REVIEWS
First Review of Our new Album Grateful by the German based songwritrer Paul fogarty.
“Grateful” – The Barleyshakes
Review by Paul Fogarty
Irish expat Alan Kelly has spent the best part of twenty years establishing himself on both sides of the globe as a writer of genuinely touching, honest and gritty songs. He’s also got a healthy dose of the kind of irreverence that turns good music into great.
Kelly’s band The Barleyshakes have headlined international festivals and toured many parts of the world in various forms. They’ve been based in Australia since headlining the 2000/2001 edition of the world famous Woodford Folk Festival and contributing the talents of two members to Peter Jackson’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” academy award winning soundtrack.
The tradition of Irish music is long, deep and wide and remarkably brilliant. That the Barleyshakes manage to hold hands with this awesome history while simultaneously infusing it with a fresh and contemporary spirit is remarkable.
They’ve always done it that way but with each new album those bonds are strengthened and illuminated in ways that make you wonder where they will take them next.
On “Grateful” the Barleyshakes present a kind of world tour of traditional and contemporary Irish folk songs, instrumentals and influences embellished by soaring accompaniment and dramatic and inspired arrangements. Kelly himself plays acoustic guitar, always pulsing and shifting, moving the shadows in the background. He also sings lead vocals and he’s no slouch on the Bodhran (Irish hand drum) either – Alan played the Bodhran on the sound track for “The Fellowship of the Rings”.
The Barleyshakes have always been populated by uber-talents and “Grateful” is no different: Steve Cook on bouzouki, banjo, fiddle; Belinda Ford on flutes and low whistle; Alan’s missus Kristin Kelly on fiddle; Erin Sulman (ex Lothlorian) on drums and percussion; and Gary Ward (who hasn’t he played with?) on bass; and Sophie Bahnson and the Kelly’s three young’uns Sofia, Mocara and Rory sharing backing vocals.
Hey Woodford is in full swing, and it always amazes me just how littel sleep a person needs when surrounded by brilliant music. Why the circus pieces alone are enough to make you smile until your dying day. The Circus Firemen had us all laughing til our sideburns curled
Today is Thursday and we have two shows. One at the Duck at 7pm (this venue has paving no less) and what a gorgeous venue the Duck is this year. Then its a quick step up the hill and down the windy path to the Chai 9pm for the hessian smelling heaven that the Chai is. Erin is double booked to do Cloudstreet gig at the same time, and so Jason Bray will jump in on drums. Should be a blister in the sun, yes the sun is going to shine today.
While most of Queensland is in flood, Woodford festival has been but damp since it started, which has kept it cool and dust free. Perfect festival weather, once you have waterproof footwear. Everywhere you go at this festival you meet people eager to chat, laugh, and share a positive moment with you.
Our new CD “Grateful” makes it’s debut at this years Woodford so it is an even more exciting one for us.
Keep well and Happy New Year.
Until Jan 2nd when we return a little bit tired but a lot happier. I just have to say I absolutley adore this festival.
Well we returned from yet another Neurem Creek festival filled with love and smelling of whiskey and fire side smoke. We had almighty sessions around the fire and caught up with old dear friends and made lots of new ones. I have to say these small special festivals really are so much more successful at what a festival is supposed to be about for me, and a lot of the other festival fans were echoing this sentiment. As a parent I have adifferent slant to the wild young ones free of all responsibilities. But there were soem of those types at this littel festivla nd they had a ball and fitted in perfect. I believe our children are richer, in intellect and spirit, from the experience of attending festivals year in year out. Always worth the trouble you go to to bring them with you too. If you got kids, like live music, I say get your whole clan along to any folk festival near you(we drive 12 hours at a pinch) and set up your camp and relax in one of lifes true golden cultural recharging experiences. Your kids will thank you for it for years to come.