The Glór Sessions goes Nationwide on RTE1

This is super news from host and poet Stephen James Smith;


The Glór Sessions will be part of the RTÉ Radio 1 Arts Show ARENA this week! see the link for info: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/arena/

We will be broadcasting live from The International for some of the show so please get there early, for 7! I know I know, it is early but that is the time the show goes out at, and I want to give them some of the great atmosphere we create crackling out over the airwaves! so please get your ass down and support and be heard on air, the line up is well worth it alone!

Poets:
Kalle Ryan
Colm Keegan
Brian Conaghan

Musicians:
Fiach
Enda Reilly
Aidan Murphy

PLUS MORE SPECIAL GUEST TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Arena goes on air Monday - Friday at 7.30 pm GMT and is presented by Sean Rocks [not his real name surely?]!

Anyway expect some of the following on Monday Night;

Top 10 Irish Albums of the Decade

I seen the following over on Jim's blog;


"We at AU Magazine are in the process of putting together a poll of the Top Irish Albums of the Decade for our December/January issue.

We’d love OTR readers (and Irish Times staff!) to contribute - just compile a list of UP TO 20 albums released since January 2000 by artists from anywhere in Ireland, and email it to me - chris[at]iheartau.com

The deadline for entries is THIS MONDAY, November 23. Any queries about eligibility, please email me.

The results will be out towards the end of the first week in December"


Soooooo on impulse mainly here's my top 10:

Damien Rice - O





The Frames - For The Birds





Pony Club - Home Truths





Nick Kelly - Running Dog

No video found!

Bill Coleman - I'll Tear Down My Own Walls





Alphastates - Made in Sand





Brian Canavan - I'm An Electron, You're An Electron





Lisa O'Neill - Has An Album





Damien Rice - 9





Shaz Oye - Truth According to Shay Oye

Friday's Forgotton Favourites - Junkster

Way back in '97 and '98 there was an Irish band called Junkster who made really good electro indie music not a million miles from the current music of Alphastates. They released one good 'self-titled' album, two good singles and opened Slane in 1998 for the likes of The Verve, Robbie Williams and James. Strange that with the limelight shining on them for those two years that there is very little online about the band! Here's what I found;


Junkster were Deirdre O'Neill [Vocals], Aidan Lane [Guitar], Mick Creedon [Guitar], Graham Darcy [Bass Guitar] and Donal McPartlin [Drums]. According to their last.fm page; "Junkster produced exceedingly laid back, melodic Irish alternative rock. Deirdre O’Neill has a classic Irish voice, complementing the chill rock of the rest of the band."


In 1997 the self-titled debut was released and it was a decent album. I seen the band live in Virgin Megastore on the Quays one Saturday afternoon! Here's a few sample mp3s from the debut;



Clown

Twister

Legacy: Junkster's debut consisted of two excellent singles 'The Only One' and 'Slide'. As mentioned above there are virtually no web pages about Junkster. Here are the two pages I consulted for the blog;

http://www.last.fm/music/Junkster

http://irishmusicdb.com/j/junkster/frame.htm


Buy the Album in old fashioned CD format here; http://www.amazon.com/Junkster/dp/B000002X3B

Gig Posters!

The wonderful Katell Keineg has been added to this amazing Homelights line-up!

Tuesdays Topical Threesome

It's a big night for the country tomorrow. We are a goal down against a decent France side and in dire need of Salvation in Paris!


The Cranberries - Salvation [Live In Paris]


What are our chances? The big hope is a lucky score reversal from last Saturday and then going through on penalties with Shay being the hero! However the chance of this happening is very poor!

Enda Reilly - Chance 3



How can we win? By giving the ball to Aiden McGeady when he is on the pitch and allow him to do what he does best!

The Sultans of Ping - Give Him A Ball

We all need a win tomorrow!

New Music Monday - The Whiskey Limbs

Michael from The Whiskey Limbs got in touch and introduced me to the band. The Whiskey Limbs are releasing a single 'Dazzling Mess' with a big gig in Academy 2 on November 27th. I've also been given permission to make that single available for this week as a free download!

