Jordan returns to the west

Iris makes a mark in Headford

Country roads
Michael Commins

CAMPBELL’S lounge in Cloughanover, Headford, was the venue for a recent concert show by American country folk singer, Iris Dement. A capacity crowd gave the acclaimed singer a warm and appreciative welcome.
She delivered a pleasant and reflective set, much of it anchored in her family gospel roots. Her dad is a preacher man. Songs like Shores of Jordan and Fifty Miles of Elbow Room (which she didn’t include on this occasion) are synonymous with her style of singing and songwriting, especially to Irish audiences.
She was joined on stage for two numbers by her husband Greg Browne (who performed his own show at the same venue the following night) and by famous American songwriter, John Prine, who was given a big welcome.
One of John’s most popular compositions is ‘Paradise’, also known as ‘Muellenburg County’, a great environmental song which expresses the tragedy of big exploring companies destroying the natural and pristine environment. The song contains the crunch line … “and they put it all down to the progress of man.”
It was nice to meet up with Galway singer and musician, Don Stiff, who now resides in the area. Don is the writer of ‘Someone Special’, the song that is proving very popular for Matt Keane right now. I know Micheal Murphy form Ballyhaunis (and formerly Ballinrobe), Tommy Heveran (Tourmakeady) and JJ Costello (Carramore), as well as Paddy and Kathleen Sullivan from Ower, enjoyed their visit to the Iris Dement concert.
My special thanks to Sandy and Sharon Joyce and Willie Campbell for their warm welcome hospitality and I understand they will have some other major attractions heading their way over the coming months.

Jordan and friends return to the west

ONE hit song is still the best way to make the breakthrough in the music business. Sometimes, it can be an unexpected ‘sleeper’, a track on an album that gets a few airplays and takes on a life of its own.
Such is the case with Manchester-based Pat Jordan (pictured) who fronts Finian’s Rainbow. A number called ‘You’re A Phone Call That I Need To Make’ was on his last album. I started playing it on the late shows on Mid-West Radio and it has become one of the most requested numbers during the past year.
Some months ago, Pat, who hails from Wicklow, played his first ever date in the west of Ireland in Bourke’s of Irishtown. So delighted was Pat with his debut here that he decided there and then to do further shows later in the summer.
This coming weekend sees Pat back in Mayo for two dates, starting off in Digger Jay’s in Ayle on Friday night with a return show in Bourke’s of Irishtown on Saturday night. He will once again be joined by Mickey Brennan and The Ranchers who are also based in Manchester. Mickey is the guy who sings in the Big Tom style and does an entire repertoire of Big Tom songs every night.
Also on the bill on both nights will be our own Kevin Prendergast, fresh from his party night in Irishtown on Friday, as well as Karen O’Brien, a talented young singer from Manchester.
Says Pat: “We had a great night in Irishtown a few months back and people were on to me to do another show there again. So we are going over to Ireland for a few dates and will do the two shows in Mayo at the weekend. I’m also delighted that Kevin Prendergast will be our guest again. Kevin lived here in Manchester for years so we go back a long way.”
Dancing gets under way at 10.30pm on both nights and patrons are assured of two very enjoyable shows.