One Take Sessions

The One Take Sessions returns this week on it’s 14th outing and brings with it four fantastic Wexford acts, three of whom are making a second appearance at the ‘Sessions since the launch last November. This Thursday showcases the finest of Wexford talent in the forms of Michael Whelan, Gordon Barry (OTS Debut), Ian Doyle (Chaplin) and Tortured Artists Social Club.

Don’t miss out on yet another great free night of music in the most intimate surrounds of Cleere’s Theatre on Parliament Street, Kilkenny.

We’re trying to catchup on the missing videos and podcasts this week and we’re also finalising the lineup for both October nights and the single November night of this year. Jimi Cullen, who just performed at the One Take Sessions last week will be making his third appearance of 2007 on October 4th and we’re more than delighted to welcome him back to Cleere’s given the reaction to his most recent performance. We’ve also got James O’Toole to look forward to, Jamie McDonald, ODi and many more so keep the eyes peeled towards the latter stages of this week.

Well the 13th One Take Sessions had a bit of a superstitious nature to it, falling on a weekend where today is Friday the 13th, it being the 13th night of the Sessions, something was bound to happen!

We had lost Waiting To Explode and Bright Light Fiasco earlier in the week, Jack O’Leary getting bumped up from a later session this year to perform last night. Jimi Cullen arrived in at 8pm with guitar in hand and uttered the words “were you talking to Darren”. Another strike. A text message from Darren and further conversation with Jimi revealed Darren (who runs the Wexford Song Club) was down with a dose of the flu and wouldn’t be able to make it for the night. All of a sudden we’re down to just one of the original acts out of four. Jack was on the way, no problems there, so yours truly drove home to pack a bag, grab a guitar and hit the stage for the ‘Sessions.

We started things off 9:50pm or so allowing people time to take their seats, myself (Ken) taking to the stage first with some Happy Medium material. Leaving the trad stuff for Wednesdays thanks! (Catch the Cracked Bucket Band every Wednesday in Kilkenny). Not the most organised of setlists given I gave myself about 20 minutes notice of playing a gig and trying to warm up for it but it was enjoyable all the same.

Next up on the bill was Gowran man Jack O’Leary who hitched his way into town for the ‘Sessions. With songs including “Meet Me At The Jazz Club” and “Blessed Ignorance Of Man”, Jack’s musical presence on stage is equalled by his comic timing. If you’ve never seen a man who can entertain a crowd by simply drinking a glass of water on the stage then you’re missing out. But such is the joy of coming to the One Take Sessions and experiencing these things for yourself. Plus the 40-50 strong crowd certainly lapped things up.

It was 11:20 by the time Jimi Cullen took to the stage, allowing a quick 3 minute break between Jack’s set and his own. Normally we’re getting ready to pack up and go home at that stage but with the music in full swing and people firmly planted in their seats the night kept going and Jimi entertained the masses with some excellent story telling and pieces from his current album “When The Last Leaf Falls” including “The Poverty Song”, “Hangover Blues” and the anti-war song that is “G&T On The Rocks”, the Gorey singer-songwriter certainly made his mark on the ‘Sessions.

We might have fallen foul to losing the original acts but in the end it didn’t matter. Another fantastic night at the One Take Sessions, our second in the new home of Cleere’s (a transformation which has done wonders to the sound and overall atmosphere of the performances) and there’ll be many more to come as well.

So from myself, Ross (with photos appearing this weekend on the KilkennyMusic.com gallery), Mickey (on sound for last night) and Daw (who was away performing in Clonmel at the Junction Festival), thanks very much for continuing to make the One Take Sessions what it is. We’ll be back on August 2nd in Cleere’s when we’re being invaded by a load of Strawberries. As someone who shall remain nameless said last night in the bar post-gig, “they might not be any good at Hurling, sure the might as well be good at music”. Or something to that effect, maybe not so politely!

Hopefully there’ll be the video footage from both last night and the remaining footage from June 21st uploaded over the weekend.

The 13th night of the One Take Sessions hits Cleere’s tonight. You might say unlucky for some - we’ve had some last minute lineup changes with Waiting To Explode and Bright Light Fiasco taking a nosedive off the bill and Jack O’Leary stepping into the fray, making his second appearance at the One Take Sessions in the past seven months.

Hardcore One Take Sessions fans should remember Jimi Cullen and Jack who both put on fantastic sets when they played their respective nights earlier this year in ID but now, a few months on and a new venue in hand it will be great to see both acts take to the stage in Cleere’s. Some people might remember Darren Byrne from a few years back, making the national headlines for being refused entry into the US and sent packing back to Ireland. Ten years ago, possibly slightly more, Darren formed The Wexford Songclub which is still going strong today.

He’s played with the likes of Mary Coughlan, Shane McGowan, Juliet Turner, Paddy Casey, Kila. He runs his own agency and has so many music fingers and musical pies its amazing he’s still going. 3,000 gigs later he arrives at the One Take Sessions. Ever seen an Irishman rap with a boudhran - quite possible tonight that you will.

We’re in Cleere’s at go at 9:30pm or so, it is free - bring the friends, girlfriend, boyfriend, brother, sister, grandparents - whatever. Challenge yourself to discover new music! See all y’all in Cleere’s tonight!

Seemingly, though without contact from management, Waiting To Explode will not be appearing at the One Take Sessions this Thursday night. Their much anticipated performance at the ‘Sessions, now taking place in Cleere’s Theatre since June 21st of this year, will not be happening for reasons unknown. Seemingly their manager has been in contact and canceled their appearance (making this the third time it has been put off since the start of the year) though we were completely unaware of any cancellation until lunch time today via a third party.

Apologies to those of you looking forward to seeing Waiting To Explode in action on the acoustic scene.

What you do have to look forward to though are three fantastic acts in the form of Wexfordians Jimi Cullen and Darren Byrne along with Kilkenny’s Jack O’Leary. Each of these three acts would wow any audience and are a more warm welcome to the One Take Sessions.

The 13th night of the ‘Sessions kicks off this Thursday night in Cleere’s Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny at 9:30pm. Come in, grab a drink and a table in the theatre and enjoy some great music from these terrific performers.