Thankyou for a real goodtime

A capacity Medina Theatre audience took the Glastonbury bound Sharon Shannon and her fine band to their hearts on a joyful night.

Support came from the Total Acoustic Band featuring the Island's best known guitarist Brian Sharpe (ex-Cherokees and Blue Moon) and Martin White. I joined the set three songs in during 'Water of Life' self penned by Martin which contained the memorable line 'You be the nectar, I'll be the bee' with some sweet country harmonies to the fore.

These harmony vocals, involving Caryle Stone, were the strongest feature of a very well received performance. Martin writes and sings with a strong Neil Young influence, as emphasised in 'Fire in the Desert' with the harmonies and uncluttered acoustic guitars carrying the song.

Martin switched to bass for the chugging blues of 'Drive On', the title track of the Hoggie and the Sharpetones CD. Martin's daughter Jenny was now on stage to add a fourth harmony vocal to 'Seven Little Sisters'. 'Martin's from Combley, where there are more stars than anywhere else on the Island' explained Brian Sharpe, before a mystical version of the song with a terrific vocal from Jenny.

Martin was back on bass for Nanci Griffiths 'Life In An Open Book' with Carly and Jenny in great voice, and the set ended with the traditional folk song 'Bonny Ship the Diamond' with a lovely solo from Mr. Sharpe.

Sharon Shannon and the Woodchoppers began with a set of reels named 'Geantrai', followed by Micho Russells' with lilting accordian acknowledging the memory of the late County Clare musician and local character. Russ Barenberg's 'The Magic Foot' was followed by an energeetic 'Bonnie Mulligan'. Ian Carr's 'The Diamond Mountain' had Sharon's sister Mary on mandolin, and the two Kane sisters from Connemara, Liz and Yvonne, beginning to make a real impression on fiddles.

Then followed three sets of tunes to highlight individual band members. Firstly, Mary Shannon on banjo, and then more tumbling Celtic melodies from the Kane sisters, very much appreciated by an enthusiastic audience.

Jim Murray's solo piece on acoustic guitar became a classy duet with Mary on banjo before all the rest of the band joined in.

Typically, Sharon Shannon was smiling her way through a set that was now into high gear. Some Galician tunes by Carlos Nunez, were followed by 'Rathlin Island' with Sharon on whistle, dedicated to Pete and Jane Turner on their 21st Wedding Anniversary. What a great version, airy and atmospheric, with the orchestral sweep of the violins so reminiscent of County Clare.

A vibrant 'Dance of the Honeybees was next, a sweeping happy/sad waltz, followed by a blistering set of reels from Denmark. Then to conclude a mighty set, a smooth 'Tune for a found harmonium', and a seamless, flowing 'Mouth of the Tobique' dedicated to Milo and Felicity Lewis. Great all round musicianship, which earned the band a standing ovation.

Two encores were 'Blackbird' - superbly sweet accordian from Sharon and a dazzling driving 'Bag of Cats' with all four ladies again on fiddles which had been such a strong feature of a superb night.

Vic King

(coming soon Vic King's epic Galway diary 2000 when he catches up with Sharon Shannon at the Roisin Dubh. Three of Martin White's songs featured this night, Water of Life, Seven Little Sisters and You Taught Me come from his superb solo CD 'In Another Time In Another Place' Recommended listening)