The Henry Girls, De Barras 12.2.15

Another fabulous night out at De Barras in Clonakilty last Thursday for these lovely Donegal ladies - The Henry Girls, fabulously talented musicians singing in beautiful harmony.

Karen, Lorna and Joleen performing an Andrews Sisters number

An impromptu performance with some of the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra

Thanks for a lovely evening of music and chat afterwards. All best wishes for your upcoming tour of The States.

The Villagers, De Barras 5.2.15

So delighted to get along to another gig at DeBarras - it has been a while! This time it was The Villagers - or to be precise Villager, as he, Conor O'Brien, was on his own here, leaving the other four band members at home. Instead, he teamed up with two different musicians, one on drums and trumpet, the other on harp and fiddle. On initial thinking, that particular combo might seem unusual but in fact, this first-time-performing-together group produced a beautiful amalgamation of sound, ahead of the release of the new album 'Darling Arithmatic'

 

I have to admit, it is the first time I have seen the Villagers, although it is not the first time I have been to a gig, or done a shoot in De Barras but I was there just to listen this time, so I was in off-duty mode with my camera. As can be expected, it is a bit tight shooting in this snug, unique and award nominated venue. However, I was putting my new 'off-duty' camera through its paces, seeing how it would cope with low light levels, and I have to say I am pretty impressed with the results from the Olympus OMD E-M10.

Villager? Yep, I was impressed there too and look forward to getting a copy of the new album when it is released on the 10th April.

...and back to De Barras next week for The Henry Girls...

We met in De Barras...

...I didn't know his name then, but I first met Sean back in the Spring of 2012. I also didn't know then how Sean was to play an important role in my family happenings. Sean had separately captured the attention of both myself and my youngest when we met him. He had a character, a warmth and was unforgettable. We discovered that Sean and Anja were inseparable and still, we wanted him.

So what was this desire all about?

It was actually all to do with a harp.

Yes, Sean is a harp. A harp which has travelled thousands of miles but that is another amazing story, and it is the fingers of Anja Bakker which draw out the character and warmth from Sean's strings which both me and my youngest had heard and remembered.

When our daughter had announced back last year, that she wanted a harp to be played at her wedding, it was surely fate that led us to recall hearing the same harp being played in De Barras in Clonakilty. Having done a shoot at the trad night early last year, I remembered taking a picture of a musician with a harp. Our daughter had visited De Barras later in the year and also remembered a harp being played. When I showed her the picture, a huge smile came across her face, and I knew what had to be done.

So, I set to and contacted 'your man in the corner' Denis to ask if the harpist might be up for playing at a wedding in England. Needless to say, we were delighted to find out that Anja would be happy to oblige and there began the planning.

The first major obstacle would be to find out if the regular 'low fares airline' would transport a harp. (Sean is an old hand at travelling so I had no worries about his transportability) Simply by purchasing a second ticket in the name of

'Ms Extra Item Seat', Sean would be able to have a holdless journey, and that is exactly what he did.

And so, as some of you might already know, the wedding took place back in April with Anja and Sean both playing a special part in the special day. All I can say is that they were amazing and captured the attention of a whole new crowd of admirers.

Thank you so much Anja and Sean.

Now, back last Monday night, me and himself were once again squeezed into the gloomy, snug bar of De Barras for an evening with the trad night regulars, Denis, Tommy, Gerry, Cathal and of course Anja.

As I have mentioned before, lighting for photography in De Barras is exceedingly tricky (flash-free), even with a fast lens but I love the soft grainy quality of the high ISO images.

I thought I would spend the evening listening to the regulars, enjoying some of the old favourites. Monday night was the request night for the 'Mermaid Song' ...if you want to know what it is about, you will have to go and hear Cornelius perform it for yourself!

Meanwhile, I thought I would just take a few photographs and listen to the guest musicians perform their own special little numbers. Let's just say, some of the verses brought a smile and a chuckle. However, Monday was also a bit different as I had the 'fan club' with me in the form of himself who insisted on a repeat performance of the only suitable song I currently have in my repertoire. (He had not been there on the night I performed the premiere!) Yes, I had to put my camera down and 'do my turn' with Spancil Hill. Gulp! Apart from that premiere, I hadn't sung in public for over twenty years, and I was pleased that I didn't appear to clear the bar!! So, with two performances under my belt, I now have to learn a new song... and himself has been told he has to learn one too. This could be interesting for he who can't sing.

