Blog
Back from Venice
As the heading says, I just got back from another very enjoyable trip to Venice. I'm really getting to like that city! We were back to show the documentary about Herman - the photographer who is archiving the old arts and crafts before they die out completely. Many of...
Johnny Fean – gone but certainly not forgotten!
It's hard to imagine it's a year ago today since Johnny passed. I have many fond memories of him but one that stands out is teaming up with him when I was working on the "Beyond The Tears" album. All the basic backing tracks had been recorded, and some overdubs as...
Next Year
I came across a song recently called "Next Year" by Donovan Woods and the lyrics really hit me like a ton of bricks. Donovan is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Typically, it's something we all say on a regular basis... I'll do that next year, or I'll go see so-and-so...
Songs (and how they trigger memories)
It's funny how songs can instantly trigger memories, be they good or bad, happy or sad. Happily the story I'm about to tell you is a funny one. It's from the time when we were playing bars and small clubs all over the mainland of Europe. On this particular day, in...
More short stories in Ireland’s Own
Ireland's Own is Ireland's longest running and best selling magazine. As you can see from the date on the attached photo, it's first edition was back in 1902. That's a long time ago so they must be doing something right. I've been lucky enough to have had several...
Traces Of The Future – an update
You may remember I wrote about this documentary back in April... about how it came into being and all that followed. Well, I thought it might be nice to report on the progress since. It has been well received around the world. Just this last weekend, it was featured...
Chris Smithers’ version of Desolation Row
Every now and then you come across something on YouTube that hits you right between the eyes. While browsing this week I came across Chris Smither's cover version of the Bob Dylan song, Desolation Row. It's on his Train Home CD, which was released back in 2003. I fell...
Playing with Snowy White
Actually, my first encounter with Snowy was in Germany. We were both booked to play the same club on the same night. We were the opening act. I was perfectly happy with that arrangement. Shows start early in Germany. They're always run well and on time, and if you...
The Italian Job
While going through some old e-mails recently, I came across the following. It's a review of the "Beyond The Tears" album and a gig in Milano with Mick Taylor. You know, after the show in Milano I put "Beyond The Tears" on and I drove all the way back home. Ever since...
Johnny Fean – RIP
Back in the early seventies, Horslips was suddenly the name on everyone's lips. So imagine the surprise when my brothers and I suddenly saw them listed in the entertainment section of our county newspaper The Anglo-Celt. In fact it came as such a surprise we decided...