I’m sure I’m not alone, having the recurring experience of being plagued with trying to spot the influences when it comes to Irish songwriters – be it Dylan, Morrison or Cohen, it’s hard not to to tick those boxes in your head as opening clawhammer pluck leads to the first rhyming couplet.
‘The Lucky One’ and ‘Addicted to Company’ are early encounters, such strong openers suggesting there’s no shortage of quality to come – and sure enough it’s first-class all the way. 45 minutes or so through the journey, the scenery changes, the addition of bass and drums augmenting the excellent keyboard and harmony accompaniments of Fiona Melady.
Things ramp up for ‘Living’ and the key-changing ‘Bend Down Low’. Paddy is in heart-winning form throughout, the intros laced with his usual self-deprecating humour. Some fine new material like ‘This Ain’t Love’ is followed by a clatteringly rhythmic rendition of ‘Promised Land’. It’s powerful songwriting, no let up, no fillers, no toe-curling couplets. A stunning ‘Fear’, ‘Saints and Sinners’ and the ever-sweet ‘Sweet Suburban Sky’ see us to the end of a near two-hour journey through PC world.
This intimate encounter proves a timely reminder of what a fine hook-meister and song-crafter Mr. Casey is. The Voice finalist Kim Hayden has wisely climbed on board too. We can look forward to hearing their new collaboration: together with choir, orchestra and all the seasonal bells and whistles on December 27 in Vicar St.
People get ready...