the doctor ordered.

That there is nothing truly original in this music is a fair enough equation, but with all the right ingredients, and looks to match, Imelda May will surely rise and rise, we all need a little 1950's- and who better to reintroduce it that Lady Cool herself. Word of advice, you have GOT TO SEE HER LIVE SHOW- the best gig I have seen all year, was at Electric Picnic. A very proud to be Irish Moment.  www.imeldamay.com

if you haven't bought her latest album yet: you better get a move on:
here is her latest single: Mayhem

McEvoy back in ernest with superb album

Almost twenty years since that faithful day when Eleanor McEvoy was found by Tom Zutaut A & R from Geffen Records, who had previously signed Guns & Roses, Motley Crew, and Edie Brickell, and offered McEvoy a worldwide recording deal after watching her perform at The Baggot Inn in Dublin. The same week McEvoy also found out that her song ‘A Woman’s Heart’ was to feature on a compilation album of irish female artists, this launching her into the eyes and ears of many a House wife and Mammy the world over. Love that or hate it, McEvoy though, even then, always seemed more relevant than many of her counterparts on the album. And today, she is still focusing hard on music and in her eight studio album I think its safe to say that she is trying to remove the footprint that Womans Heart laid out, and imprinting the fact that she is so much more that the winsome song that helped in catapulting her into the spot light. 

Eleanor McEvoy- hones in her unique craft on this latest release.

Armed with a unique ability of writing songs with memorable melodies and honest lyrics. Her new album ‘I’d Rather Go Blonde’ is a slow burning triumph. The first single from the album ‘Look Like Me’ is an upbeat track with minimalist production and is about being yourself and conforming to what others think, pretty much summing up this acts musical stance and attitude.

It has the typical religious references on ‘Deliver Me’ as 'Precious Little' had way back, but on Deliver Me, it appears more outright and honest. True. A statement more so than a remark. Here we see a more mature attitude.

One of the endearing things about Eleanor McEvoy is that throughout her career she has never tried to change her vocal style, letting her accent comes across- however this may hinder or alienate higher levels that this album might reach. With so many artists singing outside their vernacular in order to get hopes in of TV/Film Placements. So perhaps a more acutely tuned resistance in this would have helped the cause a little.  As the album boasts incredible melody and vocals throughout. Some which would fit finely on Tv.

At the end of the day, McEvoy is a real and relevant artist. Who shudders under the limelight and almost refuses the glare. But I fear that in todays market place, she needs to glimmer a little more. Having said that it would defy the whole concept of the current album.

A close encounter with McEvoy will show you what she is made of: 

Oct 8th , She plays an intimate solo show in the Sugar Club.

www.eleanormcevoy.com

Brilliant band alert! JS+TC

The mighty Creatures that be: JS+TC

With their stunning debut DINOSAUR released to critical acclaim earlier this year, Its safe to say that the Belfast foursome have put their stamp on the Irish music scene. 

Earlier this year the Northern Irish Tourist Board launched a phase of TV adverts that featured the bands’ single (from their debut album Dinosuar) tilted Long May You Reign as the title music on the advert. From statistics, the Advert has been the most successful Tv advert they have had on the NITB, so the band were asked to go back into the studio last month to record a new version of the powerful song, for the more laid back Autumn/Winter season. Now, there is a completely new advert being aired, which you will see on a telly near you now. There is a 10 second, 30 second and 60 second version. There is also a 60 second radio advert which will feature an instrumental version. They will all feature a newly arranged and recorded version of Long May You Reign.

So far this year, they performed the song live, to over 20,000 spectators in the RDS arena, and just supported legendary act The Saw Doctors. Their last single ‘KILLER’ was performed live across a number of TV shows including Dave Fanning's 11th Hour, BBC2’s Imeall Gael & on an official live web stream on Muzu.TV featuring JEDWARD (yes Jedward!) as the bands backing dancers. Which shows that here is a band who are willing, able and ready for anything. The right sort of band. 

On the lead up to their Debut album launch they performed on Ireland’s biggest and most well known TV show: THE LATE LATE SHOW. 

Video of the week is the very song that put them on the map of brilliant bands to come out of Ireland:

WORD OF ADVICE_ SEE THEM LIVE- THEY ARE SIMPLY. IN ONE WORD: BRILLIANT.

Links to the Band:

Website: www.johnshellyandthecreatures.com

KATE WALSH- hidden treasure

Walsh adopts a safe mode for this album.

