Sometime in 1990 Ronnie Spector visited Dublin for the second time. On the first occasion she and The Ronettes were ably supported by The Rolling Stones. On this occasion however she was in town to promote her recently published memoir ‘Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness’. Ronnie sadly died this week at the age of 78. In tribute Dave Fanning revisited that 1990 interview on his show yesterday. Ronnie & The Ronettes played at the National Concert Hall on January 21st 2019, Ronnie performed at The Helix on December 14th later the same year.
They say that buses come in threes, I wonder does the same apply to podcasts? We recently raved about a podcast revisiting classic Irish albums, well Dave Fanning has been looking at classic Irish tracks. Something Happens!, The Frank & Walters, The Saw Doctors and The Cranberries have featured so far and each installment is well worth a listen. Tom Dunne needs to write that Warren Zevon tour exposé but in the meantime catch his weekly ‘Music & Me‘ column in The Irish Examiner. And finally, this week’s classic Fanning session on the Dan Hegarty show is from Bawl (1996). Incidentally Something Happens!, The Frank & Walters, The 4 Of Us, Hothouse Flowers and An Emotional Fish all play Feile Classical this Thursday in the 3 Arena.
To celebrate 25 years since the release of ‘Horsedrawn Wishes’ the second album by Rollerskate Skinny, Dan Hegarty spoke to Steve Murray of the band. They talked about whether the band might reform, if there was any unreleased material and whether the lost third album would ever see the light of day. Photo credit: Paul McCarthy.
We were first reminded of this publication on the occasion of Gregory Gray‘s passing and the excellent Tom Robinson tribute. One of the people Tom spoke to was Noel McLaughlin, co-author with Martin McLoone of an academic publication on Irish music ‘Rock and Popular Music in Ireland: Before and After U2‘. We tracked down a recording of the 2012 interview with the authors on the Dave Fanning show and promptly did nothing more. Reading an excellent piece by Colm O’Callaghan for the Blackpool Sentinel ‘The Rats vs Ireland’s Showbands‘ however reminded us again of the book and the interview. We don’t have a copy but our local library does so we were able to read the chapter on Gregory. Posting the interview now for posterity.
showbands
them / van morrison
the method
sean campbell ‘english blood, irish heart’
rory gallagher
u2
horslips
sinead o’connor
gregory gray
The Irish Times byline sums it up perfectly: “Cult new wave national treasures The Atrix return with a gig, a CD and new material”. Dan Hegarty interviewed Hugh Friel (drums) and Dick Conroy (bass) on his show last Sunday and the two will appear on the Tom Dunne show tonight at 10pm. The remastered compilation album ‘Dublin 1979-1981’ will be launched on CD and vinyl this Thursday September 19th in the Sugar Club with special guests Kevin McAleer and Paula Meehan.
We were saddened to learn of the death of David Cavanagh, respected music journalist and author whose work graced the pages of Sounds, Select, Mojo, Uncut and Q. His book on Creation Records (My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize) received widespread praise and we much enjoyed ‘Goodnight and Good Riddance‘ his novel around the radio shows of John Peel preserved for posterity by the folks at the Peel Wikia. Below is an interview with Tom Dunne on Newstalk on the occasion of that books’s publication which we thought you might enjoy. Rest in peace David.
Really sad to hear about the death of David Cavanagh. A little piece he wrote about loving @TheTriffids, called Hell of a Summer, is one of the most perfect pieces of writing about being a music fan. And My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry for the Prize is one of the great music books.
On Sunday’s show Dave featured a 1980 interview with Joey Ramone announced a new archive interview feature and asked for listener suggestions. A subsequent discussion on twitter brought two interviews with Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout to our attention. At least one of these was recorded by Martin Foyle. Rather than repost I think it’s only fair that we send you to fan site Sproutology to listen to these interviews. The first from 27 April 1984 was just after the release of the debut Prefab Sprout album ‘Swoon’. The second interview on 6th November 1988 comes after the release of third album ‘From Langley Park To Memphis’ when the band are in town to perform ‘Cars and Girls’ on the Late Late Show. Both interviews are well worth checking out and thank you to Martin and Sproutology for preserving.
