The Webb Sisters in Dublin and Meath.
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:42 am
I have been fortunate enough to see the Webb sisters play live on two occasions over the past week. The first was in The Sugar Club in Dublin. (Thursday Nov 10th) and this was followed two days later by a show in the Venue Theatre, Ratoath Co Meath.
Thursday is a great night to start the weekend if you have some good reason to head out. I had been waiting in anticipation for an announcement of a Dublin Concert ever since seeing the Webb sisters playing in the Bloomsbury Theatre London back in May. Marie and I went to that concert not knowing quite what to expect. We had seen the Webb Sisters many times on the Leonard Cohen Tour, but never in their own right. The new album Savages was just released and i was listening to it in the car on the way to work in anticipation of the London trip. There were four on stage in London. Charley and Hattie, together with their brother Brad on drums and another fine musician (whose name escapes me) on steel guitar. It was a good combination. We were both pleasantly surprised how much we enjoyed the concert. From the moment the girls walked on stage to the finale, we were under their spell. When a Dublin concert was announced we had no hesitation in booking our tickets.
The Sugar Club Dublin is a modest size venue which has tiered seating and tables for drinks. It was full on Thursday night and people were in good spirits. There were many familiar faces there from the the LC tour. Jan Vail had flown over from the Uk as had Mandy MacLeod and her husband Mike. Ruth Stimson had flown over from London and was ' hanging " with Afric. The long distance travel award goes to Kenadian and Morgan from Toronto and Berkley. Locals included, Tony Curran and Terry, Paula McCann, Gwen Langford, Tony Crosbie, Joe Costello, Helen mc Sweeney, Sheila O'Mahony and Mary-Anne McGlynn. It was great to see them all again and catch up over a pint after the gig.
The Webb sister have an Ep record called "comes in two" and this time they did. It was just Hattie and Charley on stage, one Harp and one guitar. I must confess , I could have just sat there watched and listened to them hum for an hour or so. But, as we have come to know, there is far more to these two ladies than beautiful facades. Once again they captivated the audience with their lyrics and vocal harmonies. I'm not great at describing songs and arrangements. I prefer to convey that through something I am good at...video This rendition of "The goodnight song" will give you a flavour of one of their tranquil and harmonic songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jrO7It3juc
Their next concert was in Ratoath Co Meath (35km outside Dublin) on Saturday night. Having enjoyed the thursday gig so much, we decided to go again and we were lucky enough to get some tickets for what turned out to be another full house. The Venue theatre in Ratoath is a relatively new Theater. The acoustics and sound were even better than the Sugar Club and the Webb Sisters were in top form. Hattie had been practicing her pronunciation of "Ratoath" so much that she said it just like a local! When the question was asked as to how many had been to one of the Leonard Cohen concerts, almost the entire audience shouted yes. The set list was similar to Thursday nights but not identical. They played songs from Savages their current album (or record as the girls call it) and also songs from their previous album "Daylight Crossing ". After the concert, the sisters were available for a meet and greet. A long line formed and judging by the number of new albums presented for signing there were many who wanted to continue the night in the car on the way home.
I shot this on the night. " Momentary " from "Daylight Crossing". http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=TkeLgUvBmk4
It was a very enjoyable evening. I am beginning to realize that the more I see them live, the more I enjoy them and want more. I would highly recommend seeing them live to anyone who gets the opportunity.
Albert
Thursday is a great night to start the weekend if you have some good reason to head out. I had been waiting in anticipation for an announcement of a Dublin Concert ever since seeing the Webb sisters playing in the Bloomsbury Theatre London back in May. Marie and I went to that concert not knowing quite what to expect. We had seen the Webb Sisters many times on the Leonard Cohen Tour, but never in their own right. The new album Savages was just released and i was listening to it in the car on the way to work in anticipation of the London trip. There were four on stage in London. Charley and Hattie, together with their brother Brad on drums and another fine musician (whose name escapes me) on steel guitar. It was a good combination. We were both pleasantly surprised how much we enjoyed the concert. From the moment the girls walked on stage to the finale, we were under their spell. When a Dublin concert was announced we had no hesitation in booking our tickets.
The Sugar Club Dublin is a modest size venue which has tiered seating and tables for drinks. It was full on Thursday night and people were in good spirits. There were many familiar faces there from the the LC tour. Jan Vail had flown over from the Uk as had Mandy MacLeod and her husband Mike. Ruth Stimson had flown over from London and was ' hanging " with Afric. The long distance travel award goes to Kenadian and Morgan from Toronto and Berkley. Locals included, Tony Curran and Terry, Paula McCann, Gwen Langford, Tony Crosbie, Joe Costello, Helen mc Sweeney, Sheila O'Mahony and Mary-Anne McGlynn. It was great to see them all again and catch up over a pint after the gig.
The Webb sister have an Ep record called "comes in two" and this time they did. It was just Hattie and Charley on stage, one Harp and one guitar. I must confess , I could have just sat there watched and listened to them hum for an hour or so. But, as we have come to know, there is far more to these two ladies than beautiful facades. Once again they captivated the audience with their lyrics and vocal harmonies. I'm not great at describing songs and arrangements. I prefer to convey that through something I am good at...video This rendition of "The goodnight song" will give you a flavour of one of their tranquil and harmonic songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jrO7It3juc
Their next concert was in Ratoath Co Meath (35km outside Dublin) on Saturday night. Having enjoyed the thursday gig so much, we decided to go again and we were lucky enough to get some tickets for what turned out to be another full house. The Venue theatre in Ratoath is a relatively new Theater. The acoustics and sound were even better than the Sugar Club and the Webb Sisters were in top form. Hattie had been practicing her pronunciation of "Ratoath" so much that she said it just like a local! When the question was asked as to how many had been to one of the Leonard Cohen concerts, almost the entire audience shouted yes. The set list was similar to Thursday nights but not identical. They played songs from Savages their current album (or record as the girls call it) and also songs from their previous album "Daylight Crossing ". After the concert, the sisters were available for a meet and greet. A long line formed and judging by the number of new albums presented for signing there were many who wanted to continue the night in the car on the way home.
I shot this on the night. " Momentary " from "Daylight Crossing". http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=TkeLgUvBmk4
It was a very enjoyable evening. I am beginning to realize that the more I see them live, the more I enjoy them and want more. I would highly recommend seeing them live to anyone who gets the opportunity.
Albert
And I look forward to seeing your review too Gwen 
