Monday, July 11, 2011

Barry Hawk CD Review

Barry ‘Wonderland’ Hawk




21st Century Bluez



Angela Macari O’Looney



Barry Hawk’s collection on this album has combined old and new sounds. He has a great imagination for melody lines and also a fantastic vocal range. This is demonstrated in each upbeat and memorable number!



Having spent a lot of time abroad in New York, Barcelona and Denmark, Hawk has led various line ups of his band Wonderland. Collaborating with his band mate Keith Moss, here he has achieved a very original music style that pretty much crosses genres.



This music would attract a wide cross section of age groups and music lovers. I immediately felt myself being brought back in time to Bowie, T Rex and good old fashioned Glam Rock at it’s finest, whether this was intended or not!

Barry has managed to infuse some numbers with a mainly acoustic flow, plus a couple of songs with hip hop influences. Variety is the spice of life! And there’s plenty on 21st Century Bluez.



Mentioned in his influences are artists such as Prince, Jeff Beck, The Stones, CSNY and Michael McDonald. His repertoire definitely has the same musical punch as these fab names.



DJ



This number has a funk beat and involves Barry doing rap for the verse. He introduces the instruments as they come in. Guitar chords are choppy, with some superb riffs here and there. Chorus is catchy and an excellent lead solo features. Sean Englishby performs drums on this track and Rob Gallagher plays bass. The bass line is particularly lively and Sean’s beats are essential to the dancey feeling this song inspires.



Do it again



Guitars are wonderful in this number. It has a delicious chorus with sweet harmonies sung by Keith Moss on guitar and also Martina Leonard. I particularly like the trickling electric guitar riffs throughout, especially behind the chorus.

A change of pace for the subdued middle eight is well placed for the build up to the last blasted out chorus. It’s an upbeat love song filled with enthusiasm We’re gonna do it again, even better than the last time.





Feel me 1 more time



A Rock number with a fast tempo and a fun chorus, this has some cool chord riffs, plus a short but sweet lead guitar solo a la Barry. It’s a song you have to shake your head and play your air guitar for!



Wanna Luv U



Choppy beat, catchy hooks and flanger laden chords give this song a lightness that is uplifting. Barry sings in falsetto and a disco bass line adds a happy atmosphere too. Michael Smyth performs drums here and also in most tracks. It would remind me of Mikka with the sweet chorus and high pitched vocals.



21st Century Bluez



The chorus is the best feature in this song. It leans towards rock, with downbeat lyrics, exceptional lead guitar and backing oohs lifting the sound. Distortion packed riffs and a superb solo performed by Keith are also highlights.



Draggin’(Cork)



I love the guitar intro in this song. It’s a slow pop ballad where lyrics describe favourite places Patrick’s Street was bittersweet. I was born and raised I know these streets like the back of my hand. Harmony is close and really sweet here and chord combinations beautiful. In the middle eight there’s a lovely key change, to return back to the original key for the final chorus. Sean McLeod bass, Keith Moss Electric guitar and Martina Leonard backing vocals, all perform this number with Barry.



Grand Parade



This would probably be my own favourite number on this album. It’s slow, but explosive, with a big orchestral sound. Felimid performs Violin and Viola, Turlough Gunawardhana – Cello, Keith Moss- guitar and Harmonies. I hear superb piano in there also. The huge crescendo of music and melody uplifts and lyrics in the verse are delightful Cause its funny how that 7 always takes too long. Well I’d be quicker on my feet. And that jeweller’s clock by the capitol, don’t you see? On Grand Parade, its another Saturday, all the people out to play on Grand Parade. Riffs and hooks are divine and the chorus really memorable and sweet. Barry sings the fabulous middle eight, which is followed by a subdued bit with guitars trickling. He builds up to the last chorus, with the guitars and other instruments and then bam! By that last BIG chorus, you’re singing with him.



