The Return of a truly great British Pop Group
I have been to many pop concerts over the years. I even recall seeing a previous Steps concert back in their 1990s heyday and to enjoying every minute of it at the time. Of all the pure pop concerts I have seen over the years however nothing prepared me for what amounts to one of the most spectacular live concert comebacks in UK pop history. Steps new show ‘the Ultimate tour’ is quite simply one of the best produced most professionally performed pop shows I have ever seen. Mixing Vegas production values with competent often soaring vocals and a well chosen selection of pulsating pop music, the result is a triumph and puts the former pop superstars firmly back in the limelight. The capacity crowd at Dublin’s biggest indoor arena the O2 were enraptured by the show from start to finish. Opening the previous night in Belfast and working its way around the UK to a sold out 2 night run at London’s O2 later in the tour, the newly reformed Steps comeback show is truly a spectacular nights entertainment.
From the outset the new show grabs and holds the attention with intricate 3D graphic backdrops, innovative set designs and a brilliant troupe of dancers who mix eroticism with amazing performance technique. At the centre of it all the triumphant live return of one of the best British pop acts of all time. Unsurprisingly the greatest hits feature heavily throughout from the innocent debut single ‘5.6.7,8’ to the sophisticated slick pop sound of later hits like ‘Deeper Shade of Blue’ and ‘Summer of Love’. So too do ‘Steptacular’ solo interpretations by band members of more recent pop classics such as Maroon 5s ‘Moves Like Jagger’ remixed with Rhinanna’s S&M, Jennifer Hudson‘s smash One Night Only to a surreal rendition of the Celine Dion power ballad ‘I Surrender’ performed by Claire Richards, always the strongest singer in the group but in her own right one of the best female pop voices of her era. The show rarely stumbles nor does it stray too far into nostalgia preferring instead to reposition the classic Steps material in a new more confident and mature setting. The finale, lasting almost twenty minutes and ending with the inevitable ‘Tragedy’ (their biggest hit) is one of the most frenzied pop set pieces ever staged working the audience into a true pure pop music high in every way as intense as any opera or rock performance.
Often derided in the 1990s simply for being a pop act in an era when pop itself was seen as deeply uncool by elements of the British music press, they were in many senses the sole occupants of the pure pop space. This was something at which the British had so excelled in the past but which the music establishment became deeply uncomfortable with in the era of Britpop, a misnomer if ever there was one. Bands like Blur, Pulp and others were not Pop bands at all. They were indie inspired rock bands. Therein lay the difficulty for bands like Steps who found their often brilliant pop music dismissed by a music establishment who simply could not or would not recognise the validity of a great ‘Pop’ band. This despite their huge commercial success and a slew of truly great hit records probably eventually led to the band‘s early break up depriving British pop prematurely of one of its few great acts. Rock and Pop are not the same thing, they are distinct musical genres and need to be recognised as such. The failure to appreciate this has led to the now fractured nature of popular music in general and to a decline in live music performances and thus a music industry in crisis. Co-existing rather than mutual intolerance could lead to a new era of great distinct rock and pop acts emerging rather than the consistent demonisation of fun escapist pop by a jaded narrow elitist music press. Steps suffered the same fate as their idols ABBA in the 1970s. It is often now forgotten that ABBA while massively successful were, at their peak, also deeply derided by the music press. Like ABBA it is only many years later that a true impartial assessment of their discography shows us just what a great pop band Steps were and still are.
It is interesting that despite a recent number 1 UK chart placing for their greatest hits collection, the band seem to be having difficulty getting a release date for their new material. Lets hope that the rumoured deal with Universal leads to a new second era of Steps original pop music introducing a whole new generation to the art form that is fun escapist pop music. Welcome back Steps, a great pop band. The new concert tour is quite simply their best to date. If over cautious record companies allow, Steps could easily be poised to produce a whole new cluster of modern pop hits as the energy of the band and the enthusiasm of the fans seems undiminished.
Steps the ultimate tour continues around the UK until end of May 2012 with special appearances later in 2012 at various festival venues.
Daniel Lindon April 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Monday, July 4, 2011
Red's Way
Concert: A Summer’s Night with Red Hurley
Venue: Olympia Theatre, Dublin
Date: Sat 2nd July 2011
I have reviewed Red Hurley’s live shows many times in recent years, spanning his gradual rise back to the top of Irish Showbusiness and his new found significant international success in the United States & UK. It seems everyone is praising the singer of late from leading Irish media figures such as Kevin Myers & Ryan Turbridy to American luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey and her own mentor Maya Angelou. Yet it wasn’t always this way.
Not so long ago Red's once glittering career had gradually ebbed away and his live appearances and recordings were few and far between. During the 1990s in particular, he seemed almost invisible spending most of his time in the USA. Gradually in the 21rst century all that began to change. Just as he had done in the 1970s & 80s it was through well produced recordings that Red Hurley slowly rebuilt his career. Unlike his contemporaries of the showband era, Red always placed a premium on well produced records often working with the very best international producers and writers at a time when others were content to churn out covers and poorly recorded material. It was this professionalism in the end which enabled him to make what must surely be one of the most spectacular comebacks in Irish Showbusiness history.
During the past 5-6 years he has recorded almost half a dozen successful albums, appeared regularly on top TV shows including his own US TV special (Recorded live in Ireland) and mounted at least 2 concert tours a year, selling out shows at Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre and other nationwide venues despite the recession. It seems Ireland has fallen in love with Red Hurley all over again.