The Whiskey Limbs - Dazzling Mess


http://www.myspace.com/thewhiskeylimbs

27 Nov 2009 20:00 Academy 2 Release Night With Vodkopter and Urban Folk Project Dublin, Dublin
2 Dec 2009 20:00 The Songroom @ The Globe Full Band Acoustic Show Dublin, Dublin
7 Dec 2009 20:00 Whelan’s hefty Horse’s Hefty Monday’s Late Show Dublin, Dublin
21 Jan 2010 13:00 Limerick Art College Limerick, Limerick
21 Jan 2010 21:00 Bakersplace Limerick, Limerick

ODi -Maslow's Songbook [Album Review]

Maslow's Songbook is a really good album that has been a joy to listen to. It contains 12 songs of which there are some really great tunes. Standout tracks include 'Leaving My Love in New York', 'Red Light', 'Something Beautiful' and the sample mp3 'Mariposa'.

Sample Mp3; Mariposa


I suppose some of the best albums are difficult to categorise and it's the same with ODi's debut. There's a real 'Bic Runga' pop vibe from the album. Many of the tracks are perfect for the montage scenes in Romantic Comedy movies. ODi's voice drags that pop vibe back to Ireland and as a result we get an album that would rival anything The Cranberries have done.


Maslow's Songbook should bring much success to ODi and help her create a big fanbase in Ireland because the album is full of catchy personal tunes that will appeal to many a music lover.


ODi - Maslow's Songbook [9 out of 12]

http://www.myspace.com/odimusic

See ODi live:

23.11.09 THE OLD OAK Cork IRL 21:00 FREE!
25.11.09 BRAZIL'S - supporting Mundy Clonmel IRL 21:00 tbc
27.11.09 THE VINE Wexford IRL 21:30 €10
01.12.09 NUIG Sessions Galway IRL tbc FREE!
03.12.09 JACKSON'S HOTEL Ballybuffet IRL tbc
04.12.09 JACKSON'S HOTEL (Friday Night Music Club) Ballybuffet IRL tbc

http://www.odimusic.co.uk

Changes, Concerts, Christmas and a Competition!

Apologies for the significant lack of updates recently. Something's come up that is taking priority for the moment and will last the next week or two. This means posts will be patchy and that annoys me! I have many reviews to do including the albums of Odi, The Swell Season and Eps by David Hope and Heritage Centre.





Anyway ....


Competition Time!


I am growing a moustache for Movember to join the fight against prostate cancer. Please give so that my Mo may grow: http://ie.movember.com/mospace/247096/

Be one of the first 3 people to donate to the wonderful cause and send me your address and I'll send you Ultan Conlon's debut album 'Bless Your Heart'! Thanks Ultan for the albums!

See Ultan live: http://ultanconlon.com/

20 Nov 2009 21:00 Kelly’s-Bless your heart album launch Galway
21 Nov 2009 20:00 JJ Hough’s Banagher Offaly
29 Nov 2009 20:00 Whelan’s (Upstairs) Guests / ’Our Little Secrets’ album Launch Dublin
2 Dec 2009 21:00 De Barras, Clonakilty Cork
3 Dec 2009 21:00 Billy Byrnes, John St. Kilkenny
4 Dec 2009 18:30 KCLR 96FM Kilkenny
4 Dec 2009 21:00 The Bridge Brook Arms, Thomastown Kilkenny
7 Dec 2009 21:00 KC sessions, Everyman Palace theatre Cork
22 Dec 2009 21:00 The Crane Galway











Upcoming Concerts & their posters!

This will be a great night! Tuner is my big tip for success next year!




Love this poster!




The Chapters will be rocking Navan in a few weeks!










Changes


We have decided on a simpler name for 'The 2UIBestow Sessions' which in January will become 'Live At Boyles' and we have a sponcer for the night as well. The 'Live At Boyles' night will take place on the last Thursday of the month in Boyles, Slane! I'll be setting up a Facebook fan page for the night! More details to follow!









Christmas Party

On Friday December 18th we have three amazing acts booked for the Christmas Party in Boyles. Declan DeBarra, Junah and a special guest headline act will be kicking the off the season of good will in fine form!


Declan DeBarra



Junah