Hi all. Things are moving very fast. Last week I played guitar and piano onstage for the first time since the Gig For Gaza in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre last September. A month ago I wasn’t sure if I’d ever play again. I’m finally realising that I can do it now. Still stiff and a little sore but getting better all the time.
But I wasn’t expecting to be working so soon. I had planned some shows in April and May because …well, you have to plan shows way in advance even before you know if you can do them! I was looking forward to Feb and March to complete my recovery and was confident. But now I’m being asked to play with the Ulster Orchestra in The Waterfront Theatre, Belfast on Mar 3 for a BBC TV recording of a St Patrick’s Day show and…I’m going to do it. I plan to sing two songs, a new song called Oceans Of Time and Nobody Knows. Then it’s concerts in Limerick (April 10), Ratoath (23 & 24 April), Cork (25 April) and Dublin (May 15) all details on the tour dates page.
In mid April my new record comes out. Volume 1 of the ‘Vicar Street Sessions’. A live recording from the series of gigs I did in Dublin’s Vicar Street in October 2001. Guesting with me and my band are some of the artists I’ve most admired in my musical journey to date. First up is Mark Knopfler singing ‘Baloney Again’, first heard on his ‘Sailing To Philadelphia’ album, it’s that perfect vignette of life back then as a black touring band in the Southern States of USA. Next up is Gavin Friday with a truly stunning interpretation of my song ‘Nobody Knows’. A beautiful surprise to me when I first heard it. Sinead O’Connor and I do an a-cappella duet of her song ‘In This Heart’ which even now raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Then it’s Van Morrison for a duet on his love song to his own people, ‘Irish Heartbeat’. My dear friend Bonnie Raitt brings me such pleasure when she joins me on my song ‘Not The Only One’. Curtis Stigers popped in on his way home to USA from a UK tour and we did an intimate performance of his song to his daughter, “Don’t Go Far’. Then it’s Ronan Keating on our co-write ‘The Long Goodbye’ leading into ‘Last seen October 9th’ where I play piano and sing with Eleanor McEvoy on her song. The record finishes with a rousing version of Bob Dylan’s ‘Forever Young’ where I’m joined by those three Irish divas Maura O’Connell, Mary Black and Moya Brennan. Interspersed with all three duets I have time to sing with my band ‘I Want You To Want Me’, The Soul Commotion’, Believe In Me’ and ‘The World Is What You Make it’. I’m very happy with this, the first in a series of releases from that glorious time.
Cant wait for the live recording !!
Hopefully a U.S. tour later in the year ,specifically NYC city winery .
Could not be happier to hear your on the mend myself being the youngest of 5 I grew up in a house full of music from dire straits Paul Simon to Mary black and of course Paul Brady thanks to the input from my brother and sisters I have a unique taste in good music. I hope you plan on playing Derry soon
Best of luck Paul and hope your back to 100% in no time
WOW! That sounds fabulous, PB! So glad your hands are doing well & you are fighting your way back to us! What would we do without your music!
Just too great!
Wow this new album sounds great Paul ! So good to hear you are back playing ! When do you hit NZ again ?
Your music has inspired me Paul. I first saw you on the TV with a great band way back in the day. My late wife and I (who with, I wrote sixty odd songs), were deeply moved by the intensity and integrity of your lyrics. I could go on..
Hi there Paul Just to say welcome back on the recording scene and I sincerely wish you all the success with the new album in the world. I hope to hear something from it very soon.
Hi there Paul Just to say welcome back on the recording scene .Good luck as always.
Hi there Paul Just to say congratulations and the best of luck with your new album..
Hi Cyril
Thanks for the good wishes. The record is available from the site here tomorrow Fri 8th. Paul
Hi Paul watching the sun set over Wexford from Curracloe after a torrential downpour
Here and gone in an hour
Feels more like Spain and not Ireland
Except for
listening to forever young from volume one of the best albums ever recorded at vicar street
Please tell us there is more that could be released from that magic October series of sessions !
And you will do it
Best wishes. James
Hi James,
Thanks for the kind words and so pleased you like the VICAR Street record. There are some more recordings from that period but we’re still waiting to release them. Watch this space! Paul
One night when travelling back from seeing Bohemian Rhapsody in the cinema in Castlebar we were driving back to our base in Achill when I played ‘nothing but the same old story ‘ for my two teenage daughters and I told them about the recession in Ireland in the 80’s and that many of my classmates had Dad’s working in England who only really got home at Christmas. I recalled a teacher who told us in ;5th class that there was no Santa as it was too hard on families at the time to expect presents, the next thing I heard some terrible sobbing from the back seat in the dark from my second born who, for the first time had adult confirmation about Santa. She never forgave Paul Brady and that song. It will be forever linked to that night. She came to your concert tonight in Navan and forgives everything!
Brilliant night in the National Opera House Wexford. Well done Paul, wonderful singing and playing. Thank you. Best wishes and long May you keep playing and delighting audiences.
Thanks Sandra! I had a good time too. A great audience ye were! Paul
When ye coming back to the north of England ?