Shortly after Ian Dury’s death in 2000 following a long illness, Dave Fanning paid tribute by broadcasting a 31st July 1981 interview with the singer-songwriter. Thank you John for digging out the recording.
Hard to believe it’s been 25 years since R.E.M released ‘Out Of Time‘. Here’s a short telephone interview Dave Fanning did with Peter Buck a week before the album came out. Thanks to Michael for digging out this tape.
We’ve long been fans of Mickey Bradley both as musician and DJ so when we heard he had written a memoir we were head of the queue. The book is a great read although despite all the humour we found it a little sad. ‘Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone’ by Michael Bradley is published by Omnibus Press. The Irish Times has an extract here. Mickey was recently interviewed by Tom Dunne on his Newstalk show. The Mickey Bradley Record Show is broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster every Tuesday 8-10pm
Dave Fanning interviews John Peel (at the BBC studio?) in London. Thanks to a comment we know the interview took place late March 1990. John’s 50th birthday celebration the previous year gets a mention. Not sure how much if any of the interview is missing as Dave had a 3 hour show from 10pm – 1am at that time. If anyone has memories of this broadcast please share. Dave plays a session track from Honeythieves while John chooses ‘Born Annoying’ by Helmet and a romanian folk song.
Sadly Ben E. King recently passed away at the age of 76. To commemorate Ben here’s an interview he did with Mickey Bradley back in 1986 when the soul legend visited Derry.
How do I casually mention that Mr Dave Couse is back on our airwaves from Monday 3rd November filling in for Paul McLoone on TodayFM? How about another Dave Fanning interview? This one features ‘I Think I’m Going Mad’ (live), ‘Call Me Blue’ (brand new single out 11th July), ‘You Break Me Up’ (live), ‘Heart Happy’ (live) and ‘Plain or Pearl’ (another of the 4 tracks from the 12″). Check out Dave 3rd – 13th November 9pm-midnight on TodayFM.
One good interview begets another. Recorded during the same tour as the recently posted Mickey Bradley interview, here are Stuart and Ian from Big Country on RTE Radio2 with the venerable Dave Fanning on November 26th 1986. Thank you to the kind reader who dug this out.
In 1986 Big Country toured Ireland stopping off in Derry’s Templemore Sports Complex on the way. Stuart Adamson took time out from the sound check on December 2nd 1986 to speak to Mickey Bradley for his Radio Foyle show Mickey’s Monkey. Stuart Adamson sadly passed away in 2001.
Another great band that are sorely missed round these parts, Future Kings Of Spain were founded by Joey Wilson (guitar & vocals), Anton Hegarty (bass) and Bryan McMahon (drums). Their first gig in 2000 was a support slot for J Mascis & The Fog. They were joined in 2003 by Karl Hussey (guitar). I first came across them on the March 2003 HMV Playlist CD. This is a 2007 interview with Alison Curtis on her TodayFM show ‘The Last Splash’.
Joey Wilson (Future Kings Of Spain) – Alison Curtis Interview (2007)
If pushed to chose our Desert Island Discs ‘Manic Pop Thrill’ by That Petrol Emotion would be on the list. We are excited to hear that 4/5 of that band are about to release a new record. As an excuse to plug the efforts of The Everlasting Yeah to fund ‘Anima Rising‘ here’s an archive interview with one Mickey Bradley from 1986. Mickey’s very first radio show ‘Mickey’s Monkey‘ featured an interview with the band in the very first episode. This particular interview with Ciaran and Raymond was broadcast on the Radio Ulster show ‘The Bottom Line’.
I’m guessing the date at 1985 (Billy says he is 27) so correct me please if I am wrong. Billy talks to BP about money, success, politics, joining the army and Kirsty MacColl who had a hit with Billy’s ‘New England’
Tom Dunne interviewed Patrick Brocklebank recently about the newly published photographic memoir ‘Where the Streets Have Two Names‘. Tony Clayton-Lea reviews the book for The Irish Times in this piece ‘‘Dublin exposure: Citizen photography of U2 and other early punks’‘. While the book is quite U2 centric for obvious reasons a lot of other usual suspects feature including Dave Fanning, Ian Wilson, The Vipers, The Atrix. The book is published by Liberties Press and the Tom Dunne Show can be heard from 10pm till midnight Monday through Thursday on Newstalk.
