6th Annual 'Vibe for Larry' - Friday, Dec. 9th

Photo by Mike Lindauer - bassist, friend, and former golf partner of Larry's!

The BAG year wraps up with the 6th Annual 'Vibe For Larry', which will take place in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Friday, December 9th at 8pm. No cover charge. All welcome.

The purpose of this night is to bring together friends and family of the late Larry Roddy, to honour his memory by doing some of the things that made him happiest - making music, singing songs, telling stories and raising a few glasses while doing so. The night takes the form of an open, fully acoustic session that any performer can join in, play a tune, sing, give a recitation, tell a story, raise a toast, etc.

So, for those who didn't know him: who was Larry Roddy?

Well, firstly, he was my friend. One of my dearest friends. He was a gentleman; a gentle man. A quiet, humble man; a man beloved and missed by so many since his death in 2010.

Those who didn't know him privately, probably best knew him as a music promoter. But that term does not adequately describe his contribution to the live music scene in Ireland. Since the mid-60s when the great Blues Revival began in the UK, Larry brought to Ireland some of the cream of the American Bluesmen, including Mississippi Fred McDowell. Later, he branched out into Folk and Roots music too, booking tours, and acting as Irish Agent for many overseas acts from the four corners of the globe. Names like Jeff Lang and Bruce Mathiske from Australia; Chris Smither and Geoff Muldaur from the US; Johnny Dickinson and Paul Lamb from the UK; John Spillane and Ger Wolfe from Ireland, and so many more. Names, and music, that many of us may never have heard, but for Larry's love of the music, and a desire to bring it to fans who shared that love. He continued to put on gigs, through loss and illness, right up until the end.

The gig in Ballymore Eustace was started by Larry nearly 25 years ago, and with any luck will continue for the same again! So, on Friday Dec. 9th, we'll come together to celebrate music, with music, and to fondly remember Larry, and the many, many, magic nights he gave us.

See ye in Mick's!

I Draw Slow - Monday, December 5th, 2016 - ** 2016 Finale **

www.idrawslow.wordpress.com

I Draw Slow play BAG @ Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Monday, December 5th. Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €15.

This is the last gig of 2016, so come along and let's finish this year with a flourish!

I Draw Slow fool many people at first listen - their alt-country/Bluegrass/Appalachian sound is so authentic, one could be excused for assuming this Irish band is actually from the U.S. But, there is no affectation in their sound; it is honest, respectful to the musical traditions that underpin it, and distinctly original.
At times, you hear an old time string band; at others, an Irish Trad session. Throughout it all, you hear superb musicianship, tied together with the vocal ribbon that is Louise Holden's rich voice, and to further embellish the package, lush harmonies abound.

With three albums under their belt - 'Downside' 2008; 'Redhills' 2011; 'White Wave Chapel' 2014, I Draw Slow, who are currently signed to U.S. Bluegrass label, Pinecastle Records, are in the process of recording their fourth album, 'Turn Your Face To The Sun', and there's a crowd-funding campaign where you can get involved. Details, here: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/idrawslow

Ten years of recording and touring the world have honed this band into one of the finest folk/roots/Americana acts this country - or any other, for that matter - has produced, and it is in live performance that they are at their best. So, here's your chance to catch them locally. Spread the word, come along, and be prepared to be blown away!

Videos:
'Valentine': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/valentine-video/
'Goldmine': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/goldmine-video/
'Swans': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/swans-video/
'Cry Help': https://idrawslow.wordpress.com/video/cry-help-live-video/

John Blek (Solo) - Monday, November 28, 2016

John Blek returns to BAG @ Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, to play a solo show on Monday, November 28th. Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €12

John's previous BAG appearances have been very well received, and its a pleasure to welcome back this gentle giant (he's six foot five!) from Cork in support of his cracking second debut album. There's an old soul in the body of this young man, that manifests itself in a sound that could easily take root somewhere between the deep South, and the great mid-western plains of America. Known for some time now as a fine songwriter and singer, on 'Cut The Light' John Blek's guitar playing comes to the fore. His efforts to further develop his already considerable guitar talents have paid off, and the listener is treated to some fine, fine playing and instrumentation.

Watch/listen to 'Little Sparrow', here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkuTP88qkq4

and 'Take Me Home', here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygAM0b1xj4

www.johnblekandtherats.com

John Blek has announced the release of his highly anticipated second solo album entitled “Cut the Light”. This sophomore outing will be hitting shelves and online stores on the 30th  September 2016.

The album was recorded in Bantry, West Cork, Ireland over a period of four days in early spring. A collection of eleven original contemporary folk songs carefully crafted and documented with the help of Davie Ryan (Drums), Brian Hassett (Bass Guitar) and Brian Casey (Producer). With a sound that harks back to that of Bert Jansch and Liege & Lief era Fairport Convention, “Cut the Light” is likely to become a favourite amongst both new listeners and existing fans.

“Cut the Light is an album I have wanted to record for quite a while. I pushed myself to become a better instrumentalist and songwriter on these songs and really focused on creating a collection of pieces that could live together on a cohesive album. It’s something I’m very proud of...…. “ John Blek

Blek is constantly proving himself to be a prolific writer of some of the most beautiful folk music being created today, both solo and with his band John Blek & the Rats. It is less than 12 months since the band released their last record and already John is ready to share his latest work “Cut the Light”.

The album is being put out independently in Ireland on John Blek and the Rats own WARR label and through Tonetoaster Records in Germany. It will be available on CD, 180 gram Vinyl and MP3.

Jeff Finlin/Peter Bruntnell/Clive Barnes - Monday, November 21, 2016

On Monday, November 21st, an incredible lineup representing three corners of the globe will perform in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. That lineup is: Jeff Finlin (USA), Peter Bruntnell(UK), and Clive Barnes(IRL). Doors open at 8:30pm. Admission is €12

Jeff Finlin and Peter Bruntnell are two songwriters at the very top of their game, and two of the best out there; Clive Barnes, as well as being a fine songwriter in his own right, has established himself as one of the most sought after guitar sidemen, and has toured the world in that capacity over recent years with many international acts, including both Finlin and Bruntnell.

Of Jeff Finlin, Peter Cooper of the Nashville Tennessean - “Some folks come to Nashville, amble over to Music Row and look for a cookie-cutter solution. Hand Jeff Finlin a cookie cutter, and he’s liable to melt it down and then forge it into something sharper and more dangerous.”

"Finlin writes with the minimalist grit of Sam Shepard and Raymond Carver. Tune in and you will hear an illusive magic!" - Dave Hoekstra-Chicogo Sun Times

Website: http://www.jefffinlin.com/

Video: 'I Killed Myself Last Night' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdP1hWDTAJ0

Of Peter Bruntnell, MOJO said: "Bruntnell has a remarkable knack for turning out big, dreamy, melodic, memorable songs".

"His songs should be taught in schools" - NME

Website: http://peterbruntnell.net/

Video: 'Mr. Sunshine' - https://youtu.be/BMo7ckUQInk

Of Clive Barnes, Harry Guiren, RTE, said: "Clive is a guitarist who can make one acoustic sound like six. Barnes transported the entire, hushed venue across the Atlantic to where the paths taken by the Delta Blues, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen all led to his own special territory."

Exuding a throat catching melancholy, and romantic and bleak in turns, it sounds like an album
made for all eternity. Hotpress **** 4/5 (Review of 'The Ghost Country')

Website: http://www.clivebarnesmusic.com/

Video: 'Crossroad Blues' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O95Qd66QcaE