duggup

Artist: James Keelaghan

Website: A Few Simple Verses and James Keelaghan
Track Name: various (none yet from the new album though)

www.festival.bc.ca/wma/HillcrestMine.wma

www.festival.bc.ca/wma/SingMyHeartHome.wma

www.festival.bc.ca/wma/Number37.wma

Playback: wma
Download?: Yes

“The influences never stop.” That’s Canadian singer songwriter James Keelaghan talking. Could be the slogan for folk music.

But James is answering a question about his own musical background. Who influenced him? How did someone who “didn’t come from a musical family per se” become a leading international musical figure? First, he says, the family loved music and offered appreciation and support. Then there is that influence factor: “My father was a great influence as a story teller, My mother for a sense of humour. I listened to a lot of Irish traditional stuff when I grew up, tempered with Jethro Tull, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn, Joni Mitchell, Captain Beefheart.”

If you have not yet heard this man sing – then here is your chance. The tracks on offer are each from three different albums and each display the talent of this artist.

As a singer James has a beguilingly mellow voice and as a songwriter his material is strongly melodic while his lyrics tell extraordinary stories of ordinary people.

The best thing about this new album is, that come festival season next year if we are really lucky, James Keelaghan will be back in Australia to promote the new album and you know that means Thatch and I will be in the front row.

jools is a graphic designer who used to front a band on vocals and bass. All evidence of which have mercifully been obliterated or otherwise lost.
Email this author | All posts by jools |