The Lonely Schizophrenic’s
Last Gig
Bleeker Street Café bar
01/10/11
Angela Macari O’Looney
In this conveniently situated venue, I enjoyed one of the most memorable gigs I’ve ever experienced. It was the last gig to be headlined by this popular quintet.
Among the members of the audience were many familiar faces from the small but friendly world of Irish signed and unsigned musicians, singers and gig goers; Faces who have been regulars in Bruxelles Zodiac Sessions, or other such interesting venues around Dublin.
Starting off the evening, Ciara Ashmore performed the first set. Ciara has a vocal style reminiscent of Cranberries lead vocalist, Delores O’Riordan. At times her material would also bring to mind KT Tunstall, with lots of plucky guitar riffs and funky alt/folk chord combinations.
Ciara began her set with a slow trickling intro which took us into Wait.
I love her descriptions and how she captures that special moment when two people connect and although in a crowd, they only see each other!
Her range is amazing as she caresses each phrase and note with her voice.
Her second number was Magic. This was another very soothing piece, with imaginative guitar throughout and a three four tempo. It’s a love song with sweet lyrics; I’d marry you tomorrow and it would be magic.
After Ciara’s set, Keith O’Brien and the Floppy Disc drives took to the stage. They performed a combination of originals and covers.
From Glasnevin, Dublin, Keith studied at Ballyfermot school of Rock. He has built up quite a following, has had airplay on 2FM and FM104, and has gigged in top venues around the City.
His debut album was released last year and his influences include Mundy, Bob Dylan, Declan O’Rourke and Damien Rice.
David Doyle’s Cello lent tremendous atmosphere to each number. Also Liam O’Reilly- bass and Aidan Smyth- lead accompanied Keith as he played acoustic guitar.
Keith has an appealing vocal style a little like David Gray or Paddy Casey. However I feel he has his own distinctive sound.
He performed wasn’t that okay, Tick tock, Wasted time, open your eyes, and Summer nights.
Open your eyes is a love song with a slow three four beat. It’s laid back and the chorus is particularly sweet.
Wasted time is a soulful song where Cello creates a fab backdrop to Keith’s softly sung, romantic lyrics.
Summer nights is also romantic and the picture of long warm Summer evenings was cheering on a windy October night.
He performed an encore and chose With or without you (U2) . This number suits Keith’s vocals and it went down well with the growing audience!
Grace Wilde
Next onstage was a very exciting act. Audrey Fay has a truly powerful voice and excellent guitar playing style.
She’s joined by guitarist Enda Duffy, and captures the audience’s attention with her passion and power.
Black ‘n’ blue was their first number, with choppy sensual chords. The bewitching hour involved a wonderful lead solo and the use of slider, which added seductiveness.
This act evolved from Dublin Band Cream Carousel. Fay and Duffy made the decision to change direction with their style of music. This involved adapting to a more acoustic based sound instead of electric.
The raw, authentic edge that this change of direction has given them is very evident in each number. I found their set very captivating!
Bring me to my knees involved further amazing lead performed by Enda Duffy, with Fay’s own guitar talent proving her undeniable show stopping charisma.
Next was an MJ cover and a very popular choice with the punters; Billy Jean.
This was a jazzed up version, but somehow Fay nailed it so well that I was riveted to the spot.
They did two more numbers; Breathing and Grace. Grace is a wonderful fast moving rock song, with a delicious melody line. Chord combinations are catchy too, so it made a fab finale for this unforgettable duo!
The Guilty Folks
This act comprises Aidan Comerford and Sarah Williams. They perform comedy/parody style songs, with Aidan playing acoustic guitar. I found their material really musical and quite appealing, despite the blue content!
They started with a song about the difficulties related to sex during pregnancy; Can’t get you in trouble again. The lyrics were hilarious. I found that Sarah’s harmonies were so precise, that I was more entertained by the musical side of what they had to say.
Hate Sex was their second number. Very melodious yet again, this had the punters falling about the place laughing. Harmony was close and the melody line candy sweet!
