MUSIC 13’s lucky for Hayride

13’s lucky for Hayride

Henry McGlade

Joe Fury and The Hayride, renowned for their distinct roots-a-billy sound, have just released a new album, ‘13 Hours’. The tunes, vocals and instruments for all eleven songs were all recorded live in just, you guessed it, 13 hours.  
Influenced by genres of rockabilly, old-timey country, hillbilly boogie, rhythm ‘n’ blues and ballads, Joe Fury and The Hayride are famed for their high-energy live performances. Hailing from the Mayo/Galway border region, they have performed on some of Ireland’s premier stages, including the Kilkenny Roots Festival, the Monaghan Blues Festival, the Limavady and Dunfanaghy Jazz and Blues Festivals, Electric Picnic, the Cork Jazz Festival and the prestigious international Rockabilly Rave in the UK. They’ve also appeared as guests of Imelda May and Big Sandy.
The tracks on ‘13 hours’ include the powerful opener ‘No Way of Knowing’, the Bo Diddleyesque ‘Can’t Beat Me’, the raw and heartfelt ‘Oh Judge’ and stark country break-up ballad ‘Alone to Pine’.
The album is made up of self-penned tunes, with the exception of ‘All I Can Do Is Cry’, a swampy take on the mid-1950s classic rockabilly tune; Link Wray’s powerful and timeless instrumental ‘I’m Branded’; and ‘Down In The Willow Garden’, a solo by Joe in dedication to the late Phil Everly.
Joe Fury and The Hayride is comprised of Joe Fury (vocals, acoustic guitar), Eddie Walsh (electric guitar, vocals), Brian James Marshall (doghouse bass, vocals) and Darren McDonald (drums) and David Clancy (steel guitar). Their new album is produced by Joe and Eddie and was recorded by Leo Pearson at the Barn Studios, Kilkenny. Joe, Eddie and Leo did the mix, and it was mastered by Gar Duffy at Sonic Studios, Dublin.