There are few who can possibly envy Red his return to the top. Well liked by his peers and admired by musicians and composers alike for his wide musical repertoire and sheer vocal power, the man is literally riding the crest of a wave at present. Despite this he is never complacent and always striving to innovate and even educate his own audience on differing musical styles.
His Olympia Theatre summer show on July 2nd (part of a small Irish summer tour) showcased once again not just his still stunning voice but his varied musical influences. The concert naturally featured his crowd pleasing greatest hits but also material as diverse as Jerome Kern’s ‘The way you look tonight’ and Paul Anka’s Sinatra classic ‘My Way’ which he sang with moving pathos and deliberate restraint. Never derivative and always original he managed to avoid a Sinatra esque imitation finding new depths to the song and virtually making it his own.
A songwriter’s dream, Red Hurley can find so much to say through his skilful and impeccably judged vocal performances breathing new life into classics and reenergising even his own back catalogue. Some of his biggest domestic hits ‘When & Love Is All’ have been brought into the modern era with fresh contemporary arrangements. He has even ventured into Gospel music similar to his idol Tom Jones. Both singers have recently recorded well received Gospel Albums aimed primarily at the US market but which have crossed the Atlantic and found an audience here and the UK.
Red Hurley is due back in Dublin later in 2011 to play a Christmas Concert at the Helix which will no doubt once again be a sell out. 2011 has been a good year for him. He has returned to the top of Irish Showbusiness with a high profile Late Late show appearance, sell out Irish and US tours and seen his talents recognised as never before by a wide variety of critics. Red Hurley is one of those rare singers who can actually sing ‘My Way’ with complete authenticity. Despite the setbacks and career ups and downs, he has endured and prospered with a voice which sounds better than ever and a stage presence that has not diminished. The man has indeed done it 'his way' remaining faithful to his own unique musical style but always open to change and innovation and indeed to pushing his own musical boundaries and those of his loyal fanbase. He is quite simply, a living legend.
Daniel Lindon
Venue: Olympia Theatre, Dublin
Date: Sat 2nd July 2011
I have reviewed Red Hurley’s live shows many times in recent years, spanning his gradual rise back to the top of Irish Showbusiness and his new found significant international success in the United States & UK. It seems everyone is praising the singer of late from leading Irish media figures such as Kevin Myers & Ryan Turbridy to American luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey and her own mentor Maya Angelou. Yet it wasn’t always this way.
Not so long ago Red's once glittering career had gradually ebbed away and his live appearances and recordings were few and far between. During the 1990s in particular, he seemed almost invisible spending most of his time in the USA. Gradually in the 21rst century all that began to change. Just as he had done in the 1970s & 80s it was through well produced recordings that Red Hurley slowly rebuilt his career. Unlike his contemporaries of the showband era, Red always placed a premium on well produced records often working with the very best international producers and writers at a time when others were content to churn out covers and poorly recorded material. It was this professionalism in the end which enabled him to make what must surely be one of the most spectacular comebacks in Irish Showbusiness history.
During the past 5-6 years he has recorded almost half a dozen successful albums, appeared regularly on top TV shows including his own US TV special (Recorded live in Ireland) and mounted at least 2 concert tours a year, selling out shows at Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre and other nationwide venues despite the recession. It seems Ireland has fallen in love with Red Hurley all over again.
There are few who can possibly envy Red his return to the top. Well liked by his peers and admired by musicians and composers alike for his wide musical repertoire and sheer vocal power, the man is literally riding the crest of a wave at present. Despite this he is never complacent and always striving to innovate and even educate his own audience on differing musical styles.
His Olympia Theatre summer show on July 2nd (part of a small Irish summer tour) showcased once again not just his still stunning voice but his varied musical influences. The concert naturally featured his crowd pleasing greatest hits but also material as diverse as Jerome Kern’s ‘The way you look tonight’ and Paul Anka’s Sinatra classic ‘My Way’ which he sang with moving pathos and deliberate restraint. Never derivative and always original he managed to avoid a Sinatra esque imitation finding new depths to the song and virtually making it his own.
A songwriter’s dream, Red Hurley can find so much to say through his skilful and impeccably judged vocal performances breathing new life into classics and reenergising even his own back catalogue. Some of his biggest domestic hits ‘When & Love Is All’ have been brought into the modern era with fresh contemporary arrangements. He has even ventured into Gospel music similar to his idol Tom Jones. Both singers have recently recorded well received Gospel Albums aimed primarily at the US market but which have crossed the Atlantic and found an audience here and the UK.
Red Hurley is due back in Dublin later in 2011 to play a Christmas Concert at the Helix which will no doubt once again be a sell out. 2011 has been a good year for him. He has returned to the top of Irish Showbusiness with a high profile Late Late show appearance, sell out Irish and US tours and seen his talents recognised as never before by a wide variety of critics. Red Hurley is one of those rare singers who can actually sing ‘My Way’ with complete authenticity. Despite the setbacks and career ups and downs, he has endured and prospered with a voice which sounds better than ever and a stage presence that has not diminished. The man has indeed done it 'his way' remaining faithful to his own unique musical style but always open to change and innovation and indeed to pushing his own musical boundaries and those of his loyal fanbase. He is quite simply, a living legend.