Download me



Suddenly you find yourself hearing heavy metal guitars in the intro here. This amazing number addresses the download age we live in. Lead guitar is totally mind blowing, Bass busy and the chorus is powerful, with a fast bashing drumbeat. Barry lists every conceivable social website, pc accessory and a load of computer jargon in the verse. Demonstrating a Rockier side to his music, this is a crazy, but really enjoyable number.

FunkPopFolkSoulRoc



This fun rap has a big impact! It involves three powerful voices belting out the chant Funk pop folk soul rock, with a tambourine bashing out a beat and lots of percussion creating a dance rhythm. I love the last bit where Barry adds and don’t forget hip hop!



Opening up with a sexy guitar riff, Funk Roc City involves some astounding instrumentals throughout and the chorus is catchy, with superb backing vocals. At the last chorus, there’s a refrain that uses the rap from the previous song. I like this!



Sleepin’ in the Moonlite



Acoustic guitars and the la la la hook add charm to this track. It’s a real sing along song.

Harmonic, with a wonderful melody line, this number is a great choice for the finale of a really enjoyable show!



Guests on the album are; Turlough Gunawardhana-Cello, Felimid-Violin, Ruth Kennington-Harmony vox, Denver Thomas-Harmony Vox, Martina Leonard-Harmony vox, Sean Englishby-Drums, Rob Gallagher- Bass, Michael Smyth-Drums, Keith Moss-Electric guitars/Harmony vox and Sean McLeod-Bass.

Album art is monochromatic black/white, with a sketch of the man himself, surrounded by a variety of items that are probably the things that are most important to him. His headset, Guitars, Computer, Mobile, A teapot, turntable, alarm clock and a well deserved pint of Guinness. On the back cover is a photo of Barry, with his guitar.









Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Trocaire gig at The Grand Social Dublin

Tig Linn/ Juan Jose Menzano/Storyfold/ Discovery Gospel drummers/The Hot Sprockets/Codes/ Pagode Fora
De Casa

Thanks, from Trocaire

23/06/11

The Grand Social

Angela Macari O’Looney

This wonderful event was organized by Trocaire as a thank you message to all who have supported them in the past, especially those who helped during the recent Honduras crisis.
It consisted of an entire evening of acts, performing both upstairs and downstairs. I went upstairs as soon as I arrived, got a pint and pulled up a pew.

I got a sample of the amazing music in store for the evening, as sound checking was just finishing. This included the exciting Flamenco style notes of classical guitarist Juan Jose Menzano. His music reflected the Pinadas that were placed strategically around for the party. I noticed a huge poster on a wall near the bar. On it was the caption Digna is in Danger/ You can keep her safe. A young girl looked out with sad eyes from the picture, reminding us why we were there!

Tig Linn

After a few words of introduction from MCs Keiron Campbell Black and Ruth Scott, Tig Linn, a band consisting of twelve or more people took their places onstage. Among them were three ladies from the Discovery Gospel Choir, who were there to perform vocals.
Drums, both regular and African, guitars, a bodhran, Low Whistle, Irish wooden Flute and Uilleann Pipes all combined to create a huge sound. The mix of traditional Irish and African Gospel was spellbinding and it worked.
They began with a variety of reels played on the Flute and Pipes, with drums and bodhran gradually joining in, until eventually there was an explosive wall of sound. It was a great kick off to the night!

Next there was a lone whistle intro, as they performed Sean O’Riarda’s version of the Ar nAthair (Our Father). This featured Esosa Ighadaro singing lead, as a plethora of wonderful rhythms and sound surrounded her.
I could feel a bit of the Kila vibe throughout this set and wasn’t surprised to hear that members of the band were present.
Also part of this collective were members of De Jimbe, including Brian Fleming, who played Bodhran, Gwenn Frin, who performs Wooden flute for all songs and actually crafts the instrument, Hugh O’Byrne – Drums, plus Brian O’Toole on Bass.
This amazing piece was taken to a finale with the three girls singing acapella. Harmony was heavenly.
Tig Linn was formed when members of all three well known acts discovered they had a common idea. The result is a fantastic and very stimulating treat for celebrating and inspiring hope.
They continued with a song, written as a tribute to the hope generated by President Obama, when he came to office. This includes his inaugural speech. It’s called Tig Linn-Yes, we can!.
Main vocals here are performed by Soloman Ijigade, with the three girls Nono Madolo, Esosa Ighadaro and Justine Nantale doing backing vocals. Together they created a powerful chorus.

