Sacred Roots presents Freddie White live At The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal this Friday  April 30th 2010

Tickets @ Scott’s Treasure Shop, 137 North Main Street, Youghal. Call 024 90333

Freddie White – the maestro of quality music

Freddie White has long been synonymous with music of the highest quality. Whether interpreting songs by his favourite writers, such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, John Hiatt and Guy Clark, or performing his own classy compositions, Freddie’s live performances are nothing short of legendary.

Freddie has been part of the fabric of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970’s and his albums continue to sell well, amongst his loyal and new-found fan base.

Born in Cobh, County Cork into a musical family, by age thirteen Freddie was playing in school bands and by seventeen playing professionally. At nineteen, he moved to   London, where he busked in subways, and developed his unique voice and guitar style.

Since then he has regularly toured   Ireland and   Europe and during the past year has dedicated himself to the development of his latest recording, collaborating with songwriters Jimmy MacCarthy and Jim Barrett.

Released in 2008, ‘Stormy Lullaby, is a stunning collection of moody tracks in which Freddie White’s musicianship and voice shine through. He has once again teamed up with his old cohort DanDan Fitzgerald to produce this gem. The album has an acoustic feel thanks to the input of a small, tight group of musicians from his native Cork.

‘Stormy Lullaby’ is a collection of eleven songs. Some tracks are newly written, while others (not previously recorded by Freddie) have proven their worth by becoming firm favourites with his live audiences.

Strictly no alcohol or intoxicated persons allowed

Under 16s are free (ID required) -  it’s an all ages concert!

Mick Flannery and Kate Walsh played to a capacity audience of music lovers last Thursay night ( Nov. 26th Nov. 2009) at St Mary’s Collegiate Church in Youghal. Sacred Root Productions promoted the event to raise funds for their excellent work with youth and community group.
Photo: Michael Hussey/Bromwen Howley www.youghalonline.com  Email: news@youghalonline.com

Local musicians Bobby Lee, Helen Murray and Steve Whelan played support and Bobby Whyte was MC. The concert is one of a series to be staged in the historic Church with Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hothouse flowers) to play next at the beginning of January 2010. Watch this space for more info.

Mick Flannery

It’s hard to reconcile the nondescript character from interviews, with the husky voice, rich with charisma and charm, that emits from the speakers. But Mick Flannery is a bit of a paradox. The shy Corkonian – stonemason by day, troubadour by night – caused quite a stir with his 2005 debut ‘Evening Train’, an album that drew more comparisons with a young Tom Waits than any other artist in recent memory, Irish or otherwise.

The most astounding thing about Flannery, though, was that an album dripping with maturity, poise and potential was crafted when the Blarney man was just 21 years old.

Now at the ripe old age of 25, Flannery’s first major label-debut is equally as stimulating. The Waits comparisons are still apparent, although on ‘White Lies’, there’s a sense that Flannery is very much determined to shun any resemblances, and find his own sound. Undoubtedly influenced by classic songwriters, his gorgeous, textured voice – which sounds it’s lived through several lifetimes – is less imitative of his heroes, but no less affecting or understated.

There’s no doubt, either, that Flannery’s talent as a songwriter is exciting: aching piano and guitar ballads sit comfortably astride sultry, theatrical bar-room fables that groove and quietly holler, while the subtleties of his key changes, the gorgeous female backing vocals on many songs, and his proficiency with lyrics (Near or Far is particularly stirring) don’t go unnoticed, either.

A singer-songwriter in the truest sense of the word – perhaps ‘storyteller’ would be more appropriate – ‘White Lies’ may not be a perfect album, but it’s certainly a promising step forward for a real talent. Watch this one grow. Review by Lauren Murphy

Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh is an English singer from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.

A graduate of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, her first album was Clocktower Park (produced by Lee Russell), released in 2003 by Kitchenware Records. The album was named for a meeting place in her home town. In 2007, she released her second album, Tim’s House. It quickly became the No. 1 album on the UK iTunes Store. The album also features her most popular song, Your Song. Her big break came when she gained iTunes customers’ attention when her song Talk of the Town became the iTunes Free Single of the Week from the week beginning 20th March 2007.

Her third studio album, Light and Dark, was released in the UK on 31st August 2009. The lead single from the record, June Last Year, was released on 24th August. She is set to begin her UK tour at the end of September

Steve Whelan

Youghal singer/songwriter Steve Whelan has a very down to earth approach delivering his music with a spirit of honesty presence and grit. His smoky vocals married with his simple but poetic and addictive melodies produces a musical honesty and edge possessed by few writer composers. His influences range from Ben Harper, Cat Stevens, The Beatles to Gospel and Spiritual music.

Bobby Lee

Broadly deemed one of the finest guitarists of his generation, in 1996 Bobby was judged Fender’s “Irish guitarist of the future” by no less an intuitive opinion than that of Donal Gallagher, brother to the late Rory. (He received his award at Wembley Conference Centre, in the company of such as Hank Marvin of The Shadows and Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac).Interveining years has seen Bobby collaborate and support international luminaries like David Gray-Mercury Rev-The Kinks – Ronan O Snodaigh – Dee Armstrong- Liam Ó Maonlaí as well as long time friends and Irish stars Kila.

Bobby’s highlight in 2007 was funkin it up on the chill stage at Ireland’s prestigious Electric Picnic Festival 2007 and he has just come off a National tour with Dublin based band Kila to promote his new album “The Future History”. Bobby is a soulful, sensitive performer and songwriter, his highly spirited Funky Folk and Soul sound takes his music far beyond the realms of singer songwriter. His songs carry messages laden with spiritual and social imperative and are delivered with supreme musical and vocal dexterity.

He cites Jesus Christ as influential in his life and work but asked as to his religious preference, he replies, “I am who I am. Its not the branch that matters, it’s the ground its planted in, whether Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim. They’re all just labels. Its not important what I am, its important that I am.” Bobby was ably joined on stage by local singer Helen Murray who is a former winner of the Y Factor.
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