Barry McCabe

So, here we are again. I hope you like the new 'home' for these articles. We thought it best to move them off the Blog page and give them their own section. Hopefully that's easier for those of you who like to reference them from time to time.

There must have been a photo of Rory in Pat's column this week because there is a nice square hole where somebody used to be. Also, photos of Gryphon, Time Machine and Dick Farrelly in this week's column.

New Gallagher Album Nearly Complete

News of yet another free concert for fans. Next Sunday 26th at Blackrock Park (weather permitting) the Dave Prim Band will headline a free gig which will also feature the very promising Trench Band and solo acts Johnny Norris, Neil Toner and Niall Coll. Disc jockey Mick Taylor (Barry: not the ex-Stone surely! :-)) will be playing the sounds and the show starts at 3pm.

Sales of the first Gary Moore album "Grinding Stone" have by all accounts been very encouraging. The three-piece Moore band have come in for some fair reviews from the British press and things look good for the future if Moore can hold the band together. A Dublin concert for the Moore band has been fixed for Zero's on a date to be announced this week.

New keyboards man with Keltic Wine is Dick Farrelly who will also be featured on accordion and guitar. The group are set to release their first single, "Hurricane Sailor"this weekend. manager John Dee has high hopes for the single and feels it could well be a big smash.

I met Paul Keogh last week while he was home on a short holiday. You will remember I told readers about how Dubliner Paul started his career as a guitarist in the No. 5 club in Dublin. He was playing the Dublin scene about the same time Henry (Wings) McCullagh was based in Dublin. Now one of London's top session guitarists, Paul has just completed an album backing Jim Webb. He has also played on albums by Carly Simon (No Secrets), Lou Reed, Harvey Andrews, Tom Jones and Elton John. He discovered Dublin had changed a lot since the old club days but was glad to hear that the groups had broken through in such a big way.

Gryphon are a four-man medieval rock group who play a concert at Zero's next Saturday 25th. The group, who recently released an album on Transatlantic, have been coming in for a lot of notice from the British music press. The group are all graduates from London's Royal College of Music. They utilise renaissance instruments (e.g.) Krumhorns and Harpsicord alongside more contempory equipment and appear on stage in Elizabethan minstrel garb.The group will be in Dublin to telecord a "Music Makers in Concert" series for RTE.

John Williams, Main St., Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary is interested in booking groups for September. Managers with dates to fill can contact John at the above address.

A change of policy for the Iuventus Club, Islandbridge. A new series of gigs starting next Sunday 26th and featuring Demon Duck will switch from teenagers closer to the twenty age group of dancers. "We want to give the place a more adult feel," said on of the club spokesmen.

Keltic Wine will follow Demon Duck on the 2nd of September.

I was at Sgt. Pepper's for a couple of minutes last Friday where Ned Spoone were on the stand. The group's manager, Tommy Nevin told me: "We have been working in the country a lot lately. It pays better all round and helps to build up the band's name." Reaction to the group at the Crystal wasn't great but then I only stayed a few minutes.

Comment

Former Skid Row manager Clifford Davis claimed he lost £12,000 on trying to get the band off the ground in Britain...someone at RCA advertising department in London not too well up on how Horslips spell their name if the adverts for their single are anything to judge by...as well as playing bass Brush Shields also running small shoe business...Angel one of the best hopes for the future...Lizzy's new album on Kid Jensen's show last week and very good it was too (it's out early next month)...whatever happened to that second Ned Spoone single...former rock lead singer Robbie Walsh from Orphanage married recently...Chips single now on release in the UK...even the management talents of Jim Hand may find the going rough in getting Cromwell to the top...with new albums on the way from Thin Lizzy, Horslips, Fruupp and Rory Gallagher, Irish fans will have plenty to keep them happy...second single on the way from Spud and watch this one - it should be a biggie...Tir Na nOg third album well overdue.

- Pat Egan

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 30th August 1973

01 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine

02 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee  

03 - I'm Leader Of The Gang - Gary Glitter   

04 - All Right, All Right, All Right - Mungo Jerry    

05 - Devil Among The Tailors - Mushroom  

06 - 48 Crash - Suzi Quatro  

07 - Live On Mars - David Bowie  

09 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle   

10 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels  

11 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir     

12 - Rag and Bone Man - Des Smith   

13 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley 

14 - Mary From Dunloe - Bill Ryan & Buckshot 

15 - I Hate Goodbyes - Ian Corrigan     

16 - Fool - Elvis Presley    

17 - Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose - Dawn Bell   

18 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

19 - Dear John - Two's Company 

Pat's column doesn't have too much new news this week. Probably nothing major happening around town or in the business at that moment. August is traditionally a quiet enough month in the music business, unless you're playing live (festivals).

