I'm on leave for the next two weeks, more bits to be done to the house, try and get some scooters running, learn to surf, visit friends and the like. Might not be too near a computer so posts may be a bit thinner. My apologies in advance. I've just booked to go to Amsterdam for Queen's Day, apparently its their Paddy' day but madder, at the end of April. Woo Hoo!! Bring it on....

I’m forever blowing bubbles....

I thought I’d look for more information about Dave Duggan, the author of Bubbles in the Hot Tub, so I googled him and a site called blurtit.com gave me this snippit: ‘Dave Duggan or also known as Oscar-nominated Dave Duggan or Academy Award nominated Dave Duggan is a playwright, film maker and teacher who works in Derry in Northern Ireland. Dave holds a degree in science and has widely traveled throughout the world.
He is co-artistic director of Sole Purpose, a theatre company based in Derry, at the Playhouse Theatre. He has written many plays which have been performed across the UK and Ireland. His screen-play Dance Lexie Dance was funded by a number of bodies and won a number of film festival awards and was eventually nominated for an Oscar in the short film category, which is quite an honour. Most recently he has been teaching playwriting at the University of Ulster to second year students.
Dave is a down to earth man with strong convictions and no-nonsense approach to his craft. He is admired throughout the city.’. Well that’s hard to beat! And having met Dave many times I’d happily concur. Bubbles in the Hot Tub is his latest play, and I’m told a great Derry comedy romp. It’s on at An Grianan from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 May at 8pm, sure give it a lash! Call 074 91220777 for the box office.

Fionn, Fionn, Fionn,

Also frequently award nominated, but not quite at oscar level yet, is Fionn Regan. I went to ask.com this time and searched and came up with this piece from the Guardian: ‘

Fionn Regan was born in Dublin but now lives in Brighton, and his debut album evokes the best of both cities. Seaside imagery and Celtic romance flood each impressive acoustic rhythm, the cosy folk fighting off a chilly cynicism. The usual suspects influence Regan's style - there are the lilting high notes of Damien Rice, the scathing tone of Bob Dylan and the literate lyricism of Nick Drake - but the frozen heart and warm touch belong to Regan alone. "Step out of your dress and I'll wear you like a hood," he sings in The Underwood Typewriter. Hey Rabbit has the twisted naivety of Alice in Wonderland, while an acoustic guitar chases an excitable piano melody in Bunker or Basement. Woven through the wonder is Regan's gorgeous, easy voice, as spellbinding as anything his imagination can conjure up. Folk has a new Pied Piper.’. Betty Clarke, The Guardian. You can hear, and see Fionn on WEd 25 April at An Grianan.

Freddie White in the Balor

Went to yahoo.com for this search and came up with the following blurb ‘Freddie White is something of a legend. He was a founding member of Scullion, later he formed The Fake, regarded as one of the seminal Irish bands of the late 70's. Next came The Freddie White Band, which toured with Eric Clapton on his Irish Tour. His first album, Live on Tour, recorded by Nicky Ryan while Freddie toured with Clannad, brought him national attention. His second album, 'Do You Do', was the biggest selling Mulligan Label album of 1981. Long Distance Runner in 1985, featured original songs such as "Goodbye This Time", "Down Without A Fight" and the hit single "Frozen Heart" co-written with Johnny Duhan. His fourth album, "Close To You" continued this trend, most of the songs being Freddies own. In 1994, he released Straight Up, fourteen songs recorded live by Dan Fitzgerald. And now a new all original album, "My Country" recorded in Ireland, was released in 1999. Freddie White's popularity has endured for many years and there is a very good reason why - he delivers! He has released seven albums to date to critical acclaim, but it is his live performance that stuns. He can rock your socks off, bring tears to your eyes with a ballad, or croon a jazz standard, all the while giving this apparently diverse material a common thread.’ You can catch Freddie at the Balor in Ballybofey on Friday 13th June.

Album Review- Soul Gospel 2

The good people at Soul Jazz sent me over a few cds and this one blew me away. Soul Gospel 2 mixes elements of Soul, Gospel, Rare Groove Funk and New York Underground Disco. Celebrated gospel artists such as The Staple Singers , Clara Ward and Marion Williams are present, alongside many lesser known gospel artists like The Sensational Cymbals, and The Lovers of God, who you’re unlikely to find mentioned in any discography of either gospel or soul music. But it’s all good! All the artists on this album are unique in that they grew up in the church and their music includes the emotional and spiritual depth and soaring vocals of what would become the defining ingredients of Gospel’s secular counterpart – Soul Music. This depth comes from a vocal schooling in the environment of the church, against a background of social hardship and political change. My stand out tracks would be Wade in the Water, a personal favourite anyway but here stirringly performed by The Angelic Choir. The Marion Gaines Singers with Do Your Thing, so funky! And Martha Bass with the beautiful Since I been born again. The album comes with extensive text, exclusive photos, slipcase and super-loud double vinyl or c.d. And I’m not even a Christian so true believers will get even more out of it no doubt, but as a music lover it hits the right spot. You can get the album form Universal records in the square in Letterkenny or on the web at www.soundsoftheuniverse.com

The Return of the Soul Jazz Sound System Friday 28th April

Went back to google for this search. ‘A heady blend of reggae, latin, funk and soul from the immaculate Soul Jazz Sound System, whose regular guests at their celebrated London club nights include Norman Jay, David Holmes, ESG and Jerry Dammers. Also responsible for the classic 100-600% Dynamite and Studio 1 compilation series, the Soul Jazz crew are consummate ambassadors of funky, soulful rhythms and grooves.’. Soul Jazz return to the fubar on April 28th, this time its dj Scott Bethell and mc Oxman. Well funky, well soulful, well get dancing!

