John Spillane

Sunday afternoon, ten to one to be more precise. I got a message on my web log from my mum asking what happened in April. Made me indeed realise that it is ages ago I posted an update. But here it finally is.

Am listening to ‘Hey Dreamer’ of John Spillane. A Cork singer. Went to his show last Saturday. Was blown away once more. Made me realise again how important music is for me. Don’t know how to explain it without getting into clichés. But it is like I always get new energy after going to a good gig. Is for me the most ideal way to relax. Discovering new singers, great musicians,….I convinced one of my housemates last week to join me for the gig. Thomas, the French guy. Think he was quite impressed as well. He too was listening to the new CD nearly every day of last week. Told Thomas also about my “favourite all times”…..he borrowed some of his CD’s last week and insisted after listening to them that I order tickets as soon as possible for his next show. The sixth of June, in Cork City. Yes, Luka it is indeed. Laura, the Canadian girl is going to accompany us that night as well. Already looking forward to it. Will be great fun. But first his show in Brussels of course. Am going home next Saturday. My little godchild is still enjoying the save existence of her mother’s womb, but at the latest Tuesday the little one will have to make the big step. Can’t wait to hold her, to meet her. She’s keeping us waiting for the last three weeks, we are all way too nervous, expecting her every moment. Think she has at least one characteristic in common with her mum; it looks like she is a small stubborn one, doing the things only when she feels like doing them.

Back to the John Spillane show. Was in Cork Opera House. Second time I went to a gig there. Saw Christy Moore and Luka Bloom there last summer. Thomas and I had a seat on the second row, right in the middle. Perfect. As always in Ireland, the show started a little later than it was supposed to. The gig was sold out. John Spillane, the Cork man was playing a home game. The audience was quite young, in their twenties and thirties. The more “fashionable” class of Cork. As soon as John appeared on stage, he got their attention for a hundred percent. He started the show with some ‘fairly depressing songs’ and switched over to some happier ones after that. Between the songs he took the time to tell about himself and his songs. He did that in such a peculiar way, with a very explicit Cork accent that you just had to laugh. When I asked my colleague Bill earlier that week what John is about he just said: “he is soooo funny”. And funny he was indeed. Beside a great musician this guy definitely is a stand up comedian as well. That’s for sure. He brought a lot of ‘mystery guests’ with him. Amongst them also an actor. He read a very funny (although dramatic as well) story about a carpenter making his own coffin. Because of that, the first part of the show was a bit like a cabaret. I wasn’t bored for one second. John definitely knows how to set up a show. After a short break, in which Thomas bought me a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, John came back and introduced his other mystery guests. A girl from Dingle named Pauline Scanlon. I was blown away hearing her doing the background vocals on ‘beautiful tears’. Was definitely a “goosebumps-moment”. There was the poet Louis De Paor, who made an impressive contribution to the tribute song to Rory Gallagher and recited some other Gaelic poets as well. I just love the sound of the Irish language. The mysterious sounds harmonize perfect with the fairy tale image of Ireland. Another guitarist as well. Can’t remember his name. Just know that he also plays in the Irish group Lunasha. Great musician. Looked a bit as James Nesbitt, the Northern-Irish actor, to me. Where the first part of the show was a varied mix between music and word, the second part was really concentrated on John’s music and his singing. The show became more intense. The way the different mystery guests accompanied him, was sublime. It is no wonder though that John couldn’t finish his show without a standing ovation, an encore, another standing ovation, another encore ‘just for the craic’ and a final standing ovation. Great stuff. John and the other musicians enchanted the audience for almost three hours. Had a great time. As I was suffering a serious cold last week, Thomas and I just went home after the show. I didn’t feel like going for a drink. Felt quite bad actually. But am healthy again now. Ready to see my little niece.

Saskia

Mariza

Went to see Mariza, a Portuguese Fado singer yesterday evening. Was a great experience. I saw her once on Belgian television, a couple of years ago. Wanted to check her out live now.

Concert was at the Savoy, a venue in Saint Patricksstreet. People had to queue outside for nearly twenty minutes before they get in. And so did I. There were no numbered seats, but I was quite lucky, as I found myself a chair on the second row. As things go in Ireland, most Irish prefered to take some alcohol in the concert hall. Unfortunately they are not all that clever and at least two people in my direct neighbourhood managed to knock over their pint. I do understand now why in Belgium people are not allowed to bring drink in the room.

From the moment Mariza came on stage, everyone became silent. Yes, everyone, not everything, as the bloody airconditiong was making an anoying noise during the whole concert. A quite frustrating thing, if you are enjoying the kind of music where the moments of silence are nearly as important as the moments of singing and playing. Can not understand they didn't switch off that stupid thing. There was no need for it at all. Was actually quite freezing.

Mariza sings Fado from both the North and the South of Portugal. She has a great voice, a great expression and with her long black dress and her bleached hair, she left a big impression on me. It's amazing how she played with the audiance. They were quite when she wanted it and clapped their hands when the music needed it. She brought some amazing musicians with her. Especially the basist from Mozambique was great. His solo was just top. Loved the percussionist as well.

After a standing ovation, they all came back for an encore. Was even more impressive. Mariza ordered her musicians to unplug their instruments and they came all together in the front of the stage to sing a 'song for us to cry'. She didn't used a microphone either. But still everyone could hear here. Massive voice. Unbelievable. I think she is coming to Brussels one of the next weeks, just go and experience fado yourself. It is definitely a must.

Saskia

Dublin and the arrival training: day one

It's 12.40 at night. I'm in the Marino Institute of Education for my on arrival training. Dublin it is. We have free internet here. Great stuff. No Irish students, as it is a holiday. Only us, EVSers. Just back from the pub (it's monday evening, so they close early). First day here was ok. Although I think the training is gonna be a bit boring for the rest. First "night"activity was bowling. Not really Irish. First time I did it. And......beat all they others (think I'm a natural talent) But the people are nice.

Spend the weekend in Cahir with Ruth and her French friend Alex. It's a bit akward to write about it today, cause Ruth is sitting next to me. But I definitely had a great time. A wild night in the pub. Just a local one. Was great fun. Met some nice people (sometimes it is indeed an advantage to live in a one-horse town, as it is really easy to meet other people). For the first time I experienced the "closing-pub-time" with the national anthem. I read about it in a lot of tourist guides and stuff, but never experienced it myself. But they did indeed in Cahir. And they were really serious about it. 't Was definitely not for the tourist. Around one o clock every one stood up and with their hands on their back when they started singing. Even the most drunk people looked well enough to do so. Great experience. Most people left afterwards, but I think it was already four when we did as well. Through a side entrance, after one of the girls watched if there were no guarda passing. Really funny.

The moving thing to Cork went quite well. Only living there for one short week, but I already start to feel at home there. Live with other international people. The Norwegian one is a bit weird, euh....yes nerd...but the others are nice. One girl from Canada. We spend Saint Patrick's day together. And Ruth and Alex came to Cork as well. Was a bit dissapointed about the Parade. But the athmosphere in the pubs was great. I always thought my name was boring, but as I always got compliments from Irish people (boys) because of my name, I don't have another choice than just start liking it myself. Hihihi.

So far for now. Not really sober at the moment. As soon as I have some time, I'll put some other pictures on the net. Hope to hear you all soon (especially the Leuven Kliek was a bit quite so far).

Saskia