News - August / July 2008
Congratulations to Celtic band supreme General Guinness, as they just finished their most excellent record this July in preparation for a timely CD release party performance at the Dublin Irish Festival on Friday, August 1st. They also perform on Saturday with the stepdancers, always a treat. The new record features their singer James O’Shea, who can sing a naughty Irish song like nobody’s business, as well as anything else the Irishman tackles. His vocals on the moving Irish ballad, “Loch Silan,” are particularly amazing. And Steve, Tom and Larry hold up their end with both singing and drinking “The Brown And The Yellow Ale.” And with two hot lady fiddle players, these kids can’t be beat. At their performance, be sure to check out all the hand-made instruments created by Tom Davis at his shop, J. Thomas Davis, Guitarmaker. We’ll see you there!
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While we’re being Irish, also at the Dublin Irish Festival are several other acts who have recently recorded CDs at GBS Records; first up, our favorite foursome Knot Fibb’n brought us in to record them live at Byrne’s Pub. The result was a rockin’ live album as only Rennie, Beth (I like to call her “Bethikins”), Karl and Tim can do. Catch them live to see why! Wow.
Speaking of rocking celtic live albums, we recently recorded The Drowsy Lads at their home base, The Shamrock Club, and it was an amazing show and we got a great product out of it, extremely energetic and infectious. These young guys are dynamite! So is Phil. (Sorry, Phil. Oh, he’s dynamite, all right, he’s just, oh, shall we say, a rich, experienced version of “vintage” dynamite. His act, Yankee Celtic Consort, is also playing at the festival, of course, and his son, Josh, will join in as the two bands cross-swap blood, so to speak. Tom recorded their last album and I’m ready any time, boys, to knock out another!)
And of course, celtic princess extraordinaire Sue Mogan will bless the festival with her golden voice and lovely presence. Her last record, “Lookin’ Up,” was pure joy to work on, and listen to. She is a stunning performer and person. She’ll be performing at the festival on Saturday and Sunday at 5:30PM with her good friend and talented musician Kevin Sutton at The Celtic House stage. Here’s the full festival schedule.
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The American Imports are recording a full length CD for their Album Release show in October. Eric is working with Rob and the boyz making the proverbial rock history as they are so want to do. And do they! Do they? They do.
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Earwig continues to make such rock history with us this summer and Lizard continues to astound us with being perhaps the only vegan lizard still living. (I believe the brontosaurus and their ilk were veggies, too, but that sho nuff was a long time ago. Lizard McGee carries the torch. Step aside, Dinosaur Jr.
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Modena Vox still carries their torch as well and Eric continues to tweak their mixes in July with his extra twiddley little fingers as only Eric can do. He does twiddle exercises at home in his spare time to keep up his chops.
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Tom missed Comfest, (darnit!) but heard it was great, though slighty damp (dampit!). I was hanging in Ireland with my buddy, Fred Haring who, though he accidentally pressed the fire alarm in London, was a great hit with the Irish musicians and fans at various Irish pubs. His hat was a hit, too. “Fred the Hat,” they called him. I called him “snorey.”
The town of Innis on the west coast was particularly charming. Highly recommended.
And while we’re talking about all things Irish, I highly recommend the movie “Once,” the small independent Irish film that has taken the world by charm and beauty. A fabulous movie. Glen Hansard, the male lead of the film, from the band The Frames, is currently touring with female lead Marketa Irglova in their duo The Swell Season. They’ll be in Columbus in September.
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Posted: July 26th, 2008 under general interest.
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