Just don’t ask was probably my own personal favourite from their set. This was a song that inspired singing along with the chorus. They had the audience firmly in their grip and they went on with Penelope, which had a very funny line; She’s like a walking industrial accident!
They performed a number called Love locked where Aidan plays Ukulele and they share a mike. OTT is the only description I have for this one.
Their preoccupation with sexually explicit lyrics gets a teensy bit tedious, but it doesn’t stop them from being a thoroughly enjoyable act!
They finished their set with a tribute to the audience; AWLF(An audience we’d like to f…k).
The Shallow waters
Two pretty girls performed a tribute song especially for The Lonely Schizo’s last gig. It was Goodbye my Lover(James Blunt cover).
Sinead Smyth
This young lady is a superb vocalist and musician and I remember her from The Zodiac Sessions. Her set was short and sweet, but I could listen to her forever!
The Lonely Schizophrenic
After a short interval, the main feature of the night made a perfect entrance!
Each member of the band took his place onstage except for the lead vocalist Anto Kane. Then, down the stairs he made his dramatic descent attired in full Star Wars Storm Trooper regalia. This was brilliance and had the desired element of surprise for the audience.
Anto in true Lonely Schizo style began with I miss me Da from the band’s debut EP.
Everyone sang the chorus with him Rent a daddy dot com, rent a daddy do, rent a daddy dot com/ He will love you.
Andy Delamere-Lead guitar donned a hawk-like mask.Another member of the band wore a gas mask. And the party continued with another hilarious acoustic number called Crab People.
The rap part of this song is done in true Schizo style and the chorus requires audience participation. I love Anto’s crab like dance for this.
Panda Porn
Next was another of the band’s fun songs about a documentary that was on TV about promoting mating between Pandas. A seductive beat accompanies Anto, who raps out the lyrics with style. The audience sang out the chorus and on went the party!
The Maid of Cabra West, Aggrevated Affection andLivin’ in a Box(about a popular RTE puppet called Bosco) followed.
Although the lyrics in their songs are comic, the chords and melody lines in the choruses are all really catchy and each member of the band is an excellent musician in his own right.
They did Itchy, which is yet another shockingly explicit number and finally they finished with my own favourite Schizo song Rest in Pieces, which is the story about a cat that got run over on the road.
There was a call for an encore of course, so we were treated to an alternative version of Rent a daddy /(I miss me Da). This was a great choice and it gave everyone at this brilliant gig a last chance to sing along with the adorable Anto Kane in his crazy get up.
It was a great finish to a fantastically entertaining evening and I know that it’s not the last we’ll see of Anto, Andy, Vladmir Pavlov-Bass, Rama Block –Percussion and Aidan Smyth-Lead guitar!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Uncle Tom's Arthur's Day gig
The Cabin Sessions
Arthur’s Day 22/ 09/ 11
Angela Macari O’Looney
Lynda Lucas is a Country/Roots/Soul singer whose music took my attention a few years ago. Originally lead singer of The Cherry Pickers, she went solo when they split up, and has since recorded an E.P. and an album. Travelling to Nashville on many occasions, she featured in two TV shows which proved a huge success.
She gigs around Dublin regularly and in ’09, featured with the Lisa Janes on Balcony TV singing Wayfaring Stranger. Her guitarist Brendan Priestly compliments Lynda’s vocals with close harmony and both guitars blend very well.
I was delighted to be at Uncle Tom’s Cabin for Arthur’s Day, where Lynda and Brendan were performing, along with many other fab artists.
MC Gerry Fitzpatrick (The Sick & Indigent Song club) introduced the evening, explaining that this particular sessions gig requests for the punters to keep a hush for each artist and give them some support. I find this really impressive and prefer it to the kind of gig where punters drown out what’s happening onstage.