Back in the day when I was enthusiastically given to promoting new bands and stuff two friends of mine, Alan O' Boyle and Dennis McNulty ran away from their respective indie bands and started making dance music. Back in 1993 or thereabouts this was practically a crime. I remember going to their first club might in the Rock Garden where they gave away a free tape containing music form the bands who were performing and some tracks by themselves on it, and free sweets. This built into the most succesful Irish electronica act ever, dEcal, and the legendary U:Mack night in the Funnel where the cream of the world's electronic djs played every Friday night to rapturous and ecstatic (ahem) crowds. There was also various side projects including a drum n bass act with Alan and Rohan which went under the moniker AjaxDiscoSpanner that I got signed to a 4AD offshoot label, only one 12 inch was released but it did very well. But I digress, dEcal is now Alan alone as Dennis has wandered off into high art. And the reason for this post is that Alan has put up some free tracks on his website and fabulous they are. Click here as they say on primitive websites http://www.decal-artifacts.com/audio.html

I recommend the mechanise e.p very highly.

EDIT* actually while that stuff is good skip straight to the new stuff, absolutely amazing .. here... http://decal-artifacts.com/audio/Sketches/Decal_little_sketches.zip

Ok

Being away in dublin for a couple of days has really perked me up. I've confirmed Soul Jazz to return on Sat 28th April and have Jerry Dammers booked for the last weekend in June. I'm working on a Hot Chip dj set as well for May 26th which will be cool if it comes off. I'm feeling very positive! Somtimes i like looking at Postsecret but sometimes I find it too depressing so I've laid off it recently. But in my refound optimism and joie de vivre I surfed there today and found this wonderful postcard, made me smile.

feeling slightly melancholic today....

Bettye Lavette - Let Me Down Easy

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Loft Exhibition
Here are photos from the opening of the Loft LK Young People’s Exhibition at An Grianan Theatre, Youth workers, Parents and Young People mingled happily to celebrate these works. The artwork explores labels and identity, how these relate to mental health. The young people seek to identify and challenge the stigma that pertains to mental health issues. Bullying, depression, prejudice and isolation are among the issues addressed in the exhibition. The "But names will never hurt me" project coincides with a Mental Health Week organised by the LOFT's Youth Health Group. And very good it is too, pop in to An Grianan any time at all and have a look.

Here are some photos from the An Grianan/ Ouroboros production of Brian Friel’s Making History, and a wonderful production it is too!


And here are some photos of patrons at the opening night of Making History. l/r Paula, author and storyteller Joe Brennan, Mary Lynch, Marjorie Blake, and Art Curator John Cunningham.


What’s On?

Juan Martin Flamenco Guitarist in an Grianan tomorrow (wed), David O’ Doherty comedian Thursday night, both at An Grianan. Demon’s Eye, Deep Purple Tribute Act, tomorrow night at the Balor, Put Your Sweet Lips at the Balor Thurs night, Jack L Friday night. Jon Kenny thursday week in the Abbey, Ballyshannon.

Further to the Spank Rock reference below here's the song they sampled for Sweet Talk, 'Do I love You' performed by the original artist Frank Wilson, at a show in England a couple of years ago. It is officially the most valuable record ever, with one of only two known orginal copies changing hands last year for $18,000. Worth every cent.

Here I am on bended knees
I lay my heart down at your feet
Now do I love you

All you have to do is ask
I'll give until there's nothing left
do I love you

As long as there is life in me
Our happiness is guaranteed
I'll fill your heart with ecstasy, forever darling

Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Indeed I do Indeed I do

The very thing that I want most
Is just to have and hold you close
Do I love you?

From early morning until late at night
You fill my heart with pure delight
Do I love you?

Now whenever I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord your soul to keep
And bring you home safe to me, for ever darling

Do I love you?
Do I love you?
Do I love you?

Indeed I do, sweet darling, indeed I do

Freak Scene (J. Mascis)


The weirdness flows between us
Anyone can tell to see us
Freak scene just can't believe us
Why can't it just be cool and leave us?

It's so fucked I can't believe it
If there's a way
I wish we'd see it
How it could work
Just can't conceive it
Oh what a mess
It's just to leave it

Sometimes I don't thrill you
Sometimes I think I'll kill you
Just don't let me fuck up, will you?
'Cos when I need a friend
It's still you

What a mess...

Dano's 21st.


Dano has given me 'free reign' on the music for Sat night, now I KNOW you lot will be up requesting songs so to make sure I have them help me out and let me know now.


(Brian I already have Prince covered! BTW there's a rumour he's playing Electric Picnic...)

Very much liking this Dublin outfit Abigail Song, a bit Joanna Newsom without all the edges... think i prefer the instrumental one tho....


Abigail Song at myspace

cheers to Blogorrah for the heads up.

It was an amazing night on sat with the Soul Jazz Records Sound System, 250 lovely people having a great time!

Here's a couple of photos....