Johnny Logan Live at Vicar Street - Dublin 22 September 2018

Johnny Logan was clearly still on a high from a recent appearance at ‘Electric Picnic’ when he took to the stage at Vicar Street on Sat 22 Sept. At a venue which has hosted many music legends over the years Johnny worked his adoring audience into a pure frenzy. The security staff probably weren’t expecting such a busy evening, frequently having to prevent some of Logan’s more enthusiastic fans from rushing the stage. In the presence of a sell out capacity crowd made up of fans from at least 6 different Countries, Johnny delivered one of his finest ever live performances with a well judged and perfectly executed set. Mixing new and old material, from his classic Eurovision winners to more recent material from the 2017 studio album ‘It is what it is’, Johnny could do no wrong. Particular highlights on the night were ‘House of Lucille’, ‘Addicted’, an unusual interpretation of Leonard Cohen‘s classic ‘Hallelujah‘, recent hit single ‘Forever and a day’ (a track reminiscent of Logan’s massive hit ‘Hold Me Now‘) and the evocative ‘Full moon over Berlin’. A deeply moving performance of ‘What’s Another Year’, with composer Shay Healy bravely sharing the stage with Johnny brought the audience to its feet. Johnny Logan has never lost his principle gifts, a powerful and truly majestic voice, genuine sex appeal and the clear ability to connect with an audience. His three Eurovision wins have been in his own words ‘both a blessing and a curse’ bringing him international fame and critical derision in equal measure but at his core Johnny Logan is a truly soulful singer and gifted live performer. Now in his 60s though looking and sounding like a much younger man, he is one of Ireland’s true national treasures and a show business icon. In his Vicar Street show, Johnny displayed once again the reason why he has won so many Eurovision Song Contests; pure raw talent. Johnny Logan has enjoyed significant international success over what has now been a very long career, but his homecoming Vicar Street shows over the past 3 years have finally enabled his Irish audience to reconnect with his particular blend of Euro Magic and appreciate the man in an entirely new light as a bona fide Irish musical legend. A final word on Logan’s brilliant musicians at Vicar Street led by M.D Eugene McCarthy featuring a shy, talented & sensual guitarist, Jack Sherrard (Johnny Logan’s son), with an innate musical ability in his own right. Daniel Lindon

Leo Sayer Cork Opera House 16 September 2018 Still 'Moonlighting' & Rocking @70

Leo Sayer celebrated his 70th birthday recently, not that age matters to this legendary hit maker and consummate live performer. 'Fxxx Old Age' Leo told his adoring Cork audience, during his last show on a short sell out Irish Tour which also included gigs in Dublin & Northern Ireland to equally enthusiastic audiences. Emerging into the limelight for the first time in the 1970s Leo Sayer is one of the music industry's great survivors of UK pop's golden era which saw his music top the charts worldwide and achieve critical as well as commercial success. Falling out of fashion in the 1990s, the decade when music largely turned its back on legendary pop and rock artists, Sayer managed to stage an unexpected comeback in 2006 when a remix of his classic hit 'Thunder in the Night' topped the UK singles charts. Numerous compilation albums and a new studio album followed which slowly saw the singer tour his way back to the top leaving his many well publicised legal battles with former managers and record companies behind. One of the last truly great British live pop artists still touring today, a night with Leo Sayer is a master class in pop music performance. His voice has lost practically none of its power and his on stage energy is as infectious as ever. His Opera House show featured all the Sayer smash hits as well as tracks from more recent studio recordings such as the 2015 'Restless Years' album. Particular highlights at the Opera House were performances of his classics 'Moonlighting' and 'Orchard Road' (2 of his finest ever recordings) as well as a mesmerising extended blues inspired performance of 'Raining in my Heart', showcasing his own brilliant harmonica skills. Leaving the Opera House stage after numerous standing ovations, Leo promised to return soon and his Cork audience were all agreed, make it very soon.