The McGrane Family
The first act was a family who each play instruments and are very enjoyable singers, yet each has a distinctive vocal style. Their album Fair and tender Ladies is available at gigs. Noreen performed the first number, which was made famous by The Carter Family; Bury me under the Weeping Willow Tree. I found her autoharp added atmosphere. Other musicians were invited to add a riff or a note at will, and this laid back mood was quite contagious, with the gradual addition of Gerry Fitzpatrick on Dobro, three acoustic guitars, Con Butler on bass and Cathy McEvoy on fiddle. A younger member of the McGranes, Ellen performed a wonderful number that had divine guitar chords and a delightful melody line. Other songs in their set included Miss Ohio, Craw Daddy, I would rather go blind. Cannonball; An up-tempo song about a train, this lifted the mood a little and went down well with the growing audience.
Ellen performed a great version of Baby, now that I found you, which is a popular song made famous by The Foundations. People sang along with the chorus and it was probably the most enjoyable of the set. Noreen sang a folk/Spiritual number called The Tempest. The last number was led by Brian and Harry McGrane. This was a Bob Dylan cover and a great choice to finish their set with.
The Mellowchords
This fantastic barber shop septet began their set with a show stopping version of Hello Mary Lou. They also did Under the boardwalk, Bye Bye Love, and after shouts for an encore they finished up with an oldie that’s perfect for close harmony. Hello! Ma baby and dates back as far as 1899; Not quite as old as the home of the black stuff!
Pat McGonnigle & Dylan McCauley
Pat and Dylan performed an excellent set which included a fab cover of No woman, No cry, which featured Dylan performing lead vocals, Pat singing harmony. With one on acoustic and the other on Steel Guitar, they created a full sound. Pat performed The Walkin’ blues and his guitar riffs were impressive here, with lots of bluesy bits using slider included in this slinky piece. This number has been covered by many famous people including a particularly amazing version performed by Rory Gallagher. The lads were able to bring this song to life in their own unique fashion!
Lynda Lucas
Next up were Lynda and Brendan, who started their set with a number that was written by The Cherry Pickers. Evangeline involves Brendan Priestly performing the verse, with Lynda joining him for the choruses. He performed a sweet guitar solo and this three four number involved a wonderful melody line and delicious harmonies.
My Morphine was performed by Lynda, with Brendan doing backing vocals. This sad song is about addiction and the lyrics are the words of a man who is reflecting on happier times, before his lady was changed by addiction. Chords are plucked and Lynda’s clear and emotion-filled portrayal of the story was moving.
They finished with Sin City (Gram Parsons). This version involved excellently performed harmony, with Lynda singing lead vocals.
Kevin Davenport
The last act of this fascinating show was Dublin Blues/Country/Swing singer Kevin Davenport. This young man has an amazing way with a guitar and even dresses the part, as his costume would make you believe you were stepping out of a time tunnel into a 1940s bar room.
Kevin began his set with an Emmet Miller number Sweet Mama. Also among his influences are names such as Robert Johnson, The Cheap suit entertainers and Al Jolson. You hear all of these music styles coming through in his performance.
He continued with a Rory Gallagher cover, Seven Days. A slinky intro was played using his impressive guitar expertise, with the use of a slider adding to the seductive feel of the number. Kevin’s riffs are so effective between each line and then he finishes the song with a flamboyant flourish of flamenco type strumming.
Sugar Moon, which is a cover from Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, was Kevin’s last song. It reminds me of My Blue Heaven, with the pace choppy and cheerful. He has a great way of charming his audience and I found his act unique and memorable.
Finale
All of the performers joined in for a last number to end the evening. They chose Blue Moon of Kentucky, which went down a treat, especially with the slow start and then the pace picking up. The merging of instruments and voices took the atmosphere up a notch and Cathy’s fiddle, the auto harp and the various interesting guitars all mingled to enrich the huge crescendo.
Arthur’s Day 22/ 09/ 11
Angela Macari O’Looney
Lynda Lucas is a Country/Roots/Soul singer whose music took my attention a few years ago. Originally lead singer of The Cherry Pickers, she went solo when they split up, and has since recorded an E.P. and an album. Travelling to Nashville on many occasions, she featured in two TV shows which proved a huge success.
She gigs around Dublin regularly and in ’09, featured with the Lisa Janes on Balcony TV singing Wayfaring Stranger. Her guitarist Brendan Priestly compliments Lynda’s vocals with close harmony and both guitars blend very well.
