Dear Reader –
Have you ever heard a song and been immediately transported to another place and time? I just love how music can do this. A few examples of it in this week’s letter.
All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
Firstly back to last week’s letter however, where I wrote of my excitement at being asked to join the Second Captains lads on stage at the Liberty Hall Theatre for a run of live shows.
There were many highlights - the lads never shy away from covering the role of sport in bigger world issues but always do it in a thoughtful way, coated with humour, music and high production values.
My favourite moment happened on the Friday night. As part of the show, I had been asked to play a piece written by the late Swinford pianist Conor Walsh, and that night, March 11th, happened to be his anniversary. After the show, an old friend of his approached me with tears in his eyes and thanked me for playing his buddy’s music. He proceeded to tell me the story of where he was six years previously when he heard the news, of how much he missed him, and how hearing his music that night kept him alive in some way.
A reminder that you never know who is in the audience on a given evening.
Where else but Sligo?
Here’s one of the big vocal talents in the current crop of local teenage musicians. Simply stunning. Her voice will hopefully make memories for many in the future.
Leah Davidson with What a Difference a Day Makes from Teenage Theme Night #25. Thanks to Sean Carleton for the video.
What’s New?
MY LAST SLIGO WEEKENDER COLUMN: 76 columns later, here it is, with some reflections on a wonderful experience.
IRELAND v ENGLAND: Shane Horgan’s famous 2006 try was featured on one of the Second Captains shows during the week. Watch it again here in the context of a beautiful story, written by his brother Mark about his experience that day. No music here, but what a memory!
HEARDLE: A previous edition of this letter featured Wordle, the word puzzle which has taken the world by storm. Here’s Heardle - the musical version!
Finally…
Guitarist Jim Meehan passed away last week. He was a kind and gentle soul, always supportive, passionate about music and fair play for musicians. He was a key player too in the formation of the Sligo Jazz Project.
A tasty player in his own right, I always enjoyed listening to him over the years playing with the likes of Gerry Grennan, Felip Carbonell and Amy O’Hara (below). Here he is in 2016, performing with Amy at Theme Night #14.
Rest in Peace Jim.
Till next time - Kieran.
