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Raves and Reviews - Paul Brady
Paul Brady on Mountain Stage |
Irish singer and folk-music great Paul Brady grew up listening to R&B and soul, playing in rock bands throughout his early 20s. Later, when Brady began making a name for himself as a folk and traditional singer, that background in soul and rock added a unique dimension to his sound. Backstage, Brady told Mountain Stage host Larry Groce that, coming from an Irish background, it's not considered out of the ordinary for a pop musician to whip out a traditional song, whereas in America, playing traditional music is something of a lifestyle choice. Here, Brady plays an assortment of tunes from his most recent album, Hooba Dooba — including "Luck of the Draw," a song recorded on Bonnie Raitt's 1991 album of the same name. Brady wrote the track only one day before giving it to Raitt, and told the audience that 20 years was a "respectable enough gap to leave" before performing his original version. |
Paul Brady on World Cafe -- Audio Clip |
Singer-songwriter Paul Brady's acclaim extends beyond his reputation as one of Ireland's most loved artists — he's renowned worldwide as one of folk music's greats. Brady grew up listening to the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Winifred Atwell and Fats Domino, and taught himself to play the piano and guitar almost entirely by ear. By the time he was a student at University College Dublin, he'd developed the skills to play with a succession of R&B and soul groups. In the 1970s, Brady attracted international attention with a series of traditional Irish folk groups in many locations: First, he moved to London and then New York with The Johnstons, then back to Dublin with Planxty. For several years, he played as a duo with Andy Irvine. As a solo artist, Brady found success with a string of pop-rock records in the '80s. Brady is currently on tour to promote his latest album, Hooba Dooba, and visits World Cafe to discuss his upbringing and the effects of Ireland's geography and its '60s culture on his music. |
Radio Interview |
| Sean McCarthy |
For One Night Only |
Paul Brady was recently featured on the Irish TV show For One Night Only where he reflected on his life through his songs. The show is available to view online until Friday, September 9th. Featuring music and chat, For One Night Only is filmed in front of a studio audience of no more than 200 fans who have the exclusive opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with their idols. The show gives an intimate and emotional look at the featured artist’s life story each week and has previously included artists such as Christy Moore, Daniel O’Donnell, Mary Black and Imelda May.
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| Ben Bowdler - Properganda |
Hooba Dooba album review |
You ever hear the ex Trying to describe “Hooba Dooba” is impossible. Every song is completely different. There’s country music, Jimmy Buffet type music, “Revolver” era Beatles sounding stuff on here, Eric Clapton sounding stuff. I’m more of a rock fan, so I liked some songs and didn’t like others. For instance the third track “The Price of Fame” isn’t really up my alley, but I can’t deny that it is a good song. I think the melody is great, genre wise it’s just not my cup tea. My MTV generation attention span gets bored, even though I recognize that it is a good song.
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| Bob Zerull, Managing Editor of Zoiks! Online |
Paul Brady's 12th Album, Hooba Dooba On Proper Records, Continues Eclectic Path For Dublin Rocker |
The career of Paul Brady — whose 12th solo album, the exuberantly titled Hooba Dooba, gets its U.S. release on May 24, 2011 via Proper American — is not that of your usual singer/songwriter. And the new record is the most wildly eclectic this man for all seasons has yet recorded. "I'm a marketing department's nightmare," he jokes, before discussing the confusion that has surrounded him for so long. After the release of his solo debut Hard Station in 1981, Brady spent the next two decades leading a double life as a recording artist making a sustained effort to get on the radar and a much-covered songwriter, a number of his songs made famous by singers far better known than himself. These included such high-profile covers as Bonnie Raitt's memorable, multiple-Grammy-winning rendition of "Luck of the Draw" (1991) and Brooks & Dunn's chart-topping country single "The Long Goodbye" (2001).
Around the turn of the century, the multitalented veteran once again reinvented himself, this time as a self-contained, truly independent artist. Since this latest metamorphosis, he's been touring constantly in small-group settings on both sides of the Atlantic and making records whenever he felt inspired to do so. Which brings us back full circle to Hooba Dooba, its multiple facets glinting like an uncut diamond nestled in a field of shamrocks.
Given Brady's back story, it's hard to say whether Hooba Dooba, which features guests Jerry Douglas on lap steel and Sarah Siskind on backing vocals, will clear up the confusion about just who this multifaceted guy is or add to it, but one thing's for sure: this record is a dead-honest picture of a one-of-a-kind artist who has always been absolutely true to himself.
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| Jam Base |
Review of Paul Brady at Vicar Street |
It had been a while since I last stepped into Vicar Street for a gig so the excitement was very much there on arrival into the venue to see Paul Brady do what he does best. The stage was not hosting any gimmicks rather it was full of guitars and mandolins along with keyboards and a grand piano. Arriving on stage alongside Bill Shanley on guitar and Steve Fletcher on keyboards Paul Brady greeted the enthusiastic Friday audience. After spotting Glen Hansard in attendance I started to think that a duet may be in order at some stage in the night. Last time I seen Hansard play he invited Brady on stage to perform alongside him so maybe a return of the favour was in order. Starting off with ‘Stories’ and ‘Lord Thomas & Fair Ellender’ before getting into ‘Trust in You’ and ‘Nobody Knows’ the crowd were already in full singing voice before Brady introduced ‘Rainbow’ from his most recent album ‘Hooba Dooba’.
