Damien Dempsey at The Workmans Club – 21st December 2011
Review: Ros Madigan
It was with much surprise that I had sneaked my way on to the list for the first of what would be 3 nights for Damien Dempsey in The Workmans club. This string of gigs has been sold out for a long time and the Internet circles had now, for many weeks, been sprawling the Internet on various websites looking for tickets. In my time attending college in Dundalk, I had spent a lot of time in the beautiful surroundings of The Spirit Store. It was there that the publican of The Spirit Store would tell me that one gig and one gig only would sell out faster than any other in his fine establishment, Damien Dempsey.
Damien Dempsey holds a special place in my musical development. He was one of the first Irish artists I had ever followed closely. My love affair with his music faded after his hit album ‘Shots’ and a lot of those songs have been in my musical doldrums ever since.
It wasn’t long in to the gig before I transported myself back into those days in 2003-2005. When I say it didn’t take long, it was actually the first words of ‘Sing All Your Cares Away’ when he roared: “Mary loves the grouse, hides the bottles around the house”. My memory came flooding back as I recited the lyrics back, word for word. The Workmans erupted after what is one of Damien’s most loved songs. Not soon after, the recital of lyrics turns into a chorus of “Damo, Damo, Damo…” chants.
“Good evening my friends” are the first words Damien musters together. Those words seem to hit home as Damien feels and acts like a man of the people and by referring to us as his friends, goes a long way in aiding this notion. ‘Negative Vibes’ proves a fan favourite, as this for many was the song that introduced Damien to his adoring Irish public.
‘Rocky Road to Dublin’ gives us a full on traditional side while ‘Pretty Smile’ would show us some of the newer edges to Damo. ‘Party On’ is another song which has the crowd roaring the lyrics: “Doing E, doing speed, doing cocaine. Mix it with alcohol and go insane.” Maybe not the most festive of lyrics on this week leading up to Christmas. At least the songs offers us some good sentiments leading us into the new year: “I’m giving it up I swear in the New Year.. No more of that for me, you’ll see… I’m going to be going straight I can’t wait. Until this year is gone, party on..”
‘Colony’ provides a chilling rebel speech for the Irish nation and it’s history. He exits the stage soon after, only to return to a rousing reception. He then welcomes Moya Brennan, famous for her days in Clannad, on stage to act as Kirsty Mc Cauls replacement for ‘Fairytale of New York’. Damien probably should have told her to learn the words to the song before she came out as she made a total mess of the song, leaving out a verse and leading Damien in a mix match version of this Christmas classic. She can count herself lucky as this was just the first night out of the 3 leaving her some time to catch up on the lyrics.
‘Patience’ and ‘Seize The Day’ round off this swashbuckling performance by one of Irelands greatest performers. Damo is a credit to his fans and more importantly, his fans are a credit to him. It has been a long time since I have seen more committed and knowledgeable fans of an artist’s music. Anyone lucky enough to have seen this gig or any of the gigs that followed was well entertained. Instead of giving something up in the New Year, as Damo told us previously in the gig, do me a favour and make it your business to catch Damien Dempsey in 2012. You will not regret it.