Lismore World Music

Recession Beating Music in February

2012-01-23T17:42:00.003Z

Lismore Castle

Friday February 17th at 09.00 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Mendocino are a Folk/Country Band based in the South East of Ireland. Mendocino’s debut album The Steep Ravine was recorded in France by the acclaimed Irish producer David Odlum (Gemma Hayes, Josh Ritter, The Frames).

Web http://www.mendocinotheband.com/

Saturday February 25th at 09.00 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Dana Cooper, often accorded the accolade of a ‘songwriter’s songwriter,’ his songs have been covered by numerous recording artists, many acclaimed songwriters themselves, including Maura O’Connell, Claire Lynch, Pierce Pettis and Susan Werner. He has been a featured performer on many prestigious TV and radio programs, including Austin City Limits and Mountain Stage, and he is a much-anticipated annual regular on the main stage at the esteemed Kerrville Music Festival. His worldwide audience includes hotbeds of Americana music in Europe, where Cooper has performed at the Belfast Songwriters Festival and tours regularly in Sweden and Denmark, often with support from the well-regarded Danish band The Sentimentals.

Web http://www.danacoopermusic.com/

LOWmountain & Marc O'Reilly

2011-10-30T16:17:00.004Z

Saturday November 26th at 21.00 in Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore

A fantastic double header: local artist Marc O'Reilly and LOWmountain from West Cork combine to bring us an outstanding evening.

LOWmountain

For this West Cork three-piece, it’s all about great songs. Their often sparse, but nonetheless carefully measured arrangements allow you...no...invite you, to find your own space in the music. Imagery and storytelling are at the heart of the lyrics, allowing you to take your own interpretation. http://lowmountainmusic.com/

Marc O'Reilly

Following stints in different alt/rock bands, Marc began to make his mark in 2010 as a solo performer, playing at last summer's Electric Picnic festival and supporting fellow Irish songwriters including David Kitt. He also began the creative and recording process that has led to My Friend Marx's release on new Irish indie label, Salt & Shake Records.

http://www.marcoreillymusic.com/

Mendocino: The Steep Ravine

2011-07-19T20:54:00.002+01:00

Advance notice

The next gig from Lismore World Music is on

Friday September 9th 2011

Mendocino

http://www.mendocinotheband.com/

Lismore welcomes LOWmountain

2011-06-06T15:24:00.004+01:00

LOWmountain
Saturday July 2nd at 9.00 pm in Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore

The music of LOWmountain shares many traits of one of those old handwritten letters that’s found its way into history and continues to exist as a treasured heirloom, passing from generation to generation. It’s personal, it’s communicative and it offers a very real sense of a someone else’s place and time. Also, you’ll want to keep it forever.

For this West Cork three-piece, it’s all about great songs. Their often sparse, but nonetheless carefully-measured arrangements allow you...no...invite you, to find your own space in the music. Imagery and storytelling are at the heart of the lyrics, allowing you to take your own interpretation. Let the music of LOWmountain become the soundtrack to your place and time.

As well as headlining their own shows, LOWmountain have opened for acts such as Mick Flannery and Dog Tail Soup throughout the past twelve months. LOWmountain formed part of the line-up at last summer’s CorkXSouthwest festival alongside The Villagers, Lisa Hannigan, John Spillane and The Waterboys. LOWmountain are also to feature on the upcoming series of Other Voices 8 on RTE television shortly and have enjoyed significant airtime on RTE Radio 1 and both Cork’s 96FM and C103.

Influences range from Ryans Adams, Neil Young and Emmylou Harris to Bruce Springteen and James Taylor. LOWmountain are currently working on new material in Studio CPR near Baltimore, West Cork. Check www.myspace.com/lowmountainmusic or www.lowmountainmusic.com for sample tracks and information regarding new releases, gigs etc.

= = Advance Notice = =
Coming Friday September 9th, 5 piece roots group from Ring, County Waterford: "Mendocino".

Viper Central Play Bluegrass in Ballyrafter House

2011-05-26T19:46:00.003+01:00

Viper Central
Saturday June 4th at 9.00 pm in Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore

"From bittersweet old-time ballads to fiery bluegrass breakdowns, the acoustic moonshine they distill is 160-proof."
- The Georgia Straight, Vancouver

"Viper Central brought down the house at two concerts at the 2010 San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival. Both their shows were so packed we had to turn people away at the door. They lived up to their billing. Extremely exciting music, great musicianship and singing, creativity, a fun show - what more could you ask. Everyone loved them. They made many new fans, and sold a ton of CD's. I highly recommend them for any other festivals or shows."
- Ken Frankel

"The Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Society was pleased to have Viper Central join our lineup for the 2009 music camp and festival. Along with their amazing talent, they brought enthusiasm and a wonderful 'down to earth' attitude. We were so pleased with the way they interacted with the students at camp. Their patience and willingness to help was appreciated by everyone, and it was apparent by the many compliments from festival-goers that their music was a smash hit! We certainly hope to see them again in the future."
- Tracey Lalonde

On the web at http://www.vipercentral.ca

John Francis Comes to Town

2011-05-14T12:23:00.002+01:00

John Francis
Saturday May 21st at 9.00 pm in Rose's West End Bar

John Francis now makes his home (when not touring 200+ days per year) in Music City...Nashville, Tennessee. In Nashville, he recorded his newest release 'the Better Angels' in the Cash Cabin Studio. Produced by John Carter Cash in the fabled home studio of his parents Johnny and June. 'The Better Angels' was released Nov.9, 2010. Featuring legendary musicians: Kenny Vaughan (Lucinda Williams, Marty Stuart), Ken Coomer (Uncle Tupelo, Wilco), Michael Rhodes (Sheryl Crowe, J.J. Cale), Robbie Turner (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson) and featuring Rachael Yamagata with a vocal appearance, 'the Better Angels' is a musical achievement. The record features the single "Johnny Cash on the Radio" and the two songs for which Francis received national songwriting awards.

John Francis has received two recent songwriting awards, one for Lyricist of the Year from the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers, and the other for Socially Conscious Lyricist of the Year also from ASCAP, in 2010 for the song "Who?"

Web:
http://www.johnfrancismusic.com/index.html

May Gigs in Rose's West End Bar

2011-04-03T16:16:00.008+01:00

Peter Mulvey and Marc O'Reilly - a dream double bill

Friday May 13th at 9.00 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Peter Mulvey is an American folk singer-songwriter based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since the early 1990s, he has developed a strong national following in the indie folk/rock scene through his relentless touring and critically acclaimed albums. He is best known for his dark (quirky) songwriting and his intense percussive guitar style. Peter has been a regular visitor to Lismore over the years and his return is eagerly anticipated.

Marc O'Reilly is an Irish singer-songwriter growing his following and reputation after the release of his first album in February 2011. My Friend Marx launched to great reviews and fantastic live sessions. As a young artist, Marc sometimes opened for Peter Mulvey. Now a real treat: a live double bill from two great musicians.

Web:
http://www.marcoreillymusic.com/
http://www.petermulvey.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

John Francis
Saturday May 21st at 9.00 pm in Rose's West End Bar

John Francis now makes his home (when not touring 200+ days per year) in Music City...Nashville, Tennessee. In Nashville, he recorded his newest release 'the Better Angels' in the Cash Cabin Studio. Produced by John Carter Cash in the fabled home studio of his parents Johnny and June. 'The Better Angels' was released Nov.9, 2010. Featuring legendary musicians: Kenny Vaughan (Lucinda Williams, Marty Stuart), Ken Coomer (Uncle Tupelo, Wilco), Michael Rhodes (Sheryl Crowe, J.J. Cale), Robbie Turner (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson) and featuring Rachael Yamagata with a vocal appearance, 'the Better Angels' is a musical achievement. The record features the single "Johnny Cash on the Radio" and the two songs for which Francis received national songwriting awards.

John Francis has received two recent songwriting awards, one for Lyricist of the Year from the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers, and the other for Socially Conscious Lyricist of the Year also from ASCAP, in 2010 for the song "Who?"

Web:
http://www.johnfrancismusic.com/index.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advance notice
Coming on Saturday June 4th: Vancouver based five-piece bluegrass band Viper Central,
http://www.vipercentral.ca/

Coming on Saturday July 2nd: West Cork three-piece LOWmountain, http://lowmountainmusic.com

The Believers - a Country/Rock/Soul Sound

2011-03-19T15:55:00.003Z

Saturday March 26th at 09.00 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
THE BELIEVERS have a serious love for old school country music. They can’t help it if they were raised on punk rock & metal.

Founding members Craig Aspen & Cyd Frazzini formed THE BELIEVERS ten years ago in Seattle amid the Alt. Country- No Depression boom of that time and have been recording and performing ever since. Three albums and a decade later they’ve stayed true to their Country/ Rock /Soul sound that has earned them praise from contemporaries like Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale and the BBC Radio’s Bob Harris who declared them simply, “Brilliant.”

Of their latest release ‘Lucky You’ , Britain’s Rock n Reel Magazine wrote THE BELIEVERS are “What Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Three might’ve sounded like if they’d jammed with The White Stripes.” That sounds about right to Cyd Frazzini who smiles and says, “I hope we can always come across that dangerous."

http://thebelieversusa.com/

Freddie White - the maestro of quality music

2010-12-29T14:31:00.004Z

Freddie White - the maestro of quality music

Rose's West End Bar Saturday January 22nd 2011, 9.00 pm
(This gig had been scheduled for January 8th but was postponed that day due to illness)
Freddie White has long been synonymous with music of the highest quality. Whether interpreting songs by his favourite writers, such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, John Hiatt and Guy Clark, or performing his own classy compositions, Freddie’s live performances are nothing short of legendary.

Freddie has been part of the fabric of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970’s and his albums continue to sell well, amongst his loyal and new-found fan base.

Born in Cobh, County Cork into a musical family, by age thirteen Freddie was playing in school bands and by seventeen playing professionally. At nineteen, he moved to London, where he busked in subways, and developed his unique voice and guitar style.

His latest album, released in 2008, ‘Stormy Lullaby, is a stunning collection of moody tracks in which Freddie White’s musicianship and voice shine through. He has once again teamed up with his old cohort DanDan Fitzgerald to produce this gem. The album has an acoustic feel thanks to the input of a small, tight group of musicians from his native Cork.

Web http://www.freddiewhite.com/

Brooks Williams makes Top 100 Acoustic Guitarist list

2010-11-28T10:45:00.005Z

Thursday December 2nd:
Cancelled due to adverse weather conditions !

Brooks Williams

Rose's West End Bar, Lismore Saturday December 4th at 8.30 pm

Brooks Williams is one of the premier guitarists, singers and songwriters on the Roots Blues Americana scene. Lauded as one of the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists of all time, Williams has been wowing audiences worldwide for nearly 24-years with his silky voice, hook-laden songs, and rollicking acoustic and resonator slide guitars, every night delivering the deepest and most intense interpretations of everything from early blues songs to his recent original compositions.The San Antonio Light calls him “a fret monster who has to be seen to be believed!”

Web: http://www.brookswilliams.com

Notable Quotables
“A fret monster who has to be seen to be believed!” (San Antonio Light)

“Americana at its finest!” (fRoots)

“Williams beckons the most left-footed of us onto the dance floor.” (Northern Sky)

“Definitely one of the best things I have heard this year!” (Blues In The Northwest)

The Once, and Marc O'Reilly play Rose's

2010-10-31T14:33:00.003Z

The Once, Marc O'Reilly
Satuday November 6th at 9.00 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Join us for an evening of fantastic live music in Rose's. Chase away those Recession Blues. Opening the gig will be Marc O'Reilly, a local singer songwriter who is at present recording and mixing his first album, to be released in November. Great lyrics, great vocals, wonderful guitar: catch him before he is famous!

The Once are a three piece from Newfoundland. The Once were nominated on October 7th for THREE Canadian Folk Music Awards to take place in November in Winnipeg. The Newfoundland group is up for Traditional Album, Vocal Group and New Emerging Artist of the Year.

"Just as the sea refuses no river, the Once turns back no listeners. These three Newfoundlanders gracefully and evocatively offer gem-like maritime music – foot-stomping shanties, heart-rendering ballads, salt-aired interpretations (of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen tunes) and a cappella three-part harmonies thicker than Mama Cass’s midriff. The drinkable Geraldine Hollett is the pure-voiced starlet, riveting on the soloed Marguerite. Something singular is happening here, you bet."

Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail, Canada

Web: http://theonce.ca
Web: http://www.myspace.com/marcoreilly

James Keelaghan at Knocklofty House

2010-09-19T13:02:00.003+01:00

James Keelaghan
Friday September 24th at 9.00 pm
Knocklofty House Hotel, Clonmel, County Tipperary
James 11th CD, House of cards was released on October 12 2009 by Borealis records. 10 new originals, some of them co-writes with such folk luminaries as David Francey, Karine Polwart and Rose Cousins make it one of his best yet.

Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons.

As the calendar pages have turned, for almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, curiosity intent and intensity.

His masterful story telling has, over the course of nine recordings, been part of the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan nominations and awards - including a Juno (Canada's Grammy) - and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia.

Web: http://www.keelaghan.com/
Knocklofty: http://www.knockloftyhousehotel.com/

Bruce Mathiske - CANCELLED !

2010-06-30T19:35:00.003+01:00

Bruce Mathiske - Guitar Genius!

Unfortunately, Bruce Mathiske has postponed his UK & Ireland tour until 2011. Sorry !

Website: http://www.mathiske.com.au/home/

Summer Gigs in Knocklofty and Lismore

2010-05-09T12:25:00.002+01:00

Lynn Miles and Lynn Hanson
Thursday May 13th at 8.30 pm
Venue: Knocklofty House Hotel
“Canadian country music at its best.” – Maverick Magazine
Web: http://www.lynnmilesmusic.com/home.html
Web: http://www.lynnehanson.com/

Luán Parle & Clive Barnes
Saturday May 29th at 8.30 pm
Venue: Knocklofty House Hotel
The stunning, Meteor Award Winner for Best Irish Female: Luán (pronounced LU-ON) Parle possesses a powerful and distinctive vocal style, complimented by her ability to compose and perform across genres. Wicklow girl Parle is an established, popular and critically acclaimed artist in Ireland – with a constantly growing International fan base.
Web: http://www.luanparle.com/

One of Ireland's best-kept secrets - but probably not for too much longer - Wexford's Clive Barnes hitches a ride across genres, his genius lap steel guitar playing and hypnotic vocals always making sure that he'll have plenty of company whichever path he chooses. (Extract from http://www.rte.ie/tv/othervoices/clivebarnes.html)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/clivebarnesmusic

Magic Carpet Trio
Saturday June 12th at 10.00 pm
Venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore, County Waterford
Great Jazz trio, keyboard, bass and drums on the weekend of the Immarma Festival of Travel Writing in Lismore (http://www.lismoreimmrama.com/). Stephen Parker keyboards, Tom Corcoran drums.

Web: http://www.myspace.com/themagiccarpet1

Stacey Earle
Wednesday June 16th at 8.30 pm
Venue: Knocklofty House Hotel
Stacey Earle is an American country music singer-songwriter. The sister of alt-country singer Steve Earle, she has recorded six albums to date.
Web: http://www.staceyearle.com/

Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson
Sunday June 20th at 8.30 pm
Venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore, County Waterford
Even during the early stages of her career, Cara Robinson was writing and recording with notable artists from a huge range of musical genres, including David Holmes, LTJ Bukem and upcoming EMI artist, Corinne Bailey Rae. She has toured throughout the UK as a session singer, backing singer and solo artist. As a backing singer for Sony's Rhianna, she toured Japan and the UK, supporting Jamiroquai and Beverly Knight. Her soulful, thoughtful and innocent voice has feaured on various documentaries for Ulster TV. Keeper Lit is Cara's impressive debut album, which she wrote and produced with keyboard player Joe Tatton

"Hat Fitz is a musical anachronism, seemingly possessed by 1920’s bluesmen, so authentic it’s almost unbelievable. Imagine : Ned Kelly / Son House on speed! A flat out boogie rhythm, Itchy beating and bashing Hat’s monstrous demons. Fitzy’s eyes wild and wide like a blind man screaming some primal roar, head twitching with the emotion of release. You wonder whether it’s indignity or the shedding of some painful old identity, but the strum is ferocious and the beat won’t be denied".

http://www.myspace.com/caravox

http://www.americana-uk.com/auk/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=27&page_id=273

http://www.hatfitz.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00MVxa7pWEA

Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson
Friday June 25th at 8.30 pm
Venue: Knocklofty House Hotel
See information above for June 20th.

Knocklofty House Hotel
http://www.knockloftyhousehotel.com/

Spring Gigs at Knocklofty House Hotel

2010-02-16T15:38:00.012Z

Cathy Davey
Friday April 23rd at 8.30 pm
Cancelled due to Late Late Show appearance.
Web: http://www.myspace.com/cathydavey

Lynn Miles and Lynn Hanson
Thursday May 13th at 8.30 pm
“Canadian country music at its best.” – Maverick Magazine
Web: http://www.lynnmilesmusic.com/home.html
Web: http://www.lynnehanson.com/

Luán Parle & Clive Barnes
Saturday May 29th at 8.30 pm
The stunning, Meteor Award Winner for Best Irish Female: Luán (pronounced LU-ON) Parle possesses a powerful and distinctive vocal style, complimented by her ability to compose and perform across genres. Wicklow girl Parle is an established, popular and critically acclaimed artist in Ireland – with a constantly growing International fan base.
Web: http://www.luanparle.com/

One of Ireland's best-kept secrets - but probably not for too much longer - Wexford's Clive Barnes hitches a ride across genres, his genius lap steel guitar playing and hypnotic vocals always making sure that he'll have plenty of company whichever path he chooses. (Extract from http://www.rte.ie/tv/othervoices/clivebarnes.html)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/clivebarnesmusic

Stacey Earle
Wednesday June 16th at 8.30 pm
Stacey Earle is an American country music singer-songwriter. The sister of alt-country singer Steve Earle, she has recorded six albums to date.
Web: http://www.staceyearle.com/

Knocklofty House Hotel
http://www.knockloftyhousehotel.com/

Knocklofty House Hotel Gigs for January & February 2010

2010-01-06T09:04:00.005Z

Lismore World Music moves to Knocklofty House Hotel in County Tipperary for a series of concerts in January and February 2010. Here are the details:

Four Wheel Drive - 6 piece Dutch Bluegrass Band
Friday April 9th at 8.30 pm
Four Wheel Drive is probably the most talked about and lauded European bluegrass group of this past decade that has achieved great popularity without diluting or jazzing up too much this intriguing subgenre on the big Americana music tree.
Web: http://www.myspace.com/4wdbluegrass

Malcolm Halcolmbe
Friday January 15th at 8.30 pm
Born and raised in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, Malcolm Holcombe is being recognized by the contemporary U.S and European folk/americana community as a performer of national stature, and an uncommonly unique guitarist/vocalist about whom Rolling Stone Magazine says: "Haunted country, acoustic blues and rugged folk all meet [here]..."
Web: http://www.malcolmholcombe.com/index.html

Buddy Mondlock
Saturday January 30th at 8.30 pm
“Buddy Mondlock, a south suburban Chicago native, has written for singers from Garth Brooks to Joan Baez. Now he is finding his own spotlight.” Dave Hoekstra - Chicago Sun Times
Web: http://www.buddymondlock.com/

L'Angelus
Friday February 26th at 8.30 pm
L'Angelus, the Cajun Fiddle Swing band from Louisiana
Web: http://www.langelus.info/

Niwel Tsumbu and the Song of the Nations Band
Saturday March 6th at 8.30 pm
"Antidotes to the recession don’t come much more potent than this. Niwel Tsumbu parachuted into town and his indomitable, infectious spirit invaded the intimate confines of Whelan’s Upstairs before his first song had evaporated into the ether. Kicking off with Yoka , a song from his shiny new CD, Song of the Nations, Tsumbu takes his audience on a journey of discovery that traverses the peaks and troughs of life’s unpredictable terrain with startling precision." - Siobhan Long, Irish Times
Web: http://niweltsumbu.com/

Knocklofty House Hotel
http://www.knockloftyhousehotel.com/

Stephen Fearing: Canadian star's Autumn tour

2009-10-25T13:58:00.004Z

Thursday October 29th at Nude Food, Dungarvan, 8.30 pm
Multiple Juno Award winning Stephen Fearing is one of the foremost performing singer-songwriters in Canada.

Mixing powerful lyrics, creative arrangements and brilliant guitar playing, Fearing has built up a loyal and dedicated international audience with a wide range of songs - from his 1988 release Out to Sea, to his last Juno winning album Yellowjacket. A founding member of Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Stephen has collaborated with many artists including Shawn Colvin, Richard Thompson, Sarah McLachlan, Tom Wilson, Colin Linden, Margo Timmins and most recently producing Happy Here the latest Juno-nominated album from Suzie Vinnick.

His latest recording, The Man Who Married Music is a 'Best Of' collection, with tracks handpicked by Stephen, featuring some of the best music he has released over his career as well as two brand new tracks No Dress Rehearsal and The Big East West.

Web: http://www.stephenfearing.com
You Tube: Stephen Fearing

Stephen Simmons: songs from a real life

2009-08-23T12:51:00.004+01:00

Stephen Simmons
Wednesday August 26th at 08.30 pm in Nude Food, Dungarvan, County Waterford
Stephen Simmons was raised in the small town of Woodbury, Tennessee. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father held a factory job. In his family, they were the first generation that didn’t work the farm. As a songwriter, Stephen’s vision has grown to entail more than just reflections of rural America. The songs on his new recording, Girls, deal with existential realities that are familiar to country and city dwellers alike: redemption, heartbreak, hangovers and the loneliness of the road. Like Stephen’s previous records, The Superstore, Last Call, Drink Ring Jesus, Something In Between, and The Blame’s On U.S. (which were compared to everyone from Johnny Cash to Ryan Adams), Girls combines virtuosic songcraft and musicianship with unparalleled artistic honesty.

"Last Call is a magnificent record genuinely without a weak moment, that fully justifies the acclaim heaped on Stephen as one of the outstanding new talents within what's loosely classed contemporary roots Americana." – David Kidman, NetRhythms
Web: http://www.stephensimmonsmusic.com/

Gigs for August & September 2009

2009-07-31T09:37:00.007+01:00

Blackwater River, at Lismore, June 2009

Stephen Simmons, Wednesday August 26th, at 08.30 in Nude Food, Dungarvan
"Last Call is a magnificent record genuinely without a weak moment, that fully justifies the acclaim heaped on Stephen as one of the outstanding new talents within what's loosely classed contemporary roots Americana." – David Kidman, NetRhythms
Web: http://www.stephensimmonsmusic.com/

Sara Grey, Wednesday September 2nd, at 08.30 in Nude Food, Dungarvan
"Sara Grey is one of that rare breed of singers who have been involved with traditional music over many years and absorbed its vital essence. In Sara's performance, the art of the singer and that of the story teller merge to produce a web of tales and songs capable of transporting an audience from the concert hall or club room to the intimacy of a kitchen fire side." - Brian Peters
Web: http://www.maclurg.com/saragrey/

Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan, Wednesday September 9th, at 08.30 in Nude Food, Dungarvan
Tom and Kenny have been bringing their unique blend of guitar and harmonica blues, rags and good time music to widely diverse audiences for more than 25 years.
Web: http://www.bassharp.com/tomball.htm

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson at Nude Food

2009-07-05T11:38:00.004+01:00

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson
Tuesday July 7th at 8.30 pm in Nude Food, 86 O'Connell Street, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, tel: 058-24594

Hat Fits & Cara Robinson return to West Waterford, this time to Nude Food, Dungarvan.

Even during the early stages of her career, Cara Robinson was writing and recording with notable artists from a huge range of musical genres, including David Holmes, LTJ Bukem and upcoming EMI artist, Corinne Bailey Rae. She has toured throughout the UK as a session singer, backing singer and solo artist. As a backing singer for Sony's Rhianna, she toured Japan and the UK, supporting Jamiroquai and Beverly Knight. Her soulful, thoughtful and innocent voice has feaured on various documentaries for Ulster TV. Keeper Lit is Cara's impressive debut album, which she wrote and produced with keyboard player Joe Tatton

"Hat Fitz is a musical anachronism, seemingly possessed by 1920’s bluesmen, so authentic it’s almost unbelievable. Imagine : Ned Kelly / Son House on speed! A flat out boogie rhythm, Itchy beating and bashing Hat’s monstrous demons. Fitzy’s eyes wild and wide like a blind man screaming some primal roar, head twitching with the emotion of release. You wonder whether it’s indignity or the shedding of some painful old identity, but the strum is ferocious and the beat won’t be denied".

http://www.myspace.com/caravox

http://www.americana-uk.com/auk/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=27&page_id=273

http://www.hatfitz.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00MVxa7pWEA

Nude Food:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2009/0117/1232059654648.html

Otis Gibbs: folk artist and activist

2009-06-28T15:31:00.003+01:00

Rose's West End Bar, Wednesday July 1st at 8.30 pm

Otis Gibbs is a man in search of an honest experience. Some people refer to him as a folk artist, but that is a simplistic way to describe a man who has planted over 7,000 trees, slept in hobo jungles, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains, been strip-searched by dirty cops in Detroit, and has an FBI file. Otis has played everywhere from labor rallies in Wisconsin, to anti-war protests in Texas, Austria and the Czech Republic, Feed & Seed Stores in the Midwestern U.S. and in countless, theaters, festivals, bars and living rooms. Much of his work concentrates on the world that is ignored by pop culture. Sometimes forgotten, obsolete or simply marginalized, it is a world that doesn’t fit into a twenty-second sound bite or a White House talking point. Otis has spent the last fifteen years traveling across America and abroad documenting this world, and has a story to share about each stop along the way.