They finished with Get up, Stand up (Bob Marley). Solomon leads here, with a guy playing bongo. This was a brilliant rendition of the popular number, and got a great reaction from the growing crowd.

Juan Jose Menzano

A reverent hush descended, as this virtuoso guitarist performed mind boggling classical guitar. Sitting on a low table away from the stage, he created an informal picture. And with a spotlight on him against a darkened room, he strummed and plucked with fingers like lightening across the guitar frets.
He changed pace and went from a seductive moody tempo to a faster one. If you closed your eyes, Juan’s guitar transported you to hot summer nights, Flamenco dancers and Palm Trees.

His second number was choppy, with lots of percussion in it, as he tapped his hand against the guitar’s body. The audience tapped their feet and I found his chords delectable.


Storyfold

Formed in 2010, this band is Dublin based and currently promoting their debut album Rocket Science.
Members are Paddy McKenna- Lead Vocals, Lindsay Hogan – Piano/Vocals, Sean Mc Donnell- Drums, Michael Fortune – Lead Guitar and Jim McGourty – Bass.
Beginning with Her Majesty, they had a big sound. With a catchy riff and a delightful melody line, this number was upbeat and involved a scorching lead solo. Harmony, sung by Lyndsay also added to the overall sound.

The second song Trick of Light was fast, with Lindsay and Paddy sharing vocals. This is cheerful, with a fab chorus. It’s a clean pop sound and puts you in a good mood!

Sweetest Silence features Lindsay singing lead. Then she and Paddy share vocals for the chorus. They blend well.

Has Been is a duet done with an echo style verse, guitars playing out of their skins and the beat bashing.

Behind Closed Doors was next. This begins with a chorus from ‘House of the Rising Sun’. The crowd sang with the band and Lindsay sang close harmony, which was lovely. Then they went into their own number, which I found a clever idea!

Paddy told the audience about a project he was involved with out in Mozambique and how it affected him. He explains how vital gigs like this are, for keeping awareness of the huge poverty and injustice in the world.

Run Kid begins quiet, exploding into life for the chorus. Lead riffs are distortion packed, beat alternating, which is very effective.

The Battle involves a lovely piano solo, followed by complex lead guitar.

The final song was Delphine. Fast moving and lively, this harmonic number was a great choice to finish their set. Piano was superb, Paddy’s vocals excellent and like all their songs, the melody was thoroughly enjoyable.


Discovery Gospel Drummers

Two members of Discovery Gospel came up to the front of the room, each with a bongo drum. They performed an amazing in sync set and had the audience clapping to the beat. You could feel the sheer physical effort going into the fast, runaway train rhythms. Watching them was really exhilarating, each drum complimenting the other in turn.

On the second stage at the back of the venue, The Hot Sprockets were setting up. It wasn’t long before the foot stomping five got going!

The Hot Sprockets

Tim-Guitar/Vocals, Wayne-Guitar/Vocals, Joe-Bass/Vocals, Franky-Harp/Vocals and Adrian-Drums are the members of this popular act. Influences include MC5, The Kinks, Chuck Berry, Robert Johnson and Little Richard. Having seen them perform live before, I knew it would be good!

The first number Swampy had a strut-style tempo, with lots of harmonica lending to their sound, which is described as Country Dirt/Rockabilly/Blues.

They did Midnight Train next. This involves busy bass, with fab riffs throughout. Guitars were brilliant and the crowd were lapping it up. This band are without doubt one of the most exciting live acts around at the moment.

Chant begins with just vocals and a beat is stomped out. Things explode into life when the guitars come in and this catchy song is performed with their unique style.

