Diarmuid Comerford, Bailer, The Resistance, Jimi Cullen and Johnny B make up one of the biggest (in numbers) bills for the One Take Sessions this coming Thursday night in Cleere’s Theatre as the series continues for its second outing of 2009.
“This is one of our biggest nights in terms of numbers of artists since we’ve started”, says one of the organisers, Ken McGuire. “The demand for slots at the ‘Sessions for the first half of the year has been incredible, and while it will be a busy night this Thursday, we’re delighted to welcome back a mix of familiar faces and new faces to the venue.”
Diarmuid Comerford hails from Wexford and is no stranger to the One Take Sessions series having performed during 2008 and 2007. Diarmuid Comerford spent the year that was 2007 touring around Ireland’s acoustic nights as well as a short London tour accompanied by the drumming brilliance that is Conor Stafford. The electric guitars have been dusted off a bass player in the form of Cupid was added to the lineup last year. This week’s performance will be Comerford’s third in as many years, with videos of his previous nights available on Kilkenny Music TV.
Fronted by Catriona McGuinness, Bailer was formed in 2001 and the band has performed at leading venues and festivals all over Ireland including The Point Theatre and Vicar Street. Regular supports with some of Ireland’s most popular acts like Aslan and The Hothouse Flowers have provided tremendous exposure.
Following a few EP releases, the band bring with them debut album Running, recorded in Dublin and released last July. Produced by Bobby Bought and mastered by industry legend Bob Katz, the album echoes all the melody and vitality of the band’s acoustic-driven live material while adding a brass section with some featuring some of the country’s finest jazz and classical musicians. While there might not be a brass section in Cleere’s this week, you can be assured of top-drawer performance from this four-piece making a welcome return to Kilkenny.
‘Running’ is the debut album from Irish band Bailer. Recorded in Dublin over the course of a year it features all the melody and vitality of Bailer’s acoustic driven live material, with the added excitement of a brass section featuring some of Ireland’s finest jazz and classical musicians. The album was produced by Bobby Boughton and mastered by US industry legend Bob Katz.
Dublin quintet The Resistance make their One Take Sessions debut this week. There are few bands out there that write intelligent music. There are few bands that come up with perfect harmony lines that capture your attention immediately. But when the right ingredients come to play and a right meeting of minds, there are no boundaries. This band began with a meeting of minds -“Rob and Dave” wrote all these well thought and crafted songs at home. Next came the additional musicians to give it new dimensions. Thus making up The Resistance. With a number of accolades already on their belt (Pick of the Week on Phantom FM, Pick of the Fortnight in Hotpress Magazine and numerous radio support Nationwide) the band have just completed their debut album, Bag of Bones.
A troubadour. The junkyard poet. Some of the names associated with Gorey’s Jimi Cullen who returns to the One Take Sessions for his fifth show over the past three years. Jimi has established himself as a ‘Sessions crowd favourite, his political meanderings through song often leaving the crowd in stitches. If you want to go on a journey from protest songs through love songs to those that squeeze every drop of emotion out of you, then Jimi Cullen is the man for you. You will laugh and nod with understanding when he sings of hangovers and you’ll cry when he reminds you of how many of us walk by homeless people on the street. Cullen can also be counted amongst the hardest working performers on the singer-songwriter circuit with over 500 shows to his credit in recent years.
Finally, from Cahir, Co. Tipperary, comes Johnny B with debut album Wrestle With The Devil. Fresh from an appearance in Brazil’s in Clonmel on Wednesday, Johnny is the third act this week making a ‘Sessions debut. The album, released at the start of the year sees all proceeds from sales go to the Chernobyl Childrens Projects.
For more details on each of the acts, plus music and video, visit KilkennyMusic.com or OneTakeSessions.com. The second One Take Sessions night of 2009 kicks off at 9:30pm this Thursday night in the intimate surrounds of the back room in Cleere’s on Parliament Street. First act takes to the stage with each act performing a twenty-minute set. With five acts on the bill and a running order decided on the night, those interested in attending this week’s free gig are urged to get down early to grab a seat.
Highlights of the last One Take Sessions in March, including performances from Bill Coleman, are available now on both KilkennyMusic.com and leading Irish online music video site, Muzu.tv. Photo coverage by Kilkenny Music’s Ross Costigan are also available on the site.