His latest album, “Grandpa Walked a Picketline,” is a glimpse inside of an America that you don’t see on the evening news, but it is the America most of us see at our doorsteps. The album showcases Otis’ ability to breathe life into the characters of his songs. One such example is “Caroline.” The song tells the story of a woman who married too young. She finds herself stuck in an abusive relationship and secretly fears that her children will suffer the same fate. The populist anthem, “Everyday People” shines a light on the struggles our grandparents endured in the workplace. As the line in the song suggests, their generation’s willingness to take a stand, “made things better for you and me.” “Preacher Steve” is certain to ruffle some feathers, but a closer listen will reveal that the only people who should be offended by the song are those cynical clergymen who prey on fear for profit. This album is a reminder that Otis, above all else, is a damn fine songwriter. “Grandpa Walked a Picketline” was produced and mixed by Chris Stamey, engineered by legendary Motown engineer, Bob Olhsson, and was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with an impressive list of players including, Al Perkins, Don Dixon, Tim Easton and Will Rigby.

Otis currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his long time girlfriend, Amy Lashley, their dog and two cats. Recently, he’s been examining ways of using bird feeding as a form of civil disobedience.

http://otisgibbs.com/

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson - energy, passion & living in the now

2009-06-05T15:50:00.004+01:00

Wednesday June 10th at 8.30 in Roses's West End Bar, Lismore

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson
Even during the early stages of her career, Cara Robinson was writing and recording with notable artists from a huge range of musical genres, including David Holmes, LTJ Bukem and upcoming EMI artist, Corinne Bailey Rae. She has toured throughout the UK as a session singer, backing singer and solo artist. As a backing singer for Sony's Rhianna, she toured Japan and the UK, supporting Jamiroquai and Beverly Knight. Her soulful, thoughtful and innocent voice has feaured on various documentaries for Ulster TV. Keeper Lit is Cara's impressive debut album, which she wrote and produced with keyboard player Joe Tatton

"Hat Fitz is a musical anachronism, seemingly possessed by 1920’s bluesmen, so authentic it’s almost unbelievable. Imagine : Ned Kelly / Son House on speed! A flat out boogie rhythm, Itchy beating and bashing Hat’s monstrous demons. Fitzy’s eyes wild and wide like a blind man screaming some primal roar, head twitching with the emotion of release. You wonder whether it’s indignity or the shedding of some painful old identity, but the strum is ferocious and the beat won’t be denied".

http://www.myspace.com/caravox

http://www.americana-uk.com/auk/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=27&page_id=273

http://www.hatfitz.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00MVxa7pWEA

A many-layered, multi-textured, one-man folk festival

2009-05-23T14:29:00.003+01:00

Walter Strauss
Roses's West End Bar, Saturday May 30th at 9.00 pm
“What a lovely album it is” - Bob Harris BBC Radio 2. This is how the legendary radio presenter describes "Pulling Shadows", the superb album by Californian Walter Strauss. After landing in the UK with a May 9th appearance on Bob's BBC 2 show, Walter will be bringing his fingerstyle guitar wizardry and soulful songs our way.

This fellow is a one man guitar festival. His music is simultaneously fiery and refined, and his multi-layered guitarwork will make you swear several instruments are playing at once. With roots in American music and musicality that evokes far reaches of the globe, Walter weaves Americana, world beat, and jazz into a brand uniquely his own. His music reaches to the heart of the matter, whether in a song about the vast American West or an ambitious guitar translation of far-flung traditional music.

Walter has performed throughout North America, the UK and Ireland with musicians ranging from Grammy nominated kora master Mamadou Diabate to singer-songwriter Corinne West and fiddle legend Vassar Clements. His solo shows are not to be missed. Check Walter out at www.walterstrauss.com or www.myspace.com/walterstrauss.

Rock and Blues from Australia - Jeff Lang

2009-05-11T18:27:00.004+01:00

Jeff Lang
Rose's West End Bar, Saturday 16th May at 9.00 pm
A guitarist, singer and songwriter, Jeff has built up a reputation for startlingly original performances, working without a set list, allowing the unique energy of each night to shape the songs.

"Seeing Jeff Lang was like being at church for three hours - a totally sacred event. He's the man as far as I'm concerned." John Butler

"Lang’s music is as fiercely original as it is moving ." Guitar Player Magazine

"Lang is really the godfather of an Australia-based back-to-basics blues movement that now encompasses the John Butler Trio, Ash Grunwald and Xavier Rudd." Bruce Elder Sydney Morning Herald

Website: http://www.jefflang.com.au/

23/08/2009
Here is a review of the gig and some photos, above, from Dave:

‘Murderous Folk’ On The Loose in Lismore

Jeff Lang unleashed his firebrand folk blues at the West End Bar Lismore on 16th May, one of 14 dates on a brief UK/Ireland tour.

Aussie Lang strapped on his acoustic guitar and opened the first set airing some brand new songs, which showed us he still the master of deafening silence, subtlety, tension & violence; before switching to lap steel for the majority of the gig. Ably accompanied by long time bass cohort Grant Cummerford, the crowd were regaled with tunes from his recent recording ‘Half Seas Over’; which is chock-a-block with gritty, gothic tales of greed, ghostlyness and smalltown skullduggery, also a song inspired by Mooncoin!

After the break the ARIA 2006 award winner continued to trawl into his extensive body of works (20 odd solo albums) and when, during finale ‘London’ they launched into an extended piece of fretwork floridity I half expected to see the landlady charge the stage with a fire extinguisher such was the intensity of the playing.

The standing ovation encouraged the acoustic dynamic duo to a couple of encores which sadly wrapped up their two hour set.

Support on the night was talented troubadour from Lismore Mark O’Reilly, who played five acoustic original songs with panache, one to watch for the future.

Gigs for June & July 2009

2009-05-06T15:13:00.004+01:00

Blackwater River, Lismore, in flood

John has lined up some high quality gigs for the Summer:

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson, Wednesday June 10th, venue to be announced. See http://www.hatfitz.net/index.htm

Wishing Well Band, Wednesday June 17th, venue to be announced. See http://thewishingwellband.com/blog/category/events/

Otis Gibbs, Wednesday July 1st, venue to be announced. See http://otisgibbs.com/

Rachel Harrington at the Shanachie

2009-05-04T19:32:00.001+01:00

Rachel Harrington
Tuesday May 5th at 8.30 pm
Seanachie Bar, Dungarvan, County Waterford, phone 058-46285

Reared among the Pentecostal pines of Oregon, Rachel Harrington has been doing things in the wrong order for quite some time. She'd had extensive radio play before performing her live show, and she was opening for Grammy winners and nominees before releasing her first record.

“A roots musician in the truest and purest sense... like reading a beautifully written novel ... haunting.” ~ NetRhythms

“Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch...Rachel Harrington. These comparisons don’t seem far-fetched at all given the extraordinary excellence of this debut.” ~ Glitterhouse

Web: http://www.rachelharrington.net/

Good Food & Good Music: the perfect day

2009-04-14T18:10:00.002+01:00

Sunday April 19th at 4.00 pm in Nude Food, Dungarvan.
Nigel Mooney and his Band, see http://www.nigelmooney.com/ This is part of the Waterford Festival of Food, see http://www.waterfordcoco.ie/en/tourism/festivaloffood/

Trying to find a home for Nigel Mooney's rich, luscious guitar licks and expressive vocals has always been a task that Mooney himself has claimed to be 'beyond his remit'. For arguments sake, we take jazz and blues, we bandy about the words guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. We settle on Nigel Mooney - Irish jazz and blues man.

Lismore World Music gigs for April and May 2009

2009-03-23T17:12:00.007Z

The Blackwater River at Lismore

John Cullimore is bringing you some really great artists over the next two months:

Nigel Mooney and his Band, see http://www.nigelmooney.com/: Sunday April 19th at 4.00 pm in Nude Food, Dungarvan. This is part of the Waterford Festival of Food, see http://www.waterfordcoco.ie/en/tourism/festivaloffood/
Rachel Harrington, Tuesday May 5th, 8.30 pm in the Shanachie Pub, Ring, County Waterford. See http://www.rachelharrington.net/
Jeff Lang: Saturday May 16th, 8.30 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore. See http://www.jefflang.com.au/
Walter Strauss: Saturday May 30th at 8.30 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore. See http://www.walterstrauss.com/

Lismore World Music goes on tour with Brooks Williams

2009-03-06T16:29:00.002Z

Brooks Williams
Wednesday March 11th at 8.30 pm in Nude Food, 86 O'Connell Street, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

Brooks Williams is a blues singing, guitar picking, bottleneck slide playing certified road warrior who has toured continuously for over twenty-one years. His unique combination of traditional and original music inspired Dirty Linen magazine to call Brooks Williams one of "America's musical treasures." His guitar skills won him a place on the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists list, in company with the likes of Michael Hedges, Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, Doc Watson, and David Bromberg, to name a few.

Join Lismore World Music on tour in Nude Food for a fantastic evening.

Brooks Williams http://www.brookswilliams.com/index.cfm
Nude Food http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2009/0117/1232059654648.html

World Music at its best - Niwel Tsumbu and his band

2009-02-26T12:10:00.003Z

Saturday February 28th at 9.00pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Niwel returns with a five piece band, including percussion, sax and violin. A must hear for fans of world music, jazz and rock.

"Niwel Tsumbu trades in good vibrations. His wayward incantations and surgically precise guitar lines were a breath of fresh air ... Siobhan Long, Irish Times

"One thing can not be disputed – the sheer musicianship of the group leader, Niwel Tsumbu. As a singer, he shows flexibility and expressive power, and ranges from a kind of playful scat to full-throated passion. He is as happy digging into complex, involving solos on guitar as laying down rhythmic patterns." Barra Ó Séaghdha, Journal of Music in Ireland

Niwel's My Space site

Dana Cooper: keep the music live

2009-02-16T20:25:00.002Z

Dana Cooper
Saturday February 21st at 9.00pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Singer/songwriter Dana Cooper has wowed audiences throughout the U.S. and Europe recently with tunes from his newest album, Made of Mud, which was released on September 13th on King Easy Records. Cooper's ingenious guitar work and gutsy harmonica continue to augment his passionate voice and insightful lyrics. This collection of eleven songs produced by Richard McLaurin features acclaimed Nashville talents Dave Jacques, Paul Griffith, Eric Fritsch, Steve Hermann and Vickie Hampton.

Out of the heartland of America - the stomping ground of Truman and Twain - Cooper was playing his music in Kansas City clubs by the age of 16. Leaving behind a college art scholarship, Dana toured the country and landed in Los Angeles. In 1973, Elektra Records released his self-titled debut solo album featuring luminary players Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar and Jim Horn. Cooper later moved to Texas to join forces with long-time friend Shake Russell. Their collaborations produced five highly successful folk-rock albums, including one on MCA in 1981. The two became one of the most popular acts throughout Texas and the Southwest appearing together on Austin City Limits. Dana and Shake continue recording and performing together to this day.