Still, it is all in the spirit of the evening, and it can be the participation and little touches that can make the impression.

So, there you are. Perhaps you feel you have met the Monday night face of De Barras now, one of several in which this snug yet happening West Cork venue excels.

Bell X1, De Barras. 4.11.12

OK, so we already have tickets for Bell X1 at Bush Hall in January, so why fly all the way to Ireland to see them again?

"It's a very special place" said Paul Noonan, as he stood on the friendly little stage of this Irish bar.

I would have to agree, and Bell X1 are certainly a special enough band worth travelling to see, in this very special place.

De Barras in Clonakilty is a unique, intimate music venue, and although sporting the word 'folk' in its title, it actually embraces a far broader cross-section of the music world than you might imagine. When we are around in West Cork, we make a point of trying to get to one of, any variety of gigs at De Barras, and for you regular blog-readers out there, you will already know that I have done a couple of shoots before in their cosy, well worn bar on a Monday night as part of my photo-documentary series on West Cork life.

Last Sunday night was a little different however, as tucked away beyond the bar where the trad-sessions are held, is a secret gem of venue. Unlike some of the scruffy, stinking, beer-stained venues that might be found in London, this is an unusual jumble of linked 'rooms' with lovely mis-matched seating and even more eclectic decor. Some spots in the venue provide a clear view of the under-stairs stage, whilst others provide an opportunity to hear, rather than see.

Due to our late arrival, it was a seat in the 'hear' area of the venue that we wound up with when Bell X1 last visited De Barras in November 2010. This time though, we were determined to arrive early enough at the 'doors' so as to pick our spot in this (unusually) all-seated venue.

Snug does not fully describe the seating arrangement but let's just say that the stage was within touching distance this time. Primarily though, I was there to enjoy the acoustic set which Bell X1 were to play. However, this static location would provide a challenge for trying to capture a few shots with my little G12, just for the record (as we all like to).

The audience were quietly attentive as the band opened but all too soon, were joining in with their own favourites.
I'll See Your Heart and I'll Raise You Mine had a special connection with De Barras as it was the recording which was made at the gig two years ago, that features on their current live acoustic album Field Recordings

(We were also all made privy to a fact about another De Barras track on the album but, shhh!!!)

By the second half, everyone was well under Bell X1s spell - how can you fail not to with Paul Noonans smooth voice and songs like Eve, The Apple of My Eye?

As two years ago, we were also treated to some new songs, which, often in Belly style, pick up on current issues.
1000 Lickle Downers made reference to the unpopular Property Tax recently levied on Irish home owners.



All warmed up nicely from the second half, everyone was just ready for a third...

...but all good things have to come to an end. (Happily though, we can enjoy them all over again in January!)

And, on another note guys, one day you might just return to Cambridge? (Please?)

Thanks for a brilliant evening in Clon - as always!

(Such lovely, normal yet talented guys. Check out their music if you haven't already.)

Monday Night in Clon is...

...trad night in DeBarras.

As I couldn't get along to say hi to all the guys tonight, here are a few shots I took at one of the sessions I went along to in Clonakilty, a few weeks back.

A Unique West Cork Music Venue

There is only one way to experience the music in De Barras of Clonakilty, (I posted about the music previously) and that is to be there. However, for those of you who haven't yet ventured over the Irish Sea to West Cork, I'm posting this set of images so that you might just get a flavour of this unique music venue.

It was once said by Christy Moore
"There’s Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert, Sydney Opera House and then there’s De Barra's,"

Many famous names have ventured through the doors along with Christy Moore, including (in the past) Noel Redding and (more recently) my favourites, Bell X1.

So I'm inviting you to soak up a little of the atmosphere here, just enough to whet your appetite, and then for you to make the journey there for yourself.

Enjoy!

This follows on from the previous post