Daniel Lindon
Friday, May 27, 2011
Michael Ball
The Heroes Tour-(Opening Night)
Grand Canal Theatre Dublin
24 May 2011
Michael Ball made his name initially through his association with a string of successful West End shows and as the principal male lead in a succession of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals. His outstanding performance in the now legendary Cameron Mackintosh production of ‘Les Miserables’ made him a major star and established him as one of the major vocal talents of modern British entertainment. His versatility coupled with clever marketing and intelligent personal management has given him a superstar career his West End contemporaries can only dream about. Not generally acknowledged are his steady and consistent album sales and album chart success over the past 20 years. He has sold literally millions of albums principally in the UK & Ireland in recent years. He has also enjoyed a parallel career as a successful live artist selling out numerous concert tours through his huge and fiercely loyal fan base. That same fan base are fascinated with a star equally at home on the West End stage and the concert halls of Europe and a canny media operator who regularly pops up on TV or Radio shows and in the UK album charts with most of his recent recordings. Few performers can offer such a diverse range of options to their fans who cant seem to get enough of their idol. In short the man is a one man multi media star.
His latest ‘Heroes’ tour, named from his most recent album of the same name in which he explores the songs of his own musical inspirations, enjoyed its first night premiere before a sell out crowd at Dublin’s beautiful Grand Canal Theatre on 24 May. He had already enjoyed a sell out run at the same venue in 2010 in the Musical ‘Hairspray’ and had chosen the venue personally to premiere his new concert tour. Musing on the night about his varied career, Michael revealed that his next role will be as a serial killer in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ with the involvement of Sondheim himself. Versatility is clearly the key to the singers continuing success. Observing the diverse range and ages of fans attending the show demonstrates that Michael Ball has been very clever indeed at carving out a unique career for himself in an era when performers of his type have struggled and mostly failed to connect with a long term fan base. Recognising that West End success alone was no longer a guarantee of longevity, he diversified into television, radio and recording and of course live concert performances. As a result he has enjoyed a wider and more diverse fan base than his contemporaries which enables him to have a proper real singing career instead of being pigeonholed as just a star of West End musicals. Troubled by occasional weight problems during recent years, the 2011 Michael is looking leaner than before and seems to have regained his distinctive cherubic good looks which helped make him a sex symbol in the late eighties and early nineties.
The new ‘Heroes’ concert had some initial teething problems on its Dublin opening night. The first set showcasing a pseudo rock star Michael with a cool (high octave) talented quintet of backing singers while interesting and at times original had some of his older fans moving a little uncomfortably in their seats. His knock out set of New York themed songs in which Ball seemed willing to share the stage equally with his vocal troupe was a major crowd pleaser and a definite highlight. Those who felt they were perhaps not getting quite what they had paid for i.e. songs from his West End shows, were catered for admirably in the second part of the show when Ball delivered a rousing set from Les Miserables and Sunset Boulevard, the latter containing some of Lloyd Webber’s most interesting and often underrated work. His rendition of the title song from Sunset remains one of Michael Ball’s best vocal recordings and a fantastic showcase for his powerful voice.
Michael Ball has slowly and steadily built a significant and varied career for himself over the past 20 years or so and can now claim to be one of the UK’s most successful entertainers. The secret to his success is simple. Yes there are others who perhaps match his talent but very few who can match either his huge energy or infectious self belief. Be warned, if you are tired or a little depressed with the state of the world around you, Michael Ball will put you through a range of emotions when attending one of his concerts. His sheer enthusiasm can be irritating at times but eventually he will seduce you through the sheer effort he puts in and his obvious professionalism. Michael Ball’s Heroes tour continues throughout the UK in May and June 2011.
The Heroes Tour-(Opening Night)
Grand Canal Theatre Dublin
24 May 2011
Michael Ball made his name initially through his association with a string of successful West End shows and as the principal male lead in a succession of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals. His outstanding performance in the now legendary Cameron Mackintosh production of ‘Les Miserables’ made him a major star and established him as one of the major vocal talents of modern British entertainment. His versatility coupled with clever marketing and intelligent personal management has given him a superstar career his West End contemporaries can only dream about. Not generally acknowledged are his steady and consistent album sales and album chart success over the past 20 years. He has sold literally millions of albums principally in the UK & Ireland in recent years. He has also enjoyed a parallel career as a successful live artist selling out numerous concert tours through his huge and fiercely loyal fan base. That same fan base are fascinated with a star equally at home on the West End stage and the concert halls of Europe and a canny media operator who regularly pops up on TV or Radio shows and in the UK album charts with most of his recent recordings. Few performers can offer such a diverse range of options to their fans who cant seem to get enough of their idol. In short the man is a one man multi media star.
His latest ‘Heroes’ tour, named from his most recent album of the same name in which he explores the songs of his own musical inspirations, enjoyed its first night premiere before a sell out crowd at Dublin’s beautiful Grand Canal Theatre on 24 May. He had already enjoyed a sell out run at the same venue in 2010 in the Musical ‘Hairspray’ and had chosen the venue personally to premiere his new concert tour. Musing on the night about his varied career, Michael revealed that his next role will be as a serial killer in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ with the involvement of Sondheim himself. Versatility is clearly the key to the singers continuing success. Observing the diverse range and ages of fans attending the show demonstrates that Michael Ball has been very clever indeed at carving out a unique career for himself in an era when performers of his type have struggled and mostly failed to connect with a long term fan base. Recognising that West End success alone was no longer a guarantee of longevity, he diversified into television, radio and recording and of course live concert performances. As a result he has enjoyed a wider and more diverse fan base than his contemporaries which enables him to have a proper real singing career instead of being pigeonholed as just a star of West End musicals. Troubled by occasional weight problems during recent years, the 2011 Michael is looking leaner than before and seems to have regained his distinctive cherubic good looks which helped make him a sex symbol in the late eighties and early nineties.
