Ronnie Wood and Mick Jagger in Fletcher's Pub, Naas

Funny story heard at Abigail O’Brien’s ‘With Bread’ opening, courtesy of Patrick Dawson, Co. Kildare solicitor:

Ronnie Wood, of The Rolling Stones, who used to live near Naas, would go to Fletcher’s Pub in Naas for his couple of pints. Part of the reasoning for this preference was that Fletcher’s is a strictly non-singing pub, so Ron would be left alone to imbibe in peace, without being prevailed upon to demonstrate his guitar-playing prowess for the entertainment of all and sundry fellow patrons.

What ho, one evening Ronnie arrives in with house guest Mick Jagger. A rustle goes around the establishment that this could be the night when Tommy the landlord might be persuaded to overlook his stringent rule, just this once, like.

After some requests Mick and Ronnie strike up in the back room (details as to set list are vague), only for Tommy to come in and inform them politely that there’s no singing in this pub. Half an hour later the boys are cajoled into giving the punters what they want yet again, and Tommy again comes in, slightly more forcefully reminding them that this is a non-singing pub. Towards closing time the lads give it one last shot, to pacify the clientele. Tommy storms in to silence them once and for all. A drinker says to Tommy, “Don’t you know who that is? That’s Mick Jagger.” To which Tommy replies, “I don’t care if he’s Daniel O’Donnell, he’s not singing in my pub.”

Thanks Patrick. 

Abigail O'Brien - With Bread - Highlanes, Drogheda

So we went up to The Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda last Friday for the opening of Abigail O'Brien's stunning new exhibition, With Bread. I like Drogheda, with all that medieval stuff going on, and its superb railway bridge over the Boyne. Dinner and drinks were laid on afterwards by Highlanes at the d Hotel, where we stayed. Thanks to Aoife Ruane, Gallery Director, for that. Do try to get up and have a look, if you can: it's well worth the short trip from the Hibernian metropolis (presuming you're in the metropolis to start with (how metrocentric!).

Thank you, Jane.

Mercury Music Prize, meh

Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine has a go at the Mercury Music Prize becuase they excluded MBV's most recent album, er, mbv, from eligibility from this year's award because the band didn't have a distribution deal but instead distributed the album themselves through their website. So much for championing the independent sector.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/13/my-bloody-valentine-slams-mercury-prize

Can this year's winner really claim to have made the best album released in Britain and Ireland in the last year?

Andrew Goodwin RIP

Andrew Goodwin, media studies professor in San Francisco, and popular music theorist, died recently in a fire in his apartment in Berkeley.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Man-dies-in-Berkeley-fire-4801042.php

This is a sad loss. He was a keen Led Zeppelin fan, although he detested what is probably their most well-known song, 'Stairway To Heaven'.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2007/12/stairway_to_stardom.html

A man after my own heart. Friends and readers will know that I have long placed the blame for the temporary early '70s decline of good old British R'n'B squarely in the lap of J R R Tolkien and his pseudo-mystical, quasi-medieval Lord of the Rings nonsense.

http://www.desmondtraynor.com/music/led_zeppelin.html

http://www.state.ie/features/celebration-day-vs-crossfire-hurricane

Good call, Prof. Rest in peace.

Philip Chevron Testimonial at The Olympia

A week's strenuous gig going culminates in Philip Chevron's testimonial gig at The Olympia. As some of you may know, Philip has terminal cancer, and this was a benefit gig with a shed load of Irish artists appearing. Philip was a member of Irish punk legends The Radiators from Space, and when their first incarnation folded in the early 80s, he went on to complete the classic Pogues line-up. He also worked with cabaret chanteuse Agnes Burnell, among others. 




Philip is a great songwriter and has written at least half a dozen classics, e.g. : 'Song of the Faithful Departed', 'Kitty Ricketts', 'Let's Talk About The Weather', 'Under Cleary's Clock', 'Thousands Are Sailing', 'Television Screen'.


It was an emotional night, a thank you to Philip, for which we got a thank you from Philip. A gent.

Guests included: Luka Bloom, Damien Dempsey, Mary Coughlan, Paul Cleary, Paul Brady, Duke Special, Hothouse Flowers, Gavin Friday, Declan O'Rourke, Camille O'Sullivan, Shane McGowan, Horslips and The Radiators themselves.

Highlights for me were Damien Dempsey, Camille, and Declan O'Rourke's version of 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'. Gavin Friday should join Bad Manners.

Lonnie Liston Smith at The Sugar Club

I caught jazz legend Lonnie Liston Smith at The Sugar Club on Thursday evening, due to the kind offices of my friend Brain Mahon. Serious chops on display, though they make it look all so effortless...

Tame Impala at The Olympia

Tame Impala at The Olympia last Wednesday. No review, but none necessary. You know how great Kevin Parker and his band are....and they were.