JJ Smyths 14/08/09

Colin Scallan, Sinead Martin, Bailer, Juke Box Gypsy

JJ Smyths

14/08/09

Angela Macari O’Looney

Following a recent review I did covering Collin Scallan’s debut album Songs for a sinking world, I ventured to this benefit night he’d mentioned to me which was in aid of Dublin South FM.

JJ’s being quite close to where I grew up was a venue I sang in myself once or twice and occasionally frequented many moons ago. So it was interesting to be sitting there over twenty years since my last visit, to see a show that included quite a line up.

Brendan Hickey from Dublin South FM who was hosting this evening, welcomed and thanked everyone and introduced the first act.

Sinead Martin

Alternative/ Folk/ Soul singer-songwriter Sinead had the honour of being first onstage. She began with what’s it gonna be. This has a pretty melody and in it her voice was velvety smooth and would remind me a little of Andrea Corr. A lady on fiddle played some delightful notes which lent atmosphere.

Brendan McMurray on guitar performed The Sun will Shine along with Sinead. This has a folksy sound and a three four tempo. Brendan sang verse and Sinead and he both sang the chorus, which was sweet in this Nancy Griffith style number.

Dream (Everly Bros cover) was next. This was a slightly altered version of the classic and I found the unexpected twists and turns very enjoyable. Harmony was beautiful and the added soft riffs on fiddle gave it a dreamy quality.

She did a jazzy number with fab guitar riffs, bending bassy notes and a catchy melody line.

Crucify was choppy, with a hint of KT Tunstall’s style to it.
Sinead has performed alongside big names such as Damien Rice, Paddy Casey and Mundy. She has recorded her eponymous demo containing her collection of songs and her performance was given a warm round of applause by the steadily increasing audience.


Bailer

Rock/ Pop/ Acoustic band ‘Bailer’ was next with Maurice Brennan on guitar, Peter Jordan on Bass guitar, Frank Chircop on drums and the dynamic Caitriona McGuiness lead vocals.
Formed in 2001 they have played around Dublin’s most prestigious venues and also boast regular supports with Aslan and The Hothouse Flowers.

In a nutshell, Caitriona is a dainty creature with an awesome voice!
If you could package and sell what she has, you could solve the economic slump with the profits; she has such a vocal range.


Moonlight Mile Stones

This has beautiful chords, a sweet melody and was the first of their set.

Watch Out

There’s a lovely sense of movement in the tempo of this song, trickling acoustic notes and a pretty melody line. In the chorus there’s some gorgeous harmony too.

Sixteen Months

Vocals as in all numbers excellent, with Catriona’s range shown to great advantage in particular here. I love the chorus of this one and the melody is my favourite in the set. At one point she goes way up the register to falsetto.

A Mary Black style number called We don’t have to fight was next. This was quiet and moody, but had a fast beat.

Make it Burn down has a funky beat and Caitriona’s vocals are like a percussion instrument in the chorus. She does a touch of scat here.

A Van Morrison cover and another pretty song called Daylight concluded this enjoyable set.
All members of this act blend well and the result is an easy-to-listen-to and memorable experience.

We were treated to a piece of poetry recited by the host of the evening Mr. Brendan Hickey, who in his passionate recital gave a new meaning to the concept of a good old fashioned cuppa!


Colin Scallan

Colin began with An easier way which has close harmony in the chorus. His band includes Conor Hastings (bass), Mick Morris (Mandolin/guitar) and Eric Yore (drums) with Colin playing guitar.

The familiar intro to Nothing around for miles which is a sweet number, brought a smile to my face. It’s from his new album ‘Songs for a Sinking World’ and involves two acoustic guitars. This has a catchy melody and plucked guitar throughout.

Days Beneath the Sun

Colin used his electric guitar for this and with a touch of distortion it commanded a bit of hush from the chattering audience, with its gorgeous melody. A delicious lead solo and lots of dramatic chord combinations, this number is special!

He continued his set with A little love. Lots of oohs in the chorus and a bass riff make this a really interesting rock style song.

Build me a Woman

The mandolin came back for this and I loved the way that all strings played the intro to this slinky piece in unison, adding definition to it. Colin’s lead solo here was exceptional and the crowd loved it.

Hanging on the wire (Paul Weller cover version)

This was a number with spectacular guitar bits in it, a short solo and a catchy melody. Some of the punters joined in with the chorus, proving it to be a good choice of song.

Neon Signs

Drums were particularly special here. Lots of rolls and fancy high jinx added excitement, along with a screaming lead solo, a powerful melody line and a cool riff filtering through the chorus.

Colin finished his set with a fab choice of song in The Last Battle; A favourite of mine from his album. His seamless solo and the way he makes that guitar talk never ceases to amaze me. This is real music from an act I could listen to forever and the night was young, with one more band to go.

Juke Box Gypsy

To enrich the evening even more, this interesting act took their places onstage and explained that only half the compliment was present, since they consist of a large group of musicians. However, they definitely managed with what was there, beginning with a wonderful number sung with flawless close harmony. Like a lullaby, it had a pretty melody line and a perfect solo performed on acoustic guitar. I was quite dumbstruck with the quality of talent in each of these guys. The founder members met on a train and as time went on, the membership increased. They are touring Ireland at the moment, but are based in Liverpool. They have just released their eponymous debut album and have a really special sound.

Their setlist included Carlton Hill, St. Helen’s lane, Some Direction we Go, The Phone Song, Redwood Song, Papa Joe, February, Hard travelling, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid, Hey Mama and Hard, It ain’t hard (Woodie Guthrie).

All songs had impressive dynamics, delectable guitar riffs and hooks and the harmony was simply out of this world.

All of these songs were excellently performed, with a charismatic frontman in Dave the lead singer. Isaac Tabor on lead guitar is a total genius and has a very European look about him and an o.k. voice, which is demonstrated in Redwood Song, which begins accapello and is sung in rounds, which is really effective. It takes off and has an easy going beat and a gorgeous melody.

Of their set I plucked one or two of my favourites and these were Some Direction we Go, where James on violin joined the group onstage.

February

The lads had performed this number earlier that day on Balcony TV and it involves banjo, tight harmony and delightful violin. The chorus is repeated like a chant and there’s a sense of movement in the rhythm which I enjoy.

The Phone Song

In this a lady called Amelia took to the stage with her harmonica. Isaac sang lead in this number, but harmony was shared by all and along with the pretty solo on harmonica it really was a treat to hear.

Hey Mama!

This number is jazzy, with the most adorable chords and some delightful riffs on Amelia’s harmonica. I feel that the lyrics are quite poignant and although it is sung as a humorous ditty, there’s a message there Mama, hey Mama don’t you send your poor boys to war.

Members of Jukebox Gypsy are Ben Blance, Dave Hastie, Isaac Tabor and Johanna Hillerbrand. They have four other members and although at JJ’s the line up was smaller than usual, their sound was big enough. Influences include Crosby Stills and Nash, Neill Young, Lindisfarne and Ryan Adams.

This gig was a huge success, with a big turnout and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Well done to all acts and good luck to Dublin South FM, which seems to be a popular station for upcoming Irish acts.