Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
This is very interesting work. Mary Gauthier is rightly regarded as one of the major contemporary singer-songwriters. Don’t take my word for it, Bob Dylan, who knows a thing or two about the subject, rates her as a serious operator. Songs such as ‘I Drink’ and ‘Mercy Now are timeless masterpieces with not a spare […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
Waterfront Hall, Belfast 20th December 2017 A speedy return to the city and venue, last played here May of this year. Nice work having the sold-out signs up a couple of weeks ago. Imelda May is at least one Ms May whose popularity hasn’t declined over the last year. A short warm-up set from Mick […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
Ulster Hall, Belfast Sunday 17th December 2017 “It’s coming on Christmas”, Joni Mitchell once said. Cara Dillon brought her ‘Upon A Winter’s Night’ show to Belfast at the end of a fourteen-night tour. It’s a Christmas show as was clear even upon entering the hall. The stage was set with four white Christmas trees, a […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
You can take the woman out of Dungiven but… Wanderer is the most recent offering in the now substantial catalogue and career of Cara Dillon. Overall it’s a very fine piece of work, great singing, sparse but very effective musical accompaniment, clean clear production and understated but suitable presentation. Cara chooses to sing ten songs, […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
The Ulster Hall, Belfast Thursday 23rd November 2017 As Bob Dylan once allegedly advised, Paul Brady is one of those artists worth getting out of bed for… Paul Brady and his five-piece band played a ripping show to an almost full Ulster Hall on a cold Belfast November evening. Looking relaxed, confident, and appearing to […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
Strand Arts Centre, Belfast Thursday 19th October 2017 Let Your Weirdness Carry You Home. Weird, like one big happy mushroom trip. Here is how it ran. The venue is great, the Strand Arts Centre has reimagined itself from independent cinema to an art house with both movies and a variety of music and performances. Nice […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
This is the second and first fully developed album from this Co. Down Folk group. It demonstrates significant development by them since their self-titled work of two years ago. Na Leanai is made up of five cousins; Eimear Kane, Sorcha Turnbull, and sisters Ryanne Sands, Fra Sands and Moya Sands. The Sands surname is a […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
30th Anniversary Celebration at Féile an Phobail, Clonard Monastery 1st August 2017 You get around reviewing Altan gigs. Two years ago I saw the band in the Stormont Hotel as part of the Eastside Arts Festival. A very different setting this time, the beautifully refurbished Clonard Monastery. A lovely venue and a big turnout for […]
Posted by John McCart
Folk and Tumble
Lyric Theatre, Belfast Sunday 23rd April 2017 It’s a fair way from playing in the garden of Belfast’s Rotterdam Bar to selling out a Sunday night in the Lyric. So after mingling and sipping expensive wine, we are shown into the auditorium. My first thoughts are that it’s a big stage to fill. A couple […]