Web http://www.danacoopermusic.com/

Pacer Rock Lismore

2009-02-04T17:12:00.002Z

Pacer
Progressive/Rock

Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Saturday February 7th at 9.00pm

Up and coming progressive rock band from London: Robert Wilson (Guitar, Vocals) Toby Field (Bass) Ashley Rich (Guitar) Paul Richards (Drums)

http://www.myspace.com/pacerpages

Traditional North American songs, ballads and blues

2009-01-25T21:30:00.002Z

Sara Grey, Kieron Means & Ben Paley
Rose's West End Bar, Lismore on Saturday January 31st at 9.00pm
"… Sara has gained a reputation not only for her excellent singing and playing … but also for the sheer warmth and enthusiasm that she radiates to her audience …" - Brighton’s "Friday Folk"

"… much loved and admired by almost anyone that has seen her sing …" - Bob Walton, Southern Rag

"… everything she does is characterised by freshness and enthusiasm … You couldn’t hear half a dozen bars and think it was somebody else … She is one of the select band of performers that still breathe life and vitality into traditional ballads …" - Vic Smith, Folk Roots

"… There are certain singers who have been involved with traditional music over many years – Ray Fisher and Sara Grey also spring to mind – for whom the arts of a singer and of a story teller merge to produce a web of tales and songs capable of transporting an audience from a club room to the intimacy of a kitchen fire side." - Brian Peters in a review of a Roy Harris performance, Folk Roots

"singing by turns restrained, triumphant, gentle, strong, fun and deeply emotional, but always with that beautiful rhythmic vitality that is Sara’s voice." - Molly Nudds, Prittle Prattle

"… clear singing done from the heart … my opinion is that her butterfly voice which expresses a lyric so well, needs only her banjo behind it to make a complete musical statement." - Roy Harris

"… An evening in her company is akin to sitting in a friend’s kitchen, drinking her wine and sharing her songs and stories. When it comes to an end, you feel at peace with the world." - Mick Tems, Taplas

A fantastic evening of voice, fiddle, guitar and banjo, and did I mention the storytelling?

Web Address: http://www.maclurg.com/SaraGrey/index.htm

Canadian Star Lynn Miles

2009-01-16T10:55:00.001Z

Lynn Miles
Wednesday January 21st at 8.30pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
It has always been a puzzle that Lynn Miles hasn't managed to translate critical raves and peer esteem into broader good fortune. But a world that makes room for say, Lucinda Williams, ought to be able to spare some well-deserved success for Miles ... (Toronto Sun)

The evening's main revelation was Canadian singer-songwriter Lynn Miles. She sang half a dozen songs, and every one boasted a glorious pop melody that rose and fell over surprising chord changes ... (Washington Post)

http://www.lynnmilesmusic.com/home.html

A Bittersweets Start to 2009

2009-01-04T16:45:00.002Z

The Bittersweets
Saturday January 10th at 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
The Bittersweets—Chris Meyers (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Hannah Prater (vocals, guitar)—live up to their name. They fuse yellows and blues, sunniness and melancholy, with evocative lyrics and lush arrangements, transcendent melodies and Prater’s alluring voice.

http://www.thebittersweets.com/

Upcoming Gigs for Quarter One of 2009

2008-12-16T20:12:00.004Z

Saturday January 10th at 9.00pm
The Bittersweets—Chris Meyers (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Hannah Prater (vocals, guitar)—live up to their name. They fuse yellows and blues, sunniness and melancholy, with evocative lyrics and lush arrangements, transcendent melodies and Prater’s alluring voice.
http://www.thebittersweets.com/

Wednesday January 21st at 8.30pm
Lynn Miles
It has always been a puzzle that Lynn Miles hasn't managed to translate critical raves and peer esteem into broader good fortune. But a world that makes room for say, Lucinda Williams, ought to be able to spare some well-deserved success for Miles ... (Toronto Sun)
http://www.lynnmilesmusic.com/home.html

Saturday, February 7th at 9.00pm
Pacer, London based duo

Saturday, February 21st at 9.00pm
Dana Cooper, http://www.danacoopermusic.com/

Saturday, February 28th at 9.00pm
Niwel Tsumbu, http://www.niweltsumbu.com/index.php

Wednesday, March 11th at 8.30pm
Brook Williams, http://www.brookswilliams.com/

Rhiannon Has The Voice

2008-11-23T18:36:00.004Z

Rhiannon Giddens
Wednesday December 10th at 8.30pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Rhiannon works with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sankofa Strings, Gaelwynd, the Elftones, and has sung/played with Catherine-Ann MacPhee, Zan McLeod, Talitha MacKenzie and many others. Her influences include any source recording from the 10's to the 30's; modern? Peggy Seeger, Joe Thompson, Etta Baker, Billy Jonas, Old Blind Dogs, and countless others.

"This beautiful young woman has been gifted with a gorgeous natural voice, which has been honed and trained through years of of opera singing. Classical training can sometimes be a detriment to folk singing - but emphatically NOT in this case. Rhiannon has the voice, she knows how to use it, and she is grounded and steeped in the folk tradition. Every note rings true." -- Mary Smith, Co-director, Richmond Folk Music

MySpace
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=83221142

Website
http://www.rhisong.com/

Mary Nugent Band

2008-11-09T15:34:00.002Z

Mary Nugent Band
Rose's West End Bar, Saturday November 15th at 9.00pm
A welcome return to Rose's for Mary Nugent and her five piece band. Guaranteed evening of quality live music crossing genre boundaries like there is no tomorrow. Original songs and inventive covers. Wonderful voice and guitar, backed by a five piece band. Fantastic!

URL: http://www.marynugent.com/home.swf

Country or Alt Country? : Fiddle and Guitar

2008-10-12T12:37:00.005+01:00

Rod Picott and Amanda Shires
Wednesday October 15th at 8.30pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Rod Picott grew up in South Berwick, Maine and was exposed to a surprising mix of musical influences. His father and brother both owned record collections that spanned from the marches of John Philip Sousa and Ray Charles to the punk poetry of Patti Smith and The Clash, which were later to influence his music.

Rod moved to Nashville TN in 1994 and established himself as a singer/songwriter and hosted a weekly showcase called Rod Picott's Fireside Whiskey Hour as well as opening shows for Alison Krauss and Union Station and Gillian Welch. His co-write Broke Down with Slaid Cleaves was the most played song on Americana radio in 2001.

Picott's debut release, Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues, announced his arrival as an artist of note. The album received airplay from Bob Harris on the BBC, and Music Row magazine's Robert Oermann called the debut, "the birth of a major, major artist".

Hailing from West Texas is fiddler and singer/songwriter Amanda Shires. At 16 Amanda Shires was already playing fiddle with Tommy Allsup and The Texas Playboys. From there, she went on to be one of the founding members of Lubbock, TX’s Thrift Store Cowboys, releasing 3 albums and became one of the number one selling acts in 2007. In 2008 one of Amanda Shires compositions with Thrift Store Cowboys was featured on NPR's All Songs Considered.

As an in demand side player and studio musician, Amanda has worked with Texas legends Billy Joe Shaver, and Gary P Nunn. Her facility across a range of styles has lead her to work with Folk/Bluegrass favorites The Rowen Brothers, and Buddy Spicher to name a few.

Watch them on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkzP0_ayi4o
---

Blues Music, not Blues Finances

2008-09-29T18:05:00.000+01:00

Blues Trio: Dermot Rooney, Mark Braidner and Rose Devine
Wednesday October 1st at 8.30 in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

John promises to start on time and finish by 11.00pm, so it won't be a late night, but it will move your mind from financial blues to the real blues.

Rooney, described as 'an astounding bottleneck blues guitarist', was looking for a pure blues singer for his 'Sean Nós Meets the Blues' project. He found an exceptional talent in Devine, whose distinctive voice has proved to be the perfect accompaniment to his tasty guitar work. Since Rose was introduced to early American and Gospel music, mostly through Dermot's appreciation of same. Their twentieth century acoustic blues set has broadened to include both classic blues and more contemporary songs, with Rooney's distinctive arrangements. Rooney, from North Belfast is well known on the Blues scene. Bottleneck guitarist Dermot brings a superb style of Dobro playing to some of the major songs in the Irish tradition and explores the blues and ballads of Blind Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Memphis Minnie and others. Dermot and Rose will be joined by Mark Braidner, a fabulous acoustic guitaist with an authentic approach to the playing of pure blues, ragtime, hokum and slide music.

See Mark Braidner play Blues at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdJR5eSE9-s

Folk and Blues for the Autumn

2008-09-08T18:31:00.005+01:00

Chuck Brodsky

Saturday 20th September at 9.00 in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Fantastic storyteller and songwriter. Wonderful tales of everyday life told with power and presence. A great evening of music and song guaranteed.

Web site: www.chuckbrodsky.com

Blues Trio: Dermot Rooney, Mark Braidner and Rose Devine

Wednesday October 1st at 8.30 in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Blues, blues, blues from a Belfast based trio. Worth coming out to on a week night.

Bruce Mathiske - Guitar Genius!

2008-07-21T10:01:00.002+01:00

Saturday August 23rd, Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore, at 9.00pm
Bruce Mathiske - Guitar Genius!

This Virtuoso, who picked up the guitar at the age of seven, is one of Australia's musical superstars. That early ten hour a day practice regime has given Mathiske a rock solid technique that is simply quite dazzling.

"An Absolute Virtuoso, The Best Guitarist in Australia!"
- Bruce Elder, 7.30 Report ABC TV

"Notes explode from both hands, leaving you wonder if there is another Mathiske in the wings!"
- The Scotsman (Edinburgh Festival)

"A Real Threat!" - Chet Atkins

Website: http://www.mathiske.com.au/home/

Australian Blues Guitarist: Jeff Lang

2008-07-04T12:58:00.004+01:00

Saturday July 12th, 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
A guitarist, singer and songwriter, Jeff has built up a reputation for startlingly original performances, working without a set list, allowing the unique energy of each night to shape the songs.

"Seeing Jeff Lang was like being at church for three hours - a totally sacred event. He's the man as far as I'm concerned." John Butler

"Lang’s music is as fiercely original as it is moving ." Guitar Player Magazine

"Lang is really the godfather of an Australia-based back-to-basics blues movement that now encompasses the John Butler Trio, Ash Grunwald and Xavier Rudd." Bruce Elder Sydney Morning Herald

Web site: http://www.jefflang.com.au/

Summer Gigs from Lismore World Music

2008-06-08T18:58:00.003+01:00

John has lined up some great artists for the Summer. Not too many, so you can have fun in the sunshine!

The Shed
Cork based 8 piece band, http://www.myspace.com/shedheads
June 21st, Saturday, Rose's West End Bar at 9.00pm

Jeff Lang
Australian Folk/Rock/Blues, http://www.jefflang.com.au/
July 12th, Saturday, Rose's West End Bar at 9.00pm

Bruce Mathiske
Australian guitar genius, http://www.mathiske.com.au/home/
August 23rd, Saturday, Ballyrafter House Hotel at 9.00pm

A Canadian Great: Stephen Fearing

2008-06-03T08:18:00.003+01:00

Stephen Fearing
Saturday June 7th at 9.00pm in Roses' West End Bar, Lismore

It has been 20 years since songsmith Stephen Fearing released his self-titled debut. Over the following two decades, he has built up a very loyal and committed international audience, one sure to be delighted by his beautiful new recording.

Yellowjacket is Fearing’s eighth solo album and as always it features a potent combination of powerful and affecting lyrics, pure vocals and masterful musicianship. Yellowjacket also marks something of a breakthrough in Stephen’s approach to recording as he assumes the mantle of producer for the first time since his early albums. The result is a relaxed fluency vocal and guitar work and a unique sonic palette, which make this album distinctly different, again, from his previous releases.

I'm standing at a window; I'm pressed against the past;
I'm looking on in black and white through the eyes of photographs.
Stephen Fearing, "The Longest Road"

www.stephenfearing.com

High Energy Australian Blues

2008-05-11T21:55:00.002+01:00

Friday May 16th, at 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
The ‘wild man’ of Australian blues, Fitz hails from Queensland. Backed by his longtime drummer, Itchy, Fitz plays guitar (usually a metal-bodied resonator), stomps his foot and sings the blues with a physical presence and power that remind listeners of past blues greats like Son House and Charley Patton. In many ways, he is Australia’s counterpart to R.L. Burnside or T-Model Ford, playing gritty blues of mesmerising, deceptive simplicity.

The essence of every Hat Fitz and Itchy performance is control of mayhem. A single metal bodied resonator guitar hammers out modern tributes to masters long gone, all the while driven along relentlessly by the thunderous drumming of Itchy ridin shotgun.

Over the last twenty years, Fitz has toured regularly, playing at festivals around Australia (including thirteen successive years at the world renowned East Coast Blues festival), and in Europe. He has released nine independent CDs, including the 1998 encounter with guitar maestro Jeff Lang on The Silverbacks.