This has been sitting looking pretty on my desk under list of things to listen to the past few weeks. Peppermint Radio is the 4th album from artist Kate Walsh. The album consists of 11 covers of songs from UK artists that have influenced Walsh over the course of her career which has spanned almost a decade and during which she became the only unsigned artist ever to have had an iTunes No.1 Album in the UK or the US. ( impressive- yes!)

Walsh has also had her songs issued as back ground music on the likes of Grey’s Anatomy and in the 2008 films Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and The Crew.  (double up on the impressive list again! ) She is also no stranger to us here on these isles, with National Irish television shows such as Other Voices and The Late Late Show and has toured with Richard Hawley, Turin Brakes, Paulo Nutini, Josh Ritter, Mick Flannery and has in the past few months played 6 sold out shows at the Royal Albert Hall with Mark Knopfler. You may have been hearing her a lot on Irish Radio lately, with her stunning delicate version of A Little Respect gracing the airwaves on TodayFm, RTe and a few other stations. *which is what stuck me on the back of the head to pick the cd up and give it a whirl*

The album is incredibly ambitious and elegantly compiled: with covers from bands like The Cure, Blur, Duran Duran and The Eurythmics. The first single from the album is a cover of Erasure’s A Little Respect. Walsh makes her own, you either like it or not, I have read mixed reviews, but I like it, especially on a day like this, when the rain is pelting down the window, so its nice to have an alternative version to suit the season.

The only criticism about the album, is that I thought it needed a bit more variety in the arrangements. Walsh has played it carefully safe all the way through.  The songs all follow a very similar/simple formula of piano intro followed by soft vocals leading to a crescendo with bare minimum incorporation of other instruments. 


But for what its worth, she could sing the alphabet and I'd still listen, a rare voice of beauty.

Track Listing

1. Subterranean Homesick Alien (Radiohead)

2. When Love Breaks Down (Prefab Sprout)

3. Unbelievable (EMF)

4. Lullaby (The Cure)

5. Beetlebum (Blur)

6. A Little Respect (Erasure)

7. Move Any Mountain (The Shamen)

8. Who’s That Girl (The Eurythmics)

9. Save A Prayer (Duran Duran)

10. Feeling Oblivion (Turin Brakes)

11. Monochrome (The Sundays)

Scissor Sisters: Night Work review.

Scissor Sisters: Night Work

The New York pop group return with their third album of 70s and 80s inspired glam disco music. and whats it like??? It’s unadulterated frivolous fun! flamboyantly delicious and tasty!

Made up of dance/pop tunes, funky baselines, disco strings and high pitched vocals and perfectly blended harmonies; they are in top form here. Its mostly all about sex, but is so shamelessly flamboyant and outrageously camp, that is utterly excusable. And it is after all, The Scissor Sisters.

Vastly known for their annoying irritating formulas and progressions, the band don’t mess around too much on this record. The stand out track for me is ‘Skin This Cat’. In its entirety, it’s a disco filled affair. 

Follow the movement....

THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT- RIDING ON THE CREST OF A BIG WAVE

Remember this line.....
Hot Tramp..I mean God Damn....
as you will probably hear it a lot.

I came across this band when DJ friend of mine told me to check them out remarking about how their manager smiled at him whilst handing him the cd saying 'wait till you hear these lads- they are gonna be huge', saying they were like an Irish Kings of Leon with balls like the Rolling Stones...now on that remark I could not resist the temptation to have a listen myself...and low and behold, they are. And yes they do pull it off. I even went to see their live show in Whelan's last Friday night and to my utter pleasure the place was packed, the feet were a stomping and the lads were basking in their glory. I felt like I was transported back to the woodstock era- it was truly EPIC.


They are a band on an imminent RISE to glory, and in the past few weeks things have only got better, as the band appeared on the likes of MUZU.TV live stream and numerous Radio stations. (I loved their session on Dublin's Country Mix, caught it on the way to work and thought I turned the wrong dial, when I heard Mal's gritty vocals projecting from the speaker, I don't think the dj saw that coming!)  


They are: 


The Riptide Movement (or T.R.M. to their loyal followers) , who are a Rock/Folk/Roots music act, have had a succession of hit singles in the Official Irish charts since forming in 2006. Though I can't say I have heard any of these Chart songs??? but none of that matters now... what matters is that I have found them and want to be their mate.

Rip Roaring guitar lead lines, romping bass lines, thumping drums and Mal’s gritty vocals all lend to this exciting old stock song. The chorus is addictive, with all the lads belting it out “She’s a hot tramp I mean.... God damn!" you just naturally sing-a-long.

