The ultra-cool culchieOne hates to start an article with something approximating a cliche, but Jack Lukeman (aka Jack L) has the voice of a dark, avenging…Sat May 22 1999 - 01:00
Eleanor McEvoyWhile Eleanor McEvoy has successfully transformed herself from folk singer ingenue to accomplished AOR songstress, it seems that…Tue May 18 1999 - 01:00
Down so long, it looks like upIf there is a word that describes The 4 Of Us, from Newry, it's resourcefulSat May 15 1999 - 01:00
PopularHe might be currently languishing in the commercial doldrums, but Lloyd Cole's critical credibility shows no signs of diminishing…Sat May 15 1999 - 01:00
CountryIn the early 1990s, Steve Earle faded from view, his left-wing politics too much for Nashville and his intake of stimulants dragging…Sat May 15 1999 - 01:00
ZrazyThey've been around the block once or thrice, but Zrazy are still hanging in there, gently spouting their message of "let there…Mon May 10 1999 - 01:00
WorldIt's quite likely most Western ears became familiar with the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo (right) through…Sat May 01 1999 - 01:00
RootsThe second year of the Kilkenny Country Roots Weekend, which kicks off on Friday, is a textbook example of how to get events …Sat Apr 24 1999 - 01:00
JazzChick Corea has been charged with inconsistency throughout his three decades-plus career, but his status as one of the leading…Sat Apr 17 1999 - 01:00
CountryWhen they arrived on the jaded music scene in the early 1980s, US band Jason and The Scorchers were looked upon as a dissonant…Sat Apr 17 1999 - 01:00
The StylisticsFor Seventies' suede-heads and soul boys, The Stylistics were one of the best falsetto-led vocal groups, ranking with the likes…Thu Apr 15 1999 - 01:00
The wonder of VondaHow's this for popular post-modern irony? One of the best music industry success stories of the past 12 months has been that …Sat Mar 20 1999 - 00:00
Sack, The Walls, The MarblesWhat was purportedly a party gig for Tower Records turned into a laissez faire affairThu Mar 18 1999 - 00:00
Gillian WelchFrom the top of her head to the tips of her sensible shoes, there is something very reassuring about Gillian WelchTue Feb 16 1999 - 00:00
On the road to oblivionAs early as the author's by-line, you can tell this is going to be a chummy read, and indeed Ian "Mac" McLagan doesn't disappoint…Tue Feb 09 1999 - 00:00
Back for goodIt's long way from being a fresh-faced pop star in a boy band to a fully-fledged, through-the-mill pop star in one's own right…Sat Jan 30 1999 - 00:00
Singer with a social messageEntering to a heroine's welcome, Tracy Chapman's self-effacement was all the more apt in the circumstancesMon Dec 07 1998 - 00:00
Singer with a worthy social messageEntering to a heroine's welcome, Tracy Chapman's self-effacement was all the more apt in the circumstancesSat Dec 05 1998 - 00:00
Des'reeDES'REE sure knows how to set the atmosphere - red candles positioned around the stage set the hymnal mood, while strategically…Tue Dec 01 1998 - 00:00
Eagle-Eye CherryThe offspring of famous fathers are 10 a penny these days, which is probably why when they are good it's more of a surprise than…Wed Nov 25 1998 - 00:00
Asian Dub FoundationIt's 20 years or so from the heady, politicised days of Rock Against Racism, but it seems that multi-racial, London-based Asian…Fri Nov 20 1998 - 00:00
`This man tells the truth'To all and intents and purposes, Billy Bragg is not the most suitable candidate for a typical rock music biographyWed Sept 30 1998 - 01:00
Paula FrazerIt's difficult to believe that someone as good as Paula Frazer could attract no more than 30 people to see her play a rare solo…Tue Sept 29 1998 - 01:00
The nightmare band finds its redemptionStranger things have happened: in a venue which has all the charm of a huge cattle shed, The Mavericks transported the audience…Tue Sept 22 1998 - 01:00
