Ever since I entered the realm of music lessons as a child I was left in no doubt as to the superiority of Classical over popular music…that people like Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Bach, Schubert, Brahms, Dvořák…the list goes on…were superhuman Gods who dropped on to the earth, had miserable lives and then disappeared leaving the human race with incomparable gems never to be … [Read more...] about Classical v Popular music
Eurovision Song Contest
Another Eurovision Song Contest has come and gone and I'm scratching my head wondering what this is all about? As a musical phenomenon it long ago lost all credibility. I think when Lordi from Finland won it a couple of years ago that was the nadir, though Ireland's Dustin the Turkey did his bit to turn the whole thing into a joke. What is at stake in this 'competition'? … [Read more...] about Eurovision Song Contest
People and Music
When I started off playing music professionally I still laboured under the misapprehension that the listener responded to the music I made in the same way I felt it. Put that down, firstly, to an inherited tendency to think the world revolves around me (thanks, Ma!) but also to a strong dose of naivety. Gradually over time and with much disillusionment I came to realize that … [Read more...] about People and Music
Art and the real world
Here in Derry on Easter Saturday midday. Today the ancient city walls are the temporary home of street market stalls. The leaden skies and insistent rain mean it will be a lonely vigil today for Man of Aran and his packets of home-made fudge. No one is abroad in the sodden air, though the indoor markets seem to be thriving. We drove from Dublin last night and our first gig … [Read more...] about Art and the real world
How do you value a song?
I'm trying to figure out this money thing. It's a mystery to me. Last night I watched a program on Bernie Madoff which told the complete story of the scam from start to finish. I like being comfortable and having the few bob in my pocket as much as the next guy but…what is the point, in the big picture, of spending your whole life just accumulating money? Not only that but … [Read more...] about How do you value a song?
They’re off!
A relief to be up and running with the new site. Thanks to webmaster Steve Brickle for pulling it together. I'm excited about the blog being linked to Facebook and hope these communications give more of an insight to my crazy world. There's a fair bit of press coverage building up in Ireland as Hooba Dooba begins to get heard. This week it's the national station RTE 's album of … [Read more...] about They’re off!
Paul Brady ..beginner blogger
Hello all. Welcome to this, the first posting on my first ever blog. I have to say I’ve been dragged screaming to this blogging business. I’m a man who lives in and is quite content in his own head. It’s just my make up. I love the world around me, and as my friends can attest to, I have a huge lust for life. I’m forever interested in and thrilled by the beauty of what happens … [Read more...] about Paul Brady ..beginner blogger