If it’s only a sample of what the new album promises, I can’t wait to hear the rest!

Check out their sizzling HOT video for their latest single:

TOP NOTCH VIDEO:::: Carosel- Star

Paris based Irish indie-pop duo Carosel (married couple Michelle Phelan and Pete McGrane) release their new EP Star early next year...I got a sneaky peak this week....at the title track...

The title track Star is an upbeat track resonant of Lily Allen and sparks a definite sound change for the duo- but in a good way- POP is the way to go. Phelan's voice is sheer perfection on this  radio and chart ready track, that has a catchy melody, nice sing along chorus and is probably the song to break this band on a mainstream market.

check out the cool video:

Robert Plant- Band Of Joy

Robert Plant

Band of Joy? 

Plants decision to carry on away from his former bandmates has paid off yet again. Not to say that I am not an avid fan who would like to see my teenage worshipped Guitar heroes reunited. BUt concluding that is not going to happen,Plant continues for us groupies and delivers delivers delivers.

Going back to 2007’s Raising Sand, Plant’s collaboration with Alison Krauss was a pure triumph, which was a critical and award-winning smash. we seen how he rediscovered his first love: American roots music.

Plant experiments with a variety of folk exercises throughout the album, which is a strummy, bluesy affair with more weight in the rhythm sections. Some of the split vocals on the songs recall the Plant/Krauss duets, but not to the perfection of Raising Sand.

Going Ga Ga?

I just read this interesting article:: via http://bit.ly/abc6Cl

"Lady Gaga calls for homophobic soldiers to be sacked"....

Lady Gaga urged the military to dismiss gay prejudiced soldiers at a rally in America yesterday (20.09.10).The 24-year-old singer proposed her own alternative to the US military's policy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' - which requires homosexual service members to keep quiet about their sexuality on the proviso they won't be asked about it

She said: ''I'm here today in this park, in Maine, to say that, if the Senate and the president are not going to repeal this 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, perhaps they should be more clear with us about who the military is fighting for, who our tax dollars are supporting and, ultimately, how much does the prime rib cost?"

....did she mention Prime Rib...is she going a little meat mad?

ah no, but seriously, will all musicians eventually think themselves saviors?

or political like figures who have a voice for the people...

what has Bono started?

Edith Piaf- At Carnegie Hall

For the First time on CD, this release includes extensive biographical notes and track-by-track commentary by Spencer Leigh, acclaimed BBC radio presenter and journalist. Unusually for concert recordings, it features Piaf speaking and singing in English on occasion. There is a memorable photograph of Edith Piaf performing at Carnegie Hall in January 1957. She is a tiny figure, not five foot tall and perhaps seven stone, wearing a simple, dark dress on a vast stage and we can see hundreds of people intently watching her.

The intimate feel throughout this record captures the tragedies in her life as Piaf pours her feelings into the performances. 


No other performer, not even Billie Holiday, Judy Garland or Shirley Bassey, has performed with such intensity. 


You can appreciate the feelings in her songs even if you don’t know the language, but for this concert Piaf speaks and sings in English on occasion, making this album (first released in 1977) one that is particularly cherished by her many fans worldwide. Now, for the first time, the entire album can be purchased on this CD. 


This cd took it time coming but wow what a collection from Frances little sparrow. Truly exquisite, a must have.

Jamie Lawson- Real Thing + Irish Dates

Jamie Lawson is set to release his new EP, Real Thing on Oct 29th, and has announced Irish dates this week. A few moments with Lawson and its clear that he wears his heart on his sleeve as he takes you through emotional highs and lows, with a velvety voice of sweet sweet tenderness. 

So why give your time and attention to Jamie Lawson? It’s not as if there’s any obvious shortage of young singer-songwriters right now. Far from it. Wherever you turn, there’s yet another fresh-faced hopeful coming at you with a guitar and a claim on the future. But even in a crowded marketplace there will always be room for an artist who has what it takes to be better than the rest. And if you love music and have a heart and a pair of ears, you’ll recognise within the space of just one song that here is exactly that sort of someone. Its also quite impressive to see that he has joined Van Morrison and Bob Dylan on the bill for Hop Farm. He has also joined Irish Luminaries including the Frames and Damien Rice on support tours.  

Do your ears a favour and catch him in ireland this month.

Irish Tour Dates:

27th Sept – Roisin Dubh, Galway

28th Sept – The Ruby Sessions, Dublin

30th Sept – The Red Chair Sessions, Wexford

5th October – The Spirit Store, Dundalk