Where the Streets Have 2 Names features hundreds of previously unpublished photographs by award-winning photographer Patrick Brocklebank, documenting U2’s early days as well as the rise of other groups who were part of Dublin’s music scene at that time, such as The Virgin Prunes, The Blades, The Black Catholics, The Undertones and The Buzzcocks. The photos capture iconic moments in the lives of these bands, particularly U2, and are accompanied by numerous untold anecdotes about the band members and the long-gone music venues of that era, where many of the bands’ most seminal gigs were performed. The book captures the atmosphere of the time – a recessionary Dublin, a youthful individuality and a sense of rebellion – and provides a fascinating insight into the culture and characters on the Dublin music scene from 1978–1981.
Patrick Brocklebank on Tom Dunne Show (4/2/2014)
Update adding another radio show appearance..
Patrick Brocklebank and Ferdia Mac Anna on Dave Fanning Show (8/2/2014)
In 1988 shortly after the release of ‘Naked’ the album that was to prove the last Talking Heads release, Dave Fanning sat down in London with David Byrne for an extended interview.
In June 1985 Dave Fanning interviewed one of his self professed favourite bands The Ramones. The band was in Dublin to play two gigs in the TV Club on June 24th and 25th as part of their ‘Too Tough To Die’ tour. The original recording can be found here.
To celebrate Joni Mitchell’s 70th birthday and the 30th anniversary of her one and only Irish appearance Dave Fanning ran an excerpt of a 1983 interview he did with Joni. The full transcript of the interview appeared in Hot Press magazine and is reproduced here. If anyone has a recording of the full interview we’d love to hear from you.
Joni Mitchell Interview (15 April 1983)
Update: Today Dave rebroadcast a 36 minute version of his Joni Mitchell interview from 1983 which we have linked to below.
If you’re a fan of jangle rock I recommend you check out Mark Mulcahy. Mulcahy began his career as lead singer and co-founding member of Miracle Legion and after an eight year break Mark is back with a new album ‘Dear Mark J Mulcahy I Love You‘. He is currently on an Irish tour and plays the final date at 7pm in DeBarra’s of Clonakilty tomorrow night. While in Ireland, Mark and co-conspirarator Ken Maiuri recorded sessions for Tom Dunne (Newstalk), Paul McLoone (TodayFM) and Dan Hegarty (RTE 2fm).
Andy Kershaw with BP Fallon at the Electric Picnic 2013
Andy Kershaw’s autobiography is a great read so I was very interested to hear what transpired when Andy and Dave Fanning met at the Electric Picnic recently. There were no surprises for anyone who’s read ‘No Off Switch‘ but those who haven’t might take this opportunity.
I was also thrilled to hook up again with the truly legendary Irish rock journalist and scene-maker, BP Fallon, following a gap of about 25 years. The tireless little imp, after 300 years of chronicling the music of others, has now got himself a band, has made a CD, and last Saturday night I watched him for the first time as stage performer. He played a remarkable if low-key gig in one of the more obscure tents. It was really good.
And while we were hanging out together on Sunday, I was also trying to persuade him that the time has come for him now to write his autobiography. (“If I can do it, Beep…”) What a story that would be! It would blow mine into the weeds.
It was also fab to see Dave Fanning again after many years, and to be interviewed on Dave’s RTE radio show, broadcasting live from the festival. (The noted motormouth of Irish radio couldn’t get a word in edgeways…) Also great to be reunited with Johnny Marr, and with Denis Desmond, the festival promoter, both of whom I hadn’t seen since Billy Bragg days. Johnny played a splendid set too.