His repertoire includes his own interpretations of blues classics like ‘Shake ‘Em On Down’ and ‘Crawling King Snake’, as well as a swag of original songs. Thanks to Fitz’s telepathic rapport with Itchy, the duo can build their performances through a series of frenzied, almost-out-of-control crescendos.

http://www.hatfitz.net

http://www.myspace.com/hatfitzanditchy

Corrine West - music for a Summer's evening

2008-04-25T13:56:00.004+01:00

Rose's West End Bar, Lismore on Saturday May 10th at 9.00 pm
There's magic in Corinne West's voice. It aches and breaks. It soars. It's clear, penetrating and washed in emotion. When she wraps that voice around songs as sublime as those on her latest CD, Second Sight, she's spellbinding. That's because she's unlocked the secret that so many singers spend entire careers looking for and never find.

It's right there on Second Sight. It's in every note and lyric. But most important, it's there in West's voice. What's the secret? Great singers are great communicators and every note sung can be a complete story in itself.

She knows giving listeners an unfettered glimpse into the raw and wild places of the soul is part of her job requirement. So she sings the story of life unfolding- sometimes brutal, sometimes beautiful, but always honest.

Web http://www.corinnewest.com

Terry Lee Hale

2008-03-30T15:24:00.002+01:00

Saturday April 12th at 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
1953 - San Antonio, Texas: Born into an army family Terry Lee attended 10 schools in 10 different cities. After finishing high school in Yakima, Washington he set out for Seattle , then California and continued from there to travel in the States all the while learning to play guitar and write songs. TLH has worked as a carpenter, truck driver, farm and ranch hand, cook, laborer, bar tender, booking agent and various other occupations to support himself, his daughter (as a single parent) and his music. From the first time he heard Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" he wanted to be a guitar player and indeed, bought his first Stella when he was 14. Terry Lee has lived and traveled extensively in America and, since 1993, in Europe as well. Currently keeping a house in Seattle where he has lived since January of 1984, he spends most of his days writing and touring in Europe. While in Europe he resides in France. His first appearances on record were on 1987's - "Lowlife" compilation from Ironwood Records and the following year with the song "Dead Is Dead" on SubPop 200.

Now, there are 12 Cd's released in Europe, all of them on German recording labels starting in 1993 with " Oh What A World" on Normal Records. The next 8 CD's ( Frontier Model, The Wilderness Years, Tornado Alley, Leaving West, Old Hand, Blue Room, Frozen, Tender Loving Hell: The Best Of…) were with Glitterhouse and the last release (Celebration What For) in 2004 with Blue Rose. Also with Blue Rose was one self-titled release called Hardpan and one live CD/DVD - Hardpan Live - featuring Chris Burroughs, Joseph Parsons Todd Thibaud and Terry Lee Hale.

Web http://www.terryleehale.com

From Nashville: Stephen Simmons

2008-03-11T15:36:00.002Z

Saturday March 15th at 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Stephen Simmons was raised in the small town of Woodbury, Tennessee. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father held a factory job. In his family, they were the first generation that didn’t work the farm. Now a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, Stephen’s vision entails more than just reflections of rural America. The songs on his new recording, Something In Between, deal with existential realities that are familiar to country and city dwellers alike: redemption, heartbreak, hangovers and the loneliness of the road.
http://www.stephensimmonsmusic.com/

Freddie White Comes to Town

2008-02-29T12:20:00.003Z

Friday March 7th at 9.00pm in Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore
Freddie White has long been synonymous with music of the highest quality. Whether interpreting songs by his favourite writers, such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, John Hiatt and Guy Clark, or performing his own classy compositions, Freddie’s live performances are nothing short of legendary. Freddie has been part of the fabric of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970’s and his albums continue to sell well, amongst his loyal and new-found fan base.

His new album, released on February 1, 2008, ‘Stormy Lullaby, is a stunning collection of moody tracks in which Freddie White’s musicianship and voice shine through. He has once again teamed up with his old cohort DanDan Fitzgerald to produce this gem. The album has an acoustic feel thanks to the input of a small, tight group of musicians from his native Cork.

Web link: http://www.freddiewhite.com

Gigs list for February to June 2008

2008-01-26T15:06:00.003Z

Ger Wolfe & Band
Saturday 23rd February at 9.00pm
Rose's West End Bar
http://www.gerwolfe.com/

Freddie White
Friday 7th March at 9.00pm
Ballyrafter House Hotel
http://www.freddiewhite.com

Stephen Simmons
Saturday 15th March at 9.00pm
Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
http://www.stephensimmonsmusic.com/

Terry Lee Hale
Saturday 12th April at 9.00pm
http://www.terryleehale.com/

Corrine West
Saturday May 10th
http://www.corinnewest.com/

Hat Fitz & Itchy
Friday May 16th
http://www.hatfitz.net/
Australian Blues Band

Stephen Fearing
Saturday June 7th
http://www.stephenfearing.com/

The Shed are coming!

2008-01-09T20:42:00.000Z

Saturday January 19th at 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Q. Who are The Shed?
A. The Shed are a Cork, Ireland based band/collective with a floating membership of up to ten who offer up a most organic take on the melange of music you might expect from a group whose influences range from Leadbelly to Lil Kim – and every two-bit staging post in between.

Q. That doesn’t tell us much - where are The Shed from?
A. The Shed are mostly from Cork with the exception of their most fragrant and hirsute member, Kirsty Stewart, who hails from South Africa.

Q. What are they like live?
A. Well, for a band who sit down in concert (don’t rush to judgement; Jerry Lee Lewis also sits down in concert, technically speaking.) they sure make a most racous and rootsy noise much beloved of the punters, especially those at their now legendary series of gigs at The Roundy, in Cork. (Their first live outing was at a friend’s wedding. It was a truly disastrous affair and nearly ruined the whole ocassion. Luckily, an old trooper from the cabaret scene was on hand to rescue the night and soon had the wedding party engaged in a most exhilerating conga to the Birdie Song. The Shed prefer not to reflect on this particular performance and now pretend it never took place. Honesty and integrity are so often the first casualties in the cutthroat world of rock and roll.)

Q. But their album sounds a much more polished affair than what you are describing?
A. It certainly does and that’s because producer Froggy is quite possibly the bastard child of Phil “Wall of Sound” Spector and Brian “Sing it from the sandbox” Wilson. Most of the album was recorded in his studio in Minane Bridge, in Co Cork. Other members of The Shed firmly believe that Cormac would put Phil and Brian in the ha’penny place when it comes to obsessiveness in the studio.

Q. Where can I catch The Shed?
A. Rose's West End Bar on Saturday January 19th at 9.00 and at http://www.theshed.ie

Loudest Whisper Rocks

2007-11-26T19:55:00.000Z

Loudest Whisper
Saturday December 1st at 9.00pm in Rose’s West End Bar, Lismore
A concert not to be missed. The 6 member line up for this concert will include Kevin Evans ace guitar player. Kevin toured recently as a member of the Bob Dylan band in the US & Canada. Loudest Whisper will celebrate 40 years on the road next year. To celebrate this occasion a six box set will be released in Feb, a book in Sept & their acclaimed first album The Children of Lir has been reissued on both vinyl & cd in the UK, europe, Japan & America. The Children of Lir album is rated 68 in the 100 most sought after vinyl albums of collectors worldwide. Vinyl & cd copies of The Children of Lir will be on sale for the first time in Ireland on the night.
http://www.loudestwhisper.com

Canada: Lynn Miles & Alana Levandoski

2007-11-18T15:51:00.000Z

Rose's West End Bar, Lismore, Saturday November 24th at 9.00
Canadian songbird Lynn Miles sings lusciously on her fifth country-tinged, folk-pop album. Smart lyrics abound as she expounds on love lost and gained, sketched with dark hues and rising tempos.

Alana Levandoski's name is dropped in the most exclusive music circles as the next major singer/songwriter to emerge from Manitoba.
http://www.lynnmilesmusic.com/ & http://www.alanalevandoski.com/

Mulvey Moves Mountains

2007-11-03T16:36:00.000Z

Peter Mulvey
Wednesday November 14th at 8.30 in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
A welcome return to Lismore for this master of music and words. Peter Mulvey is a big favourite of Lismore World Music and packs out the venue with each visit. He is warm, witty, smart, great guitarist and a wonderful wordsmith. His songs cover everything from politics to haircuts, to roads to Mallow. Catch him on this Wednesday evening and brighten up your week.
http://www.petermulvey.com

Supporting Peter Mulvey on this tour is Chris Pureka http://www.chrispureka.com

Lismore World Music Gigs for October & November 2007

2007-09-29T17:27:00.000+01:00

Will Kimbrough & Tommy Womack

Wednesday October 10th at 8.30 pm

Venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

An astounding, in-demand guitarist, a producer, and creator of timeless songs in both pop motifs and dusty Americana, Will Kimbrough is slowly, but surely, becoming a household name. Tommy Womack hails from Nashville and has 5 albums and two books to his credit. Web links: http://www.willkimbrough.com/

& http://www.tommywomack.com/

Justin Earle & Jubal Lee Young

Sunday afternoon October 14th at 4.00pm

Venue: Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore

Justin Earle comes from good stock. His father (legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle) must have taught him well. Whatever he may have learned from his old man, he continues to prove himself as an individual. Jubal Lee Young's songs are reckless, deep and spiritual, meticulously crafted and delivered by an amazing voice that can go in a heartbeat from a falsetto whisper to a lions roar. Web links: http://www.myspace.com/justinearle & http://www.juballeeyoung.com/

Clive Gregson

Thursday October 25th at 8.30

Venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore

Born and raised in Manchester, England, Clive is an accomplished singer, musician and record producer. Clive was also a member of the Richard Thompson Band and in demand as a session musician. His participation in the recording sesions for Nanci Griffiths' Hearts In Mind album led to Nanci asking him to join her touring band, The Blue Moon Orchestra. Web link: http://www.clivegregson.com/

Lynn Miles & Alana Levandosky

Saturday November 24th

Loudest Whisper

Saturday December 1st

Music and Stories from New Orleans

2007-09-15T15:08:00.000+01:00

Saturday September 22nd at 8.30 pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Spencer Bohren brings music and stories from New Orleans to West Waterford. Come and hear an artist in his prime. Listen to stories of hurricanes and loss, and experience the music of New Orleans. This will be an evening to remember.

Web link www.spencerbohren.com

Drew Nelson

2007-08-02T14:02:00.000+01:00

Saturday August 18th at 8.30pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Drew Nelson escaped the quiet quaintness of his modest, conservative West Michigan hometown by joining the Navy and traveling to far corners of the world with his guitar on his back. His itinerant lifestyle filled his notebook with ideas, and upon returning home, he found his voice in the small struggles and triumphs of daily life. Drew shared his passion with audiences in clubs and coffeehouses, and released debut EP “Recovering Angels” in 2001. His songs made a mark in his home state, attracting listeners with his word paintings, his humble insights, his unpretentious singing, his thoughtful strumming, and, most importantly, his honesty. Drew’s focus and dedication to his art brought him to Alaska, through Texas, to the Kerrville Folk Festival, to 18,000 fans at the Muskegon Summer Celebration (opening for Melissa Etheridge), to the recognition of the New Folk Contest for Emerging Songwriters, where he was a finalist.

His current album “Immigrant Son,” is the product of two years of writing and three weeks in the studio with longtime friend and noted West Michigan producer and engineer Michael Crittenden. Although embellished by colorful instrumental textures (including fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle and, yes, a jangly cat toy), the record adheres to Drew’s man-with-a-guitar ethic. That sensibility guided the arrangements, from the blast of out-of-doors smell of fresh air that is opening track “Lovely Day,” through the boggy blues of “Wal-Mart v2.0,” the roots-shuffle of “Brand New Way” and a plaintive cover of Richard Shindell’s road song “Next Best Western.” The homespun heartache of “Breathe” and the gritty urbanite observations of “Wealthy St.” are thoughtful portraits, key developments in his evolution as a songwriter and storyteller.

http://www.myspace.com/drewnelsonmusic
http://www.drewnelson.net

World Music: Niwel Tsumbu and Éamonn Cagney

2007-06-11T17:15:00.000+01:00

Saturday June 16th at 9.00pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Over the last 50 years Central Africa has built itself an incredible reputation for giving birth to many of the World’s greatest guitarists, and Congolese Niwel Tsumbu is a fitting ambassador to carry that torch forward into the 21st Century. Raised on the traditional Soukous and Rhumba music of his homeland, he began playing from an early age, and went on to study both jazz and classical guitar - enrolling secretly in a classical music school where he also studied saxophone for a year.

The leader of several bands including Sumu, Motema and Jazmu- all of whom played at many festivals around Ireland including The Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, The Bray Jazz Festival and Limerick Global Beats Festival- Niwel is truly a musical innovator.

Drawing his influences from far and wide, his elegant and fluent guitar playing feature draw expression from his past experiences with African rhythms, rhumba, jazz, classical, and much more besides.