The new ‘Heroes’ concert had some initial teething problems on its Dublin opening night. The first set showcasing a pseudo rock star Michael with a cool (high octave) talented quintet of backing singers while interesting and at times original had some of his older fans moving a little uncomfortably in their seats. His knock out set of New York themed songs in which Ball seemed willing to share the stage equally with his vocal troupe was a major crowd pleaser and a definite highlight. Those who felt they were perhaps not getting quite what they had paid for i.e. songs from his West End shows, were catered for admirably in the second part of the show when Ball delivered a rousing set from Les Miserables and Sunset Boulevard, the latter containing some of Lloyd Webber’s most interesting and often underrated work. His rendition of the title song from Sunset remains one of Michael Ball’s best vocal recordings and a fantastic showcase for his powerful voice.
Michael Ball has slowly and steadily built a significant and varied career for himself over the past 20 years or so and can now claim to be one of the UK’s most successful entertainers. The secret to his success is simple. Yes there are others who perhaps match his talent but very few who can match either his huge energy or infectious self belief. Be warned, if you are tired or a little depressed with the state of the world around you, Michael Ball will put you through a range of emotions when attending one of his concerts. His sheer enthusiasm can be irritating at times but eventually he will seduce you through the sheer effort he puts in and his obvious professionalism. Michael Ball’s Heroes tour continues throughout the UK in May and June 2011.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sting - The Symphonicity Tour - O2 Arena Dublin - 7 Oct 2010
Sting has been a superstar forever and his musical pedigree is truly impeccable. Apart from his hugely successful solo career his previous incarnation as front man with the Police had already made him a rock legend long before his own solo albums would produce modern pop/rock classics. The problem for someone like Sting these days is two-fold. Firstly, how do you top what has gone before and Secondly, how do you remain true to your art in a musical landscape that elevates mass karaoke (XFactor etc) ahead of real vibrant original popular music. It is almost impossible these days for a new talented rock band or original pop singer/songwriter to be heard let alone successful. The recent breakthrough of Irish band ‘The Script’ does give some small grounds for hope. Equally it has become genuinely difficult for established stars to crack the charts and remain successful and relevant to a generation hypnotised (one hopes not permanently so) by the musical equivalent of a quick buck.
Mounting the Symphonicity world tour which involves not just Sting and his own band but just by the way the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra must have been a huge financial risk even for someone as famous as Sting. Its worldwide success has been achieved with relatively little media coverage and in many ways is all the better for that. The show is much more than just another Sting concert it is a true musical event. If you missed the tour buy the DVD filmed at Denver’s Red Rocks Concert venue as Symphonicity is simply un-missable.
To review this show is almost pointless as it simply has to be experienced. Sting & Maestro Conductor Steven Mercurio ensure that this brave fusion of classical musicianship and outstanding orchestration with modern contemporary popular music at its best works beautifully. Sting’s songs are expertly reinterpreted with brand new orchestrations arranged by Jorge Calandrelli, David Hartley, Michel Legrand among others. Police classics such as Roxanne, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and Every Breath You Take are featured along with some of the biggest hits from Sting’s solo career, such as Englishman in New York, Fragile, If I Ever Lose My Faith in You, Fields of Gold and the stunning re-imagining of his 1980s masterpiece ‘Russians’. The finale featuring his most recent success ‘Desert Rose’ brings the evening to a close in an almost dreamlike frenzied atmosphere.
Symphonicity showcases just how magnificent much of Sting and The Police’s musical output actually is and how it borrows from more classical roots. Mozart himself would not be out of place in Sting’s world nor he in his. This is not just a great show but a work of true musical magic. Stings vocals and artistry blend perfectly with the orchestra’s magnificent sound combining to make Symphonicity one of the hottest tours in years. To accompany the world tour, Sting has released a new CD ‘Symphonicities’ along with the aforementioned DVD and TV special for Biography Channel. The music Sting has created is truly eternal.
Mounting the Symphonicity world tour which involves not just Sting and his own band but just by the way the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra must have been a huge financial risk even for someone as famous as Sting. Its worldwide success has been achieved with relatively little media coverage and in many ways is all the better for that. The show is much more than just another Sting concert it is a true musical event. If you missed the tour buy the DVD filmed at Denver’s Red Rocks Concert venue as Symphonicity is simply un-missable.
To review this show is almost pointless as it simply has to be experienced. Sting & Maestro Conductor Steven Mercurio ensure that this brave fusion of classical musicianship and outstanding orchestration with modern contemporary popular music at its best works beautifully. Sting’s songs are expertly reinterpreted with brand new orchestrations arranged by Jorge Calandrelli, David Hartley, Michel Legrand among others. Police classics such as Roxanne, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and Every Breath You Take are featured along with some of the biggest hits from Sting’s solo career, such as Englishman in New York, Fragile, If I Ever Lose My Faith in You, Fields of Gold and the stunning re-imagining of his 1980s masterpiece ‘Russians’. The finale featuring his most recent success ‘Desert Rose’ brings the evening to a close in an almost dreamlike frenzied atmosphere.
Symphonicity showcases just how magnificent much of Sting and The Police’s musical output actually is and how it borrows from more classical roots. Mozart himself would not be out of place in Sting’s world nor he in his. This is not just a great show but a work of true musical magic. Stings vocals and artistry blend perfectly with the orchestra’s magnificent sound combining to make Symphonicity one of the hottest tours in years. To accompany the world tour, Sting has released a new CD ‘Symphonicities’ along with the aforementioned DVD and TV special for Biography Channel. The music Sting has created is truly eternal.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Leona Daly - A Star whose time will come
Why Singer ‘Leona Daly’ at Eurosong 2008 showed us how Crazy Ireland Inc. had become
Much has been written of late about how Ireland is perceived internationally and how vital it is to have a serious and positive image abroad to lend credibility to our State. We wonder how it all went so wrong blaming our leaders for all the harm rather than also looking at our own role in creating this mess.
