A new album launch party is always a very joyful occasion to attend. Coming together to celebrate all the hard work and long hours that go into making music and creating an album is really what it’s all about. The sharing of new songs and the fun in playing them to a live audience for the first time is not lost on any of the crowd who turn out in solid numbers to support the Remedy Club tonight. This is their third album release and the title of BACK TO YOU is appropriate, given all the inspiration and perspiration that has been expended by both Aileen and KJ. To have achieved three album releases is reason enough to celebrate in an industry famous for many bodies buried along the wayside.
Aileen Mythen and KJ McEvoy are the creative centre of the band and when they are not performing as a duo, they gather other musicians to help paint the song arrangements with intriguing colours and shapes. Tonight they have invited some stellar players to highlight their new songs and we are graced by the presence of Dave Murphy (pedal steel), Podge Kilbride (keyboards), Phil Gaynor (drums), Shane Fitzsimmons (bass), and co-producer on the album, Gavin Glass who joins the group on electric guitar for four numbers.
As always, Aileen delivers as a charming host and is a dynamic leading lady. Her voice is a beautiful instrument that she uses so well; the rich tones often building to a powerhouse delivery as she compliments the band in full flight. Aileen is always gracious in her praise of others and fulsome in her tributes to those who have helped the career of the Remedy Club. However, at its core, it is Aileen and her husband KJ who drive the entire enterprise; writing the songs, booking the gigs, balancing the books, and dealing with all the marketing and PR that a successful group requires these days in the crazy world of social media overkill.
KJ is such a superb guitarist and his lyrical playing style is delivered with such apparent ease. The reality of course is so different as the long hours of practice required to attain such a high standard can never be taken for granted. Tonight KJ looks very sharp indeed in his hat and waistcoat and is the perfect foil for Aileen as she drives the band's energy to deliver increasingly high-performance levels all round.
The new songs sound great in the setting of the Workmans Club. The rhythm section of Phil Gaynor and Shane Fitzsimmons is locked in tight to the groove and provide the power that drives the beat along, embellished by the creative runs of both Dave Murphy on pedal steel and Podge Kilbride on keyboards. It is the dynamic guitar of KJ that stands out of course and his interplay with Gavin Glass is also a highlight of the evening.
The new album has twelve new songs and tonight we are treated to live versions that really excite the enthusiastic audience. The album title and song Back To You is dedicated to Layla Kay, the daughter of Aileen and KJ and it is played again as part of the encore on the evening. Roll With It is a recent single and is delivered in real style, while the song It’s Alright is dedicated to the enduring memory of Gavin Ralston, a fellow musician and friend who died in 2019. The real highlight of the set is a quartet of songs that really build on the atmosphere and have people dancing along to Texas Sky, Boleyn’s Blues, Worthwhile and I’m Going Home.
A very enjoyable night of great music, delivered with style, and a timely reminder of the great talent that we have in Dublin among our music community. Buy the album, you will not be disappointed.
Review and photo by Paul McGee