Lynda Lucas
Gram Parsons Tribute
DCC Club
Camden Row
04/11/’11
It was the eve of his 65th Birthday and in this cosy venue, a small group of fans and musicians gathered to raise a glass to him, sing a song, or share in the ongoing campaign to put his name into the Country Music Hall of fame. Gram Parsons has inspired so many of Country music’s best, and with the growing interest in this once not so popular genre, here in Dublin there are some amazing artists who share a huge respect for Gram, whose songs and music are precious archives, where the seeds of other more up to the minute genres were sown.
Miss Paula Flynn
Paula performed the first set of the evening, along with her guitarist Greg McAteer. Beginning with Do you know how it feels to be lonesome, she demonstrated a clear and extremely appealing vocal style. Light, and a little reminiscent of Cathy Davey, Paula is soothing to listen to, as she sings the catchy chorus.
I like the Christian Life; With a three four tempo, this has a laid back mood and a candy sweet melody line.
She followed this with Sing me back home before I die. It’s a beautiful cover and she really does this style of song justice.
Paula and Greg continued with a brilliant version of The last thing on my mind.
She’s a lady I plan to hear again. Other songs in her set included Peace in the Valley; A vintage country song that was resurrected by Gram and has been covered by many well known singers, Beautiful Palace of Gold which is Paula’s own work. She finished with Hank Williams cover My bucket’s got a hole in it.
Minnie and the Illy Whackers
Made up from members of The sick and indigent song club, Angie (Minnie) McLaughlin formed this interesting and very entertaining band. It includes Gerry Fitzpatrick-Dobro/Guitar, Shane McGrath-Mandolin/Guitar, Christian Volkman-Bass/Harmonica, Sheila Sullivan-Fiddle/Backing vox and trumpet player Carl O’Brien. Their music contains vaudeville influences and has a ‘ukulele swing’ sound.
Angie has a seductive vocal style and with Sheila’s fiddle included in the sound, each number is lifted to great effect. They performed Close up the Honky tonk. Mandolin and double bass added charm to this foot stomping song.
Sheila and Angie shared vocals for Straight back home to you. The harmonies here were really beautiful and memorable.
I can dance was cheerful, upbeat, with witty lyrics and Sheila performed a wonderful solo on fiddle.
She came from a land of Cotton is a sweet ballad with delightful chords in it.
The audience seemed very engaged with this band and I have to admit, they are quite addictive.
The pace picks up in this number, and then it winds back down again. It was one of the most popular numbers covered by Gram and this was a very enjoyable version.
Ed McGinley Neill Toner and Leslie Kiel
Opening up with a delicious number called Hot Burrito, this trio performed a great set. Each is a superb musician in his own right, but they blended well as they played and sang a truly enjoyable set.
Their second song was plucky, with a sweet melody line and was sung with feeling.
They also performed a number with a three four tempo called You don’t miss your water. Punters sang along and the atmosphere was laid back.
Streets of Baltymore involved excellent guitar and all three lads contributed to each riff and solo, harmonizing to lift the entire sound.
Lynda Lucas
And the National Born Heathens
Just before Lynda and her entourage began their set, it was announced that midnight had struck and so it was now officially Gram’s sixty fifth Birthday. This added a slice of drama to the moment.
On guitar and backing vocals was Brendan Priestly, Vinnie O’Connor-Keys, Joe Ryan-Pedal Steel, Fran Byrne-Dums and Ciaron Patten-Bass.
They began with This ol’ town and created a full sound with Piano, Harp, Rhythm, Lead guitar and Lynda singing vocals and playing her guitar.
This was followed by Long Lost soul which is faster and livelier, with an alternating beat.
She performed Do you know how it feels to be lonesome. This song proved popular and Lynda’s version was very sweet.
The atmosphere was fab in the venue as she performed One Hundred Years, which Gram would have performed along with The Byrds.
It has poignant lyrics and a lovely melody line.
That’s all it took was another beautiful song, where Brendan Priestly performs close harmony with Lynda’s chorus.
Hickory Wind was laid back. Other wonderful songs in the set were No one treats me like you do, Brass buttons, Green silks and silver shoes, Cry one more time, Sweep out the ashes, Summer Lady and Six days on the Road.
Neill Toner came up to join in for one or two numbers and the final song of the evening was Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. This was a very appropriate title!
I’m glad I had the pleasure of being a part of this great tribute night.
Although I don’t consider myself a huge fan of country music, I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful evening and can truthfully say when it’s performed by experts; American country music can be quite addictive.