In 2008 at the Irish national Eurosong final some signs of how cavalier our attitudes towards our international reputation had become were clear for all to see. At that stage elements of the general public in this country had become so arrogant that we felt it would somehow be amusing to send an (at best) mildly amusing glove puppet turkey to represent us at Eurovision rather than a multi talented stunningly beautiful new female singer songwriter (Leona Daly).
Her clever and original song ‘crazy after all’ would have had a serious chance of winning Eurovision, instead she was forced to stand aside and see her brilliant performance voted second best. Somehow we in Ireland felt that the joke would transfer internationally. It did but the Joke was on us. When Europe dismissed our folly we blamed the continent for lacking a sense of humour not ourselves for behaving like idiots.
In the ensuing mess a great new emerging talent was overlooked. One can only hope that soon Leona Daly will emerge successfully in her own right and be able to put the collective madness of that night in 2008 behind her. One hopes also that Ireland too will realise that we should be celebrating our best and brightest not wallowing in misplaced arrogance. Crucially we as a people must also take at least some responsibility for our damaged international reputation and realise that no country can afford to ignore international opinion.
Leona Daly’s experience that night is important. She was the best of the best asking her country to give her a chance to shine internationally and by association also show Ireland at its best. Instead we chose a stupid colloquial comedy act and expected Europe to laugh along. They did but the joke was entirely on us.
Daniel Lindon
http://daniellindonreviews.blogspot.com
Much has been written of late about how Ireland is perceived internationally and how vital it is to have a serious and positive image abroad to lend credibility to our State. We wonder how it all went so wrong blaming our leaders for all the harm rather than also looking at our own role in creating this mess.
In 2008 at the Irish national Eurosong final some signs of how cavalier our attitudes towards our international reputation had become were clear for all to see. At that stage elements of the general public in this country had become so arrogant that we felt it would somehow be amusing to send an (at best) mildly amusing glove puppet turkey to represent us at Eurovision rather than a multi talented stunningly beautiful new female singer songwriter (Leona Daly).
Her clever and original song ‘crazy after all’ would have had a serious chance of winning Eurovision, instead she was forced to stand aside and see her brilliant performance voted second best. Somehow we in Ireland felt that the joke would transfer internationally. It did but the Joke was on us. When Europe dismissed our folly we blamed the continent for lacking a sense of humour not ourselves for behaving like idiots.
In the ensuing mess a great new emerging talent was overlooked. One can only hope that soon Leona Daly will emerge successfully in her own right and be able to put the collective madness of that night in 2008 behind her. One hopes also that Ireland too will realise that we should be celebrating our best and brightest not wallowing in misplaced arrogance. Crucially we as a people must also take at least some responsibility for our damaged international reputation and realise that no country can afford to ignore international opinion.
Leona Daly’s experience that night is important. She was the best of the best asking her country to give her a chance to shine internationally and by association also show Ireland at its best. Instead we chose a stupid colloquial comedy act and expected Europe to laugh along. They did but the joke was entirely on us.
Daniel Lindon
http://daniellindonreviews.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Red Hurley (With Rita Coolidge) Grand Canal Theatre Dublin 25 September 2010
Red Hurley once the King of Ireland's Pop Muisc Scene in the 1970s and early 80s has of late been enjoying a huge career resurgence both in Ireland and the USA. In 2010 he celebrates 40 years in show business with a sell out tour of Ireland with legendary US Singer Rita Coolidge. The highlight was the sell out show at Dublin's spectacular Grand Canal Theatre where Red was joined on stage by legendary US singer Rita Coolidge and many of his friends. The audience profile saw just how successful Hurley's return to the top has become with fans of all ages packing the venue and giving the veteran star 2 standing ovations. He delivered knockout performances of his many chart Hits while dipping into pop history to showcase how his amazing voice can breathe new life into classic pop songs. Particular highlights of the Grand Canal Concert were beautiful and moving performances of Gospel classics 'Deep River' and 'Amazing Grace' (a duet with Coolidge). He closed the show with the truly spectacular 'Danny Boy Trilogy' a fusion of the familiar 'Derry Air' with the American 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' which literally makes grown men cry such is the depth of emotion and pathos which Red Hurley brings to the piece. This man is quite simply not just one of the best singers in the world but also one of the finest interpreters of popular song.
A new admirer of Red's is none other than American Icon (Pullizer Prize Winning Author) Maya Angelou who calls Red 'Her Son' and who has helped introduce Red Hurley to a whole new audience in America. Between 2003 and 2010 Red has recorded 6 successful new albums including a Gospel Album 'How Great Thou Art' and returned to the Irish Top Ten in 2009 with a greatest hits compilation Red Hurley 'The Hits'. He has also starred in a coast to coast TV special for PBS in America in 2006 filmed before a live audience in Dublin's Olympia Theatre. A second PBS TV special is planned for 2011. Speaking in Sept 2010 of the renewed interest in his career Red said that he is 'delighted and really enjoying his life again'. Kevin Myers writing in the Irish Independent in Sept 2010 said 'His intuitive sense of the beautiful is one reason why Red Hurley is such a wonderful singer. He will find the key element of any song -- a single note or phrase -- and elevate that into an unexpected little musical jewel'.