I was delighted to be at Uncle Tom’s Cabin for Arthur’s Day, where Lynda and Brendan were performing, along with many other fab artists.
MC Gerry Fitzpatrick (The Sick & Indigent Song club) introduced the evening, explaining that this particular sessions gig requests for the punters to keep a hush for each artist and give them some support. I find this really impressive and prefer it to the kind of gig where punters drown out what’s happening onstage.
The McGrane Family
The first act was a family who each play instruments and are very enjoyable singers, yet each has a distinctive vocal style. Their album Fair and tender Ladies is available at gigs. Noreen performed the first number, which was made famous by The Carter Family; Bury me under the Weeping Willow Tree. I found her autoharp added atmosphere. Other musicians were invited to add a riff or a note at will, and this laid back mood was quite contagious, with the gradual addition of Gerry Fitzpatrick on Dobro, three acoustic guitars, Con Butler on bass and Cathy McEvoy on fiddle. A younger member of the McGranes, Ellen performed a wonderful number that had divine guitar chords and a delightful melody line. Other songs in their set included Miss Ohio, Craw Daddy, I would rather go blind. Cannonball; An up-tempo song about a train, this lifted the mood a little and went down well with the growing audience.
Ellen performed a great version of Baby, now that I found you, which is a popular song made famous by The Foundations. People sang along with the chorus and it was probably the most enjoyable of the set. Noreen sang a folk/Spiritual number called The Tempest. The last number was led by Brian and Harry McGrane. This was a Bob Dylan cover and a great choice to finish their set with.
The Mellowchords
This fantastic barber shop septet began their set with a show stopping version of Hello Mary Lou. They also did Under the boardwalk, Bye Bye Love, and after shouts for an encore they finished up with an oldie that’s perfect for close harmony. Hello! Ma baby and dates back as far as 1899; Not quite as old as the home of the black stuff!
Pat McGonnigle & Dylan McCauley
Pat and Dylan performed an excellent set which included a fab cover of No woman, No cry, which featured Dylan performing lead vocals, Pat singing harmony. With one on acoustic and the other on Steel Guitar, they created a full sound. Pat performed The Walkin’ blues and his guitar riffs were impressive here, with lots of bluesy bits using slider included in this slinky piece. This number has been covered by many famous people including a particularly amazing version performed by Rory Gallagher. The lads were able to bring this song to life in their own unique fashion!
Lynda Lucas
Next up were Lynda and Brendan, who started their set with a number that was written by The Cherry Pickers. Evangeline involves Brendan Priestly performing the verse, with Lynda joining him for the choruses. He performed a sweet guitar solo and this three four number involved a wonderful melody line and delicious harmonies.
My Morphine was performed by Lynda, with Brendan doing backing vocals. This sad song is about addiction and the lyrics are the words of a man who is reflecting on happier times, before his lady was changed by addiction. Chords are plucked and Lynda’s clear and emotion-filled portrayal of the story was moving.
They finished with Sin City (Gram Parsons). This version involved excellently performed harmony, with Lynda singing lead vocals.
Kevin Davenport
The last act of this fascinating show was Dublin Blues/Country/Swing singer Kevin Davenport. This young man has an amazing way with a guitar and even dresses the part, as his costume would make you believe you were stepping out of a time tunnel into a 1940s bar room.
Kevin began his set with an Emmet Miller number Sweet Mama. Also among his influences are names such as Robert Johnson, The Cheap suit entertainers and Al Jolson. You hear all of these music styles coming through in his performance.
He continued with a Rory Gallagher cover, Seven Days. A slinky intro was played using his impressive guitar expertise, with the use of a slider adding to the seductive feel of the number. Kevin’s riffs are so effective between each line and then he finishes the song with a flamboyant flourish of flamenco type strumming.
Sugar Moon, which is a cover from Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, was Kevin’s last song. It reminds me of My Blue Heaven, with the pace choppy and cheerful. He has a great way of charming his audience and I found his act unique and memorable.
