European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 31, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse The London Irish pogues Combine traditional acoustics with Post Punk irreverence. Spotlight on Irish Rock not just fiddles Folk and lilting brogues by Ben Dobbin associated press he musically Chic Irish basking in the glory of the grammy winning u2 Rock band Are exporting an Eclectic mix of latent Type lion by the distinctive Stylos of three female singers. From the High Lech lyricism of Enya to the seductive quasi jazz of Mary Coughlan and the Punk edged punch of Smead o Connor. Irish music has gone far beyond fiddles folks Ness and lilting brogues i Don t think it s anything to be feeling guilty about thai we re not All carrying Green leprechauns on our backs when we go on the Road said Coughlan who sings about adultery religious tyranny and Urban chaos. The propulsion of Dublin s u2 by the 1985 live Aid music extravaganza to the top of the Rock music Heap helped open the door for other Irish favourites seeking world stardom. This used to be a culture of beg Rudgers successful people always had to leave because they could t live with the smallness the conservatism. That has changed changed forever says Eamon Dunphy author of unforgettable fire the Story of u2. Disc jockey Paul Mckenna of London s Capitol radio says Irish pop music s Appeal is its originality and thoughtfulness it is a backlash against designer pop he said in an interview. Radio listeners hear that and say wow that s the Way music is meant to sound it s predominantly music that is fresh More natural less u2 s Triumph has fuelled a multimillion Dollar Domestic music Industry which enables those Irish who succeed on the world stage to keep roots at Home recording in dozens of newly built music studios. Despite a time Magazine cover and inspiring millions of youngsters with their highly contemporary songs about drug abuse and racism the four Man group remains based in the Irish capital. So do pop Balladeer Chris de Burgh the Van Morrison style mysticism of Hothouse Flowers and emerging Rock bands such As Aslam and something happens. Irish artists used to have to beat Down agents doors in London and new York. Now a concert at the Baggot inn Dublin s Grimy atmospheric music Mecca May attract half a dozen British and . Latent scouts. The spotlight on Ireland also has brought Irish traditional music to a wider record buying audience but often fused with Rock jazz and other influences by artists As varied As Paul Brady Enya the pogues and Davy Spillane. Spillane mixes the rhythms of celtic reels Rock and Bluegrass using Killean bagpipes and Bogran Drums with saxophone and electric rhythm sections. The London Irish pogues Combine traditional acoustics with Post Punk irreverence. Enya draws on traditional and classical styles in her album Watermark an electronic soundscape thai has sold More than 2 million copies worldwide. One track Orinoco flow topped the British pop singles Chart in november her crystalline voice is olten layered As Many As 100 times with harmonies and counterpoint melodies and wrapped in synthesizer swathes of instrumental varying from clarinet and Lin whistle to Burundi Drums Enya. 27, Short for Eithne in bar Anain started out with Cannad. A Folk Rock family band famous for its electrifying theme music for an adult to version of Robin Hood. She works from a backyard studio in the Dublin suburb of arcane with sound recordist Nicky Ryan and his wife Roma who writes lyrics Sung in English gaelic and latin. She shrugs off descriptions of her music As celtic hew age transcendental or commercialized Irish there in t a category for it Enya said. For me personally it s got every title that s Sinead o Connor 22, who also defies pigeonholing has won plaudits for her self produced debut album the lion and the cobra a largely autobiographical exploration of adolescence. Her trademarks Are a shaved head and a harrowing defiant voice that expresses emotions in tonal leaps and swerves. Coughlan. 32, who sings soul with a Galway accent has built a solid reputation across Northern Europe through three albums and Iraq enl Louring. The likes of u2 and Sinead and myself work hard to build up a live following she said from her new base of Howth a fishing Village overlooking Dublin Bay. I Don t think any of those bands that Are successful in the charts have Over gigged in their me. It s purely magazines videos and disco. There s always been pop music around but 1 Don t think it s Ever been As bad. Anything that s Good that s been in the charts in the past five years has been rerelease Coughlan sings about prostitution junkies alcohol abuse relationships they re All political in their own in my land is too Green she pokes fun at the dominance of the roman Catholic Church in a slate that outlaws divorce and exports its problems for foreign solutions a reference to Irish women who have logo to England to have abortions the Northern Ireland conflict still provides fodder for songwriters but the anti British Republican Ballad tradition carried on by Christy Moore is now contrasted with tragic non sectarian interpretations. The pogues championing the innocence of to Irish people jailed for Irish Republican army bombings in Britain wrote of being Irish in the wrong place at the wrong the song was banned last year by some British radio stations which feared it might be interpreted As giving Comfort to the Ira. Ireland is Able to hold ils head up now As much As anywhere said Dave fanning Ireland s Foremost Rock deejay. "u2 deserve full Praise because they opened the door he said. They put Ireland on the map. The Success the staying at Home the dog it Here helps other people to realize we can do it As wednesday May 31, 1989 Sinead o Connor won plaudits Tor her sell produced debut album the lion and the top of the charts hot singles 1. Rock on Michael Dimun 2. Soldier of love Donny Osmond 3 wind beneath my winds Bette Midler 4. Patience guns n rooms 5.1 la de Loving Vou forever new Ems on the Block 6. Every Little step Bobby drown 7. Real love pc qty wll Loy 8. Forever your Ofril Paula Abdul 9. Buffalo stance Ninon Cherry 10. Close my eyes forever Liu Ford oily Osbourne Tolp s 1. The raw and the cooked Fine Young cannibals 2. Like a prayer Madonam 3. Beaches soundtrack 4. G n h lies runs n roses 5. Don t be cruel Bobby Brown 6 forever your girl Pauls Abdul 7. Hangin touch new kids on ins Block e. Loc de after dark tone Loc 9, full Moon fever Tom Petty 10. Sonic Temple the cult country singles 1. Where did 100 Wrono Steve Wanner 2. Better Man Clint Black 3. Love out loud Earl Thomas Conley 4. She Don t love nobody the desert Rosa band i. Izot you of Wight Yoakum 6 i Don t want to spoil the party Rosanne Coin 7. They rage on Dan seals 8 gallon me Tanya Tucker 9. Lovin Only me Ricky Skoggs 10. Come from the heart Kimy Mattea Black singles 1. Miss you like crazy Nakaue Cole i. My first love Atlantic Starr 3. Me. Myself and i de la soul 4. Or. D j. Joyce fend Reua Irby 5. Children s Story Slick Rick 6. Have you had your love today the o jays 7. Little Jackie wants to be a Star Usa Lisa � cull Jam b. For the love of you Tony tort tonal 9. Sticks and stones Grady Kartell 10. Lost without you Bebe � Coco mans top pop cd s 1. The raw and the cooked Fine Young cannibals 2. Full Moon fever Tom Petty 3. Bio daddy John Cougar me encamp 4. Disintegration the cure t. Like a prayer Madonna 6. Repeat offender Richard Marx 7. Beaches soundtrack 8 sonic Temple the cult 9. Blind Man s zoo 10.000 maniacs 10. Forever your girl Paula Abdul the stars and stripes Page 17
