The NCH has been a friend to Lisa over the years and she is fulsome in her praise of the venue and the support it provides for Irish artists. Tonight sees a performance that has Lisa inviting eight musicians to join her, in various combinations, over the course of two different sets. She starts off with her tribute to dockland workers, Rock the Machine, a song that is much loved by her fans and greeted with great enthusiasm as it sets the tone for the evening.
The stage area is decked with no less than nineteen separate lights, six of which are lit in old-school lampshades and the balance, a mix of LED bulbs. There are also a few chairs and a couch strategically placed to give the stage that feeling of being at home in your living room. It certainly adds real atmosphere to the homely feel and warmth of proceedings.
Lisa introduces performing artist Kú (Kilian), at this early juncture and he performs a few songs on acoustic guitar, accompanied by Adam Holohan of Ispíni na hEireann, on banjo. Kú has a very traditional vocal style and delivers strong renditions of both Finnegan’s Wake and Murphy Can Never Go Home, in his set. He also plays a Christmas single that has just been released, titled Kú’s Khristmas and his set is very well received.
Next up to the microphone is the excellent Seamus Fogarty, home from his London base to lend his talents to the evening. He sings and plays with an easy confidence and includes well known favourites Carlow Town and Ghosts from his repertoire. A new song, Never Stopped Loving You (?), is also delivered before the audience is invited to break for an interval, have a drink and a visit to the merchandise stand in the foyer.
The second half of the show continues with Lisa introducing the superb Colm Mac Con Iomaire and he gives a virtuoso display of violin dynamics across a few tunes. Colm introduces his foot pedals and loops as ‘The Recession Quartet’ and they certainly serve him well in creating an impressive sound from which he can create additional melody and harmony parts on his violin. One musical piece is dedicated to the topic of the Israel/Palestinian crisis and the story of two fathers from opposite sides of the conflict who each lost a child to suicide bombers. Their joint efforts to broker peace from the tragic losses has also been the subject of a recent book written by Colum McCann, called Apeirogon.
Lisa finally takes her place front and centre as the concert enters the final part of the evening. She highlights the new album that is due to be released early next year, All Of This Is Chance, and she previews a number of songs from the recording with Old Note, Birdie From Another Realm, Goodnight World and Silver Seed. Her banjo and guitar accompany her unique vocal style, and whether one finds her phrasing and delivery either full of authenticity or simply too earthy, there can be no doubting the depth of feeling that comes through in the performance. Lisa is very close to nature and sings of the magical qualities of rural Ireland, the silence and the joy of being close to the land and the deeply held conviction that there is a healing balm that surrounds us if we only take the time to let it in.
She visits previous albums with the songs Blackbird (2018) and Pot Hole In the Sky (2016), while her version of the Ivor Cutler song, Squeeze Bees, is an interesting addition. Lisa also performs a very different version of the classic Come Back Paddy Reilly(Percy French), with the slow arrangement bringing out the poignant message in the lyrics. If there is one observation to make, then the pacing of the show would have been more balanced with Lisa taking the central role sooner on the evening. While very generously giving time to her invited guests, she takes from her own performance dynamic and the sacrifice made by the inclusion of such diverse artists moves some of the focus away from her own talents.
Lisa has the backing of the very talented Joe Doyle on upright bass, a very lyrical player, and a number of other musicians also sit in on different tunes, with some of the names escaping me in the introductions. There is accordion added during Seamus Fogarty’s set and keyboards play along with Lisa – both talented individuals, with percussion on one song provided by one of her brothers. We are also treated to the wonderful whistling technique of Larry Beau on a few songs and he was a joy to behold as he dovetails and soars on the melody.
Lisa brings the night to a close with her wonderful interpretation of the Bob Dylan song, All the Tired Horses. She was asked to record this song for the final episode of the classic Peaky Blinders tv show which ended earlier this year and her dramatic performance is filled with rueful regret and passionate conviction. Such an entertaining night, from many aspects, and one where the very warm and engaging personality of Lisa shines brightly for all to enjoy.
Review and photograph by Paul McGee