 | | Reviews | | |  CHRISTY MOORE
Live At Vicar Street
Sony/Columbia 508635.2
One of the benefits of the seasonal lull in album releases is the chance to catch up with a couple that somehow got stuck in the review pile. Here's one that shouldn't slip by, marking as it does Christy Moore's return to gigging after a long bout of virtual retirement. Back in great form, rejuvenated and clearly relishing his collaborations with buddies Donal Lunny and Declan Sinnott, Moore romps through a setlist of favourites recorded at the back end of 2001 at Dublin's celebrated Vicar Street venue and The Savoy in Cork.
You only have to hear the insouciant notes of opener Continental Céilidh to know the man's as good as new, and full evidence follows: Wally Page's Biko Drum, Dave Goulder's January Man, Bobby Sands' McIllhattan, Ewan McColl's First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Shane McGowan's A Pair of Brown Eyes … moving story-songs all, taxing Moore's wide stylistic range not one whit. An epic version of his own mad, namechecking, festival-celebrating Lisdoonvarna evokes uproarious approval from the crowd and the craic flows like creamy stout. Jimmy McCarthy's Ride On wrings the heart (full audience participation again); John Spillane's Johnny Don't Go is a corker with its pulsing, driving guitars, compulsive percussion and layered harmonies.
Lunny and Sinnott's input is considerable, the three sounding engaged and empathic and clearly having a ball. "For a while there it seemed like it was gone," says Christy in his sleeve notes. It's patently still there and thank the gods for that.
Mel McClellan - January 2003
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This man is pure class,also his box set of 6 cd's is great,forget your 3 minute songs,one hit wonders ,have a guinness,and sit down.and enjoy it.Wat moore do you want.Date 24-3-2005.All the best.
Frits Limburg, The Netherlands
this album takes you on an emotional journey through christy's life from upbeat happy christy till uyou can feel his pain in singing more somber songs aqbout irish history and his life
kevin, belfast | | | | | | |  |
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Folk & Acoustic
