In
the early 90’s, and Four Men and a Dog exploded onto the Irish traditional
music scene with a blast of vibrant energy. Maybe Tonight is the their
return album and its business as usual. The eclecticism and off the
wallness, are there as is bitingly intensive traditional music that
made them so unmissable first time round. Maybe Tonight is the sound
of a band having fun with their music and reinventing itself in the
process. Whoever did leave the dogs out should be commended, as Four
Men and a Dog have come screaming back into our lives again and all
is right with this part of the world anyway. John O’Reagan
- Folk Roots
Showcasing
the talents of four of Ireland’s foremost musicians at the pinnacle
of their artistic energy and virtuosity, their current album, Maybe
Tonight, to quote renowned Belfast Playwright Marie Jones, “has the
power to literally transport you to the gig. So powerful, you feel the
excitement, experience the adrenaline and witness the brilliance of
their live performance.” Not bad for a band who’ve spent more time pursuing
solo projects over the past few years than performing together.
Officially
“disbanded” some five years ago but occasionally allowing themselves
to be “reunited” for a select few memorable concerts, Four Men did/do
what few Irish bands have been able to accomplish since, blending serious
musical expertise with a lyrical creativity which has long been central
to their success, combining the irresistible synergy of Irish trad and
bluegrass in concerts and recordings that ooze fun from every pore and
groove. Music that’ll have you dancing round the kitchen on miserable
Winter mornings and laughing out loud as the rhythms evoke the stage
antics that would usually accompany the live performances. Brain child
behind the band’s ‘reformation’ is;
Cathal
Hayden - Acknowledged by many, as one of - if not the - foremost
fiddle players of his generation, Cathal plays a nifty bit of banjo
too!
Gerry
O’Connor - Acknowledged by many, as one of - if not the foremost
banjo players of his generation, Gerry plays a nifty bit of fiddle too!
Kevin
Doherty - Acknowledged by many, as one of - if not the foremost
songwriters of his generation, Kevin’s a bit keen as a singer too!
Gino
Lupari - Acknowledged by someone, somewhere, as one of - if
not the, foremost front person in the world, Gino plays a nifty bit
of bodhran too! (his singing’s not that bad either...) and finally,
Donal
Murphy might have the looks to bring down the average age of
the band by a few years, but in reality he was one of the five founder
members of the original Dogs.
Their
long awaited new album has received critical acclaim from all folk and
trad scribes and after their explosive performance at the Ballyshannon
Folk Festival in 2007, it is no great surprise that The Dogs are back
this year again. A night not to be missed! |