I don’t do festivals but if I did this year’s Body & Soul at Ballinlough Castle, Co Meath would be top of the list. Dave Fanning interviewed Kurt Vile on Thursday night but 21 years ago he interviewed another performer at next weekend’s festival.
places we play / elbow deep in baby shit / leaving brazil / berlin / boys next door / birthday party / london / the bad seeds / the firstborn is dead / when the ass saw the angel / the new album / 80s / wim wenders
Nick Cave Part 1
remixing ‘henry’s dream’ / “Straight to You” / Leisureland Galway tomorrow (01/05/1992) / Dublin, SFX (02/05/1992) / “Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry” / “Till The End Of The World”
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since one of my favourite bands called it a day. Joe Chester, Pat, John and Dermot Barrett and Terry Cullen in other words the band that was Ten Speed Racer are having an impromptu reunion this Friday upstairs in Whelan’s. Originally listed as a gig by The Hedge Schools (Pat’s post 10sr solo project with Joe), all 5 original 10sr members will be on stage which is no mean feat given that a number of them no longer live in the country. Dermot and Joe (who produced Ryan Sheridan’s album, currently at the top of the German charts) will appear on Colm O’Sullivan’s TodayFM show tonight. If anyone has any sessions please get in touch.
Dave Fanning had a two page spread in last weekend’s Irish Independent titled ‘The Bands That Nearly Made It‘. In it he recounts the story of his early days at RTE when himself and Ian Wilson started the Fanning Sessions and what that meant to up and coming Irish bands of the time. Dave then gives a nod to Rodriguez and Gilbert O’Sullivan before turning to Stephen Ryan of The Stars of Heaven and The Revenants (did they do a Fanning session?). Others mentioned are Paul Cleary, Gerry Leonard, liR and The Undertones. Read the full article online, thank you to Reekus Records for the image.
To celebrate the imminent release of ‘Good Vibrations‘ the movie about an independent record store in Belfast, based on Terri Hooley’s autobiography ‘Hooleygan‘ Paul McLoone on TodayFM will be having a Good Vibrations show tonight in his 9pm – midnight slot. Paul will feature an interview with Terri as well as lots of great music from the era. As they say round these parts, go see the movie early and often! If you check back after the show we hope to add a recording, blank tapes willing and all that.
Update: Adding recording of the show. Fans of Ulster Punk might want to check out the IFI on Saturday at 16.10 where you can catch the John T. Davis documentaries ‘Shellshock Rock’ & ‘Self-Conscious Over You’.
Terri Hooley on the Paul McLoone TodayFM show (28.3.2013)
Terri Hooley on the Dave Fanning 2FM show (6.4.2013)
Mark Eitzel needs no introduction. Singer with the American Music Club and a successful solo artist, he returns to these shores for an Irish tour this week. If you have yet to see him live don’t pass up this opportunity, if you already have you’ll know what is in store. This interview came on the occasion of a previous visit in 1997 when he played Whelan’s in Dublin. He dropped in to the Radio Ireland studios to talk to Donal Dineen on his ‘Here Comes The Night‘ show and yours truly captured at least some of it.
Mark Eitzel post 1997 Whelan’s gig with Niall Crumlish, Nick Kelly and George Byrne Photo (C) Lorraine Freeney
Feb 21 Dublin – Workman’s Club
Feb 22 Cork – Cyprus Avenue
Feb 23 Kilkenny – Cleere’s
Feb 25 Galway – Roisin Dubh
Feb 26 Belfast – Errigle Inn
Ten years ago Calexico played two nights in Whelan’s. While in town Joey Burns dropped into the 2fm studio where Jay Ahern was recording his Sunday night show. I am sure Calexico fans out there will enjoy what transpired. Calexico play Dublin’s Olympia Theatre this Thursday, 14th Feb 2013.
Sunday 9th Feb 2003
Calexico ‘Not Even Stevie Nicks’
Calexico ‘The Book and The Canal’
Corker/Conboy ‘Akka’
Neko Case ‘Lady Pilot’
Giant Sand ‘Temptation Of Egg’
Calexico ‘Guero Canelo’
Calexico ‘Attack El Robot ! Attack !’
