Ain't No Ting

They don't do Reggae but they cover most everything else that matters, check out the Groover's Paradise, it's good for what ails ya.

Let The Big O Flow!

Get some soul in your life! If you don't already have this, you should be shot.

Old Gods Nearly Dead

Been to see both Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton in the last week, I don't think I'll be rushing to see 'em again. Dylan had his moments but has there ever been such a superstar with next to no stage presence? I wasn't expecting much "hello Dublin, do you feel awwlright?!!" action but some attempt at stagecraft would have been welcome. He was certainly better than occasions I've seen him before but the voice, if it was ever there, has long departed and he can't even manage the guitar anymore, it may well be time to call it a day. Pretty good versions of "Wicked Messenger", Girl From The North Country", "All Along The Watchtower" and "If You Ever Go To Houston" though and the new album's a good one but perhaps it's finally time to end the never ending tour.

Clapton's music is something I've never been crazy about, I'm partial to a bit of Cream (ho, ho) and I like the Layla album but that's about it. There is no doubt about his skills as a musician but he's not the greatest song writer in the world and no one in their right minds needs to hear "Wonderful Tonight " again, although we did of course.
The new Dublin O2 is a beautiful thing to be sure and we were lucky enough to have sixth row seats, in amongst people who were going through some sort of religious experience but problems started almost straight away with all bars being closed during the performance. Now this has got to be down to Mr. Clapton himself, there is no way a new venue would close a bar, depriving themselves of some income and don't give me the excuse that it would spoil the performance as plenty of people came and went with hotdogs and popcorn (at a gig, I ask you?). Just because you're now clean as a whistle doesn't mean I have to be Mr. C, and perhaps some more booze would have made your lacklustre performance easier to take. As said earlier Clapton has some good material but he does have some awful stuff too and he treated us to more of this than was warranted but even classics like Layla and Crossroads lacked any spark. The band were all very accomplished and Clapton is a jaw-dropping guitar player, especially this close up but, to me, they were going through the motions, no fire whatsoever. At least Dylan still showed a few, a very few, flashes. Say what you like about the Stones as a money hoovering touring company but at least Jagger still makes an effort to get you involved.

Roll on the AC/DC, U2 and Springsteen summer gigs, proper showmen all.

The Stath!

As everybody should already know, Jason Statham is possibly the finest actor at work today. Yes Sean Penn is a genius and will always be there or there abouts at the Oscars, yes Mickey Rourke surprised everyone with the Wrestler but no one entertains like the Stath. This being said, nothing could prepare even his most ardent admirers for Crank 2: High Voltage, you just have never seen anything like it, the madness at work here has to be experienced to be believed. Yes it's over flowing with racism and sexism and yes it is incredibly violent but for sheer "I can't believe they did that" entertainment, it cannot be beat. See it.

Friday

Hopefully...

Fightin'!

Now that was a fight.

Good Man Gone

John Martyn R.I.P.

Top Cat

I dream of being as cool as this
What lady could fail to fall out of her smalls at that?

Brucie Bonus

For You

Costello + Dylan = New 2

Like many people my age who have grown up in Ireland, I can measure the various stages of my life in new U2 releases. Trying to figure out what was going on the first time I heard The Unforgettable Fire, going to see them in Croke park in the 80s, sneaking out the window of my bedroom in my parent's house to go and buy Rattle and Hum when it was released at midnight, hearing a snatch of The Fly in a mate's flat while at college and roaring at everyone to shut up so I could hear what it was. And now, the new single is here and... well my first impression wasn't a great one (I can hear Costello's Pump It Up and Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues) although I'm getting to like it more each time I hear it and, no doubt, by the time I'm jumping around Croke Park at the end of summer cocooned in the warm glow of too much stout, it's gonna sound fantastic. Judge for yourselves;

Oasis In Good Idea Shocker!

Let's be honest, Oasis are, at best, okay. Some good tunes and a good singer, although you have to ask why no one has ever taught him how to walk properly. Hats off for this though, in an effort to promote their new snoozy album, they gave the songs to a load of New York's buskers to get them out there before the record's release.

Gator

I'll take no shit from anyone when it comes to the genius of Burt Reynolds but I saw Gator over Christmas and it really is a load of old shite, the theme tune is pretty great though. Take it away, the late, great Jerry Reed

2009

Carty Comes Alive

In Dublin next Tuesday? Then get you arse to the Oak for some rockin'! We're on around 11. Drinks are on you.

The O2 Dublin

This week finally sees the reopening of the old Point Depot down on the docks, now renamed the O2. There's been plenty of hype about how the sound and seats are now perfect, although it couldn't really have got any worse than the old place. We had some great nights there all the same - Bowie, Springsteen, Dylan, Willie Nelson and two of the greatest gigs I've ever seen - The Rolling Stones from about ten feet away and the awesome majesty of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant playing the Zep Catalogue on the night when the Coff and myself appeared to suffer simultaneous heart attacks that resulted in us threatening young lads intent on jumping around with serious violence if we weren't left alone.
I'm heading to the new gaff to see the Kings Of Leon this Friday and I think I'm more looking forward to seeing the new venue than a band that I consider, at best, all right.
Of course, when anything new pops up in Dublin, one man has to get in before everyone else so here is our old friend Bono, with his long suffering mate Dave, at the new venue.

Merry Christmas Baby

Who throws a shoe? I mean, really!

Who can blame the throwee?

The '2 At Christmas

Further evidence that Adam Clayton is the luckiest bastard in the world. Neither plays a note nor gets off his arse, nice.