Rarely has an artist had the persistence and self belief to rise above so many career setbacks as Hurley has and re-emerge once again triumphant. His is without a doubt one of the best male voices of all time and his international success is long overdue'. It has taken the world a long time to discover just how great Red Hurley is. Lets hope he keeps entertaining us for many years and that the media both at home and abroad come to appreciate just how great a singer he really is.
[
A new admirer of Red's is none other than American Icon (Pullizer Prize Winning Author) Maya Angelou who calls Red 'Her Son' and who has helped introduce Red Hurley to a whole new audience in America. Between 2003 and 2010 Red has recorded 6 successful new albums including a Gospel Album 'How Great Thou Art' and returned to the Irish Top Ten in 2009 with a greatest hits compilation Red Hurley 'The Hits'. He has also starred in a coast to coast TV special for PBS in America in 2006 filmed before a live audience in Dublin's Olympia Theatre. A second PBS TV special is planned for 2011. Speaking in Sept 2010 of the renewed interest in his career Red said that he is 'delighted and really enjoying his life again'. Kevin Myers writing in the Irish Independent in Sept 2010 said 'His intuitive sense of the beautiful is one reason why Red Hurley is such a wonderful singer. He will find the key element of any song -- a single note or phrase -- and elevate that into an unexpected little musical jewel'.
Rarely has an artist had the persistence and self belief to rise above so many career setbacks as Hurley has and re-emerge once again triumphant. His is without a doubt one of the best male voices of all time and his international success is long overdue'. It has taken the world a long time to discover just how great Red Hurley is. Lets hope he keeps entertaining us for many years and that the media both at home and abroad come to appreciate just how great a singer he really is.
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Monday, June 28, 2010
Marianne Faithfull - Live In Concert 2010
Marianne Faithfull: Live: Grand Canal Theatre Dublin 23 June 2010
The ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ tour (named for the slow burning successful 2009 album of the same name) finally came to an end at this Dublin concert after almost 18 months of concert performances worldwide. Perhaps the last full world tour to be undertaken by this legendary artist, this final show of the tour was one of the finest rock performances I have ever seen. Everything about the show was perfect, the band, the songs, the ambience, the venue and of course Faithfull herself. Forever linked in the public mind with the swinging sixties, Marianne Faithfull is one of the last great surviving icons of that era. She is however much more than that. Her talent is truly unique and her live performances are a truly moving experience. Haunting and at times genuinely macabre and even disturbing, Faithfull’s work has few parallels in modern music. Her contribution to music, now increasingly recognised, is immense. From her early 60s pop ingénue chart hits to classic works like 'Broken English’, ‘Strange Weather‘, ‘Secret Life’ and the stunning live album ‘Blazing Away’ recorded in New York through to her latest album, Faithfull has managed to carve a niche for her particular brand of music. Her live audiences are transported to a different place entering the world of Marianne, light and dark, amusing and moving, occasionally truly unnerving, the artist herself is left ragged and tired having literally given her all for her art.
One of the world’s best interpreters of a variety of music styles spanning rock and roll, country and western and pure pop to the more theatrical work of Brecht & Weill, Faithfull has done it all in a career encompassing movies, theatre, recording and live concert performance. This show was all that one has come to expect from Marianne, moving, haunting, funny, offbeat and at times genuinely disturbing. Through it all Faithfull remains above all true to her art and one of the most interesting personalities to emerge from the sixties. Her work has rarely stood still and her life itself has been a roller coaster ride. From chart topping pop princess to down and out drug addict, comeback honky tonk queen in 197Os Ireland (where she recorded her classic version of Waylon Jennings ‘Dreaming my Dreams‘) and her eventual reinvention with 1979 masterpiece, ‘Broken English’ which led to a permanent revival in her career, Faithfull has remained interesting and defiantly different throughout. She is without doubt one the great icons of our time.
The tour is now completed but the album which inspired it 'Easy Come, Easy Go' featuring ‘18 songs for music lovers’ and collaborations with some of the biggest stars in music has been described as one of the best adult pop records of the last decade. Do yourself a favour, Buy It. The lady is a true living legend and still delivers original and challenging work.
The ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ tour (named for the slow burning successful 2009 album of the same name) finally came to an end at this Dublin concert after almost 18 months of concert performances worldwide. Perhaps the last full world tour to be undertaken by this legendary artist, this final show of the tour was one of the finest rock performances I have ever seen. Everything about the show was perfect, the band, the songs, the ambience, the venue and of course Faithfull herself. Forever linked in the public mind with the swinging sixties, Marianne Faithfull is one of the last great surviving icons of that era. She is however much more than that. Her talent is truly unique and her live performances are a truly moving experience. Haunting and at times genuinely macabre and even disturbing, Faithfull’s work has few parallels in modern music. Her contribution to music, now increasingly recognised, is immense. From her early 60s pop ingénue chart hits to classic works like 'Broken English’, ‘Strange Weather‘, ‘Secret Life’ and the stunning live album ‘Blazing Away’ recorded in New York through to her latest album, Faithfull has managed to carve a niche for her particular brand of music. Her live audiences are transported to a different place entering the world of Marianne, light and dark, amusing and moving, occasionally truly unnerving, the artist herself is left ragged and tired having literally given her all for her art.