Interesting that the front cover asks: Where are the Stones Rolling now?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones_European_Tour_1973

I can tell you one thing. There was NO WAY in 1973 I ever thought I'd end up playing together with Mick Taylor. 

 Morrison Climbs British Charts

Van Morrison is in the U.K. charts and climbing fast. This week he entered the Record Mirror chart top twenty and came in the Musical Express chart at No. 25.One of the reasons for the quick entry is that there were no import sales in England on this album as it was released the same day as the US. Previously the major bulk of Morrison's sales in Britain had been on imports. The Irishman was one of the top three import sellers in Europe last year.

Gonzo's new rock Warehouse will open next Friday at Zero's and if it draws even half the crowd I think it will Gonzo should be well pleased. A number of specials are being lined up to give the night a better look. Gonzo fans who have been to the Palace at Morans on Tuesdays will know what to expect. It's the kind of scene we have been looking for and deserves the support of everyone involved with the scene.

Nice to see Horslips coming in for so much good press across the water, they are certainly spreading a very cool image for Irish teenagers and deserve all the support home fans can give them now when they really need it. The new album is being nicely timed for the Christmas market. While I haven't always seen eye to eye with the group's manager Michael Deeny I think the way he is handling the band not only at home but in Britain is nothing short of perfect. I won't be in the least bit surprised if they break through across the water.

A fair sized crowd turned up for the Fruupp concert at Liberty Hall. Overall it was a pretty fair evening's entertainment for just 50p. Ron Kavanagh from Loudest Whisper did a solo spot and went down well. He was followed by guest star Stac who's witty manner and good overall projection showed him to have a fair chance of breaking big. In recent months I have seen a whole lot of Irish singer-songwriters Niall Coll, Martin Warren, Stac, Big Bad Dave, Ron Kavanagh and for any one of them to break through it's going to take an awful lot of slogging.

I only stayed for three numbers by Fruupp (I was in a hurry to see Rodeo at Gonzo's before the house full sign went up). The opening of the Fruupp gig was impressive with each of the band displaying a lot of individual talent and the general sound was very good indeed. I always find with Fruupp that the vocals are lost somewhere among the sound, and it's a great pity because otherwise I was enjoying their stuff very much. With the Future Legends album on the way and gigs like the Liberty Hall one to back it up Fruupp might turn out to be the success of the year.

The wee bit I heard from Rodeo at Gonzo's was nice, a kind of Ireland's answer to Commander Cody and I discovered something else as well. The best way for a group to hit it off here (unless in the traditional bag) would be to have a listen to Rodeo, and get cracking around the country with a similar type of thing.

After our top singer rating we are left with only drummers and miscellaneous placings to follow...rather than drag it out too long I have decided to feature both this week.

Miscellaneous Instruments

1 - Charles O'Connor [Horslips], 2 - Ruan O'Loughlain [Bees Make Honey], 3 - Terry Woods, 4 - Pat Collins [Mushroom], 5 - Jim Lockhart [Horslips], 6 - Don Know [Spud], 7 - Joe O'Donnell [East Of Eden], 8 - Sonny Condell [Tir Na Nog]

Rock Drummers

1 - John Wilson [Taste], 2 - Noel Bridgeman(ex-Skid Row], 3 - Brian Downey [Thin Lizzy], 4 - Dave Lutton [Ellis], 5 - John Donnolly [ex-Gary Moore Band], 6 - Fran Byrne, 7 - Pearse Kelly [Gary Moore Band]

Two new bands brought to my notice during the last week which I think you will enjoy meeting. Pyramid are from out of town somewhere, I can't remember what part of the country, but I know they do a kind of Santana thing with a lot of originals as well. Only on the road about six months Pyramid feature Tom Lyons lead guitar and the group's songwriter John Dunne, Sean Ryan,Tom Kinane and Rob Fogerty. "We are already working towards the top and we feel we have a lot to offer," says leader Tom Lyons.

Crock are a new Dublin five-piece made up from ex members of Blackbird and Railroad. The group do a varied rock programme with numbers from bands like Purple and Fairport. All the boys have experience of playing the major halls and are hoping it's going to show in a big way.