I’m Leavin’- Mandolin features in this, with all the lads sharing vocals for the chorus. Guitar solo is superb here and with four voices, four sets of strings and that Cowboy drawl they use, they charmed the audience.

I loved the riffs in Cruizin’. This featured a fab bass line, a foot stomping beat and it has a Bob Dylan mood to it, as harmonica lends atmosphere. I love the Howl at the moon oohs in the refrain and that fab beat!

Other songs in this fun, but lengthy set were Bad Jim, Boogie Woogie Blues, Heavy on my mind, Solid Gold which is sleazy and slow, Sonny boy blues(with a bouncy, fun beat, super harmonica and fab slider used on guitar), and Honey skippin’, a good old fashioned blues rock song with a delicious bass intro and a dance beat. This number is the theme song from the band’s debut album.


They also included my favourite number Sleep Shake. With a plucked acoustic guitar intro and the whine of the harmonica, it begins haunting and then bursts into a fast rhythm and has a great chorus. For me it’s their best by far. They got an extra fifteen minutes and made good use of it, effortlessly keeping the party going and the crowd entertained.

CODES

This wonderful Indie/Electronic band won me over when I reviewed their album in the run up to the finals of the Choice Music Awards in 2010. So I was quite excited about getting a chance to see them in a more informal venue than Vicar Street.

Space aged sound effects, sound samples and dramatic drumbeats take you into the impressive Malfunctions from their debut album Trees dream in Algebra.
This awe inspiring arrangement is a lead up to a magnificent number called This is Goodbye, which is probably the song most synonymous with CODES. Daragh’s velvet smooth lead vocals and backing vocals are the key features here. Haunting and downright mind blowing, the chorus was sung out by audience members along with the band. A really beautiful middle eight lifts the dynamic right up and it just doesn’t get any better than this!

Band members are Daragh Anderson(vocals/guitar/samples), Eoin Stephens(Bass/Vocals/Synth), Paul Reilly(Drums/vocals/samples) and Ray Hogge(Guitar/Vocals/Piano/Synth). CODES have been together since 2007. Unique, but really superb, they have played support to acts as big as Keane and have also played at Oxegen and Imro showcase tour.

Starry Eyed – This slower anthemic piece has a very addictive chorus, where lead singer Daragh’s vocals are showcased to great advantage. There’s a particularly mesmerising synth riff in this number, and each band member contributes enormously in each and every bar.

In Algebra – From the debut album, this is my personal favourite CODES song. Thus I sang it at the top of my lungs with the band!
Melodic and dramatic, it has ebb and flow that captures the imagination. From the opening BIG vocal riff, it goes softer for the verse, Daragh going right up to falsetto for higher notes. There’s an echoic backing vocal here, magical Glockenspiel and piano is totally outstanding as notes are played along with Daragh’s chorus, emphasising the powerhouse that this young man is!

They did Bleed Blue and You are here, which is a throbbing love song, choc full of memorable riffs, fantastic close harmony and instrumentals that just hit you like a thunderbolt. I loved how they got the crowd to sing the delicious refrain with them.


The lads finished up with Four Winters. If I could choose a second personal favourite number, this is it!
Keys are fab, melody is sweet and I love the build up to the chorus, where the lads do this dreamy line Only love will, break the rites of Summer. There’s a enchanted feeling when I hear this part. The last bit is a vocal chorus done in superb close harmony and it had to be the pinnacle of the entire gig for me!
Darragh jumped off the stage, guitar in hand for the final few bars and disappeared out of the room, behind him a voice echoed Darragh has left the building.Brilliant!
Pagode Fora de Casa performed some wonderful Brazilian style music and many of the audience enjoyed shaking their booty to the salsa beats. I took my booty to the last Luas home!

Trocaire has always been for me a focal point during Lent. I never would have imagined that this charity would draw me to a gig that will probably stay in my memory for some time. If the idea is to nudge more support, or promotion, I think this show was inspired and congratulate each act that contributed their time and efforts.