It’s always of interest when a local band play in Dublin city and tonight the healthy crowd is a sure sign of the increasing popularity that Blue Fish Diamond is achieving. It’s always been a great city for ‘word-of-mouth,’ and the reaction from the room tonight was one of unreserved enthusiasm for the music.
Jim Murphy formed Blue Fish Diamond and their 2018 debut, FROM DARK TO LIGHT, launched them on the local scene as a band with plenty of musical talent and a shared vision in making a statement. The current six-piece includes Jim Murphy (acoustic/electric guitar/vocals), Axel McDonald (electric guitar), Laura Ryder (keyboards/piano), Shay Sweeney (drums/percussion), Ronan Quinn (bass) and Matilda O'Mahony (vocals).
Their sound is Inde-Folk with plenty of subtle interplay and sweet melody laced through the song arrangements. Jim Murphy takes on the lead vocal duties and his tone is clear and impressive. He reminds me at times of the superb Dave Cousins who fronted the Folk Rock band, The Strawbs, back in days of yore. Laura Ryder is a very gifted keyboard player and in addition to her fine display tonight, she also played as the support act, with her band called Laura Ryder Ampersand. They played as a four-piece with drums, bass and cello supporting the somewhat idiosyncratic songs and interesting lyrics of Laura.
The rhythm section is very strong and provides the basis for the other band members to play around the groove and tempo. Axel McDonald is a very talented lead guitarist with a lyrical playing style and a fine tone.
There are a number of new songs included in the set tonight and they will no doubt form part of the new album that is due to be recorded later this year. Highlighted are songs titled, Tonight, The 1980s, Universe, Radio Silence and Gracepark. Other songs that featured were Stranger Things Have Happened, Servants To A Hand and Pretty Country Boy.
The band released a second album in 2021 called FROZEN STARS ON THE NIGHT and they feature a few of the songs in Sunshine In My Brain, and Morning Star. The debut album is also visited and Hey, Hey is a firm favourite along with the show opener Salvation Call and the encore of Time To Go which contains the immortal lines ‘ Everybody knows when it’s time to go, But we all want one for the road.’ Well, tonight we joined in the collective celebration of live music played with both energy and style.
Review and photograph by Paul McGee