Making a big impression at the moment are the Trench Band who were formed in September 1972. They underwent only one change since then with Paul Cran coming in on drums about six weeks ago. The other members are Mark Costigan on lead guitar, Colman Bowers on rhythm guitar and Garvan Gallagher on bass. Only bass player Garvan has played with anyone of note although all the boys have previous experience. Garvan was with the Sensory System who are currently breaking big on the continent. As they are one of the most promising young bands I have heard in a long time I'm hoping the Trench Band will stick together until better things come their way.

Comment...Brush Shiels home again this wekk from London for good...Fachna O'Kelly didn't dig Fruupp too much at Liberty Hall...former group man Robbie Walsh now doing solo pub gigs...Gonzo says Rodeo have changed their name to Trouble...let's hear more of the Dave Prim band in Dublin...Angel are top band at Zero's this Saturday...very good idea indeed the Horslips/Chips free gig at the park last Sunday...at least it shows they care about the fans...when they have been on the road a couple of months Skid Row will drop the Row part of their name and be known simply as Skid.

Pat Egan

The charts were not available due to the bank holiday.

Front cover photo this week is of a guy called Big Tom. Some things in life are just difficult to understand and why this man and his band were so popular I could never quite understand. I have a funny story to tell you this week and it regards this man.

I suppose it was probably around the late '70's and we were in London on a bus trip. While driving into the city I seen posters for the Boomtown Rats at the Hammersmith Odeon. The Rats were huge at this time (Rat Trap & I Don't Like Mondays had just been hits). I knew that a former Horslips roadie was working with the Rats, so as soon as we got to our hotel I called the venue and eventually got Paul on the phone. He was real surprised that we were in London and asked us if we wanted to come to the show. I said sure and he arranged six backstage tickets for me. Wow!!

We all went off our separate ways for the day and had to meet around 6pm for dinner or something. When I met up with everyone I told them all excited that I'd scored six backstage tickets to see the Rats at the Hammersmith. I expected everyone to want a ticket but instead was met with the following scenario- they had been out walking and passed some Irish ballroom in London and had seen that Big Tom was playing and had decided to go see him. Now, bear in mind they could see this guy any day of the week back home and yet here we were in London, with backstage tickets to the Rats, and they wanted to go see him. I couldn't believe it. Eventually I got three other guys to go with me - and of course it was a great show by the Rats. So there, the magic pulling power of Big Tom!!

Here's Pat Egan's Heavy Sounds for this week.

Brush in Town for Skid Row Relaunch Plans

Brush Shiels, leader of the new Skid Row, flew into Dublin on Friday night to meet the members of the re-formed band and talk over plans to launch the group on the home scene. "I don't really care about England anymore. It's America we will be aiming at with the new group. I have learned a lot over the last couple of years and I think I know where the action is now" he said. With Brush when I met him was Eamonn Gibney and manager Ollie Byrne. Gibney has been the target of the new Skid for some weeks and it's thought that Brush was home especially to see Gibney in a last effort to get him into the new line-up.

Thanks to David Duke at CBS I have been playing an advance copy of "Hard Nose The Highway" the new Van Morrison album for the last week or so. It's completely unlike anything Van's ever done and for me it takes over from Moondance as the most satisfying album he's ever produced.

Side one has five superb tracks as good as anything else he's ever done with "Warm Love" the stand out track and one of he most commercial he's ever laid down. I also love "The Great Deception" and the title track. Side two has three long tracks much more in the Morrison "Astral Weeks" mould and not nealy as catchy as anything on side one. Should easily be his biggest European seller ever.

After being asked so many times I must admit to being really delighted that Van is including Ireland on his European trip. There are a lot of people here who stood by him during the lean years after "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Blowin' Your Mind" who will love the chance to see him.

Nice reaction to last week's guitarist ratings. Overall it seems I wasn't too far out with my placings. Who are Ireland's top rock bass players on the international and home scene? This is how I see it..

1- Rick Laird (Mahavishnu Orchestra), 2 - Brush Shiels (Skid Row), 3 - Richard McCracken (Spencer David Group), 4 - Chris Stewart (Spooky Tooth), 5 - Gery McEvoy (Rory Gallagher Band), 6 - Philip Lynott (Thin Lizzy), 7 - Frank Boylan (ex-Gary Moore Band), 8 - Gery O'Donovan (new Eamonn Gibney Band), 9 - Noel Cullen (ex-Urge), 10 - Barry Devlin(Horslips)

This one was a lot more difficult to work out as there are a lot of players who should be rated...Next week: singers.

