New York, New Hangover
- 30 Mar 07, 11:52 AM
I was hoping to write something witty and remarkable about the New York trip, but the head is blunted, the body is in recovery mode and the memories are lost in some scattershot trail. Suffice to say that it was quality entertainment and a chance to see around a dozen acts from Northern Ireland, all lashing it out at a venue called the Knitting Factory in New York.
It was a deep joy to hear Oppenheimer perform ΅®Breakfast In New York΅― in the real-time location. And to witness a ferociously raw version of the Duke Special song, ΅®This Could Be My Last Day΅―. In the past, I΅―d overlooked that track, but in America it forced you to connect with the themes of mortality and grief, and Peter was utterly lost in there. The guy needs some time off the road.
But for others, this ΅®Rediscover Northern Ireland΅― event was the perfect chance to socialise and to meet a different continent, head-on. Martin Corrigan was railing about state-sponsored rock and roll and throwing these incredible, thespian shapes. He is the Larry Olivier of alternative rock and we must treasure him so.
It was the mass of people at this event that also impressed. For two days you kept meeting old pals along Broadway, the Bowery and in the East Village, propping up bars and holding court. Meantime, there were business meetings for the likes of Ben Glover and the Duke, plus a lovely session in the Knitting Factory basement where we showed Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ music programmes and sentimental ex-pats wept quietly.
One day I΅―ll make proper sense of all this, but for now, let΅―s conclude that it was busy and stimulating and unique. Now we rest.
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Great programme by Stuart Baillie on the history of music here in N. Ireland. Forgotten how many great bands we hae here!. Great to see an id-depth interview with Van the Man!
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Cheers Vivien,
We tried to squeeze in as much as possible, but the big question is: did we do justice to the legend of Terri Hooley?
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Northern Ireland? Let's focus a bit! I was briefly in Bangor this morning (don't ask, sometimes it's unavoidable) and I came across A Pamphlet by Colin Harper, called 'Seaside Rock' ¨C covering NORTH DOWN's vibrant pop scene (of yesteryear).
I left with a spring in my step: though not with the pamphlet... (well, it cost 'over four pounds').
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Yes, you did more than justice to the legend that is Terri Hooley! He has aged remarkably well, brought a lot of memories back to Gerry, also my days of co-presenting as "Belfast's Most Notorious Housewife" on N.V.R. Radio!
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I still yearn for the days when the ATL phone-in competitions were wholely dominated by feverish schoolboy David O'Reilly and the mighty Viv. Sigh.
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Gerry still yearns for the years of the Maritime and Sammy Houstons! I remember Saturday afternoons at the Pound with Brian Rossi! Never forget when he turned up wearng a wig!Van Morrison was palying the sax. in Sammy Houston! Prob. '65 or so.!
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I enjoyed seeing Van Morrison talking on that tv prog last week. He has a lot of interesting things to say.
In fact I'd like to see Van being interviewed by Terri Hooley haha!
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terri is a god - I grew up in belfast in the 70's and 80' though have left it far behind but if we didnt have terri my life would have been full of show bands and people doing supertramp covers - i played in a band but really actually not that bad punk band but if terri hadnt had good vibs my life would have been so empty
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