Niwel is currently working with percussionist Éamonn Cagney. Having studied Guinean and Irish percussion, Cagney worked intensively in Ghana with members of the Kake Ensemble and brings an instinctive understanding of Niwel's musical vision - together they have what has been described as a "unique meeting of minds".

The duo recorded their first album, Uh! Eze nzela molayi (Oh! It's a long way) in 2006. Their music was featured on the Southern Fried 2 compilation album and their set went down a storm at the launch party in Decmber 2007. They tour regularly throughout the country. Weblink http://www.niweltsumbu.com/home.html

This gig takes place during the Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writing, more details at http://www.lismoreimmrama.com/

Juno Award Winning Artist Plays Lismore

2007-05-26T18:25:00.000+01:00

Stephen Fearing, Thursday May 31st at 8.30 pm in Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore
I'm standing at a window; I'm pressed against the past;
I'm looking on in black and white through the eyes of photographs.
Stephen Fearing, "The Longest Road"

April 2006 - It has been 20 years since songsmith Stephen Fearing released his self-titled debut. Over the following two decades, he has built up a very loyal and committed international audience, one sure to be delighted by his beautiful new recording.

Yellowjacket is Fearing’s eighth solo album and as always it features a potent combination of powerful and affecting lyrics, pure vocals and masterful musicianship. Yellowjacket also marks something of a breakthrough in Stephen’s approach to recording as he assumes the mantle of producer for the first time since his early albums. The result is a relaxed fluency vocal and guitar work and a unique sonic palette, which make this album distinctly different, again, from his previous releases.

Over the course of his career, Fearing has been able to learn from some of roots music’s finest producers. English folk star Clive Gregson (Any Trouble, Gregson and Collister) produced his acclaimed 1989 album, Blue Line; Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) was on hand for 1994’s The Assassin’s Apprentice (a disc featuring fans Sarah McLachlan and Richard Thompson), whilst Stephen’s close friend Colin Linden manned the console for 1997’s Industrial Lullaby, 2000’s So Many Miles – LIVE and 2002’s That’s How I Walk (which Fearing co-produced).

To record Yellowjacket, Stephen set up shop in the Guelph studio of noted musician/producer, Scott Merritt (Fred Eaglesmith), who engineered and mixed the sessions. Together, they have crafted a richly diverse collection of songs. These range from a rollicking guitar “march” that could have been written by John Phillip Sousa and Dr. Seuss (“Whoville”), to intricately arranged pieces featuring strings and female backing vocals (“Yellowjacket,” “Like Every Other Morning”), poignant ballads suffused with Salvation Army-style horns (“Johnny’s Lament”, Love Only Knows) to full band workouts reminiscent of Blackie and The Rodeo Kings (“One Flat Tire”)

This diversity also reflects changes in Fearing’s perspective on songwriting, and his ongoing experimentation with co-writing. “Writing songs with another person allows you to be a little more objective, a little less critical and a lot more productive and surprisingly, I’ve found that it really informs the material I write on my own”. “Collaborating opens up a whole other vista, it’s like taking a walk outside of my own stuffy little brain”

Fearing’s songwriting partner on four of the songs in this collection, is Josh Finlayson, from much-loved roots-rockers The Skydiggers. After one brief phone call they met at Fearing’s home and immediately tapped into a rich creative connection, trading lyrics and melodies in an instantly productive “crazy rush of ideas”. This rapport is vividly illustrated on “Love Only Knows,” a tender portrait of a parent coming to terms with a child’s burgeoning maturity - “Love only knows what happens now, Yesterday turns under the plough, Only a fool would not allow You to stand on your own.”

Yellowjacket’s title song is a co-write with Stephen’s close creative comrade, Tom Wilson. Spawned during a long drive in the rain from Nashville back to Ontario, a trek fuelled by ‘yellow jacket’ caffeine pills, it depicts a restless soul out there “following the big beat.” The protagonist is one of those young Jam-band disciples, a Deadhead perhaps, escaping some decaying Midwestern town and running out of youth.

As is customary on Fearing's records, the supporting musical cast is of the highest order. The list includes Dan Whiteley (Heartbreak Hill), Jeff Bird (Cowboy Junkies), backing vocalist Suzie Vinnick, Josh Finlayson, and Stephen’s B&RK bandmates, Colin Linden, Gary Craig, John Dymond and Richard Bell.

The consistent quality of work produced over Stephen Fearing’s two decades plus career has earned him a West Coast Music Award for Best Folk Music Recording and five Juno Award nominations as a solo artist and a faithful international fan base.

Born in 1963 in Vancouver, he spent most of his boyhood and teenage years in Dublin. There, he picked up the guitar and traces of the Irish and English musical traditions that have informed his music ever since. After a short stint in the U.S. Midwest, he returned to Canada, and is now long-established as a regular and popular fixture on the folk club and festival circuit in North America and the U.K. Successful appearances at the prestigious WOMAD and Reading Festivals in the U.K. confirmed Fearing’s ability to engage large audiences with his onstage charm.

Like most contemporary songwriter/performers, Stephen is not bound by any particular musical genre or category and the release of Yellowjacket continues this exploration of various musical forms, as does his continued participation in the highly successful Canadian roots rock super trio, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings. Over the past decade, B&RK have released three highly praised and award-winning albums including a Juno Award for their most recent release “BARK”. “It’s wonderful to be able to work as a solo artist and to be active in such a powerful ensemble as The Rodeo Kings. These guys are my friends and there is no doubt in my mind that my continuing work with them influences my solo playing very deeply”.

With two more Blackie records on the near-horizon plus an ongoing collaboration with Irish singer/songwriter Andy White, Stephen has never been more prolific. In his own words, “Yellowjacket feels like a new beginning.”

---------------------------------

Bio courtesy True North Records
Contact: Email Sue McCallum
True North Records
(416) 596-8696 ext. 225

http://www.truenorthrecords.com
http://www.stephenfearing.com

Bring on the Blues!

2007-05-14T17:17:00.000+01:00

Ray Bonneville, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore, Saturday May 19th at 08.30pm

Ray Bonneville calls himself a North American. Born in Canada, he moved to the Boston area in his early teens where he started playing guitar and harmonica. His last 30 or so years have seen him seeking adventure and playing music throughout the world. Being a dual citizen allows him the freedom to live between Montreal Canada, and Austin Texas.

Bonneville is a distinctive artist, a man who cooks up a deep groove, blending a unique percussive electric guitar style, a weathered voice, and soulful rack harmonica into image provoking songs that can be believed. His thumb pulses and thumps, his index finger hooks and brushes out a melody, and his hand slaps the guitar for a snare-like effect. He sometimes uses a slide, always plays through a Fender tube amp, and brings his foot down on an amplified piece of plywood on the floor for added percussion. It is a powerful and visceral sound with a lot of forward momentum.

"When I first heard good blues and country music I was very young, but I felt a deep stirring excitement within, which told me right then what to do with my life," says Bonneville, remembering his introduction to roots music in the Boston area during the early to mid 1960s. Over the next decade, Bonneville honed his sound up in the Northeast, Colorado and Alaska, and then moved around between Seattle, New Orleans, and Paris, France in the 1980s. He recorded his first album, On The Main, in 1993, and now has five albums out; his sixth is on the way.

In the streets and clubs of New Orleans during the eighties, is where Bonneville soaked up the prevalent back-side of the beat attitude that ran through a lot of the music being played down there. "There were so many great drummers to learn groove and time from, great piano and guitar players to be influenced by, and man, the singers and horn players just made your heart go wild with excitement! This was the place that influenced me the most," he says. "It was infectious. I learned that solid, but laid back rhythm is like a tightrope on which the notes and words can do their dance."

Ray won a prestigious Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy, in 1999, for his third album, Gust of Wind. His next release, Rough Luck, and his fifth album, Roll It Down, were also nominated for the coveted award.

Ray continues to tour and write, and is currently working on a new recording, his sixth, slated for release to the world on the Red House Records label in the spring 2007. It will be called Goin’ by Feel.

Says Bonneville: "I'm deeply in love with playing live music. It's the time and place where I really live, where I feel the most alive. When a show is over, I can’t wait to get down the road to the next one, always looking to get back onto another stage and seek out another groove.

Chuck Brodsy: a celebration of life in song

2007-04-27T15:17:00.000+01:00

Chuck Brodsky
Friday May 4th at 8.30pm Venue: Rose's West End Bar, West Main Street, Lismore
This down to earth musical storyteller, with his dry, barb-witted social commentary combined with a deep underlying compassion, knows that the best stories are the little things in the lives of everyday people trying to muddle through with some grace. His great gift as a writer is to infuse these stories with humanity and humor, making them resonate profoundly with his listeners. His spoken introductions to his songs can be as spellbinding as his colorful lyrics, which he brings to life with a well-travelled voice and a delivery that's natural and conversational. His groove-oriented strumming and fingerpicking draw on influences from the mountains of western North Carolina where he now lives, and from lots of different good old traditional folk stuff of all kinds.

Chuck Brodsky's songwriting pokes fun at political corruption, road rage, mischief he made as a kid, even dumping garbage in the river; he sings about unsung heroes and forgotten but incredible people…odd characters from the game of baseball, migrant fruit pickers, the Goat Man, a clown, or “Radio,” a developmentally disabled man and the love showered on him for 40 years at a high school in South Carolina (this song was used in the 2003 movie “Radio”). In addition to being fixtures on the Dr. Demento show, his songs have been recorded by Kathy Mattea, David Wilcox, Sara Hickman, Chuck Pyle, and many others, and his tune “Blow ‘em Away” was selected by Christine Lavin for Shanachie's 1996 “Laugh Tracks” album. He's appeared on nationally syndicated radio programs “Mountain Stage,” “Acoustic Cafe,” and “River City Folk,” and has performed three concerts of his celebrated baseball story songs at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Chuck has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Ireland for 12 years, playing at folk festivals such as Tønder in Denmark, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Kerrville, Philadelphia, and Strawberry, as well as the Lincoln Center Out of Door series in New York, among others. Some of the artists he's appeared in concert with include Arlo Guthrie, Janis Ian, Pete Seeger, Tim O'Brien, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, John Hartford, Greg Brown, Gillian Welch, Dick Gaughan, Tom Paxton, Ferron, Richie Havens, Patty Larkin, Steve Forbert, The Kingston Trio, and Christine Lavin. His influences include John Hartford, Mark Twain, Nic Jones, Bob Dylan, Lowell George, Jackson Browne, Steve Forbert, The Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, and David Massengill.

http://www.chuckbrodsky.com/

Gigs in April and May 2007

2007-03-22T18:26:00.000Z

Kris Delmhorst
Sunday April 15th at 4.00 pm, venue: Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore
Kris has a voice to die for! Her albums “Strange Conversations”, "Songs for a Hurricane" and "Five Stories" are wonderful. Combine this with a gentle warm personality, great guitar and fiddle playing and you get a concert to remember.
Web link: http://www.krisdelmhorst.com/

Foghorn Stringband
Thursday April 19th at 8.00pm, venue: Rose's West End Bar
The Foghorn Stringband is one of the greatest new things in old-time music. They are supertight, are major monster players, and they don't do anything weird to the music, they let their own musicality and the tunes speak for themselves.
Web link: http://www.foghornmusic.com

Chuck Brodsky
Friday May 4th at 8.30 pm
Venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Chuck Brodsky's songwriting pokes fun at political corruption, road rage, mischief he made as a kid, even dumping garbage in the river. He sings about unsung heroes and forgotten but incredible people…odd characters from the game of baseball, migrant fruit pickers and the 9.30 pint.
Web link: http://www.chuckbrodsky.com/

Ray Bonneville
Saturday May 19th at 8.30 pm
Bonneville is a man who cooks up a deep groove, blending a unique percussive electric guitar style, a weathered voice, and soulful rack harmonica into image provoking songs that can be believed. He sometimes uses a slide, always plays through a Fender tube amp, and brings his foot down on an amplified piece of plywood on the floor for added percussion.
Web link: http://www.raybonneville.com/

Stephen Fearing
Thursday May 31st at 8.30 pm
Stephen is long established as a regular and popular fixture on the folk club and festival circuit in North America and the U.K. Successful appearances at the prestigious WOMAD and Reading Festivals in the U.K. confirmed Fearing’s ability to engage large audiences with his onstage charm. Web link http://www.stephenfearing.com/

Niwel Tsumbu
Saturday June 16th at 9.30 pm (Immrama Festival Weekend)
Venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
West Africa has a great guitarist tradition, and Congolese Niwel Tsumbu is a fitting ambassador to carry that torch. Raised on the traditional Soukous and Rhumba music of his homeland, he began playing from an early age, and went on to study both jazz and classical guitar. The leader of several bands, including Sumu, Motema and Jazmu, Niwel is truly a musical innovator. Drawing his influences from far and wide, his elegant and fluent guitar playing feature draw expression from his past experiences with African rhythms, rhumba, jazz, classical, and much more besides. He is accompanied for this recital by the Cork based percussionist Eamon Cagney.
Web links: Niwel Tsumbu http://www.niweltsumbu.com/ and Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writing

Lismore World Music gears up for 2007

2007-02-18T18:13:00.000Z

News from John Cullimore is that some great musicians will play Lismore World Music gigs in 2007. John is keen to make the music more accessible, so the gigs will start at 8.30 sharp each evening. This will allow couples who use a babysitter to enjoy an evening of live music and still get home at a reasonable time.

