Blog
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 seen them listed in the entertainment section of our county newspaper The Anglo-Celt. In fact it came as such a surprise we decided...
Traces Of The Future – co-producing a documentary
It's funny how one thing often leads to another, in this case how visiting a photo exhibition led to me co-producing a documentary. Herman van Doorn is a well-known Dutch photographer and a couple of years ago I was invited to a photo exhibition of his work in...
Spaziomusica Music Club in Italy
Shortly after Bruno passed away, Daniela contacted me to say she was putting a book together about him. She asked me if I'd mind writing something for it. I was honoured to be asked. Below you can read what I wrote for it. There is a link at the bottom of the blog...
The Music Man – RIP, John
Not long after I'd learned my first few songs on the guitar I was asked to help out with a local variety show, a sort of talent competition. It didn't take too long to realise I was out of my depth, so they decided to incorporate the talents of another local musician,...
Happy New Year – Courage (guide word)
It's one of those words, isn't it. It can mean a lot of different things at different times to different people. Everybody wants to be thought of as courageous. It's a characteristic that makes us worthy of respect. It's a quality that we also respond to positively...
Dave Berry – This Strange Effect
I was at an art exhibition recently and the artist was introducing me to some people. She said - and this is Dave. She must have sensed my hesitation because she followed up with - it is Dave, right? I said - well, actually it's Barry but if Dave works better for you...
Adam & Eve – featuring Anna Litvinenko (cello)
During the original recording of this song, at one point someone said – you know what would be nice on this track, a cello. Everyone agreed that indeed it would sound nice on it but as no one knew a cellist that idea went as quickly as it came. By coincidence I was in...
Live in Europe – Rory Gallagher
Released on 14th May 1972, so 50 years ago today! I bought it with money from my first summer job. We didn't have a record shop in our town so I had to hitch-hike 12 miles to Kells, the nearest town with a record shop. I must have done some persuading to get my mother...
Reverb Units
My first one was a WEM Watkins Copycat. I'd been waiting ages to get one (at a price I could afford back then). Imagine my excitement when I did manage to track one down. I couldn't wait to try it out. Shortly after buying it, we had a gig and I proudly set it up...
Peter Green – Born On This Day
Peter Green - born on this day back in 1946. He's right up there with Rory as one of my favourite guitarists. This upload has the vinyl crackles and all, which is the way I listened to it (over and over). I found it on a Decca Records album called " The World of Blues...