ABBC ‘Gilbert’
Calexico ‘Whipping The Horse’s Eyes’
I Am Not A Gun ‘Jet Stream’
Joey Burns ‘Deep Down’ (Live In Studio)
Calexico ‘Quattro’
Part 1
OP8 ‘If I Think Of Love’
Rainer Ptacek ‘Pastime Paradise’
Calexico ‘Crumble’
The Sea And Cake ‘Four Corners’
OP8 ‘Sand’
Domotic ‘Durchkomponiert’
Calexico ‘Black Heart’
The Black Heart Procession ‘Tropics Of Love’
Calexico ‘Güero Canelo’
Joey Burns ‘Concrete Pool’ ( Live In Studio)
Calexico ‘No Doze’
Calexico ‘Service And Repair’
Came across this snippet when working on the recently posted 1990 interview, this is a short segment from 1991 with A House prior to the release of their third album ‘I Am the Greatest’. Up for discussion are: getting dropped by Blanco Y Negro, the vocals for ‘Heart Happy’. signing to Setanta Records, Keith Cullen, not getting on the BBC playlist. If the remainder turns up I shall update the post.
Prior to the release of their second album ‘I Want Too Much’ Dave Couse (vocals & guitar), Fergal Bunbury (guitar), Martin Healy (bass), Dermot Wylie (drums) aka A House had a chat with Dave Fanning from London where the band were performing as part of an Irish rock week in The Mean Fiddler. The performance of ‘Violent Love’ at the end is well worth the wait. Dave Couse can of course be heard every Sunday on TodayFM from 10pm until midnight.
– Manstrong (live)
recording on Inisboffin, Mike Hedges etc
– Shivers Up My Spine (album)
– 13 Wonderful Lovesongs (live)
on signing autographs
– Bring Down The Beast (live)
Martin & Dermot on falling off stage in SF, touring US, the Go-Betweens
– I Think I’m Going Mad (single)
– Smalltalk (live)
John Carroll (manager) & Liam Crinnion
– Violent love (live)
Mean Fiddler gig listings for rest of week..
Paul Cleary, founder and lead singer of the recently defunct Blades, now with new band The Partisans talking to Pat Kenny in 1986 about school, early careers and what he might have done if music had not intervened. Paul talks about why The Blades called it a day, who The Partisans are and what they’ll be doing. He also explains why he didnt perform at Self Aid. Thanks to Mick for digging this out.
On Saturday 8th December 2012 Dave Fanning interviewed Hunter Davies on his RTE 2fm Saturday morning show. Hunter is author of the only authorised Beatles biography and is editor of the recently published John Lennon Letters. In a long and wide ranging interview Dave impresses Hunter with his knowledge and plays some archive recordings of Paul McCartney and Cynthia Lennon.
Today the Hothouse Flowers explain how to vote in the Fanning Fab 50 or at least how you should have done so back in 1987. As a bonus there is a studio busking version of B side ‘Mountains’. The Hothouse Flowers play Whelan’s on 30th December, their first Dublin date in two years. And by the way voting is open for this year’s Fab50 – more details on the RTE 2fm website. Fiachna Ó Braonáin has of course been busy hosting radio shows on RTE1 and the ‘Poetic Champions Compose‘ series on TodayFM.
A track from the 1989 Power Of Dreams Fanning session featured here recently and today we have a Dave Fanning show interview with Craig Walker from October 5th 1990 the very night night the band played McGonagles as part of their Irish tour. Power Of Dreams fans stay tuned because we also have a recording of their 1990 Cork Rocks performance in the works, check out previous posts here. Check out PoD on facebook here.
33 years after ‘Shellshock Rock‘ was controversially withdrawn from the festival programme at the last minute, John T Davis returned to the Cork Film Festival this year for a showing of his seminal Irish punk document. The movie was eventually shown but only thanks to then UCC Entertainments Officer Elvera Butler.
I had met Terri Hooley some time earlier when we were both were guests on the Dave Fanning Rock Show on RTE, talking about rock music in the north and south of the country respectively, and he got in touch with me to see if I could do anything to help.
The following is an interview John gave on 96FM Irish music show ‘The Green Room’ hosted by Michael Carr.
