Review By Vanessa Monaghan
2010 has been a good year so far for Ryan Sheridan. Oxegen, Benicassim and Electric Picnic slots, landing a deal with Rubyworks and now releasing his new single ‘Jigsaw’.
The venue for the single launch was the Sugar Club on a rainy night in Dublin. Keeping the waiting audience entertained was Andrew Hozier-Byrne. Starting his set playing a resonator, Andrew has quite a distinctive finger style and a strong vocal style. His blues tinged set shows him to be still quite a timid, shy performer. That’s something that will change no doubt with more gigs.
Ryan Sheridan comes to the stage to rapturous applause. Along with Artur Graczyk, the two have honed a style that makes them distinctive on the Irish circuit. The combination of cajon and guitar and how the pair use them, make a full rounded sound. During ‘Highroller’, Graczyk uses different parts of the cajon, creating different sounds to great benefit.
Sheridan introduces the song ‘Machine’, explaining that it was the song that got them to Bencassim. The mere mention of the song title is enough to have members of the audience shout their appreciation. It’s probably Sheridan’s slowest tempo-ed track of the night and different to other songs in his set as percussion comes in about half way through. This though, gives Sheridan’s vocals a chance in the spotlight.
The pair keep the onside audience happy with a funky version of The Doobie Brothers ‘Long Train Running’ before Sheridan jokingly asks the audience if the night was ten euro well spent.
The new single ‘Jigsaw’ gets an airing, its an upbeat track with a memorable melody and hook. Although it might be Sheridan’s name in lights. Graczyk has a big part to play in the overall package. Mid way through the song a quick guitar change is in order, leaving Artur to hold the fort with his rhythms. This only gets the crowd going more, chanting the percussionist name and clapping in time. Sheridan returns to finish the song from the edge of the stage to get what was then the best reception of the night.
One of the things I never quite like about the Sugar Club was the large area behind the seats in front of the bar. Through no fault of their own, once the seating area is full, this is where people tend to congregate. Sheridan is quite aware of this and uses a couple of covers to get them involved.
The Sheridan/Graczyk pairing have become well known faces on the busking circuit in Dublin. Their well worked choice of covers work to their benefit. ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ is followed by a rousing rendition of ‘Little Lion Man’, that gives the blokes at the back the chance to sing the F word at the top of their voices. The song ends with an upbeat dancey rhythm and Sheridan standing on tables at the front of the seating area giving it 110%.
Best of all though, is their cover of Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy. Not a song you would immediately expect to hear. If Sheridan had to release a cover version, this would be it.
‘Jigsaw’ gets another go, this time the audience are singing every word back to the Co. Monaghan man and he looks like he loves it. Walking across seats while he’s playing, drives the audience to their feet, showing their appreciation.
The obligatory ‘leave the stage for a minute’ before the encore, just gives the audience time to get their breath back. The fusion of guitar and cajon has everyone on their feet again and Sheridan takes full advantage. He walks again, across tables and chairs towards the back of the venue, with those gathered there now dancing and clapping in unison. Sheridan ends the set balancing on top of tables.
Both Sheridan and Graczyk put on a confident memorable show, once more of their own music gets out, these should be unmissable.