Maria Doyle Kennedy - Upstairs at Cunningham's - April 23, 2013

Take from my front row seat in Kilkenny, 2012.

Maria Doyle Kennedy plays Upstairs at Cunningham's,  Kildare Town on Tuesday April 23. Doors 8pm. Tickets, available at the venue, are €15. To reserve tickets, phone 045 521780.

http://www.mariadk.com/

From The Black Velvet Band and early performances with Hothouse Flowers, to starring in Alan Parker's movie, 'The Committments', and more recently in 'The Tudors', MDK is one of Ireland's most multi-faceted and talented performers.
Together with her husband and guitarist, Kieran Kennedy, MDK is recongnised as one of this country's finest singers and songwriters.

MDK live is a joy to behold, so I recommend you don't miss this one-off intimate show 

Dan Walsh Banjo - Live in Mick Murphy's

Dan Walsh plays BAG at Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Monday April 29. Doors 8:30pm. Adm: €12 on the door.

Quite how a kid from the English midlands so thoroughly gets the whole vibe of American banjo music is in itself a wonder, but that wonder is eclipsed by the musicianship of this kid. Quite simply: stunning - as you will see from the videos below.

http://www.danwalshbanjo.co.uk/

Touted as one of the finest banjo players in the UK as well as being a superb singer, songwriter and guitarist, Dan Walsh is described as 'the real deal' (Uncut) and 'taking the banjo into the stratosphere' (Froots) with a unique and eclectic style taking in folk, funk, bluegrass, jazz, rock and even Arabic. Having toured the UK many times, Dan is also taking his innovative sound further afield with appearances in Germany, Canada and New Zealand to come as well as recently performing in India as part of a groundbreaking collaboration project.

 As well as his solo work, Dan is fronting the Dan Walsh Band and performing with the legendary Alistair Anderson. He's also recently been on the stage or in the studio with Seth Lakeman and the Levellers as well as receiving fantastic reviews and radio airplay on both sides of the Atlantic for new album 'The Same But Different'. He also retains a passion for outreach work and through the prestigious Live Music Now scheme has performed throughout the UK in hospices, hospitals, special schools and care homes. He also teaches banjo both in person and over skype.

'The real deal, a demon picker' - UNCUT

'Eclectically inspired and consistently brilliant' - FROOTS

'Incredible, you must see him' - JANICE LONG, BBC RADIO 2

Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh7xFLQNh_0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYKlYKXz1ZY

Ken Perlman - Live in Mick Murphy's

Ken Perlman plays BAG at Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Monday, April 15. Doors 8:30pm; Adm: €12 on the door.

A master musician, Ken Pelman is considered, by those who know, to be the finest 'clawhammer' style banjo player in the world. Having watched him play, I'd find it very difficult to disagree! Take a look at the videos below, and you'll get a flavour of what I mean.

http://www.kenperlman.com/

About Ken Perlman

"the Heifetz of the Banjo"

The Chronicle Herald (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Superb instrumentalist, acclaimed teacher of instrumental skills, gifted performer, award-winning folklorist, Ken Perlman is surely a welcome addition to any festival or concert-series lineup. Ken is both a pioneer of the 5-string banjo style known as "melodic clawhammer," and a master of fingerstyle guitar. He is considered one of the top clawhammer players in the world, known in particular for his skillful adaptations of Celtic tunes to the style. On guitar, Ken's sparkling finger-picked renditions of traditional Celtic and Southern fiddle tunes are simply not to be missed.

He draws his material from traditional sources -- the music of Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island and the American South. His approach to the music, however, is highly innovative. He has developed many new instrumental techniques, and much of his repertoire has never before been played on 5-string banjo or guitar.

Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mevE4uiQkr4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt2oKHraHmc

Sarah McQuaid - Live in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace.

Photo: Colm Henry www.colmhenry.ie

Sarah McQuaid plays Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Monday April 22. Doors 8:30pm; Admission €12 on the door.

Folks, we're in for a treat with this show - superb musicianship, beautiful voice, and a wide range of styles in her repertoire. Highly recommended.

http://www.sarahmcquaid.com/

Rising star Sarah McQuaid’s voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and “honey poured into wine” (Minor 7th). A captivating performer, she seduces her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship; in her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument.

Her musical output reflects her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship, and now lives in rural England. Refusing to be pigeonholed, she spans the genres with both her beautifully crafted originals and her interpretations of material from around the globe and down the centuries. Sarah’s third solo album The Plum Tree and the Rose has drawn critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic: “Impeccable,” wrote fRoots (UK), while Midwest Record (USA) called it “low key but glorious and incendiary” and Hot Press (Ireland) said it “should feature on many end-of-year best-ofs.”

