The Webb Sisters in Dublin and Meath.

[IrishAL]

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

[mutti]

Great review Albert and video's.
Although I saw The Webb Sisters the week before in Seattle with Richard Thompson
I would have loved to have seen them in Ireland.
I agree with you and really liked them live.
Thanks for the review.
Cheers!
Leslie

[John Etherington]

Thanks for the reports Al (lovely video, too). It's good that TWS got a great reception...I thought the whole of Ireland were in England for the Adam Cohen concerts! Anyway, I have two more TWS concerts to look forward to this year - Union Chapel this Saturday, and the (sold out) Christmas concert in mid-December.

All the best, John E

[musicmania]

Great report and videos of the 2 gigs Albert!! As soon as Drop-d publish mine I will link it here

[somewhat_nifty]

Great reviews Albert! Hope they were pleased to see you in Meath And I look forward to seeing your review too Gwen

[bridger15]

Thanks for taking the time, Albert to post your terrific comprehensive review of the two gigs
And thanks for the great vids.

---Arlene

[musicmania]

My review of the Dublin gig.

http://www.drop-d.ie/the-webb-sisters-the-sugar-club/21907

[Tony Crosbie]

Thank you, Albert for the two great reviews. I agree entirely with you that the Webb Sisters are well worth seeing. I really enjoyed the night at the Sugar Club. Thank you also for the videos.

[RegularCliche]

Oops, I'm very late posting this, aren't I? Have been pretty jetlagged and out of it since getting back to California.

Just over a year and a half ago, Ken(adian) and I saw the Webb Sisters at their three Canadian shows. When the opportunity came up to repeat the experience in Ireland of all places, we jumped at the chance.

First, Belfast. We ended up getting there very early, but really enjoyed the bar itself. The food was surprisingly good. Speaking of food in Belfast, Nu Delhi Lounge had some absolutely amazing Indian food. Anyway. We ended up being maybe 20th in line to get in the door, but snagged a couple of fairly good seats. As we stood in line, we heard whispers of “Leonard Cohen … Sligo … Kilmainham … backup singers …”

Matt McGinn, who opened the show both in Belfast and Dublin, was very good (to my pleasant surprise). I'm always a bit wary of opening acts, but truly enjoyed his performance. In fact, we ended up buying his CD in Dublin. He's quite talented and I'd highly recommend seeing him if you get the chance.

In addition to some of the songs from their new album, the Webb Sisters performed a couple of lovely covers. To my delight, they also sang “Momentary” – which holds a special place in my heart – and went straight into an Irish tune (the Musical Priest, I believe). Thanks to Albert for capturing this piece, from the Meath show, in one of his excellent videos!

For their encore, they walked into the audience to perform two songs acoustically. It was a perfect way to close the show.

While most of the audience seemed to have been there because of curiosity prompted by the Leonard Cohen connection, it seemed that they quickly fell under the sisters' spell. By the end of the show, I suspect most of them were also Webb Sisters fans.

Next, Dublin. The set list was pretty similar, both from Matt and the Webb Sisters. The banter between songs kept it fresh, while the performance was as brilliant as ever. While we didn't know most of the forum members present, it was nice to get to chat with Marie and Albert for a few minutes after the show.

Finally, Meath. A different opening act this time. His name is slipping my mind. Unfortunately, I had a splitting headache at the time and therefore was unable to fully appreciate his music.

The Webb Sisters' set list was pretty similar again, but again their talent kept it fresh. “In Your Father's Eyes” from this show was especially vibrant, probably their best performance of it that I've heard. They also performed “Torches” from Daylight Crossing for the first time in these three shows. It was a wonderful treat – it's always been my second favorite Daylight Crossing song (after “Momentary”) so it was a pleasure to hear it live. We enjoyed getting to chat with Marie and Albert again after this show.

As always, the Webb Sisters were quite gracious in meeting fans after the show. Their apparently genuine interest in each interaction with their fans is wonderful – they're just as warm and likeable offstage as onstage. We also had the pleasure of speaking with their parents, Graham and Mandy, at two of the shows.

All in all, a wonderful trio of shows and the perfect way to wrap up a trip to Ireland.

[Kenadian]

Back in Canada and well what else can I say or add? 1 Island, 2 Webb Sisters and 3 shows!

It is always a treat to see The Webb Sisters live, showcasing their talent, and it had been way too long.

I attend a lot of concerts in any given year, but there is a very special sense of anticipation when looking forward to seeing The Webb Sisters, and they never disappoint.

I think there are more than a few Irish scratching their heads after asking a Canadian guy and American girl ‘Why were we in Ireland in November?’ and our reply ‘To see The Webb Sisters’. I guess they figured it was a long way to travel to see a concert. But then again, the hotel clerk thought it was a long way from Dublin to Meath to see a show too.

Here’s hoping for a Canadian tour soon! And if it has to be in the US... bring it on!

Cheers,
Ken(adian)

[lizzytysh]

Finally had the chance to read the reviews and comments, and watch the videos posted here. Thanks to Al and Gwen, Ken and RegularCliche.
It would have been amazing and delightful to have them walk amongst the audience... singing.