Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Tommy Keyes – The Emigrants’ Blues

A long way to Tipperary.

Veteran Dunboyne singer/songwriter Tommy Keyes (top) goes full banjo on the third single from his new album Radio Days.

The press blurb says:

“The song evokes the hard lives of the Irishmen who worked on construction sites throughout the world in the 20th century, their “days filled with sweat and nights filled with booze”.”

The atmospheric black-and-white promo was shot and edited by Daniel Buckley in Darkey Kellys bar, Dublin.

Nick says: Songs in the Keyes of life.

Tommy Keyes

Thank Flo it’s Friday.

Welcome to our latest voucher-less music shenanigans. Last week was a great success, so thanks everyone!

This week, I want to know what’s your favourite underrated song of the 1990s?

Here’s mine.

Reply below just for the laugh.

Please include video links if possible.

Lines must close on SATURDAY at Midday

Nick says: Good luck!

Meanwhile…

The results are in.

Last week’s esteem was won by Ronnie Maher who chose The Passions “I’m In Love With A German Film Star” (above) as the best underrated song of the 1980s.

Ronnie wrote:

“Criminally underrated. Didn’t trouble the higher echelons of the charts much at the time. Although it should have. Written and sung by an Irish woman (Barbara Gogan, niece of Larry), this is superb. Do yourselves all a favour and take a few minutes to listen to it. You’re welcome.”

Nick says: Thanks all and nice one, Ronnie.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Freebird Records

Um.

Earlier…

In fairness.

This afternoon.

Grafton Street, Dublin 2.

Dizzy Thin Lizzy fan Rachel Sanderson, from England, with the statue of Phil Lynott, who was born on this day in 1949.

Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Aged 12.

Phil’s afro would later add four inches to his height.

Down At Dino’s Bar And Grill (Donal Clancy)

This afternoon.

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

‘sup?

Yesterday.

Dunmore East, county Waterford.

To Ellie and back.

Dunmore East RNLI rescues ‘Ellie’ the dog after a 30m cliff fall (RNLI)

RNLI/Neville Murphy

Thanks Bebe

The long ‘manager’s puffa’ of its day.

Good times.

Ryan Sheridan – Fine Wine

Anyone for vino?

Monaghan singer/songwriter Ryan Sheridan (top) whets the appetite for his third album, due next year on Rubyworks, with this Americana-tinged single.

Ryan writes:

“‘Fine Wine’ is about the people that make your life better. The people who pick you up when you’re down, listen to you when you need to talk and tell you some hard truths when you need to listen.

“It was written on the back of a new Americana covers album that I produced over lockdown. It was a new direction I was exploring and this is the first song I wrote in that style.”

Nick says: Life is a Cabernet, old chum.

Ryan Sheridan

Moxie – The Place Above

You should be dancing.

Irish trad ensemble Moxie will get your toes tapping with this infectious pop/soul number from their new album The Dawn Of Motion out on September 3.

Moxie are Darren Roche (accordion); Jos Kelly (accordion, keyboards); Cillian Doheny (banjo, guitar); Ted Kelly (banjo, tenor guitars); Josh Sampson (drums) and Julia Spanu (a French vocalist/songwriter with Vietnamese/Italian roots).

Moxie play Friday 3 September, Doolin Hotel, Co Clare; Saturday 4 Sept, Claremorris Folk Festival, Co Mayo; Friday 17 Sept, Meet Me In The Garden, Birr, Co Offaly; Tuesday 21 Sept, Monroes, Galway; and Sunday 26 Sept, Andersons Live, Sligo.

Nick says: Moxie music.

Moxie

Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell – Keson (Until My Strength Returns)

The wizard from Oz.

Legendary Australian chanteuse Lisa Gerrard – the daughter of an Irish Olympian – joins forces with her Dead Can Dance touring keyboard player Jules Maxwell (from Bangor, County Down) on the latest single from their album Burn.

The video was directed by David Daniels.

Nick says: Maxwell that ends well.

Lisa Gerrard

Jules Maxwell