Our first two gigs were at J Patrick's and the crack was good there we were lucky enough to have Matt Mulqueen get up for a few tunes with us, that's him there on the piano. I'm back and here's the report of where we were and a bit about the gigs etc., More to come in the coming months as we're going in the studio in Feb.,
Our first two gigs were at J Patrick's and the crack was good there we were lucky enough to have Matt Mulqueen get up for a few tunes with us, that's him there on the piano.
It's hard to describe J Patrick's but it's definitely got "character" and has a great name amongst the musicians. Laura Byrne, Peter Fitzgerald, Billy McComiskey and a host of others play there regularly.
We had a great time there and met some great people and are looking forward to going back soon.
That's Joe the owner of J Patricks along with Fánaí a great supporter of the music for many years.
Joe got an award from all the Baltimore Musicians a few years back at the Catskills Irish Week
J Patrick's is a bit like Mona's in New York, in that, whenever anyone is passing through town they'll end up there for a tune. Over the years there have been some great gatherings of musicians.
We are very honoured to have played there !
Sunday, we played with Matt Shortridge, a great fiddle and guitar player, who I've known for many years from my trips to Elkins.
We played for the GWCC Céili and we got a great reception and great compliments on the sound. Everyone seemed very pleased with the music and the turnout.
The food was great too !
I headed for St. Louis on Tuesday, thinking I would be rehearsing but as it turned out that wasn't really needed.
The gig in St. Louis went well, but I was only there a few days. I had asked Tommy Martin to do it with me, but he got called away early for a tour and ended up doing it myself, which turned out okay in the end, especially when I was joined by Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin on Concertina which rounded it out nicely.
I was very nervous doing the gig on my own, but I got a great compliment from Mick Richardson (brother of Dave & Tich Boys of the Lough), who first of all asked a question at the end and told me later, it was something he would never do, but I had a good chat with him and he said, "Cathal would have loved this".
The following weekend we played in Baltimore again, this time at Maggie Moore's (a lovely new Irish Pub and Restaurant) Friday and Saturday.
Billy McComiskey, got up with myself and Jamie Saturday night at Maggie Moore's. Once again we were very honoured to be in such great company !
Then Mikey, Billy's youngest got up right after Billy, see below. It was a really fun night.
Thursday we were in York, PA, at the Harp and Fiddle another really nice place and we were playing upstairs, while a duo played downstairs.
They were giving away a trip to Ireland, so we all bought tickets, but none of us won.
Friday and Saturday we were back again in Baltimore at Maggie Moore's.
After our gig Saturday night, I went over to J Patrick's to listen to the tail end of Laura Byrne's gig, she had Donna Long, Billy McComiskey and Jim Eagan playing with her, it was a great sound.
At some point, I can't remember now exactly when, but on Billy's suggestion, we went in and recorded a demo at Paul McKeown's studio.
It was a great experience and Paul is great to work with. Laura Byrne recorded her CD there as did Chulrua and of course, Donnna Long.
Then last Sunday I played the Céili at J Patrick's with Billy McComiskey, Martin McCann and Pat Egan.
I only met Martin that day and he told me he was playing a flute he bought of Chris Behnke, it's a small World.
Billy was in rare form and at one point launched into "Jingle Bells" as the dancers were flying away to "Come West Along the Road", we all followed suit and the dancers kept going.
The dust was getting really bad and Billy thought it was time to do something about it.
Once again many thanks to all involved in the gigs, especially Susan Boon, who is now officially our agent.
Susan is also responsible for all the photo's here and many more that I don't have the space to post
John
P.S. I over heard this at the bar one night and it was said in all seriousness "Mental Health, is a thing I can't get my head around".
P.P.S. The HONOUR was all ours Billy !