Casey and the Sunshine Band

KARAN CASEY

The Shelter, Dublin

As interesting a band as they unquestionably are, there was always a nagging doubt when it came to Irish American folkies Solas – namely you wished they would often just can their diddling a bit and let singer Karan Casey work more of her stunning vocal talent.

Well the good, as they say, will out and Waterford born Casey has flown the nest and is now two albums into a solo career that looks to be blossoming in the sunlight of freedom. Although ably backed by concertina player Niall Vallely and guitarist Robbie Overson, this is Casey’s moment and she is seizing the opportunity. An engaging stage personality, whose relaxed approach suits the intimate surroundings of the Sessions night down to the ground, that voice is even more effective over such a sparse backing. Her choice of material is pretty much faultless – although she perhaps can’t quite carry off an acapella reading of Billie Holliday’s ‘Strange Fruit’ you have to admire her for at least having a go – and she handles the range of traditional material with ease. Solas’ loss is everybody else’s gain - sometimes real talent just needs room to breathe.