Dear Reader - I saw Jacob Collier in Dublin last night…so much to process!
The Big Thing
It reminded me of seeing Vulfpeck in Vicar St with Eddie Lee back in 2016. So many musicians in the crowd! Lots of Theme Night friends and Sligo Jazz heads. Great to bump into so many familiar faces.
Here’s an (extended) review I sent to a few friends this morning…
Firstly it was way better than I thought it was going to be. I went more out of curiosity - I haven’t necessarily connected with much of his music before but there is no doubt that he is one of the musical geniuses of our time.
I had seen him online doing this and that and a bit of that and lots of this and then a bit more of that too - but wondered what would he choose to do on a gig to bring us with him?
Firstly he gave us energy! And lots of it. He sprinted onto the stage and hit us with the most incredible opening which included The Rare Old Mountain Dew but was anchored by a fantastic version of You’re Just Too Good to be True.
Lots of great arrangements throughout too - he covered Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, Sinéad O’Connor and Queen among others.
He is a piano player at heart which is always a bonus for me.
He has an amazing mastery of harmony and augmented his arrangements with tasty (possibly the highest compliment I will pay a chord) chords throughout. It was interesting but always accessible.
There was one moment where he sang while playing piano with one hand and guitar with the other. It wasn’t a gimmick - it was just gorgeous.
He is known for making his audiences into a choir. These parts of the show were amazing. I sang at times and at other times I just listened - the whole Olympia singing in 3-part harmony was so good.
Finally he is a generous musician. I loved watching him accompany his guests and the attention he gave them. Lizzy McAlpine joined him on stage for a few songs as did his support act - Wallis Bird. Jacob didn’t take his eyes off either while they were singing - his sole focus was their vocal, the song and how he could make each sound better.
Brilliant gig overall I must say. Especially when I went into it unsure.
It really is incredible for one person to do all he did. He is a creative and musical genius and it was a real treat to see him in a venue like the Olympia.
He uploaded this video to Instagram last night - it was him at his creative best - directing us to make a video to encourage the Americans to vote next week!
Where else but Sligo?
The most work I have ever seen go into a children’s show!
And by all accounts it paid off - The Whacky Witch and her Magic Cauldron delighted audiences in Sligo this week.
Congrats to director Kieran Griffiths, musical director Niamh Crowley, and the cast of Sinéad, Orla, Katelyn and Luke.
What’s New?
STEPHANIE RAINEY IN SLIGO: One of our visiting artists on Theme Night #35. Enjoyed the experience so much that she is coming back to the Hawk’s Well next March. Details here.
NIALL McCABE IN SLIGO: Same with Niall (Visiting Artist on #33) - except his gig is in a few weeks!
MEDITATIONS FOR MORTALS: I’m loving this book at the moment. Perfect for the calm after a Theme Night! From the author of Four Thousand Weeks - recommended in these pages previously.
Finally…
Interestingly, my piano lessons started last week with a bunch of orchestrations to listen to and digest. This was one - just sublime.
Vince Mendoza is the man!
Till next time - Kieran.
