The Dennis McCalmont Band

Dennis McCalmont, one of Mayo’s genuine contenders, has been ploughing the singer-songwriter furrow for a number of years now, recording an album, Language Of My Soul, followed by some success in the Bacardi/hotpress competitions two years running, and putting out a debut single ‘Songs Of Perfection’ last year.

Now with a group around him, he can flesh out the songs a bit more, with pleasing results.

‘Wanted Needed Loved’ sashays its wah-wah way into the room, like a snake-hipped INXS number. ‘Songs Of Perfection’ is very nearly what it says on the tin, with McCalmont displaying a strong pop sensibility in his writing. Beginning with a burst of ‘Sha-la-la-la’s (formerly the sole terrain of one Mr. Ivan Morrison), the song has a nagging melody and equally catchy chorus. ‘Sounds So Sweet’, ‘Wishes’ and ‘Say The Word’ are all imbued with a similar catchiness and life-affirming positive vibes (man!).

The band are very tight: rubber-fingered New Zealand bass player Craig Donaldson exudes Antipodean cool, while Mick Buckton on lead guitar is a model of cool finger-pickin’ restraint. Drummer Donal Hoban at times tonight appears to have more than one pair of arms, alternating between classy fills and full-blown apocalypse, a little bit like John Bonham playing lounge jazz.

Things really get swingin’ with the jaunty ‘Carousel’, a swirling, carnivalesque number guaranteed to get even the stiffest feet tapping, and the rush-laden ‘Loverboy Blues’ is a good ol’ fashioned twelve-bar blues led, romper-stomper of a tune, dealing with that perennial rock ’n’ roll theme, desire, before the valedictory ‘Gone’ signals the end of the gig.

At times tonight, The Dennis McCalmont Band almost reminded me of early ’70s vintage Tim Buckley (around the time of Greetings From LA): the wide vocal range; the intense rhythm guitar playing; the tight, intimate band; and especially the passion. And that’s what it’s all about.