This much acclaimed band were back in Dublin for one of their regular Irish visits, playing a sold-out show at the main room in Whelans. The show was opened by Malojian (Stevie Scullion) who offered the fact that he was driving the band around Ireland was the only reason he got the opening slot. Not so as I would imagine the band always include noted local talent for their supports. Scullion played four songs and told us that her had a new album on the way that was produced by Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle. Something for fans to look forward too. He opened with Damp from the Let Your Weirdness Carry You Home album and finished with a cover of Neil Young’s Tell Me Why. Scullion displayed his customary on stage quirkiness throughout his short and very well received set.
The Delines played a strong set that mixed several new songs as well as tracks from their albums and more. Amy Boone was in fine voice and looked to be recovering well after her accident a couple of year back. She came onstage without the air of her walking stick, which was a positive and welcomed sign, and she seemed very much at home in her role. She was also a charming host with some light-hearted quips throughout the show. The best of which came after Willie Vlautin’s intro about a young woman wearing a self-made t-shirt that had the words Holly The Hustle on it that had inspired their song of that name. “We are a bad influence. That’s way we only let people of 55 and over into our shows! “she joked. Something of a subtle reflection perhaps on their audience age demographic and for a lot of bands working under the wide Americana umbrella.
The core band of Amy Boone, Willy Vlautin, drummer Sean Oldham, keyboard and trumpet player Cory Gray were joined by UK guest bassist Dave Little (who also plays guitar for Peter Bruntnell) and for the Irish dates by pedal steel guitarist Dave Murphy. “We love coming over here and stealing your cool players,” Boone quipped. The overall feel was laid back, subtle soulful and highly effective. They were trying out a number of new songs, before going into the studio in February to record them for their next album. Lately I’ve Been Going Down, Waiting On The Blue and That Old Haunted Place all sounded like consolidations of the Delines sound with that late night jazz tinged trumpet a strong feature of the sound. There was a positive reaction, naturally, to some of the older songs including Imperial, Colfax, Cheer Up Charley, Let’s Be Us Again, Oil Rigs At Night and Holly The Hustle.
The musicianship was excellent throughout as was the sound quality. The core band members all contributed in equal measures to that overall sound that continues to be a key to their popularity (however relative - given that the band should be better know and playing bigger venues!). Murphy’s contribution was also effective and inclusive. The Delines will hopefully be back in Ireland when the new album is released and one can hope that many others will join the ever-growing appreciators of this very special band.
Review by Stephen Rapid and Declan Culliton
Photography by Kaethe Burt O’Dea