My suspicion of an oncoming duet with Hansard was about to become a reality as Brady introduced The Frames man onto the stage to sing ‘Hard Station’ which was sung with real passion from both performers and a real highlight from the night overall. As quickly as he arrived on stage Hansard was gone to make his way to a charity gig in The Olympia. As Brady made his way to the piano for his next song ‘Mother and Son’ from ‘Hooba Dooba’ I had begun to realise how focused I had become whilst listening to him perform his set. This was the first time I had seen Brady perform in an intimate setting having previously seen him perform brilliant sets at Electric Picnic and Midlands Music Festival a few years ago so it was a change and one that was equally as satisfying.
After mentioning Planxty whom he toured with and The Johnstons it was the traditional side of Brady (which my Dad was very happy about) that was about to perform ‘The Jolly Soldier’ followed by ‘Wearin’ The Britches’ which had myself and my Dad in aw of his guitar and mandolin playing and came across as someone who could more than likely play these instruments in his sleep. After a huge applause and appreciation by the audience he kicked into ‘Nothing but the Same Old Story’ followed by ‘Living the Mystery’ which is the last track on his ‘Hooba Dooba’ album.
‘Follow On’ and ‘The Island’ was greeted with huge enthusiasm with Brady allowing his audience take over on singing duties during ‘The Island’ after which received an emotional standing ovation from the crowd on the lower floor. With all three musicians resuming their position on stage it was a small mishap from Fletcher which prompted Brady to remind us that it wasn’t always a ‘slick show’ but nobody in attendance would have minded as Brady had already put smiles on the audiences faces from his set so far. If that wasn’t enough the crowd pleasers were still in plentiful supply with ‘The Long Goodbye’ ‘Crazy Dreams’ ‘The World is What You Make It’ and ‘Arthur McBride’ lined up one after the other. As Brady prepared for the end of his two hour set a member of the audience shouted out a request for ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’ where he obliged without hesitation and bursted into the rapid paced song before finishing with the ever brilliant ‘Homes of Donegal’ and ‘Busted Loose’.
Brady to me is one of the finest musicians Ireland has to offer and after his performance in Vicar Street on Friday my opinion has not changed. His show was everything anyone would want from a Brady show. With old and new tracks all getting the same reaction because he is as good as it gets. My highlight of the night would have to be how much I realised that Brady as a musician and performer was up their with the best and he certainly captured my attention along with every member of the audience.
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| Sean Stevens, Goldenplec.com |
A lifetime in music talk draws Paul Brady fans |
PAUL Brady took lifetime fans on an intimate ramble across his successes, stresses and stimuli in music recently in the first of Life Stories, a University of Ulster series of public conversations with distinguished alumni at the Magee campus.
Around 200 friends and followers filled the historic Great Hall to hear him chart a musical odyssey spanning five decades that has confirmed him as one of Ireland's most original and popular performers across many genres.
The singer, song-writer, known for his distinctive sound and ground-breaking collaborations with top contemporary artists, mixed banter with insightful reflections for more than hour before rounding off the night singing Smile, to his own acoustic guitar accompaniment.
Life Stories features well-known graduates and honourary graduates in a range of fields in conversation with University academic and broadcaster Paul Moore.
The one-to-one discussions will offer audiences a rare opportunity to hear a personal account of the life and achievements of each guest.
Brady was awarded an honourary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree last year in recognition of his services to traditional Irish music and song-writing.
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| Donna Deeney |
Paul Brady Airs His Life Story |
Paul Brady took lifetime fans on an intimate ramble across his successes, stresses and stimuli in music last night in the first of ‘Life Stories’, a University of Ulster series of public conversations with distinguished alumni at the Magee campus.
Around 200 friends and followers filled the historic Great Hall to hear him chart a musical odyssey spanning five decades that has confirmed him as one of Ireland’s most original and popular performers across many genres.
The singer, song-writer, known for his distinctive sound and ground-breaking collaborations with top contemporary artistes, mixed banter with insightful reflections for more than hour before rounding off the night singing “Smile”, to his own acoustic guitar accompaniment. He got a standing ovation.
‘Life Stories’ features well-known Ulster graduates and honorary graduates in a range of fields, particularly arts and cultural areas, in conversation with University academic and broadcaster Paul Moore. The one-to-one discussions will offer audiences a rare opportunity to hear a personal account of the life and achievements of each guest.
Brady was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree last year in recognition of his services to traditional Irish music and song-writing. A household name in Ireland, he has won international acclaim. His songs have been recorded by artists included Santana, Garth Brooks and Tina Turner.
Read More |
| Martin Cowley |
Please check back soon for Paul Brady's tour schedule.
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