Rock - what are you listening to?

[cybot]

LOL I bet he can spell better than you too duh ;))

Well, over the next week, we plan to have a look at a few of the pictures together, so you'll be most welcome.. :-)

You know that quote was meant for Fergus :) Thanks anyway for the welcome....

[cybot]

Johnny Fean and the house shakas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZH4i4EbHlo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ax0bGzkA2o

Guitar Legend plays Monday Blues at Shannon Knights

I heard on the grapevine that Horslips guitar legend Johnny Fean has a regular gig in Shannon and and although Monday night in Clare might not seem the most likely time and place for a lively blues gig, we enjoyed a terrific night at the Rineanna Bar at ShannonKnights with a six piece! band no less. Fronted by Stoney Walls on vocals and sax and featuring ex Horslips guitarist Fean .
The engine of the band are bass player Mike Quinn and drummer, Darragh O Connor who sustain the driving rhythms throughout the course of the set. Johnny is supported by Limerick based guitarist Dave Keary already mentioned on these pages and a youthful Cathal Jones adds keyboard skills and occasional vocals to the mix.

  The Rineanna Bar has a pleasant clubby sort of decor with dark wood panelling ands leather seats. The flocked wallpaper lends a retro tone which chimes nicely with the music vibe The lighting is restfully subdued and there is a sense of many old friends meeting and greeting after some time. The audience are mostly mid forties to fifties and there for the gig which I believe has been running with this line up for six months or so on first Monday of the month at this venue.

The set, mixing old blues standards with Van Morrison and sixties rock hits incorporates each instrumentalist in generous solo interludes . There is an homage to the late Gary Moore and I am struck by what a good decade the 70s were for Irish guitar players. What makes the gig so enjoyable is the obvious pleasure each band member takes in the the music making, Fean himself seems to be transported during his solo turns and there is an easy rapport with the audience, several of whom are greeted from the stage

Although it is early in the year yet, I suspect that this evening will be a strong contender for my Musical Highlights of 2011.


You can see Johnny and the House Shakers Blues Band on the first Monday of the month at Shannon Knights .

That was brilliant John. You really brought the place alive. I might as well have been there with you :) Looking forward to catching up with the links later...

[fergus]

That's a neat idea! How low did you have to go? Don't worry, for once it's not a joke!

Do you mean how long did it take me to learn the pieces? It is so long ago now that I honestly could not tell you exactly but it never took long at all.

Sorry Fergus I meant is there much of a difference between the two pitches/keys?

I definitely could not remember that Dermot it was so long ago and I would have to try it again to establish the pitch difference but it was significant enough from memory.

[fergus]

I thought that this double vinyl was quite appropriate for Holy Week listening...

[cybot]

Solo electric guitar magic from a long time favourite of mine. A beautiful presentation on vinyl; silk screened press and other bits of magic :)



Steven R. Smith - Old Skete

[cybot]

I thought that this double vinyl was quite appropriate for Holy Week listening...

Is that the one with Ian Gillian? God, that certainly brings back memories :)

[fergus]

I thought that this double vinyl was quite appropriate for Holy Week listening...

Is that the one with Ian Gillian? God, that certainly brings back memories :)

It sure is and it was a real trip down memory lane!!

[cybot]

I thought that this double vinyl was quite appropriate for Holy Week listening...

Is that the one with Ian Gillian? God, that certainly brings back memories :)

It sure is and it was a real trip down memory lane!!

My little sister played it to death when it came out first. Drove me nuts :) Almost 30 years later I came across the same album in a charity shop. It was the far nicer American edition with a beautiful long and narrow booklet which included the lyrics. I'll see if I can find an image of the cover...

Found it!

[fergus]

My little sister played it to death when it came out first. Drove me nuts :) Almost 30 years later I came across the same album in a charity shop. It was the far nicer American edition with a beautiful long and narrow booklet which included the lyrics. I'll see if I can find an image of the cover...

Found it!

I rember that cover but I do not remember if I actually heard the actual version. The presentation in the album above was not bad either; it contained a a sizeable enough booklet with all of the lyrics and lots of photos as well.
My biggest memory of this work though was seeing it live here in Dublin with Colm Wilkinson and much more memorably for me Nicola Kerr ddrrroooollllll!!!!

[cybot]

Listening to this Lp again this evening...Reminds me of the Deadman soundtrack without the dialogue. Stunning solo electric guitar... Are you listening Jaw?


Steven R. Smith - Old Skete

Equipment:

Jazzmaster > overdrive pedals (cto - 1 and ts9) > princeton reverb amp


http://worstward.bandcamp.com/album/old-skete - listen to the entire album here...