One of the world’s best interpreters of a variety of music styles spanning rock and roll, country and western and pure pop to the more theatrical work of Brecht & Weill, Faithfull has done it all in a career encompassing movies, theatre, recording and live concert performance. This show was all that one has come to expect from Marianne, moving, haunting, funny, offbeat and at times genuinely disturbing. Through it all Faithfull remains above all true to her art and one of the most interesting personalities to emerge from the sixties. Her work has rarely stood still and her life itself has been a roller coaster ride. From chart topping pop princess to down and out drug addict, comeback honky tonk queen in 197Os Ireland (where she recorded her classic version of Waylon Jennings ‘Dreaming my Dreams‘) and her eventual reinvention with 1979 masterpiece, ‘Broken English’ which led to a permanent revival in her career, Faithfull has remained interesting and defiantly different throughout. She is without doubt one the great icons of our time.
The tour is now completed but the album which inspired it 'Easy Come, Easy Go' featuring ‘18 songs for music lovers’ and collaborations with some of the biggest stars in music has been described as one of the best adult pop records of the last decade. Do yourself a favour, Buy It. The lady is a true living legend and still delivers original and challenging work.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Review: Brian Kennedy Live at the National Concert Hall (Dublin) 16 June 2010
I have reviewed Brian Kennedy concerts many times and on each occasion have managed to find further superlatives to use in describing just how talented and truly gifted this man is as a performer, songwriter and interpreter of the work of other artists. For a critic he is the worst nightmare as he is simply so talented that trying to find any fault at all is almost impossible. His most recent NCH concert (part of the 2010 tour) again showcased the particular strengths of this great artist and bona fide Irish superstar. I could reach for the keyboard and list out the high points of this latest Brian Kennedy show (the stunning performance of Brown Eyed Girl, the songs from 'Sweetmouth' his lesser known 1991 collaboration with Brian Nevin, his duet with guest Juliet Turner and so on but I am not going to review this years show in the conventional sense.
Instead given that this is the year when he has been given the Meteor lifetime achievement award, I am going to share with you some of the thoughts that ran through my head as I sat in the front row with the hard core fans and listened once again to yet another magical Brian Kennedy performance covering over 20 years of the significant pop music that he has produced.
If you stay around long enough in any Job people become used to you and begin to take you for granted no matter how talented you may be. Brian Kennedy has been entertaining us for over 20 years and yes his fans do take him for granted but that would be a mistake. Entertainers like him are as rare as hen’s teeth and are sent by the angels to show us just how special the human race can be. It is easy to be critical of most entertainers who often have limited gifts as performers but in Brian Kennedy’s case there really is no point in wasting time on criticism, as he is so talented that resistance to his unique talent is futile. Simon Fuller a manager who should know something about talent as he has recently received his own star in the Hollywood walk of fame once said that of all the artists he ever managed, Brian Kennedy was the most talented. He is right, Brian Kennedy is not in the same class as other entertainers, he is in a class all of his own.
SO
Thank You Brian For:
Preserving the concept of stagecraft and performance in British and Irish pop music in the past 20 years.
Adding significantly to that concept with live performances that are astonishing in the manner in which they combine vocal ability, style and grace, extracting emotions from songs that other lesser artists cannot even dream about.
Being inspired by the great performers and show business legends to produce live shows that are always interesting, spectacular, entertaining, magical and brilliant.
Not allowing the occasional sneering of critics to detract you from developing a variety of musical styles which ensures your live shows are always enjoyable and entertaining
Writing, sourcing, recording and promoting a wealth of original material, which ensures you can dip in to a host of interesting songs in live performances.
Preserving and reinvigorating classic older material with your own distinctive vocal style thus ensuring that a host of new younger artists will rediscover these wonderful songs.
Being open about your own life but concentrating mainly on your art thus providing the perfect example of how a true star can maintain a certain distance from his audience to enable us to continue see him as special and unique
Living the life of a true artist so that others can see it can still be done and that art, good music and success can still go hand in hand
Not allowing recording companies to force you to make poor dull uninspiring records for short term gain instead always doing something different and unexpected to ensure that your audience never becomes bored
Enabling us to hear the sound of your beautiful voice that can move grown men and women to tears and using this unique instrument in a restrained and inspiring manner.
Making us feel love and emotion for each other through the lyrics you write and the way you deliver the lyrics of other writers.
Long may you reign supreme as the greatest male entertainer in these Islands.
Daniel Lindon
I have reviewed Brian Kennedy concerts many times and on each occasion have managed to find further superlatives to use in describing just how talented and truly gifted this man is as a performer, songwriter and interpreter of the work of other artists. For a critic he is the worst nightmare as he is simply so talented that trying to find any fault at all is almost impossible. His most recent NCH concert (part of the 2010 tour) again showcased the particular strengths of this great artist and bona fide Irish superstar. I could reach for the keyboard and list out the high points of this latest Brian Kennedy show (the stunning performance of Brown Eyed Girl, the songs from 'Sweetmouth' his lesser known 1991 collaboration with Brian Nevin, his duet with guest Juliet Turner and so on but I am not going to review this years show in the conventional sense.
Instead given that this is the year when he has been given the Meteor lifetime achievement award, I am going to share with you some of the thoughts that ran through my head as I sat in the front row with the hard core fans and listened once again to yet another magical Brian Kennedy performance covering over 20 years of the significant pop music that he has produced.