Finale
All of the performers joined in for a last number to end the evening. They chose Blue Moon of Kentucky, which went down a treat, especially with the slow start and then the pace picking up. The merging of instruments and voices took the atmosphere up a notch and Cathy’s fiddle, the auto harp and the various interesting guitars all mingled to enrich the huge crescendo.
Monday, October 3, 2011
With everything ahead of us
With Everything Ahead of Us
Stewart Kenny
Angela Macari O’Looney
Stewart Kenny’s second album, this inspiring collection of songs is due for release in the near future. His debut I’ve fallen so far was launched in 2009 in Crawdaddy and is a favourite in my own CD collection.
Stewart has been composing since he was fourteen, and he possesses a fantastic vocal range. His guitar playing skills are also quite impressive. He produces, arranges, mixes and masters his own music.
His influences include greats such as Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Ray Lamontagne and the list goes on.
Play the Game
This number starts off with a dramatic space aged intro, picking up to a faster tempo for the verse. It’s an upbeat song, with a catchy melody line and close harmony adds sparkle. The lyrics are sarcastic; you like the last laugh, you need the last word/ you need to twist the knife, when all you got’s a spoon.The busy drumbeat, synth and programming lend to the cheerful mood. I particularly enjoy the key change where Stewart goes up to falsetto.
Plucked acoustic guitar notes and a trickling quality are the key features in the second track. Empty promises is laid back and has a soothing quality. Chord combinations are sweet and the refrain Everything, everything has an ethereal feel to it.
Maybe he’s better off dead
Choppy, with tragic notation, this number is quite sad. The lyrics conjure up a picture of a person who suffers from media persecution. Stewart’s delivery is excellent here, as he goes through a list of possible reasons for someone to end up hating fame and success! Why was he a victim, cause he was in the public eye? I suspect it relates to the unexpected and sad demise of the King of Pop.
With everything ahead of us
With his acoustic guitar for the beginning and gradual introduction of synth, this number is laid back and very appealing. In it, he’s asking his sweetheart to be optimistic and not to look back, but forward. His light vocals and the harmony for the chorus give it a hopeful feel. I like the percussion throughout and how it falls back here and there, then returns.
In We can make it there the na na refrain is the most appealing feature. I like his descriptions about a summer’s day and swimming in the sea. The picture is painted in his lyrics and you can taste the salt breeze and almost feel the heat of the sun!
Little Darling involves heavenly keyboard and is a love song. Guitar comes in later and adds to the romantic, easy mood. Stewart’s vocals are passionate and harmony filters through here and there.
Stewart demonstrates his astounding guitar skills in Hand in hand, where he performs a solo that has a jazz/flamenco style and is definitely my own favourite bit. At the beginning he creates a big orchestral sound, where programming and electronic keyboard notation is quite complex and imaginative. He composed this number with his wife, Anne Marie Papin.
A destination unknown is a sensitively told story of someone’s life. It’s mournful, but notation is delicious. Guitar is divine as it trickles along, with chord changes simple and very appropriate for this soulful piece that would be great for a film soundtrack.
Fast and choppy, with a cool ah ooh refrain for the chorus, Won’t you take my hand is a number with a dance feel to it. Acoustic guitar lends a contemporary atmosphere to things and I love the busy bass line. Synth and electronic keyboard also filter in here and there. A subtle key change keeps things interesting and Stewart’s arranging ability is evident throughout.
Of the remaining tracks on this fifteen track album, I have some favourites.
The chord progression and the magical sound of Glockenspiel give a dreamy charm to Take it to infinity.
Little mysteries untold has some awe inspiring acoustic guitar solos throughout.
My absolute favourite number on this entire album, Boo hoo you was co-written with his Dad Tommy Kenny. This song is jazzy and involves a tenor sax, close harmony and superb piano and guitar. The sweet melody line, cheerful mood and jazzy riffs are simply beautiful!
The last number on the album, Baby’s smile is a sad piece about the loss of a child and the unfathomable justice that life throws at us. Consoling is impossible in a case like this and that tragedy is captured so well in the lyrics. A trickling guitar and wonderful piano accompany him. Stewart and his brother Alan composed this song.
