Galway Advertiser 2000/2000_02_24/GA_24022000_E1_074.pdf 

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THE 1 WEIGHTLESS is is our space iONAU
THIS IS OU SPACE
ell, if it isn't a Galway band with their own CD. That's a bloody good sign initially, that people a r e willing t o p u t t i m e and money into their music, especial ly when it's from our own home town. The music is what you would probably describe as being very chart oriented pop or rock. There are songs that are catchy, songs that are anthemic, and oth ers that don't really fall into a class. As a whole the album is a very careful affair, many of the tunes written to get airplay, rather than to experiment all that much with styles or other variables. While some tunes are definitely sim ple and straightforward, others are really great and have some infectious vocals and riffs. Take the third track, "1 Want To live Like A King", which is a rocky tune with a wonderful chorus. There's no doubt that what the Weightless Astronauts have is raw talent, and loads of it to boot The album might have had a bigger impact if there were some inventive elements thrown in, but as a whole the album is solid and entertaining. Aside from being local, it's well worth the money.

Acoustic night a success
by Keith Barrett

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THE DRUM Bar on Eglinton Street was the venue for quite an interesting evening's entertainment last week, when three artists performed an unplugged gig for a very receptive audience.
Unplugged gigs are rare enough these days, and to be honest I hadn't predicted the Drum to be a good venue. I was proved wrong in the end though, as the organisers had put a lot of effort into getting the atmosphere right, and that's what they did. With the bar shrouded in darkness, except for candles and mild lighting, the immedi ate tone was one of silence, and that's exactly what was needed. First up was Kerry native Colm O'Suilleabhan, who has played with the likes of Paddy Casey and Glen Hansard. He had to contend with low sound, and an audience that was still settling into the mood of the evening. Despite this he played some terrific numbers, both of a quicker tempo and more relaxed music. He set the pace for the night, and warmed everyone up. Maighread Nelligan is no stranger to Galway. She plays with Orangewood, and as most people know, has one hell of a powerful voice. On the night she was suffering with a dodgy stomach, and although she put on a brave face, she didn't feel the best. What came from the stage once she began though was a different story - absolute entertainment. It has to be said that while the music scene in Galway has been struggling in recent months, Galway also houses some of the best talent available with no place t o shine. Nelligan is one of these people, and although Galway is a tough place to make it from, 1 ' Gemma Hayes, who played the unplugged session in the Drum bar. Photo.Andrew Downes. don't think anyone has doubts Irish band who had the fortune to not only support that she will. Morrissey in Ireland and Europe, but also over the America. Finally there was Gemma Hayes, whose voice has a full Sack are an energetic live act, there's no questioning that. and melodic quality which is really emphasised by low key music. After her performance it was clear why Julian Despite the singer's large frame (he's built like a brick out house - or so it appears through the layers of shirts and tLennon worked with her in the not too distant past. Now, by this stage in the evening the alcohol level in the audience's shirts), his voice is strong and he can hold notes very well. bloodstream was running high, and their voices started to He moves about the stage focusing on the crowd at all times, and puts real effort ensuring that the punters are enjoying rise, drowning out the artist's attempts to make a meaningful themselves. show happen. Through conversations revolving around Their music would be best described as being chart rock, slurred words about various student outlooks on life, rela as in its catchy and melodic, yet nothing too abstract to keep tionships, and the quality of a pint these days, the music still flowed as the event drew to a close. In fact, Hayes proved to them off the radio waves. It rolls and peaks and dives, and the singer encourages the crowd to follow it. Great stuff. the crowd that the audience banter wasn't affecting her by With the summer rolling in soon enough, there's no doubt still playing powerful tunes right to the very end. It was all in all a great night, and with luck the event will that Sack will be around the country playing gigs and keep ing themselves moving. I recommend you see them where continue on a regular basis. After that it was off to Cuba to catch Sack, well known you can.

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OUR RATING: 8/10

-A.

BR JOHH DUKE ELEGANT

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hen Zhivago har me t h i s a c r o s s t l c o u n t e r I nearly^ wept. Look at the cover for God's sake, it looks like one those mass produced, c h e a p ! bags of crap that you often find behind the sofa after Christmas j and wonder bow it got there, or from where it came. Weft, this is actually a decent; album. Instead of being a compilation of paiilonume favounics, this is a love ly jazz album with quite a bit of blues lumped in for flavour. Through the sound it conjures up images of crowded and smokey piano bars in the 30s and 40s, which is only fitting as the songs were all penned between 1931 and

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Essentially a tribute album, this doesn't stand against the album as you will never have heard quite a bit of the material before, although the likes of "Satin Doll" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore'' will probably spark a memory in your head. isn't my favourite style, but I have to admit that in spite of all the odds, this actually stands up for itself. Not bad at all.

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O n RATWC: 7 /10 w
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