Paul Brady
Album: The Vicar Street Sessions, Volume 1
Label: Proper
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.paulbrady.com

This new album from Irishman Paul Brady dropped though my letterbox on the 17th March, St Patrick's Day, which I took to be a good omen. I was neither wrong nor disappointed. The only thing missing was a sprig of Shamrock.

Paul has been performing his mix of folk and pop music for almost forty years and is arguably one of the Green Island's foremost musicians and stars.

This live album is taken from a series of 23 concerts given by Paul in 2001 at Vicar Street in Dublin. He decided to invite a few guests to perform with him and many of those are featured on this album. Sinead O'Connor, Van Morrison, Bonnie Rait, Curtis Steigers, Ronan Keating and Eleanor McEvoy among others all perform with Paul showcasing the worldwide appeal of his music.

The second track includes arguably one of the few guitarists in the world that is instantly recognisable by the style of his play. Mark Knopfler adds to the quality of this album with the fabulous "Baloney Again." Other than perhaps Hank Marvin, I can think of no other guitarist that is so unique.

The quality of Paul's guests gives testament to the respect and esteem in which he is held. Musical style variety is in abundance on this fabulous album from "Nobody Knows" which has a ring of John Lennon's Imagine to it, to the Carole King joint penned track "Believe in me." This track in particular shows the full range of Paul's vocal talents.

I do not usually like live albums but the softness of Paul's Irish brogue makes even the spoken concert sections listenable.

"Not the only one" with Bonnie Rait not surprisingly has a real country feel to it. "Don't go far" with the gritty voice of Curtis Steigers and a simple guitar backing is a wonderful track. Never my favourite Irish artist, Ronan Keating, does a terrific job on "The Long Goodbye." Eleanor McEvoy's vocals and harmonies with Paul are just simply stunning on the beautiful "Last Seen October 9th."

There is little new that can be said about Paul Brady that has not already been said. He quite simply represents the best of Irish music and performers.

If you are not familiar with Paul's work, try this album out. He claims it is a selection of his best work over the last thirty years and who am I to argue with that? He is a top musician at the top of his game.

Rory Stanbridge