Early 1960s.
Killester at the junction of Collins Avenue and Howth Road, Dublin 5.
And that’s the last we saw of da.
Author Archives: Nick Kelly
The Raines – Bare Feet On Grass
Here comes The Raines again.
The Americana/folk trio formed after meeting on the Aran island of Inis Oirr and recorded this uplifting song in the Black Gate in Galway.
It has reached No.1 on the iTunes Singer Songwriter chart.
The band are:Juliana Erkkonen (vocals and fiddle), Ruth Dillon (vocals, guitar and ukelele) and Yvonne Tiernan (vocals, banjolele).
The Raines write:
“Written on a gloriously sunny morning during lockdown while swaying barefoot on a hammock in Connemara, this song focuses on some of the brighter moments that we spent with our respective families, and the beauty we experienced in the world around them. It offers a glimpse of optimism and hope in the continuing uncertainty throughout Ireland.”
Nick says: The grass is singing.
Golden Discs CEO Stephen Fitzgerald
Tomorrow.
Malahide Road, Swords Demesne, Swords, County Dublin.
Driven by the vinyl revival, our friends at Golden Discs (home of Nick’s voucher) are opening their newest store in Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre.
Situated on the ground floor next to Supervalu. it will employ twelve new staff and takes the company to 22 stores in total across the country.
CEO Stephen Fitzgerald says:
“We’ve had lots of time to perfect the Swords offering with a particular empathise on Vinyl and turntables. The resurgence of the format over the last few years has been simply extraordinary. Whether its older fans dusting off the old collection from the attic, or younger fans listening to music for the first time how it’s supposed to be enjoyed, we have something for everyone in-store this Christmas.”
In fairness
Pic via Orchestrate PR
G’day.
Thank Sheila it’s Friday.
For this week’s music competition, we’re going Down Under. I want to know: what’s your favourite song by an artist from Australia or New Zealand?
Here’s mine.
Reply below to be in with a chance of winning a fair dinkum €25 Golden Discs voucher.
The winner will be chosen by my cousin Bruce.
Please include video links if possible.
Lines MUST close at Saturday 11am.
Nick says: Good luck, cobbers!
Last week’s winner here
Eric Clapton (right) and Van Morrison have teamed up for anti-Lockdown Single ‘Stand and Deliver’
This afternoon.
Via Variety:
Music legends Van Morrison and Eric Clapton have announced a new single, “Stand and Deliver,” in support of Morrison’s Save Live Music campaign. The blues track was written by Morrison and is performed by Clapton
Proceeds from “Stand and Deliver” will go to the Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund, which helps musicians facing difficulties as a result of the coronavirus and resulting lockdown measures
Clapton — the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — called the dearth of live events due to lockdown restrictions “deeply upsetting.”
Music Legends Eric Clapton, Van Morrison Team for Anti-Lockdown Single ‘Stand and Deliver’ (Variety)
Alternatively…
let’s Do It For Each Other – Ste Brown
Noggin’ rapper Ste asks for everyone to follow the rona rules
Thug life didn’t choose him, obviously.
Previously: Into The Medic
The Would Be’s – I’m Hardly Ever Wrong
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960, the spotlight turns on The Would Be’s from Kingscourt, County Cavan, helmed by the Finnegan brothers, Mattie, Paul and Eamonn.
I’m Hardly Ever Wrong is their brilliant debut single from 1990 with lead vocals by Julie McDonnell.
Favourites of the late John Peel and Morrissey, they went on to record a few EPs with new singer Eileen Gogan before splitting up.
The original line-up reformed in 2012 and released the album Beautiful Mess in 2013.
Nick says: Finnegans wake.
Kodaline – This Must Be Christmas
What a brilliant video.
To cheer us up in these straitened times, Kodaline have conjured a charming and sweet tale of an unemployed elf to go with their new Christmas single, which can be found on the deluxe reissue of their album One Day At A Time.
Director Lee Holmes said:
“The track is essentially about drowning your sorrows in a pub at Christmas and I loved how the band had put their own stamp on the traditional Christmas song.
“So for the video I wanted to create that Christmas feel but with a twist, playing on the idea that Santa’s elves are like seasonal workers who live among normal people during the year, until Christmas comes. And in these uncertain times it makes sense that their job security is in the balance, just like the rest of us.
“Kodaline have such a great track record for music videos so it was a privilege to get to work with them and create a video for their alternative Christmas vision.”
Nick says: Tinseltown in the reindeer.
In Motion – In Daylight
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960, reader Lovely Hurling bigs up 1990s Dublin shoegazing supremos In Motion, who were led by ace tunesmith Alan Kelly (vocals and guitar), Alan O’Boyle (guitar), Liam Ryan (drums) and John Duff (bass).
Their magnum opus was The Language Of Everyday Life, released on the Dead Elvis label in 1994. Kelly then went on to make two more pure gold masterpieces as The Last Post. Belfast label Bright Star Recordings released Love Lost and Dry Land. The ultimate underrated Irish songwriter?
Lovely Hurling writes:
“This is the epitome of floppy fringed, jangly, shoegazing that was me in the early ’90s. Now the fringe is long gone, there are only rattles instead of jangles and I can’t see my shoes anymore. Their album The Language of Everyday Life is a forgotten gem.”
Nick says: I second that In Motion.
Shiv – Letting You Know
We’ll always have Paris.
Zimbabwe-born, Kildare-raised singer Shiv (top) excites with this lush neo-soul ballad from her debut EP Me 2 Me, out on December 4.
The video was shot in the French capital by Santiago Sanchez and directed by Shiv.
Shiv says:
“It’s about the moment I finally realised that holding onto whatever was inside me wasn’t helping, that in releasing my deepest self and being comfortable with what that meant, I could finally let go of the fear that had embedded itself in my relationship with myself and my creative process.”
Nick says: A torch singer in The City of Light.
Auto Da Fé – November, November
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960, reader Lovely Hurling sounds the fanfare for 1980s New Wave acolytes Auto Da Fé, who formed in Holland and were led by former Steeleye Span singer Gay Woods and keyboardist Trevor Knight.
November, November was their debut single released in 1982 and produced by one Phil Lynott.
Lovely Hurling writes:
“Not alone does Gay Woods have one of the sweetest voices ever committed to vinyl, I think they have one of the coolest Irish band names.”
Nick says: Auto Da Fé for the people.