If Horslips are your favourite group and they are playing your local club or ballroom soon...don't miss them. It could well be the last chance of seeing them live for some time. "We have extensive overseas trips planned for late summer and after that we will be in the studio recording our "Tain" album" said Barry Devlin. The groups first US single "The High Reel" is set for release shortly to be followed by the "Happy To Meet" album, so a trip to the US looks on the cards.

Monaghan Art group are running a series of dances and are on the look out for rock bands to fill a number of sates. Groups interested in making the trip can call Joe Mallon at Monaghan 58.

The success of the Mushroom single proves that with strong showband management, groups can get a record into the chart. It's apparently impossible for a group to get airplay on RTE without the help of an established organisation. If this is not the case what happened to the Spud single and the Cromwell and Time Machine ones? The Spud single was more Irish than anything else around at the time but hardly got a look in at RTE. Last word: well done Mushroom and let's have a few more hits.

I heard Zebadee at Gonzo's the week before last and enjoyed their set much more than I did at Zero's the week before. They went down well and as I said before they have the makings of a great littel band.

Cromwell were at Sgt. Pepper's on Friday blowing the place apart with their Guinness rock. The problem with Cromwell is that they lack any creative talent which they need to lift them above all the other three-piece rock bands. They play their stuff well and won't run short of gigs - but rock leaders? NEVER.

McNasty, the winners of Seezers/Pepsi rock contest some months ago, were at a jam-packed (too much for comfort) Gonzo's last Tuesday. They got a mixed reception and I have the feeling we should be hearing a lot more from them in the future.

Tickets for the Fruupp concert at Liberty Hall next Wednesday are selling well and the group could well be in for their biggest home success to date. The group will be giving away a free Fruupp concert programme and featuring tracks from their soon to be released album " Future Legends".

Although it was due out last Friday, the Gary Moore album did not appear in Dublin shops. Many fans who have been waiting months for the release of the set were disappointed when it was not on sale. The album is expected to be in all shops this weekend along with the new Van Morrison album.

One of the few Northern groups to make any impact on the south during the last few months have been Richmond Hill. ThisBelfast five-piece have been making regular trips to Dublin and have already built up a sizable following. The group who have been very successful in the north are due in Dublin again shortly for dates at Sgt. Pepper's and Zero's. Watch them.

Pat Egan

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 2nd August 1973

01 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee  

02 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine 

03 - I'm Leader Of The Gang - Gary Glitter 

04 - Live On Mars - David Bowie  

05 - And I Love You So - Perry Como 

06 - Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me - Slade  

07 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels

09 - Alright, Alright, Alright - Mungo Jerry

10 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley  

11 - Going Home - The Osmonds 

12 - Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Paul Simon  

13 - Saturday Night Is Alright For Fighting - Elton John  

14 - Devil Among The Tailors - Mushroom  

15 - Teddy Bear Song - Mary Lou & Harvest   

16 - Dingle Bay Boat Song - American Pie  

17 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC 

18 - Suffer Little Children - Cork Children's Choir  

19 - Randy - Blue Mink 

Here we are again - Spotlight day! Hope you enjoy reading about what was happening in the rock world in Ireland in June 1973! I must dig out my copy of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" from Thin Lizzy because I never knew that Joan Armatrading played on it.

Joan, Kofi & Kid on new Lizzy tracks

Joan Armatrading, the West Indian singer/pianist who's on the verge of a major breakthrough in England, has been recording with Thin Lizzy this week. Joan will play piano on a couple of tracks. Also on the session were Kofi Ayivor from Osibisa who plays congas on "Hero and the Madman", which also features Kid Jensen reading the lines of the song. Lizzy may be using a string quartet on the album on at least two tracks.

"Whiskey in the Jar"has gone up to No. 8 in Germany and has been in the charts for over four months. Lizzy will tour Germany in September.

Johnathan Kelly, one of the biggest Irish names on the British scene, plus a host of other rock bands will give a free concert in the Phoenix Park next Sunday. Kelly, close to a major breakthrough in Britain, tops the bill on a show that will kicks off at midday. Dr. Strangly Strange, Angel, Sherriff and possibly Terry and Gay Woods will also be on show.

Zebadee, the band formed by the breakaway half of Demon Duck, have have a new lead singer making the band a five-piece. The new singer Pat Silke has already started gigging with the band and reaction has been great. The group are now doing 70% originals and hope to go into the studios shortly to lay down some tracks.

At last the date 20th July has been set for the long awaited release of the Gary Moore album. The album will not after all be a double but a single one. Released through CBS the album features Frank Boylan - bass, Philip Donnolly - guitar, Pearse Kelly - drums and Gary Moore lead guitar. The band recently underwent serious changes in line up and now only Pearse Kelly remains with Moore.

