Paul Woodfull & Patrick McDonnell – But I Like You
“A quirky love song for oddballs.”
A few weeks ago, we featured the charming new video from the legendary Paul Woodfull (ex-Joshua Trio, Ding Dong Denny O’Reilly).
Now Paul (top left) has enlisted Louth comedian Patrick McDonnell (top right) – famous for his role as Eoin McLove in Father Ted – to double up with him and turn the song into a duet.
We like.
Paul also recorded an alternative version featuring different lyrics based on the suggestions of his social media followers, who shared their pet dislikes.
Thanks, Paul, for making us smile amidst all the gloom.
A collection of the 12 singles he released each month in 2021 with an extra three songs added, the album was written, performed, produced and mixed by Callan himself in his cabin in County Louth.
Paul writes:
“Funzi is the story of 2021. These songs came and in some ways captured the times for me as I travelled through the year.
“Initially at the beginning of the year my thoughts were to record and release a record for the summer of 2021. A friend suggested releasing one song per month as a way to work on my writing, to make me look at each of the songs as singles in their own right.”
The album is named after Paul’s Airedale Lurcher who is also the cover star.
Berlin-based Irish songsmith Wallis Bird (top) gives us food for thought in this single from her forthcoming album Hands, due next month.
Wallis writes:
“I wrote it with the intention that it would feel like an embrace of safety, of walking towards complex relationships and situations with an open heart and patience and I’m so glad you feel its warmth. I love you. Peace.”
The video was shot in Berlin’s Grin & Bear Studios by Joseph Wright.
Wallis plays a Rock Against Homelessness charity gig in aid of Focus Ireland at the Little Theatre, Gorey, County Wexford, on April 16.
Badhands aka Dan Fitzpatrick (top) shares a brooding live band performance in Sonic Studios of a song from his new album Far Away.
It’s a slow-build, Jim.
Dan writes:
“First of the Day was one of the most difficult songs to record on the album, with its big arrangement and mix of instrumentation. When we play it live it’s a lot looser and more raw, so I really wanted to make a live video of the song that would capture the energy and unhinged nature of the band’s performance when we play it at gigs.”
Badhands album launch gig is in Whelans tomorrow evening.
Telefis – Archbishop Beardmouth At The ChemOlympics
The drugs do work.
Cathal Coughlan and Garrett ‘Jacknife’ Lee have released a new EP culled from their debut collaborative Telefis album A hAon.
The title track is a surreal journey that only Cathal himself can explain.
He writes:
‘Archbishop Beardmouth visits the ChemOlympics, in his full Byzantine-Slavic magnificence, the giant torso-curtain of hair announcing him. He is very gratified by what he sees.
‘Gone are the mandatory drugs tests and geopolitical skirmishes of yore, and in, instead, has come immaculate, chemically-enhanced performance. There’s only the occasional moment when the live camera feed has to be cut, in order to enable the re-reading of the script, and perhaps the replacement of a competitor.
‘At these times, His Eminence loses interest in the spectacle, and becomes aware of the obsequious ravings of a young man seated below him, who points at a laptop screen full of animated bodies – devised, the young man says, by a special form of artficial intelligence.
‘The youth tries to interest the prelate in buying into the “cryptocurrency” which will fund the growth of this technology, which is named “COPD-coin”. The young man explains that he named it this way because it represents a shock to the international order.
‘His Eminence appears irked by this, and begins to grill the young man, “You wish to destabilise your own Motherland in this way? And you dare to approach the Lord God’s representative with this treason?”
””No, no, Eminence”, the young man remonstrates, “It shall be prevented from trading in the Motherland. Only in the sinful and subhuman parts of the world will it be allowed to operate. Because those people are stupid, and decadent.”
‘The Archibishop raises an eyebrow and leans forward. “Well then, how much money do you need to raise from this scheme?”
‘Later, at the big reception for the dignitaries, there are home movie screenings. On the screen, we see vintage images of Ireland’s famed one-time Orthodox Jansenist Papal ruler, Archbishop John Charles McQuaid (sometimes depicted in the company of his earthly proxy, Éamon de Valera).
‘He parades through a life of saintly self-love (since unfairly besmirched by individuals unfit to have breathed the same air as His Lordship) – from long-con shrine, to concrete basilica, to institution of pious incarceration. It could be said that we shall not see his like again – but let’s give it a go. Viva crypto!’
…Galway singer/songwriter Seba Safe (top), real name Michael D’Alton. (Just stay away from Will Smith.)
Seba says:
“Oscars is a classic break-up blues buzz song. It’s about acting happy when you’re not, so friends and family don’t worry about you. Using happiness as a front. Also, the song questions the authenticity of other people’s happiness.”
Carlow-born, Clare-based songsmith David Donohue (formerly of The Floors) has just released his long-awaited solo album.
The title track is a wry, soulful look at the lives of his longtime companions.
Produced by David Ayers, the song features guest musicians Floriane Blancke (piano); Clive Barnes (pedal steel); and Julie and Jenny Morton (backing vocals).
Nick says: I heard there was a secret chord David played and it pleased the Lord.
Old school indie guitar lovers will rejoice at the re-emergence of Dublin stalwarts Sack (top), who have just uploaded a never-before-seen video originally shot 25 years ago.
The promo features singer Martin McCann in the back of a taxi and heralds the imminent re-issue of their classic album Butterfly Effect.
The band write:
“Sleeping On The Floor, taken from the 25th Anniversary remastered edition of ‘Butterfly Effect’, was originally intended to be the 3rd single released from the album back in 1997 but it never came out.
“We even made a video for it but it’s never been seen publicly, and only recently rediscovered in the Sack archive.”
Until today!
The remastered album will appear on double vinyl for the first time on April 22 and features new artwork by Martin McCann. The record is available here.
Darren A. Flynn (top), formerly of Italian/Irish Americana act Mongrel State, marks his return to the Irish music scene since literally dropping dead in 2018.
Darren writes:
“It took me about a year to fully recover after my heart attack, and just around the time I was feeling ready to dip my toe back in the water, feckin’ COVID happened!
“There were so many times over the last few years when I’d almost given up hope. I’m so glad that, finally, I’m able to get out there and have my music heard again.”
The acclaimed Johnny Butten brings the banjo magic and the track also features guest vocals by Tim Cullen (The Hot Sprockets), JM Burr (Lugosi) and folk singer Michelle Gahan.