Tom RobinsonPloughing the social issue and sexual politics furrows for over 20 years now, Tom Robinson may not be the cutting edge artist…Tue Sept 01 1998 - 01:00
Ringo Starr & His All Starr BandYou want cheese? You got it. This wasn't gorgonzola, but Gorgonzilla: the BIG cheese.Fri Aug 21 1998 - 01:00
Paul YoungEpitomising the mid-80s approach to pop music (high-gloss production technique, reasonably classy material, smooth vocals and…Mon Aug 10 1998 - 01:00
Mesmeric moments of African magicIn theory, listening to three American acoustic blues guitarists, each with their own individual style and presence, should be…Mon Jul 27 1998 - 01:00
Growing Dublin festival paints the town blueBlues fans came in search of paradise and found it in DublinMon Jul 27 1998 - 01:00
Sinead LohanIt's possible there was no irony intended, but as Pink Floyd's Money faded away, on walked the latest-hyped (and hopeful) Irish…Tue Jul 21 1998 - 01:00
No slaking thirst for the bluesYou'd think Irish audiences would be weary of blues music by nowSat Jul 18 1998 - 01:00
Galway enjoys its Big Day OutIt's not an easy task to please all of the people all of the time, but the eclectic and crowd-friendly bill of The Big Day Out…Mon Jul 13 1998 - 01:00
Rocking start to Galway's festival fortnightThere's no undermining the spirit of the damp, tipsy breed of Irish people who made up the audience at Galway's Big Day OutMon Jul 13 1998 - 01:00
Man with a missionIt's taken quite a while for George "Buddy" Guy to become a star in his own rightFri Jul 03 1998 - 01:00
Wave of hits from Elton and BillyLet's get straight to the point - you'd have to be a person with absolutely no appreciation of the significance of the popular…Sat May 30 1998 - 01:00
It's music that still shimmersIt seems as if Eric Bibb brings the sunshine with him each time he arrives in IrelandMon May 18 1998 - 01:00
Kula ShakerThe second major gig of the Heineken Green Energy Weekend had all the trappings of a damp squib at a firework display: expectations…Tue May 05 1998 - 01:00
Talking today's countryAnother bank holiday weekend, another shindig in a festival townSat Apr 25 1998 - 01:00
Easy listening of the highest orderIf you're a singer/songwriter on stage with just an acoustic guitar for company, there are essentially two methods of capturing…Tue Apr 21 1998 - 01:00
The Great Western SquaresWhile an all-seated venue initially seemed to make no sense, as the evening wore on you could see the value of just sitting down…Tue Apr 21 1998 - 01:00
Harking back to glory daysTime was when Mike Scott grasped the nettle and came through the undergrowth gloriously triumphantWed Dec 17 1997 - 00:00
Songs of society's concernsGrowing old gracefully doesn't appear to be a problem for Joan BaezSat Dec 06 1997 - 00:00
JewelFrom the very beginning of last night's often excellent gig at the Olympia Jewel Kilcher sealed her worth as a singer/songwriter…Wed Nov 12 1997 - 00:00
Maddy PriorShe's been around the maypole more than twice, but still Maddy Prior manages to sound as natural and rustic as swishing autumn…Thu Oct 30 1997 - 00:00
Music from under groundIn 1966 Bob Dylan was involved in a serious motorcycle accident and this led to an extended period of withdrawal - he did not…Wed Oct 01 1997 - 01:00
SupertrampIt's been a long strange trip for the 'Tramp (as aficionados fondly refer to them)Tue Sept 30 1997 - 01:00
Christy Moore, James McNally, Eleanor ShanleyThe third evening of Gael Force offered up a variety of "Celtic" goods ranging from the insufferably twee (Eleanor Shanley) and…Thu Sept 11 1997 - 01:00
SupertrampIt's been a long strange trip for the 'Tramp (as aficionados fondly refer to them)Sat Sept 06 1997 - 01:00
