A Blow for Peace -
Traditional and Christian Music on Harmonica - Dave Hynes and
Noel Battle (also featuring Vincent Baker on Guitar and
Keyboards and Joe Meehan on guitar) - Recorded at Vee Bee
Recording Studios, Newdown, The Downs, Mullingar.
Stirring, compelling and spiritually uplifting music
played by two of the countries best exponents of the
harmonica. I have heard Noel play in the past and his style
is unlike any other I have heard. I particularly liked his
"Bride's Favourite Selection of Jigs". Daves "easy" style and
especially his version of "Amazing Grace, Serenity Prayer"
has to be heard. The talents of Noel and Dave are further
exemplified by the brilliance of Vincent Baker and Joe
Meehan.
Note: Eddie Kelly presents Sham*Rock -
Irish Showbands go Pop! Castle Records -
CMDDD -789 (ASIN:B0000AM78J if you're ordering in
the US) can be purchased in all major record
stores and from your favourite online record
shops.
This double-CD collection is filled to the brim
with a generous 50 tracks worth of the best music
from the Showband Era including - Come a Little
Bit Closer by Tony and the Graduates; C'Mon
Everybody by Gene and the
Gents; Our Love will go On by Butch Moore and
the Capitol
Showband; See Saw by The Arrows, and many
many more.
Included with the collection is a thoroughly
researched and magnificently illustrated set of
fold-out liner notes that is sure to help this CD
become a collector's item.
It's About Time - Donal O'Connor -
Had a listen to Donal O'Connors cd - It's
about Time - and was really impressed by the lyrics, his
voice and the backing. Donal sings in the Christy Moore -
Roger Whittaker style and has a very rich voice.His lyrics
have meaning to them. In the "Boyle Song" there is brief
mention of the Jivenaire/Mystics, place-names and people. I
think I recognised all except "the green-lady". I have my
suspicions though. In my opinion the best track is the title
track - "It's about time". Given the right promotion I can
see Donal emerging as one of our better singer/songwriters. I
look forward to his next cd.
Isles of
Lough Key and Una Bhan - Frank Simon. - Frank
Simon is a brilliant musician and songwriter. Although I have
know him for many years and ate chicken and chips with him at
6.30am (yes, a.m.) in London all those years ago I hadn't
realised that his talents extended to song writing. I
recently purchased both his CD's and thoroughly enjoyed his
guitar renditions and especially his original Isles of Lough
Key. The latter is a particularly catchy number and will have
special meaning, of course, to Boyle people. An ideal gift or
,indeed, a Christmas present. Frank, it's your turn to pay
for the chicken 'n chips!
(search hint: to get
better results, enclose search terms in quotation marks. ie "The
Jivenaires")