Up close and personal with a true legend

THE Island Music Club will bring Frankie Gavin and De Dannan to Minogue’s in Tulla on September 24 as part of their Up Close and Personal tour.

Frankie Gavin is a true legend of Irish music and in September he entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest fiddle player in the world.
He spoke to The Clare Champion last Friday and said he is really enjoying the current tour.
“It’s been going on for the last year or so. It’s called Up Close and Personal and it’s exactly what it says on the tin. The original idea came when we did a gig in Sixmilebridge about two years ago. We’ve been travelling around doing all sorts of smaller venues and arts centres and theatres as well. It incorporates a lot of venues around the country.
“It’s so personal that the connection with the audience is on a different level altogether to a larger venue. Furthermore it’s a reaction to the recession that’s going on and that we all want to forget about. We want to get out and play music and raise people’s spirits as best we can, including our own and get out and do what we enjoy and love.
“Music is a great elixir in any time of life. It’s always uplifting and we try to provide a warm environment and send people away in a happier mood than they came in with.”
The audience reaction to the tour has been very positive and he says he’s gotten a lot out of it.
“We’re enjoying standing ovations every night and I say that as modestly as possible. That’s just the way it is! It’s a lovely thing to be able to say and at the end of a gig it’s a great thing to get from an audience. The show is a long show. We don’t shortchange anybody. It’s a good bit of craic as well and there are a few yarns. I’m enjoying playing music as much now as in a long, long time.”
His renown is such that he has been asked to play for three American presidents, including Obama.
“I’ve met Obama twice actually, in DC and in Moneygall. It’s quite an experience to be in a small pub in Moneygall and to have the President and the First Lady of the USA walk in the door. There were about 30 people in the bar and it was the nicest stout I’ve ever tasted.”
The most recent De Dannan album was released last September and features a catchy title and an interesting special guest.
“It’s called Jigs and Reels and Rock n Roll. I’ve always loved that title but I’ve never had such an opportunity to use it. It’s a catchy title and my dear friend for many years, Ronnie Wood is guesting on a couple of tracks so I thought it was the most appropriate time to use the title. There’s no rock n roll on it but there’s rock n roll royalty on it.”
He’s supposed to be writing new music and while he has a bit done, he freely admits to being behind on it.
“If things quieten down between now and Christmas I’ll take time out specifically. It’s a kind of discipline you have to work on. I’m falling back on that one but I intend to start putting two or three days a week into it.”
The Galway native has been coming to Clare for decades and enjoys Clare’s music.
“I’ve been going to Clare since I was a teenager. Miltown, Doolin you name it. I’ve done the trad festival in Ennis a few times. I work with Noel Hill and Tony McMahon, who are great Clare men and great musicians and its always a pleasure to be in their company. Tony Linnane from Corofin is a great friend of mine too. I love Clare and Clare loves music,” he concluded.