The Bluesbunny music reviews
Monday 29 Oct 2012
Live at The Arches, Glasgow ( 12 October 2012 )
I suppose it had to happen eventually. I walked straight on by an untidy boy on stage strumming artlessly through some grey songs assuming that he was soundchecking. But no, it was Michael Cassidy doing it for real and, being better informed than I, the audience duly applauded at the end of his set. Manners are so important, aren't they?
Fortunately for me, it was obvious that Beerjacket was a performer. He didn't need an introduction so there wasn't one. He was wearing a check shirt, but did so ironically. He also sings to horses, apparently, which must be nice if you are a horse. He is, of course, a sensitive singer songwriter from this sceptred isle and that is about all you need to know should you want to give him, with or without his ukulele, a listen.
Rachel Sermanni, however, was a whole different kettle of fish. She seemed dreadfully polite but, even alone on a stage in a big hall, she advertised intimacy through her music. She had some very curious, but downright endearing, vocal affectations that brought life to her performance and, lyrically, she was as capable of taking a walk through the dark shadows as she was in drawing on rosy cheeked traditional folk influences. So, whilst outwardly conventional enough to avoid scaring festival audiences, she had the mark of an artist who could reach further into herself and use what she found there to touch even the hardest of hearts. I don't doubt that she'll do just that.;
Outside, there are flashing blue lights everywhere and there's still two hours to go until midnight.
Reviewer: Handsome Bluesbunny
Review Date: 12 October 2012
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Monday 27 Feb 2012
Let's start by joining up some song titles and making a sentence. Saturday night is alright for walking in the rain. Actually, it wasn't and thoughts of gratuitous and pointless violence soon crossed my mind as my waterproofing proved inadequate for a Woodlands Road deluge. Fortunately, God has a plan and shelter was available and duly sought in the salubrious surrounding of Brel. As chance would have it, Jim Byrne and The Blackwoods would soon be playing there.
On arrival, Dinny was playing a set of covers and her own songs that ably complemented what was soon to come. She wears her heart on her sleeve which is no bad thing when you have a voice that sells emotion like few others could.
Should there be a need for a prince of mellow mellifluousness then Jim Byrne would be a prime contender for that crown. Although he did not go as far as wearing an Aran sweater - remaining instead the man with the hat - you could see him dominating what used to be called light entertainment. With The Blackwoods flexibly accompanying him on a variety of swappable instruments, he, in his own self effacing way, soon had the attentive audience right where he wanted them.
More old timey than trendy Americana, Jim Byrne's music drew from the dustbowls of the good old US of A and he injected his songs, and indeed the seamlessly integrated covers, with a wholesome warmth and an endearing sentimentality that sounded like it had been transported through time from a rose tinted past. Of the songs from his new album "The Innocent", "Sweeter Than A Rose" stood out as the song that defines what Jim Byrne is all about.
As the last song faded into the night, I have to admit to feeling all warm and fuzzy and at one with the world. Outside though, it is still raining. 47 seconds later, I am considering the merits of Swiss made assault rifles again. I think I might need to play Jim Byrne's album when I get home. Music therapy, as it were.
www.songsbyjimbyrne.com
dinny reverbnation
Reviewer: Handsome Bluesbunny
Review Date: 25 February 2012
Fanny Pelmet and The Bastard Suits, The Plimptons: Thursday 2 Feb 2012
Ginger and Friends, Hawk Eyes, Exit International: Saturday 10 Dec 2011
Mummy Short Arms, Naked Strangers, Captain Majestic live at Pivo Pivo: Tuesday 22 Nov 2011
Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra, Bitter Ruin. the Horndog Brass Band: Friday 9 Sep 2011
K.D. Lang and the Siss Boom Bang, Little Miss Higgins: Thursday 28 Jul 2011
Nurkurt, Dougsy, Chris Gould, Danielle Hutchison live at Pivo Pivo: Saturday 7 May 2011
Jamie Flett, The Ballachulish Hellhounds live at The Liquid Ship, Glasgow: Monday 18 Apr 2011
Live at Pivo Pivo: Monday 28 Mar 2011
Miscued Vein, Less Than Sober, John's Weans live at Maggie Mays, Glasgow: Sunday 14 Nov 2010
Here come the girls!: Wednesday 27 Oct 2010
Chiara Berardelli live at The Glasgow Art Club, Glasgow: Wednesday 13 Oct 2010
Rockburn and Skinny Villains live at King Tuts: Sunday 15 Aug 2010
Liam Cairns Band, Who's Edna live at Pivo Pivo, Glasgow: Wednesday 21 Jul 2010
Drink and Music: Tuesday 8 Jun 2010
Alive and Kicking: Friday 28 May 2010
Disassociation of the Soul: Sunday 16 May 2010
Load up the Jukebox: Tuesday 11 May 2010
Five a Day: Saturday 8 May 2010
Lost in the Battlefield: Saturday 8 May 2010
Jukebox Roundup: Tuesday 27 Apr 2010
A Trip to the Seaside: Monday 19 Apr 2010
Twists and Turns: Sunday 11 Apr 2010
Here and gone: Monday 29 Mar 2010
Random ramblings and a life of crime: Monday 22 Mar 2010
Van Drivers: Monday 15 Mar 2010
My glass is half full: Tuesday 9 Mar 2010
Monks and karma: Tuesday 2 Mar 2010
Sunday Afternoon Blues: Sunday 21 Feb 2010
Cheese: Monday 15 Feb 2010
Clean Living: Monday 8 Feb 2010
Audiences: Sunday 31 Jan 2010
Subliminal or what?: Monday 25 Jan 2010
Heaven and Hell: Wednesday 20 Jan 2010
Another year, another box of pens: Thursday 7 Jan 2010
Lists - You can never have too many lists.: Saturday 2 Jan 2010
Baby It's Cold Outside: Monday 28 Dec 2009
Memory Loss: Wednesday 16 Dec 2009
To be cool: Friday 4 Dec 2009
Turntable Blues: Thursday 26 Nov 2009
The Blues Ain't Nothing But A Feeling: Thursday 19 Nov 2009
Rambling On Up The Road: Wednesday 11 Nov 2009
By the Seaside: Wednesday 4 Nov 2009
Twelve Inches: Wednesday 28 Oct 2009
Cakes and Comments: Thursday 22 Oct 2009
To muse or not to muse: Friday 16 Oct 2009
Azure Eyes: Thursday 8 Oct 2009
Falling in love again: Wednesday 30 Sep 2009
Three Pretty Bands all in a row: Wednesday 23 Sep 2009
The Return of JockRock: Wednesday 16 Sep 2009
Standing in the Shadows with my plastic glass: Friday 11 Sep 2009
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