To update everyone since the last time I blogged, I'll start off with Kate Rusby. Her new album Awkward Annie is wonderful and incredibly melancholy (similar to Underneath the Stars), but not in the usual sense of Kate's style. She lost two close family members in the last few months of making this album, which has flavoured this album a little darker, understandably.
Musically speaking though, it's stunning. Kate's brother Joe provides backing vocals, and anyone who's heard my sister Hailze sing with me at past gigs will understand how sibling's voices just seem to *match*. So 'High on a Hill' is a definite favourite of mine for that reason, as is 'Planets'. Also the beautifully lilted story song 'The Old Man' and at Jennifer Saunders's request, Kate's cover of 'The Village Green Preservation Society'. I just love how Kate's brilliant Barnsley accent shapes the way she phrases her songs!
So now you've heard my two pence, I'd like to mention a few things about last Saturday's gig.
One: We've all arrived to set up as usual, and things are progressing as they normally do. I'm taking the piss out of the boys and instructing Bridget to avoid Paul when setting up, Mannie is anally soundchecking everyone down to the most minute of knobbing, and then Paul stops dead with an ashen panicky face, and simply says, 'Insert Expletive Here'.
Trust me when I tell you if Paul says something with that intensity then things have gone *drastically* up the creek.
No bodhran! Yes, he actually forgot his bodhran!! Could he gig without it? A quick check of the set list indelibly placed the bodhran in the Must-Have-For-Gigs column, so 40 minutes before we were due to begin I threw my car keys to Paul and ordered him to go home and get the bloody bodhran.
So, ten minutes before the gig is due to start and no Paul in sight, Mannie sits across from myself and Bridget with a set list, nervous, but sets a smile on his face and dictates what we'll start with.
For those who are interested, we started with Maid of the River into Maggie's Pancakes and then were halfway through Perfectly Comfortable, 15 minutes into the gig when Paul walks in bodhran in hand, with a very relieved and sheepish expression on his face! :) He also mumbled something along the lines of 'if you get a speeding ticket I'll pay it'.
!!!!! My poor car!
(Note from Paul: it moves okay once it gets a good head of steam up. It reminded me of the train from the end of Back to the Future III)
Two: Welcome back Ben! It's so good to see you back home :) Loved the frog-in-a-blender dancing, Mannie was laughing so hard he nearly coughed up his spleen! Welcome back also to Tony, Kimmi, Amber, Shane, John and Paula :)
Three (last one, but no less important!): I have to say a huge congratulations to Bridget, who has proved to be an invaluable asset to this band. Case in point: When we played Ready for the Storm. This song is always a crowd pleaser, and I love how the ending depends on a musical yet continous performance from our fiddle player. As we began layering the tune after Storm, The Gael, I once again lost myself in the music. Sometimes I come back to earth briefly after I finish my parts before disappearing again. This time I actually opened my eyes and looked at the audience.
I was absolutely *amazed*. The entire pub was stock still, their attention focused on Bridget, who was in her own melodic world, playing so beautifully. As Paul and Bridget finished playing, there was a beat of silence and then the audience went crazy. She did a brilliant job, I was so proud!
We played our gig on Sunday afternoon for Thomas Kenealy at the State Library, on the terrace. It was bloody hot, but the afternoon breeze was lovely and soothing. My wonderful sister Hailze was performing with us as well, I've really missed singing with her. The good part was that Tom liked us, so we breathed a sigh of relief after his lovely acknowledgement! A big hello and huge thank you to the lovely Sebastian Flynn who was our information source of the day (and thanks for the car park & letting us out at the end of the day!), and to John of the *delicious* catering - I can still taste those beautiful lemon lime tarts & apple fig crumbles. What an interesting unforgettable gig :)
So next up for us is Sharon Shannon tomorrow night! *happy dance* For me especially, because Mike McGoldrick, uber flute player is touring with her! And then our gig at the Meadowbrook Hotel this Friday 5th October, from 6 - 10pm. We look forward to seeing everyone there, your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
PS, this was something we had been talking about for ages but hadn't had a chance to do anything about until now, but we'll be releasing a monthly newsletter soon. The actual date hasn't been decided as of yet, but we'll keep you all posted.
Currently listening :
Kate Rusby - Live from Leeds
Release date: 29 June, 2004
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