Stewart’s capacity to create such a variety of lovely tracks is quite amazing. His subtle key changes and delicious instrumentals never fail to inspire and intrigue me!
Stewart Kenny
Angela Macari O’Looney
Stewart Kenny’s second album, this inspiring collection of songs is due for release in the near future. His debut I’ve fallen so far was launched in 2009 in Crawdaddy and is a favourite in my own CD collection.
Stewart has been composing since he was fourteen, and he possesses a fantastic vocal range. His guitar playing skills are also quite impressive. He produces, arranges, mixes and masters his own music.
His influences include greats such as Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Ray Lamontagne and the list goes on.
Play the Game
This number starts off with a dramatic space aged intro, picking up to a faster tempo for the verse. It’s an upbeat song, with a catchy melody line and close harmony adds sparkle. The lyrics are sarcastic; you like the last laugh, you need the last word/ you need to twist the knife, when all you got’s a spoon.The busy drumbeat, synth and programming lend to the cheerful mood. I particularly enjoy the key change where Stewart goes up to falsetto.
Plucked acoustic guitar notes and a trickling quality are the key features in the second track. Empty promises is laid back and has a soothing quality. Chord combinations are sweet and the refrain Everything, everything has an ethereal feel to it.
Maybe he’s better off dead
Choppy, with tragic notation, this number is quite sad. The lyrics conjure up a picture of a person who suffers from media persecution. Stewart’s delivery is excellent here, as he goes through a list of possible reasons for someone to end up hating fame and success! Why was he a victim, cause he was in the public eye? I suspect it relates to the unexpected and sad demise of the King of Pop.
With everything ahead of us
With his acoustic guitar for the beginning and gradual introduction of synth, this number is laid back and very appealing. In it, he’s asking his sweetheart to be optimistic and not to look back, but forward. His light vocals and the harmony for the chorus give it a hopeful feel. I like the percussion throughout and how it falls back here and there, then returns.
In We can make it there the na na refrain is the most appealing feature. I like his descriptions about a summer’s day and swimming in the sea. The picture is painted in his lyrics and you can taste the salt breeze and almost feel the heat of the sun!
Little Darling involves heavenly keyboard and is a love song. Guitar comes in later and adds to the romantic, easy mood. Stewart’s vocals are passionate and harmony filters through here and there.
Stewart demonstrates his astounding guitar skills in Hand in hand, where he performs a solo that has a jazz/flamenco style and is definitely my own favourite bit. At the beginning he creates a big orchestral sound, where programming and electronic keyboard notation is quite complex and imaginative. He composed this number with his wife, Anne Marie Papin.
A destination unknown is a sensitively told story of someone’s life. It’s mournful, but notation is delicious. Guitar is divine as it trickles along, with chord changes simple and very appropriate for this soulful piece that would be great for a film soundtrack.
Fast and choppy, with a cool ah ooh refrain for the chorus, Won’t you take my hand is a number with a dance feel to it. Acoustic guitar lends a contemporary atmosphere to things and I love the busy bass line. Synth and electronic keyboard also filter in here and there. A subtle key change keeps things interesting and Stewart’s arranging ability is evident throughout.
Of the remaining tracks on this fifteen track album, I have some favourites.
The chord progression and the magical sound of Glockenspiel give a dreamy charm to Take it to infinity.
Little mysteries untold has some awe inspiring acoustic guitar solos throughout.
My absolute favourite number on this entire album, Boo hoo you was co-written with his Dad Tommy Kenny. This song is jazzy and involves a tenor sax, close harmony and superb piano and guitar. The sweet melody line, cheerful mood and jazzy riffs are simply beautiful!
The last number on the album, Baby’s smile is a sad piece about the loss of a child and the unfathomable justice that life throws at us. Consoling is impossible in a case like this and that tragedy is captured so well in the lyrics. A trickling guitar and wonderful piano accompany him. Stewart and his brother Alan composed this song.
Stewart’s capacity to create such a variety of lovely tracks is quite amazing. His subtle key changes and delicious instrumentals never fail to inspire and intrigue me!
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