If you stay around long enough in any Job people become used to you and begin to take you for granted no matter how talented you may be. Brian Kennedy has been entertaining us for over 20 years and yes his fans do take him for granted but that would be a mistake. Entertainers like him are as rare as hen’s teeth and are sent by the angels to show us just how special the human race can be. It is easy to be critical of most entertainers who often have limited gifts as performers but in Brian Kennedy’s case there really is no point in wasting time on criticism, as he is so talented that resistance to his unique talent is futile. Simon Fuller a manager who should know something about talent as he has recently received his own star in the Hollywood walk of fame once said that of all the artists he ever managed, Brian Kennedy was the most talented. He is right, Brian Kennedy is not in the same class as other entertainers, he is in a class all of his own.
SO
Thank You Brian For:
Preserving the concept of stagecraft and performance in British and Irish pop music in the past 20 years.
Adding significantly to that concept with live performances that are astonishing in the manner in which they combine vocal ability, style and grace, extracting emotions from songs that other lesser artists cannot even dream about.
Being inspired by the great performers and show business legends to produce live shows that are always interesting, spectacular, entertaining, magical and brilliant.
Not allowing the occasional sneering of critics to detract you from developing a variety of musical styles which ensures your live shows are always enjoyable and entertaining
Writing, sourcing, recording and promoting a wealth of original material, which ensures you can dip in to a host of interesting songs in live performances.
Preserving and reinvigorating classic older material with your own distinctive vocal style thus ensuring that a host of new younger artists will rediscover these wonderful songs.
Being open about your own life but concentrating mainly on your art thus providing the perfect example of how a true star can maintain a certain distance from his audience to enable us to continue see him as special and unique
Living the life of a true artist so that others can see it can still be done and that art, good music and success can still go hand in hand
Not allowing recording companies to force you to make poor dull uninspiring records for short term gain instead always doing something different and unexpected to ensure that your audience never becomes bored
Enabling us to hear the sound of your beautiful voice that can move grown men and women to tears and using this unique instrument in a restrained and inspiring manner.
Making us feel love and emotion for each other through the lyrics you write and the way you deliver the lyrics of other writers.
Long may you reign supreme as the greatest male entertainer in these Islands.
Daniel Lindon
Monday, May 31, 2010
Finbar Wright- Bringing 'The Irish Tenor' to the Modern World
The Irish Tenor for the Modern World
Review: Finbar Wright Live in Concert:
Venue: Gaiety Theatre Dublin
Date:Sun 23 May 2010
Finbar Wright is the greatest Irish Tenor of his generation and a fine singer in any genre. The genre he is identified with ‘the Irish Tenor’ has suffered from a degree of unfashionable and often embarassing performers over the years who damaged the appeal of a once popular music field. Through a well planned series of excellent and successful recordings issued over the last 10 years or so, Finbar Wright has restored the reputation of the Irish Tenor not just In his native country but abroad, particularly in the USA where he has a significant following as a live artist. His concert at the Gaiety had been cancelled 2 weeks before due to Wright's recent persistent throat problems but the show was worth waiting for. His live shows are always a delight but his performances on the 2010 tour have been among his best to date. Moving with ease from the regular Irish tenor fare through to songs from writers as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Jimmy Mc Carthy and Lennon/McCartney, Wright proved yet again that not only can he sing in any musical style but he can interpret each piece in a unique and original fashion. His audiences at live shows are a diverse and eclectic mix of young and old. This Irish star is really at his peak just now and his voice and vocal range never better. He is one international hit album away from being a new Pavarotti, a man he paid tribute to in this show though in style he perhaps owes more to greats such as Mario Lanza and John McCormack. Over the next few years with the right recordings and a braver choice of repertoire, he could move to even-greater success. Right now we are fortunate that the genre of the Irish Tenor is in safe hands. Another feature of the show's success is Wright's choice of excellent musicians to accompany him. For his Gaiety theatre show his ensemble included the brilliant classical guitarist Conor McClane, backing singers The Cookies and the musical genuis that is Andy O'Callaghan ,who as musical director for many high profile Irish live artists manages to make all those he works with sound amazing.
Review: Finbar Wright Live in Concert:
Venue: Gaiety Theatre Dublin
Date:Sun 23 May 2010
Finbar Wright is the greatest Irish Tenor of his generation and a fine singer in any genre. The genre he is identified with ‘the Irish Tenor’ has suffered from a degree of unfashionable and often embarassing performers over the years who damaged the appeal of a once popular music field. Through a well planned series of excellent and successful recordings issued over the last 10 years or so, Finbar Wright has restored the reputation of the Irish Tenor not just In his native country but abroad, particularly in the USA where he has a significant following as a live artist. His concert at the Gaiety had been cancelled 2 weeks before due to Wright's recent persistent throat problems but the show was worth waiting for. His live shows are always a delight but his performances on the 2010 tour have been among his best to date. Moving with ease from the regular Irish tenor fare through to songs from writers as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Jimmy Mc Carthy and Lennon/McCartney, Wright proved yet again that not only can he sing in any musical style but he can interpret each piece in a unique and original fashion. His audiences at live shows are a diverse and eclectic mix of young and old. This Irish star is really at his peak just now and his voice and vocal range never better. He is one international hit album away from being a new Pavarotti, a man he paid tribute to in this show though in style he perhaps owes more to greats such as Mario Lanza and John McCormack. Over the next few years with the right recordings and a braver choice of repertoire, he could move to even-greater success. Right now we are fortunate that the genre of the Irish Tenor is in safe hands. Another feature of the show's success is Wright's choice of excellent musicians to accompany him. For his Gaiety theatre show his ensemble included the brilliant classical guitarist Conor McClane, backing singers The Cookies and the musical genuis that is Andy O'Callaghan ,who as musical director for many high profile Irish live artists manages to make all those he works with sound amazing.
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