Reviews

The Last Sunday Showcase, Holiday Inn, Pearse Street Dublin, September 2002

Philip Donnelly closed the show, irreverent, relevant, politically astute, he grabbed the gig by the scruff of the borrowed Taylor's neck, because "a quieter guitar might be frightened by my shirt". As he tuned up, out came a flurry of trad licks, which he said ought to get himan Arts Council flight. Then it was into the songs and the stories. He even made the Volvo's sound funny.

Donnelly is perhaps one of the most accomplished collaborators in Ireland; his work with John Prine, Roger Cook and Jimmy McCarthy has passed into modern pop culture. His song writing credentials were aired, "Dublin City, "Your Love is Like the Lone Ranger", "I've Been Waiting" and then that classic line from a Nashville co-write with John Prine, "You Come Late and You Come Home Early, You Come Straight and You Come Home Curly".

In the end I reckon Brendan Behan would still recognise Dublin on this side of the street, where Philip Donnelly shone out like a beacon, humanity, humour, a common touch, and that knack of writing serious songs without preaching or whining. Young songwriters take note!

Irish Music Magazine - Seán Laffey

Back to Reviews