But what I saw this last weekend I am still absolutely stunned by the concert. It was another level again. We were very lucky to get front row seats. Paul Brady came on stage like a storm. He sang and played beautifully. He had humour and emotion and energy unlike any other perfomer I have seen. He sang his own gorgeous songs and created a huge massive sound with just one instrument. I did not want the concert to end.
I have seen Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and even Freddie Mercury with Queen in his white jump suited heyday. I have seen John Martyn, Richard Thompson and the original Pixies line-up of the early 90s. But Brady wiped the floor with all of them.
I queued up to get a CD signed at the end. A man tapped me on the shoulder to tell me he had come from Holland for the concert. He said he had heard one Paul Brady song on the radio in Holland recently and had to buy the album. Then he had to come to the concert. He said that he had never heard all those songs that 'the people were singing to', he didn't know there were so many more songs written or sung by Paul Brady. He said now he has tp buy them all! Lucky man, he still has the pleasure of hearing so many Paul Brady songs like The Island and Lakes of Ponchartrain for the first time!
Thank you Paul Brady. We are so happy went went to see you. :))
Ever since I discovered your album Andy Irvine and Paul Brady over a decade ago, my life hasn't been the same. As a young ginger man from The Netherlands, I've picked up the guitar since and practiced nearly every day to get tunes like Arthur McBride, Mary and the Soldier, I Am A Youth Thatās Inclined To Ramble, The Lakes of Pontchartrain down. Iāve played in rock, ska and funk bands since, but Irish music and especially your tunes are still my all time favourite songs to play. I return to them regularly to find them just as fresh as when I first found them when I was in my early twenties.
The incredible guitar play, that amazing, powerful voice of yours, and all the other instruments you play - such an inspiration. When I went to UCD for a semester, I was hoping to catch you live, but unfortunately all shows were sold out (and rightfully so). My heart jumps a beat when I see your name appear on any scheduled show and I do hope to catch you on the stage one day.
Thank you for your beautiful music, for helping me on my way to find my own voice. Hopefully weāll meet one day and Iād be able to express my heartfelt gratitude in person. For bringing so much beauty in this world, for inspiring young and old alike, then and still. I wish you all the best!
Michiel
Regards
Joe
Just finished the book. Loved it. Took me ages to read it though
between checking things on Google and listening to songs on U tube !
Im sorry I cursed your publisher several times for not adding an index.
Thanks for ALL the music. Yours is still the definitive version of Arthur McBride.
Keep her lit.
you are still the best rhythm guitarist.
I became an ER doc and only still play for myself. All the best.
Thank you for the music.
Take care of yourself.
KW
Just finished your autobiography and I absolutely loved it. Splendid book.
Guestbook
782 entries.
Dear Paul, little did I realise as I stood jammed next to the speakers at the Half Moon in Putney in 1984, the day before my 35th birthday and the day of your live recording, that I would be ruing the day all these years later with my hearing rapidly declining š¤£ Not that I regret a minute of it and I would do the same again given the half chance, but I can certainly remember not being able to hear properly for several days afterwards. The old Half Moon was heaving that night, you and the band were absolutely smoking, one of the best 'live' gigs I ever attended, and I have been to a lot of gigs over the years. It's great to hear that you still have that boundless energy that was so memorable all those years ago and that magical voice. Thank you for the songs ā¤
We went to see Paul Brady play in Athlone at the weekend. I have only seen him on stage with others before. Once with the Johnstons for a reunion, about 2014 I think and then with Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and Kevin Burke. All were brilliant concerts.
Hi Paul, just a quick note to say thank you for providing me with a tremendous night in Glor Ennis last Friday night. Your performance was outstandingā¦.your voice is still so good and powerful , probably the best Iāve heard you singing. Of course, your guitar playing is beyond belief like a magic wand if in your hands! I was enthralledā¦many thanks for proving me with such a great feeling listening to you sing your wonderful repertoire of songs.
Dear Paul,
Looking for a ticket for your Ballymaloe concert. Sold out .
Hi Paul. Fair play to you, I really enjoyed the book and looking back on the songs and related utube clips.. Wishing you well for the future and thank you for bringing so much colour to the World.
Hi Paul
Loved the book, amazingly candid. I "found" you at Hard Station just after arriving in London in the 80's. How could I miss the connection? Added bonus I worked my way through your back catalogue while reading the book. Saw you at the NCH just before we all got locked up.. Keep up the great work and thanks for the music
Love your voice, your melodies and your lyrics. Please, please, come to the U.S., and not just City Wineries/major cities.... we have some beautiful venues - theaters - throughout Florida which are acoustically perfect for your work! Would love to see you at Florida Theater in Jacksonville. Tailor made for you. Ask Bonnie and Jackson, they can attest. ā„ā„ā„ā„ā„ā„ā„
Thinking about you ,my brother Mark, and Boston....
Your book made my Christmas. I recall chatting with you at the bar of the Royal Oak in Ealing Broadway back in the summer of 1969. Not long after I saw you with Dermot O'Brien and Tony McMahon rock the Old Spieling one Sunday night. I think it was an impromptu session but it was brilliant. Maybe I dreamt this. But thanks again for the book and keep on trucking.
Hi Paul - Really enjoyed your autobiography on Kindle for the first. Have listened to everything since Hard Station and enjoyed hearing about the background to albums and songs including the risk taking, the mistakes! and the pain, at times. The changes in direction have been most interesting and if I had a favourite album, it just might be Spirits Colliding though they all bring something to the table. Kind regards.
Paul thank you so very much for your wonderful concert in Perth which I took my son Cristin to. One song which had me in tears you played on the piano I think you said it was a visiting song but I am hard of hearing. I would love to hear it again one day and know the title. Slainte Cree
So glad to have taken a look at this (to see if you have tour dates yet for 2023) and read about your book. Instantly ordered for husband's Christmas present as we have been fans since 1968 when I saw you at our local folk club (in Orpington) with my schoolfriends! Playing in the Johnstons of course and we have followed you ever since.
Brady - thank you for all the music you have given us and Yes..........still in great shape after all these years.
Attended Vicar Street last night 22nd November 2022. Most enjoyable, and great to see yourself enjoying the music so much. Well worth the wait, keep it up!!
Hi there Paul, T'was a magical night with you guys at Perth Concert Hall, I was too shy to say hello afterwards, but really did want to thank you! So here I am. Its rare to find such a warm, friendly atmosphere as we had in the hall that night and I hope the rest of your tour is great too. All the best to you guys, Claire .
Hello Paul.
Dear Paul, my thanks to you and Andy, Donal and Kevin for a magical concert in Perth on Saturday. It was a great privilege to hear those songs again. I first saw you and Andy in the National in Kilburn, must have been about '77 when the record first came out. It's been a great source of pleasure and inspiration ever since. Best wishes for the rest of the tour. Sincerely, Pete.
Hello Paul , listening to your good self since your Holyrood days, Met Liam a few years ago still playing piano. I worked up the street in Big Joe's early 1960s . Music a gift of life . Regards Jim.