To celebrate the fact that it is twenty years since Michael first released Gaels Blue we have a real treat from the archives - The Gaels Blue Orchestra play the music of Gaels Blue "live" from the Dundee concert on the night the album was officially released.
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Here is my review from the bands one and only appearance in Aberdeen at the Arts Centre - April 9 1985 - ( a couple of nights after the Dundee gig) when Michael fulfilled a long held ambition to play a date in Aberdeen with his big band. (Please excuse the hand made poster and note the ticket price.)
Michael Marra and The Gaels Blue Orchestra with support The Chillipeppers -
Playing in Aberdeen for the first time The Chillippers
are Gary Clark, Guitar and vocals, Alan McGlone on saxophone and Gerard Grimes on tea chest bass, yes tea chest bass and boy can Gerard play the thing. The three lads from Dundee only play together on an occassional basis as each have other full time committments, Gary and Ged Grimes in Spencer Tracy and currently getting rave reviews in the national music weeklies. Alan is a record producer and session musician. The set showed their great love of the popular song. Witness Nat King Cole's - Tender Trap, Bacharach and David's I Say A Little Prayer and I'll Never Fall In Love Again. Gary's voice is superb and his punchy rythm guitar was beautifully complimented by Alan's sax fills and breaks, all this was held together by Ged's lyrical bass and percussion courtesy of his feet. A short but classy set. You'll be hearing more from these guys!!
The Gaels Blue Orchestra's opening opus Flagrant Delicht was a tasty instrumental showing off the individual band member's musical prowess to great effect led by Mr Marra ,resplendent in white tuxedo, seated at the magnificent Steinway grand piano ................
Listen to them for yourself and imagine you were there. It's not difficult, close your eyes now .........
The setlist was as follows -
Flagrant Delicht
To Beat the Drum
Racing From Newburgh
When My Eyes Become Accustomed To The Light
3 Singing Headsquares
Mincing Wi Chairlhi
The Altar Boys
Gaels Blue
The Angus Man's Welcome to Mary Stuart
Black Babies
Happed In Mist
Peter
Barnyards O' Delgaty
General Grant's Visit to Dundee
Loving You [Is Sweeter Then Ever] {Encore}
The 11 piece band featured Michael Marra on piano and vocals, Derek Thomson on Keyboards, Christopher Marra on guitars, Kevin Murray on guitars and mandolin, Alan McGlone on saxophone, Ged Grimes on bass, Brian McDermott on drums, Gary Clark on percussion and vocals and The Three Singin' Headsquares, Alison Shearer, Frances Carlin and Pauline Rourke on backing vocals.
Remember to visit the section on the site and rate the songs.
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