Also new this year will be improved communication by both email, texting and this blog. If you want to be kept informed, please send your email address and/or a mobile number to john.cullimore@gmail.com. John promises you will not receive any spam from Lismore World Music.

The continuing success of live music in West Waterford depends on you coming out and being there. So shake off those Winter blues and energise yourself with live music. The first gig for 2007 is on Saturday February 24th. Please see the posting below for details of the fantastic NIWEL TSUMBU DUO.

THE NIWEL TSUMBU DUO

2007-02-18T18:08:00.000Z

Saturday 24th February at Roses West End Bar, Lismore, 8.30pm
Raised on the traditional Soukous and Rhumba music of his homeland, Niwel began playing from an early age, and went on to study both jazz and classical guitar . The leader of several bands including Sumu, Motema and Jazmu- all of whom played at many festivals around Ireland including The Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, The Bray Jazz Festival and Limerick Global Beats Festival- Niwel is truly a musical innovator. Drawing his influences from far and wide, his elegant and fluent guitar playing feature draw expression from his past experiences with African rhythms, rhumba, jazz, classical, and much more besides.

DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A WORLD CLASS MUSICIAN AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS POWERS

Please note this gig will start at 8.30pm sharp.

World Music Family Day - December 27th

2006-12-15T22:14:00.000Z

Benefit gig for Chernobyl Children's Project
Wednesday December 27th, Ballyrafter House Hotel, Lismore, 2.00pm to 1.00am

John Cullimore has put together a day of live music in the twilight time between Christmas and New Year. This promises to be a great day out for all the family. All funds raised go to charity. Featured artists include:

Bobby Lee Band, http://bobbyleemusic.com/the_man.html
Peter Lee Band
Mary Nugent Band, http://www.marynugent.com/
Harry J: Reggae music
Toca Tynga: Brazilian horn player
Niwel Tsumbu, http://www.niweltsumbu.com/home.html
Motema: West African music
Circle of Dance: bellydancers
Traditional Irish Music

This is an ideal day to get out with all the family for live music in great surroundings. All funds raised go to Chernobyl Children's Project International http://www.chernobyl-international.org/

More details from John Cullimore at 085 7089490

Nigel Mooney

2006-12-04T15:18:00.000Z

Nigel Mooney plays Rose's West End Bar, Lismore on Friday December 8th at 9.00pm
Trying to find a home for Nigel Mooney's rich, luscious guitar licks and expressive vocals has always been a task that Mooney himself has claimed to be 'beyond his remit'. For arguments sake, we take jazz and blues, we bandy about the words guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. We settle on Nigel Mooney - Irish jazz and blues man.

Nigel's single 'Beautiful Day' from his debut album 'All my loves in vain', is getting great support from the likes of Ryan Tubridy, John Creedon, Ronan Collins and John Kelly, making it on to the Radio 1 playlist and featuring as Larry Goggins album of the week on 2FM.

Nigel has been on the road promoting his album around the country including a slot at the Trinity Ball and supports with Meatloaf and Anastacia.

Nigel Mooney has long been regarded as Ireland's leading blues guitarist. A charismatic figure on the Dublin jazz and blues scenes since the early 1980's, his Gripewater Blues Band spearheaded the blues movement in Ireland and drew many fans of both jazz and the blues.

Having played with the likes of B. B. King, Lowell Fulson, Louisiana Red and many more from the Chicago scenes and beyond, Mooney's bluesy guitar style crosses the jazz boundaries and he has appeared with Georgie Fame, Joey de Francesco and Russell Malone.

Nigel Mooney is with an exciting new quartet that includes some of Ireland's finest young jazz musicians. Web link http://www.nigelmooney.com/

Gigs for November & December 2006

2006-11-13T21:21:00.000Z

Niwel Tsumbui & Eamon Cagney
Friday November 17th at 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Music of West Africa. Please see the write up below.

The Mary Nugent Band
Saturday November 25th at 9.00pm, Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Mary Nugent was always drawn to alternative folk rock and country styles of music. Over the past five years she has begun to perform her own songs. Seamus Hayes has been involved in music since his early teens and spent three years playing with Scottish trad band, Seannachie, in Edinburgh. Thomas Cosgrave & John Quill joined the band in 2004 and since then they have gone from strength to strength. They recently launched their first album “Summer of the Roses”.
Web link http://www.marynugent.com/

Nigel Mooney
Friday December 8th at 9.00pm, venue to be confirmed
Trying to find a home for Nigel Mooney's rich, luscious guitar licks and expressive vocals has always been a task that Mooney himself has claimed to be 'beyond his remit'. For arguments sake, we take jazz and blues, we bandy about the words guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. We settle on Nigel Mooney Irish jazz and blues man. Nigel Mooney, Guitar and Vocals; Greg Felton, Piano; Rory O'Donovan, Bass; Shane O'Donovan, Drums.
Web link http://www.nigelmooney.com/

Experience the Music of West Africa

2006-10-30T19:32:00.000Z

Niwel Tsumbui & Eamon Cagney
Rose's West End Bar, Lismore, Friday November 17th at 9.00pm
West Africa has a great guitarist tradition, and Congolese Niwel Tsumbu is a fitting ambassador to carry that torch. Raised on the traditional Soukous and Rhumba music of his homeland, he began playing from an early age, and went on to study both jazz and classical guitar. The leader of several bands, including Sumu, Motema and Jazmu, Niwel is truly a musical innovator. Drawing his influences from far and wide, his elegant and fluent guitar playing feature draw expression from his past experiences with African rhythms, rhumba, jazz, classical, and much more besides. He is accompanied for this recital and CD launch by the Cork based percussionist Eamon Cagney. Weblink http://www.niweltsumbu.com/home.html

The Date Brothers play gypsy jazz

2006-10-10T17:23:00.000+01:00

The DATE BROTHERS, Acoustic Jazz Guitarists
Saturday October 21st at 9.00pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Ian Date was born in Northern New South Wales He started working professionally at the age of 14 in local bands. After several years he moved to Sydney where he carved out a successful Jazz career. Date has played all over the world, has made numerous, television radio, festival and concert hall performances and is regarded as one of Australia’s great guitar players. He has shared the stage with performers such as Benny Carter, Sarah Vaughan and Martin Taylor.

Critics have described his playing as masterful, lyrical and always melodic. Date’s playing is influenced by guitar greats such as Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessell and Wes Montgomery. Date first started playing gypsy jazz as a teenager and ran several successful “Hot Club” style bands in Australia. He recorded several albums in this style and toured extensively.

In 1990 he lived for a year in Holland where he met and played with some of the great gypsy jazz musicians. Since 2002 he has lived in County Cork, Ireland. Date performs regularly throughout Europe. He is joined for this gig by his brother Nigel.

Web link http://www.ozmanouche.com/01_cms/details.asp?ID=10

Gigs for October 2006

2006-09-25T12:36:00.000+01:00

Motema
Saturday October 7th at 9.00pm, Venue: Rose’s West End Bar, Lismore
Motema, meaning the heart in Lingala, one of the many languages spoken in The Congo, are a Cork-based trio who have been rocking the foundations of Cork’s inner core for quite a few years now. Soukous/Rumba music, originally from The Congo, has been described variously as “joyful hopeful music”, “buoyant”, “danceable, and energetic enough to cure the blues on the darkest of days”. True to this description, Motema generously deliver a hearty dose of tempo-tastic rhythms, so infectious you can’t help but smile from the inside out! Motema are: Niwel (guitar), Troca (percussion) & Clement (bass).

The Date Brothers
Saturday October 21st at 9.00 pm, Venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
The Australian Date Brothers playing is influenced by guitar greats such as Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessell and Wes Montgomery. Ian Date first started playing gypsy jazz as a teenager and ran several successful “Hot Club” style bands in Australia. He recorded several albums in this style and toured extensively. Since 2002 he has lived in County Cork. He is joined for this gig by his brother Nigel.
Web link http://www.ozmanouche.com/01_cms/details.asp?ID=10

Jeff Finlin - a star comes to town

2006-09-11T21:04:00.000+01:00

Jeff Finlin
Saturday September 23rd, Rose's West End Bar at 9.00pm
Making a welcome return to Lismore World Music, fresh from a rave write up in The Sunday Times newspaper of August 27th, you can read it online at http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14932-2324956.html.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, the grandson of Irish railroad workers (who seemed to be in the habit of leaping from trains), Jeff Finlin is a unique artist. His career has taken many twists and turns. He started out traveling America in autos, trains, planes, and hitchhiking, before settling down to play in bands in Boston, Ohio and L.A. He finally wound up in Nashville with long-time mate Gwil Owen ("A Softer Place to Fall") to form the rock band the Thieves, which put out the Marshall Crenshaw produced "Seduced by Money" on Capitol Records.

In 1993, he went on to produce the self-released "Lonely Light" before going on to produce the Little Dog/ Mercury release, "Highway Diaries". The Chicago Sun Times said: "FINLIN writes with the minimalist grit of Sam Shepard and Raymond Carver - tune in and you will hear an elusive magic."

Next it was on to New York, where Jeff incorporated the likes of Mark Ribot (Tom Waits and Elvis Costello) and Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan), to produce Original Fin, which was released on BMG/Gravity in the UK and Ireland and NBFNY in the U.S. Music Row called the record:
"A do it yourself piece of musical brilliance - Simply manna to the literate songwriter’s soul." Uncut called Finlin - "A real find."

Then in 2002 "Somewhere South of Wonder” came out with a vengeance, garnering Finlin 'Album of the Year' accolades on Virgin Radio's Captain America show, and a tour opening for Steve Earle in the U.K. and Ireland.

Now comes the much anticipated follow-up, "Epinonymous" - a musical and spiritual foray into the heart of the everyman and how he discovers and comes to terms with his selfless self. "I don’t think we really discover how great our potential for life is until we come to terms with our own anonymity”, Finlin says. "Who are we really?"

Recorded in Colorado and Nashville with long-time cohorts Will Kimbrough and Pat Buchanan, it picks up in the stark American landscape where "Somewhere South of Wonder" left off. It recalls the work of Newman, Waits and other American pioneers who have channeled their experiences in the world through their own unique voice. Tune in for more elusive magic.

Weblink http://jefffinlinonline.co.uk/

Award-winning songwriter Patsy O'Brien plays Rose's

2006-09-01T09:13:00.000+01:00

Saturday September 9th at 9.00pm in Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Award-winning songwriter Patsy O'Brien has a penchant for seamless genre-hopping, as well as showing off his critically acclaimed songwriting skills. Patsy's most obvious influences are blues, traditional Irish music, jazz and country, with obvious nods to such masters as Hank Williams, Rory Gallagher, Son House and a host of others, Patsy's cross cultural explorartions within songwriting and composition genres have lead him on an interesting path. He has played with Punk Rock bands, country bands, big-band swing and Jazz ensembles, Irish folk groups, tradiional Irish music groups and most recently and most successfully, as a solo guitarist and singer. He has been known to supply the driving guitar rhythms on Irish/World Music diva Eileen Ivers' European tours, and regularly treads the boards with Piping legend Paddy Keenan, who also sprinkles some of his own magic onto a few tracks on Patsy's last album.

