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Concert Mention/Feature
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Alamogordo Daily News, Concert Mention/Feature >>
Dervish performs at the Flickinger Center Nov. 14
This group, formed in 1989, of five musicians, Liam Kelly, Shane Mitchell, Martin Mc Ginley, Brian Mc Donagh and Michael Holmes came together to record an album of music which they released as The Boys of Sligo. The group was so inspired by the project that they decided to develop this informal gathering into a working band under the name Dervish, which was chosen because it related to any group of spiritual people who become enraptured by music.
Over the following two years Dervish honed their craft as a formative band. In 1991, Roscommon born singer Cathy Jordan and all Ireland champion fiddle player Shane McAleer joined the band giving them the right balance to produce the first Dervish album "Harmony Hill" which was released in 1992. It wasn't long before the impact of the album became apparent, winning widespread critical acclaim was described by many as "a landmark Irish traditional album."
The impact of the recording was immediate. Its artistry, musicianship and maturity won outstanding praise from the media placing Dervish to the forefront of the bands working on traditional Irish music. Substantial TV and radio exposure for the band and the album began to open all kind of doors. Dervish soon became one of the most sought after acts on the live music circuit worldwide and have continued to remain so over the years.
This demand led to the band touring continuously throughout 1993 and performing at all the major folk festivals. The enormous work load and the constant touring made it difficult for the band to work in the studio, but they managed to release their second album "Playing with Fire" in 1994, and so again, began the band's world wide travels to satisfy the demand created by both albums. The high expectations for the recording was not only mpt, but surpassed. Reviewers and critics alike praised "Playing with Fire" confirming Dervish's status as the pre eminent Irish traditional band. The album reached number one on the Irish Folk Music Charts and World/Roots music charts internationally and stayed on top for several months.
In 1996, Dervish released "At the End of the Day," which firmly established the band as a major force in world music, winning them the Hot Press Folk Album of the Year Award. In the same year the band performed a series of shows in Hong Kong and Malaysia which opened the door to the Far Eastern market. Since then Dervish has been a ground breaking force within Irish music bringing the roots of Irish music to almost all continents.
Dervish concert performances are a myriad of tones and moods ranging from high energy tunes, played with fluidity and intuitiveness, to beautifully measured songs, from charming lyrics of life and love, to inspiring melodies that lift audience's from their seats. All the elements are drawn together by Jordan's masterful stage-presence. Her stories to the songs and her interaction with the audience draws people into the music in a way very few performers can achieve. All this can be found in their fourth album "Live in Palma." As the name implies, it's live recording of a scintillating performance in front of a captivated audience at Palma de Majorcas 'Theatre Principal" in April 1997.
This double album has been hailed by critics as "one of the best live traditional recordings of our time." It furnishes the listener with an opportunity to savor the atmosphere (music, melodies and witty banter) which only a live recording can provide and Dervish have done it both masterfully and effortlessly: the decision to record the concert was made a few hours before going on stage and a performance such that a minimal amount of studio time was required to put the finishing touches to a virtually flawless concert. It worked like a dream; the power of Dervish in concert was captured and "Live in Palma" was released and given rave reviews by the international media. The same year the readers of Irish Music Magazine awarded Dervish Best Overall Traditional/Folk Band of the Year.
1998 was another grueling year for the group. It started with a six-week coast-to-coast sell out tour of the USA and a first ever-Irish tour which the band enjoyed considerable success. That year also saw a slight reshuffle of the group with Shane McAleer taking a career break. Luckily, . formidable replacement was found in Sligo's ,own Seamus O'Dowd a musician of high standing with a distinct Sligo style fiddle playing and incomparable guitar playing further adding to the talents of the group. Just before the end of the year,the addition of fiddle player Tom Morrow a native of Co. Leitrim and another All Ireland Champion completed the present line up of the band.
To celebrate 10 years together. Dervish released the album "Decade" in March 2001. "Decade" is a compilation of some of the finest tracks from their five highly acclaimed albums of Irish traditional music recorded over the last ten years.
In 2006 the band released an album from their rapidly expanding back catalog. This was an album that featured slower material recorded over the years. "A Healing Heart" was released and showed the softer side of Dervish.
Dervish is one of the most respected acts of modern time in World/Roots music worldwide. Their musical genius and innovative approach will ensure that they always will be a leading force in Irish music bringing the world joy, excite ment and fun that is, traditional Irish music.
If you go:
When: Nov. 14
Where: Flickinger Center for Performing Arts
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: $24, $18, $10
More information: Call the Flickinger Center at 437-2202.
11/09/06
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