Reno Smith former drummer with Truth (the group that featured two ex-Them men) has now joined Chips as replacement for Robin Lavery. The last time Reno Smith played Dublin was when Truth supported Donovan at his RDS concert two years ago.

I caught Sherriff at Gonzo's last Tuesday and was as surprised as everyone else at their fine showing. Pat Ward's experience as lead singer with a half a dozen lesser bands stands him well and it's a mystery why he hasn't made an impact before now. He has a roaring bluesy voice full of earthy tension and with a good original exciting band behind him Sherriff look all set to take over.

Rotgut from Belfast were at St. Peppers on Friday. Nothing exceptional but a nice feel for their music is about the best way to describe what they had to offer. As with Richmond Hill, another Belfast band I heard recently, their numbers were very dated - all from around the last sixties. Not much hope for them going across the water with dated stuff...

Four-boys-one-girl band Taboo (I think nobody seemed to know their name) were at Zero's last Saturday. Again nothing exceptional to offer but went down well with the dancers. The girl had an appealing voice and the band were strong behind her. I can't see them breaking big with what they're offering at the moment...

Concert

If ever there was a perfect concert, or as near as that's possible, it was the Steeleye Span concert at my local cinema the State last week. After helping to promote the gig in this column over the last month I still had to pay my two quid at the door but I wouldn't have missed it for twenty pounds. Even the support acts turned in bill-topping performances. Singer-guitarist Martin Warren showed some fine moments of originality during his too short set. I still stand by what I said before about there being too many songwriter/singers jumping on the bandwagon. Unless you're in the Cat Stevens-Roy Harper-Harvey Andrews class you're wasting your time. On this showing Martin Warren had a lot to offer. I look forward to hearing him again: but Martin...no more gigs please like the one I saw at Liberty Hall with Bees Make Honey. If it wasn't for the brilliance of Steeleye this would have been Spud's show. They really put themselves on the map with Dublin rock fans. For a band who have only been on the road a couple of months they were superb from the word go. Spud, unlike some of the other traditional rock bands, have a tremendously distinctive sound which is most striking and completely unlike anything I have heard before. It's only a matter of until they are billtopping in their own right alongside Planxty and Horslips.

Live

Steeleye Span are simply remarkable - one of the most exciting original live acts anyone could ever wish to see. The group is built around Maddy Prior, the immensely likable and extremely pretty person who's tremendously distinctive voice is mind-blowing. Without Maddy, Steeleye just wouldn't be in the same class despite the rare creative talent of Tim Hart. The group's whole act is most imaginative and quite extraordinary. I can't remember the last time I came out of a concert feeling so emotionally touched by a group and so happy to be alive. Folk rock, soft rock, or whatever you call it, Steeleye music is beautiful.

Comment

Don't give up hope yet. Van Morrison hasn't said No Irish dates...surely Sean McGlynn of Odeon should know what acts are good for concerts without asking the audience to tell him...British musical press hinting at a split in Wings. Will Henry McCullagh be leaving?...Chips' drummer Robin Lavery very upset about being dropped from the group...is there unrest within the Horslips camp?...is it true Noel Bridgeman didn't want Eamonn Gibney in the new Skid Row...new Van Morrison single in the States called "Warm Love"...Spud playing rock club dates shortly...are Mushroom playing the right venues...Sleepy Hollow in Dublin this weekend and not last (my error)...Loudest Whisper will be back in action at the end of July.

Pat Egan   

Ireland's Top 20 Chart on the 28th June 1973

01 - Rubber Bullets - 10CC

02 - Daisy A Day - Danny Doyle

03 - And I Love You So - Perry Como

04 - Where The Three Counties Meet - Brendan Shine

05 - You're The One I Can't Live Without - Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley

06 - Can The Can - Suzi Quatro

07 - Funny Face - Roly Daniels

08 - Albatross - Fleetwood Mac

09 - See My Baby Jive - Wizzard

10 - Give Me Love - George Harrison

11 - The Groover - T. Rex

12 - Welcome Home - Peters & Lee

13 - Snoopy Versus The Red Baron - Hot Shots

14 - One & One Is One - Medicine Head

15 - Super Single - Gloria & Johnny McEvoy

16 - Randolph's Tango

17 - Tie A Yellow Ribbon - Dawn

18 - Dearg Doom - Horslips

19 - Stuck In The Middle With You - Steelers Wheel