Bombino, Twister Pepper, Thursday, July 17th, 2014

This was, simply, one of the best gigs I've been to in a long time. Imagine a younger, faster, more energetic Tinariwen, and you've got Bombino. I danced all night at the front of the stage. The guy is a virtuoso, and his backing band are cracking, and they were all so into it. I hear hints of Hendrix, shades of Santana. I love the way the instrumental breaks just increase the tempo. Go, Bombino!

PS Cool support from Ben Prevo and his band.

PPS Yes, the Mauritanian bass player is wearing gloves. Roy Wood of Wizard, eat your heart out.

Cat Power, Olympia, Wednesday July 16th, 2014

Cat Power at The Olmypia last Wednesday. No one could deny that Chan Marshall is talented, and I like her records, but she just wound up irritating me during this show. She kept apologising for everything, complaining about technical difficulties, complaining about the sound being too bright, complaining about her wet hair in her face. The last time I saw her, in the old Tripod during the torn for The Greatest, she was with a band. This time she was solo. In my opinion, she benefits from the discipline of group playing. Usually when you say someone played for over two and a half hours, it's a positive statement, full of appreciation and approval. But here she just wore out her welcome, and everything started to sound to same after a while, with little light or shade or colour. Granted, it was a hot night, and the theatre was an uncomfortable place to be (a little more space between rows of seats would be greatly appreciated, Olympia management). But she didn't have to add to it by being so uncomfortable on stage. I left before the end. I'll stick with the records and CDs in future.

One crappy photo of Cat, as I forgot my camera at home:

Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Marquee, Cork, July 10th 2014

Setlist of Neil Young and Crazy Horse at The Marquee, Cork, last night. Strange gig, as it started off in full flight Crazy Horse garage rock fashion, but morphed into something more varied, as some of the folky and country stuff was included, with even a three song solo acoustic interlude in the middle. I was left wondering if this was a concession to the presence of Rick Rolas on bass, standing in for Billy Talbot, who is recovering from a stroke. Some of the choices seemed like songs Rolas would be more likely to know and feel comfortable playing. Or maybe this speculation isn't the reason for the eclectic nature of the show at all. Maybe Neil feels he should give the punters a bit more of what (some of them) want, after some hostile reaction to last year's Crazy Horse tour. Or maybe not even that. Frank Sampadero confined to rhythm duties for most of the night, with Neil taking almost all lead lines.

Love and only love
Going home
Days that used to be
After the goldrush
Love to burn
Separate ways
Only love can break your heart
Don't cry no tears
Blow in' in the wind
Red Sun
Heart of gold
Powderfinger
Psychedelic Pill
Rockin in the free world
Who's gonna stand up for mother earth?

Encore:

Roll another number for the road

And a selection of photos of varying quality:

4th Of July

Today's the fourth of July
Another June has gone by
And when they light up our town I just think
What a waste of gunpowder and sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S7HAvibdvc

Pity The Poor Garth Brooks Fans

Delighted for all the pointy-headed, line-dancing, Joe Duffy listening fans of Nashville hat act Garth Brooks: looks like you won't be disturbing the good people of Phibsboro and Drumcondra after all. I also call bullshit on greedy Brooks 'All Five Concerts Or Nothing' statement. "It's like choosing between five of your children." No it's not. Just play the three concerts that sold out first, asshole.