Seize the Day

Dempsey’s second full-length album crashed the top 5 on release and went on to sell double-platinum. His uncompromising decision to sing in his own full-throated North Dublin accent had long set him aside from his contemporaries. It helped attract accolades from Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, Shane MacGowan and others, and drew comparisons with Luke Kelly. Dempsey’s songs, meanwhile, dealt acutely with the reality of contemporary Ireland, evoking harrowing pictures of urban grime and the ravages of alcohol and drugs. But there are chinks of light: ‘It’s All Good’ and ‘Apple of My Eye’ are beautiful, and ‘Negative Vibes’ opens with the lines, “Lord, won’t you give me the strength to be strong and true?” Somebody did.

No 30 in 2009, as voted for by over 200 Irish musicians.