On Patsy's solo recordings, his interest in contemporary songwriting as well as his Jazz influences are also apparent - this being most evident in a blistering jazz/blues version of "Star of The County Down" with Paddy Keenan on low whistle, an arrangement of the old Irish ballad that inspired Irish music critic Paul Dromey to declare Patsy "Ireland's best - kept musical secret." , and has recently been featured on NPR's "All Songs Considered"

The Stateside critics have been equally impressed :
"Patsy O'Brien's songs are sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, but always delivered with a strong sense of style and energy." (FREETIME NY)

"I can imagine a wonderful evening of stories, songs and good humour with plenty of time to admire the musicianship." (whisperinandhollerin.com)

"An Irish Robbie Robertson." "Falls in the void between Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson....stomping and ocean breezy - sure footed and fragile." (New Haven Advocate)

"Easily one of the best local releases of last year" (New Haven Register)

"Like a good wine, guitarist and singer/songwriter Patsy O'Brien has let his musicianship flourish.... throaty vocals, languid guitar." (Irish Times)

"Ireland's best kept musical secret-CHECK HIM OUT!" (Irish Examiner)

Web link http://www.patsyobrien.com

Bruce Mathiske plays late Summer gig in Ballyrafter

2006-08-07T12:53:00.000+01:00

Bruce Mathiske
Friday August 25th, 9.00pm, Ballyrafter House Hotel
What are they Saying about Bruce?
"... Astonishing."
- Mike Hart, Edinburgh Festival.

"old or new, the Australian Virtuoso is equally at home on both"
- Hugh Nolan, Tele-Mirror

"He is a master Guitarist, an absolute Virtuoso"
- Bruce Elder, 7:30 Report on ABC TV.

"Frightening"
- Mike Maloney, National Radio R.T.E, Ireland

"... the best guitarist in the country."
- Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald.

"... this guy's a real threat."
- Chet Atkins, C.G.P. (Nashville U.S.A)

"There isn’t a seat to spare as the crowd pours in, then the virtuosic Australian solo guitarist, Bruce Mathiske, strides onstage and he not such much oozes charisma but pulses it in the rhythm of his playing as he plugs in his guitar. Tall, striking and funny, he immediately provokes an enthusiasm not usually seen in an icily modern Arts Centre with his solo guitar version of Eleanor Rigby. There was a man who was having fun.
He launched right into the show, following the Beatles classic with his own rendition of the theme from Black Orpheus and then straight into Bach’s Toccata, all played with gusto and a style rarely encountered. Listeners were treated to songs combining elements of swing, Spanish, rock, Cuban, blues, gypsy, pop, jazz, easy listening, folk and more with style, he is in his own words "uninhibited by direction" and surpasses expectations at every turn.
With newly-turned-Cuban-style Caravan Bruce gave us a demonstration of how he writes for solo guitar - combining the work of three. The Australian takes on the role of bass, rhythm and lead on his one acoustic guitar, with unnatural-looking hand contortions and fingers than move faster than a hummingbird on speed. Every guitarist in the place turned green with envy.....
Unfortunately the show is now coming to an end, and let me tell you, a man who can play the guitar and the didgeridoo at the same time can only command the greatest respect.
Catch him live if he’s within 100 miles of your town. Whatever your type of music there’s something for you in this show. Genres? Bah,who needs’em? It’s all Mathiske in the end." (Anna Murray – Claus-Irish Music Scene 19 August 2004)

Web link http://www.mathiske.com.au/home/

Gigs for September 2006

2006-08-07T12:34:00.000+01:00

Patsy O'Brien
Saturday 9th September at 9.00pm, venue: Rose's West End Bar, Lismore
Award-winning songwriter Patsy O'Brien's writing reflects his penchant for seamless genre-hopping, as well as showing off his critically acclaimed songwriting skills. As well as supplying the driving guitar rhythms on Irish/World Music diva Eileen Ivers' last European tour, and frequently treading the boards and collaborating with Piping legend Paddy Keenan, who also sprinkles some of his own magic onto a few tracks on Patsy's last album, Patsy has been busy gathering material for a new album , which should see the light of day early in the new year, we hope.

Along with his connection to Irish music, Patsy's interest in contemporary songwriting as well as his Jazz influences are also apparent on "WHAT YOU KNOW" his second solo Cd,- a 14 song testament to his abilities as songwriter, guitar player, singer and interpreter, the jazz influence being most evident in a blistering jazz/blues version of "Star of The County Down" with Paddy Keenan on low whistle, an arrangement of the old Irish ballad that inspired Irish music critic Paul Dromey to declare Patsy "Ireland's best - kept musical secret." , and has recently been featured on NPR's "All Songs Considered". Web link http://www.patsyobrien.com

Jeff Finlin
Saturdy September 23rd 2006 at 9.00pm
Former Nashville cat Jeff Finlin has been making his musical home in Colorado as of late, although he did return to Music City late last year to record his new album Epinonymous with Will Kimbrough, Pat Buchanan and Lij Shaw. The record’s been doing particularly well in the UK, where the press have been falling over each other to sing his praises, including a four-star review in Uncut. Last seen supporting Steve Earle, Finlin is an all-American original whose singing recalls John Hiatt, Dylan and even Dr John. But his songwriting has its own unique character and seems to become more honed and concentrated with every album.

The Sunday Times newspaper of August 27th featured an article on Jeff Finlin, you can read it online at http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14932-2324956.html.

Weblink http://jefffinlinonline.co.uk/

Gigs for July 2006

2006-06-19T08:27:00.000+01:00

Leslie Dowdall
Saturday July 1st, Rose's West End Bar at 9.00pm
Leslie Dowdall first came to attention with her involvement in the 80's as the voice of the band "In Tua Nua" that fused celtic traditions with rock. Leslie Dowdall's solo career started with the release of her first album in 1997, 'No Guilt, No Guile'. The album won high praise for the creativity, vision and the soulful vocals for so long hidden beneath the music of the past. As a result, Leslie won the 1997 'Best Solo Female' artist at the Heineken/Hot Press Music Awards. Her second album 'Out There' released in 1998 not only confirmed Leslie's ability as one of Irelands best female singers but also confirmed her talent as a songwriter. All the tracks on this album are original, the exception being the Jimi Hendrix song 'Angel' which receives tremendous attention from the songstress. This new album was a continuation of the passage taken with "No Guilt, No Guile", a continued interest in gentler, more reflective, vocally driven songs.

In 1999 Leslie featured in a series of Beatles Celebration Concerts at the National Concert Hall. The concerts were conducted by the Beatle's producer Sir George Martin. Then renewing a previously successful partnership, she appeared as guest vocalist on Ronan Hardiman's second solo album 'Anthem' released in 2000. Leslie was the featured vocalist in the musical production 'The Flight of the Earls' composed and written by Mary Ronayne-Keane. In October 2001 Leslie was involved in Paul Brady's epic 23 date gigs in Vicar Street, with other guests such as Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor and many more.
http://www.lesliedowdall.com/

Spencer Bohren
Friday July 7th, Rose's West End Bar at 9.00pm
Spencer Bohren lovingly calls New Orleans home, but for much of any given year, he can be found roaming the globe, sharing his deep love of American blues, folk and gospel music. Enthusiastic audiences rise to their feet night after night to celebrate Spencer's unique mix of traditional and original songs, instrumental prowess and unpredictable storytelling.

While the horrific events resulting from Hurricane Katrina's devastating visit to New Orleans in 2005 have dramatically affected Spencer and his family, he, like so many others, is in the process of rebuilding his home and life. His career is healthier than ever, and a new song, 'The Long Black Line,' currently functions as a sort of post-traumatic touchstone for every New Orleanian who hears it.

Four decades as a "road scholar," concert performer and general fan of humanity have given Spencer Bohren much to share. Come and hear his songs and his stories.
http://www.spencerbohren.com

Jeff Lang plays Rose's on the Sunday of IMMRAMA

2006-06-07T09:41:00.000+01:00

Playing the Sunday evening of the IMMRAMA Travel Writers Festival, by popular demand, Jeff Lang. Rose's West End Bar at the earlier time of 7.00pm on Sunday June 18th.

Singer-songwriter Jeff Lang has built up a reputation for startlingly original performances, working without a set list, allowing the unique energy of each night to shape the songs. While Lang will talk of his admiration for the elemental blues of Skip James, the raw gospel of Blind Willie Johnson, the devastating guitar work of Jimi Hendrix, the masterful slide guitar of Ry Cooder, and the sublime songwriting of Bob Dylan and Richard Thompson, comparisons to these artists fails to paint an adequate picture.

Jeff Lang is critically acclaimed as a truly great guitar player. The unusual thing is that the guitar playing never gets in the way of the music, nor overshadows his gift for hauntingly poetic songwriting. As a live performer Lang is only satisfied when something truly inspired takes place. This restless striving for the sublime pays great dividends for audiences that join him for the ride.

He has delivered show-stopping performances at festivals as diverse as Port Fairy, Woodford, Byron Bay, Mudslinger and Livid in his home land of Australia. On US radio he has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage and Acoustic Café, and he has performed at such festivals as the Dublin Blues Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Quebec City Music Festival, Falcon Ridge, Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival, Blissfest, and the Ottawa Blues Fest.

He has toured with Ani Di Franco, Chris Whitley, Albert Collins, Bob Dylan, Loudon Wainwright III, Richard Thompson, Greg Brown, Kelly Joe Phelps, Dr. John and Bob Geldolf, while his unique musical vision easily finds a home in myriad venues, from a large festival stage to a small Irish club to the Sydney Opera House. In addition his 2002 collaboration with Bob Brozman won an ARIA award (Australia's equivalent of a Grammy) for Best Blues and Roots Music album. Jeff Lang has achieved what is a rarity in the cluttered world of contemporary sounds: his own voice.

Weblink http://www.jefflang.com.au/index.htm

New CDs from Jeffrey Foucault & Kris Delmhorst

2006-05-13T17:45:00.000+01:00

A trip to the recent Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots festival gave access to the excellent Jeffrey Foucault and a chance to purchase his new CD "Ghost Repeater". This got a five star review in the Ticket section of the Irish Times. The album is brilliant, more country than his last one, "Stripping Cane", and more positive about life, love and marriage. This is not surprising as he recently married Kris Delmhorst, who also has a new album due in June 2006. Jeffrey and Kris have both played Lismore World Music, as part of the Red Bird Tour and in their own right. We look forward to hearing them again soon.

Review of Niall Toner Gig

2006-05-07T14:02:00.000+01:00

There is an excellent review of the Niall Toner Band's gig published on the Bluegrass Ireland Blog. Look for the post on April 17th.

Gigs for May and June 2006

2006-05-07T13:41:00.000+01:00

Foghorn StringBand
Friday May 12th at 9.00, Venue: Rose’s
The Foghorn Stringband is one of the greatest new things in old-time music. All they have to do is play, and the power surges straight through your own chest. They are supertight, are major monster players, and they don't do anything weird to the music, they let their own musicality and the tunes speak for themselves.
Web link: http://www.foghornmusic.com/index2.html

Geoff Muldaur
Saturday May 27th at 9.00, Venue: Rose’s
Geoff Muldaur is one of the great voices and musical forces to emerge from the folk, blues and folk-rock scenes centered in Cambridge, MA and Woodstock, NY. During the 1960's and '70's, Geoff made a series of highly influential recordings as a founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and the Paul Butterfield's Better Days group, as well as collaborations with then-wife Maria and other notables (Bonnie Raitt, Eric Von Schmidt, Jerry Garcia, etc.).
Web link: http://www.geoffmuldaur.com

Nigel Mooney
Saturday June 10th at 9.00, Venue: Rose’s
Trying to find a home for Nigel Mooney's rich, luscious guitar licks and expressive vocals has always been a task that Mooney himself has claimed to be 'beyond his remit'. For arguments sake, we take jazz and blues, we bandy about the words guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. We settle on Nigel Mooney Irish jazz and blues man. Nigel Mooney, Guitar and Vocals; Greg Felton, Piano; Rory O'Donovan, Bass; Shane O'Donovan, Drums.
Web link http://www.nigelmooney.com/

Freddie White
Saturday June 17th at 9.30, Venue: Rose’s
Enjoy live music during the IMMRAMA Festival of Travel Writing. In Ireland, Freddie White is something of a legend. In the 1970s he was a founder member of Scullian. He has toured with Eric Clapton and Clannad. A great Irish singer songwriter.
Web link http://www.freddiewhite.com/main.html

Jeff Lang
Sunday June 18th at 7.00, Venue: Rose's
Yes, it is true, he is playing for the IMMRAMA weekend, at the earlier time of 7.00. John has been in touch and arranged it all. Spend the afternoon in the park listening to the wonderful Loudest Whisper and then drift over to Rose's for a great session of guitar and vocals.
Web link http://www.jefflang.com.au/

First Post on Lismore World Music Blog

2006-05-07T13:23:00.000+01:00

Welcome to a blog written by a fan of Lismore World Music for the fans of Lismore World Music. This blog will feature lists of forthcoming gigs, reviews of music nights and information on the performers and their music. To really connect with the meaning of this blog you need to come to a live music session in Lismore, County Waterford, Ireland. So come visit soon!