Roy Harper in Clonakilty, County Cork

Subject: Roy Harper in Clonakilty, County Cork
From: VIN
Date: 04 Aug 05 - 08:06 AM

Slowly coming down to earth after nearly two weeks in Clonakilty in County Cork – (first visit there). The visit centred around a trio of gigs held at De Barra's Folk Club featuring Roy Harper aided and abbetted by Matt Churchill. Well i've seen Roy many times over the years but this was special. De Barra's is a smallish club and was packed on each night. A great atmosphere and Roy was on superb form going through his repotoire scanning some 35 years. It's amazing how he can still reach some stunning high notes with his voice and sing songs like Magoohan's Blues, White Man, Same Old Rock, Highway Blues, Twelve Hours of Sunset & loads more as fresh as tho he'd just written em, one of the true greats!

He held a gathering on one evening in O'Donovan's Hotel with buffet, had a 45 minute question/answer session and then acted as DJ playing some of his fave records he'd brought along, fantastic!

Matt Churchill has to be one of the best acoustic (& electric) guitarists I've heard for years, certainly on a par, in my opinion with the likes of Jansch, Renbourne, McTell

There was also grand stuff from the excellent Gavin Moore and the Noel Redding Tribute band.

GRAND!