For videos of Sarah performing live click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/sarahmcquaid

Paul Tiernan - Live in Mick Murphy's

http://www.paultiernan.com/

Paul Tiernan plays Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Monday April 8th. Doors 8:30pm. Adm: €12 on the door.
The following review of Paul Tiernan's 2012 release gives a good insight into Paul, and his music, so I'm borrowing it!

Album Review for ‘Painkillers’(Hot Press)

Paul Tiernan has been around in various guises for almost three decades, including stints in outfits like Flex & The Fastweather and Interference, as well as performing with ‘60s legend, Donovan. With a following in Europe, particularly in Germany and France the sometime Cork resident does most of his playing outside the country. His style has, over the years, varied but Painkillers is a largely pastoral, almost elegiac affair, with sumptuous arrangements and more than enough well wrought songs to make it his best work in aeons.

With gently plucked banjo and Beach Boys (Smile-era) instrumentation and Tiernan’s voice barely rising above a whisper, ‘Driver’ is a breathtakingly beautiful tune with a gorgeous melody. ‘Boneseekers’ is carnival music, while ‘Flowers’ is another low-key gem. Elsewhere, the poignant, ‘Painkillers’ and evocative, ‘Shooting Fish’ are standouts, while ‘Boxcar Ballerinas’ with electric guitar and heavenly harmonies makes for yet another highlight. Powerful stuff.

Colm O'Hare

Hot Press, June 2012.

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mGefGQo2s&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxKzTNhe3OY&feature=player_embedded

JOHN SPILLANE - Upstairs At Cunningham's - Tuesday March 26.

John Spillane plays 'Upstairs At Cunningham's' in Cunningham's Bar on the Main Street, Kildare Town on Tuesday, March 26. Doors 8pm. Gig 8:30pm sharp. Admission is €15 on the door. Enquiries to: 086 3270780

This marks the beginning of an exciting new collaboration between BAG and Cunningham's, to bring quality musicians and singer/songwriters, from home and overseas, to this super venue.




http://www.johnspillane.com/

JOHN SPILLANE is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet, dreamer – a canvass filled with color and brilliance.  His music transports the listener; his live performance captivates the audience.  In a world filled with strife and upheaval, a time-out with John Spillane is enough to ease the load a bit on anyone lucky enough to bask in his light. The man and his music are pure magic.
Two-time Meteor award winner, John is one of the most accomplished songwriters in Ireland today.
John's performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent Cork humour. If you are looking for a night of good ‘craic’, a John Spillane show should not be missed.

What the Press have said:

“ … some of the most skillfully crafted, vividly realized songs anyone has written in Ireland over the past dozen years.” Earle Hitchner, premier writer/reviewer for Irish Echo and The Wall Street Journal.

“ … funny, quirky, massively entertaining. John is a story teller, a shanachie.” Dan Regan, Founder, Kansas City Irish Festival.

“Why isn’t John Spillane a major star? [John] writes catchy, heartfelt folk-pop songs with the bonus of actually meaning something.” The Sunday Business Post (My Dark Rosaleen & The Island of Dreams).

“He’s carved a niche writing melodic, compelling, simple songs. Spillane is at his best when his delivery is unforced and lyrical.” Oliver P. Sweeney, The Ticket, Irish Times (“My Dark Rosaleen & The Island of Dreams).

 

Branching Out - Onwards and Upwards.

Well, it was maybe inevitable that BAG would grow and spread its wings. And that's just what's happened.

I am delighted to announce that I have teamed up with Nigel Flanagan and the team at Cunningham's Bar in Kildare Town, to bring live Roots Music gigs to their rather lovely new venue upstairs over the bar - 'Upstairs at Cunningham's'. Cunningham's Bar is a long established Bar and Restaurant in the centre of Kildare Town. It has a history of live music in the bar (indeed, yours truly played a Sunday evening residency there for a couple of years in the early 00's) featuring Irish Traditional sessions, acoustic singer/songwriter sessions, and covers bands. This new venture is an extension of that musical tradition.

A regular gig will take place on Tuesday nights, but there will be some gigs on other nights, too, in time. Our joint aim is to develop the room as a renowned venue, hosting the very best of Irish and overseas singersongwriters and musicians.
The room can be configured to seat up to 80+ paying patrons, in an intimate space with a warm and welcoming ambience, and is equipped with house P.A. and stage lighting.
I will be announcing details of upcoming gigs in the next while, but I can tell you today, that our first show will be on Tuesday March 26th. Full details will follow in a separate post - it'll be worth the wait, and the suspense!
For more details and info about Cunningham's Bar, search Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/cunninghams.bar?fref=ts
You can also find the BAG Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/BallymoreAcousticGigs

Help spread the word about this exciting development for live music in Kildare Town by sharing this post to your social media pages, and befriending both our FB pages.

If you'd like to be added to the BAG mailing list, or you're interested in a booking, simply drop me an email to ballymoregigs@gmail.com

I look forward to meeting you some night soon, Upstairs at Cunningham's.

Roy Thompson