We have a soft spot for record shops but seem to have ended up charting their demise. This morning Ian Dempsey chatted to the boss of Dolphin Discs, Talbot Street, Dublin who after 40 years in business are closing their doors. Ian spent 10 minutes reminiscing with Paul O’Reilly who had a few interesting tales to tell including a few of strokes pulled. The shop closes Sunday and as Ian says everything must go so head on down share a few memories and maybe pick up a few bargains.
Paul O’Reilly of Dolphin Discs on Ian Dempsey (25.9.12)
Not to be confused with the US band of the same name, Sons of the Desert were from London and by all accounts toured with The Pogues.. On this visit to Dave Fanning at RTE studios the lineup was Ewan Shiels (vocals, mandolin), Stephen Harrison (bass), Tracey Booth (vocals, bodhran), Johnny Nolan (guitar) and Joseph Doherty (violin and saxophone). Paul McCluskey who attended the Cork show informs us that this recording is from 24th August 1989.
On 16 May 1986, the eve of the Self Aid concert, Dave Fanning had a special show previewing what was to take place the next day. In this excerpt you will hear a few of the visitors he had in the studio that night. Thanks to John for digging this out.
Kevin Conneff (The Chieftains)
Phil Chevron (Pogues, Radiators)
Eoin McEvoy (Cactus World News)
Eamonn McCann
and Philip King?
Seeing the interview with Paul Charles in this week’s issue of Hot Press magazine reminded me of the special ABC to XTC show John Connolly hosted just over a year ago when he spent an hour talking to the author and music business insider. If you don’t know who Paul Charles is this interview is a perfect starting point. Charles’ latest book ‘The Last Dance’ which “tells the fictional story of an irish showband” is out now on New Island.
ABC to XTC is an RTE 2XM radio show hosted by author John Connolly. I have yet to read any of John’s work but I am a fan of his radio show which takes a look at the less travelled side of 80s music, with an occasional excursion right up to the present. My favorite shows are those where he looks at post punk or US independent music but his show is always entertaining thanks to John’s anecdotes.
The BP Fallon Orchestra was the title of RTE Radio 2 show hosted by BP Fallon on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 1982 until 1987. His guest on Aprill 4th 1987 was Ted Hawkins (October 28, 1936 – January 1, 1995) an American singer-songwriter from Mississippi.
Hawkins achieved cult status among fans around the world, but was usually to be found playing guitar and singing, while sitting on a milk-crate, entertaining passers-by in Santa Monica, California. He was often rescued from this fate over the years, by enthusiastic record producers and even by the BBC’s roving reporter Andy Kershaw, who championed his cause in Britain. However Hawkins seemed torn between the promise of artistic success and the lure of a delinquent life style. The Independent (13/1/1995)
In this hour long show Ted talks to BP about his youth, school and how he ended up in prison. Thanks to Martin for digging this one out.
The great reviews for the new ‘Strange Passion- Explorations in Irish Post Punk, DIY and Electronic Music 1980-83‘ compilation on Finders Keepers offshoot Cache-Cache are coming fast and furious and Darren McCreesh the man behind the release has been out and about giving interviews. Here’s what happened when he visited the TodayFM studios to talk to Carrellines (anyone got their Fanning session?) singer Paul McLoone. While you’re waiting for this to load up why not check out the reviews by Pitchfork, factmag, avclub, norman records and state magazine. An album stream is available here. The CD and vinyl release come with detailed liner notes so do yourself a favour and pick up the physical release. Personally we’re hoping Darren will concentrate solely on the RTE Fanning Sessions for his next compilation.
Darren McCreesh on Paul McLoone show (12th July 2012)
Shortly after the release of his 1992 album ‘The Future’ Leonard Cohen had a long chat with Dave Fanning. The interview was broadcast on Dave’s RTE show on 21st January 1993. Leonard Cohen is of course playing four gigs at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham this September 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th. Cohen is returning to the spot where he was reduced to tears four years earlier. The singer broke a 10-year hiatus from live shows when he performed in the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art in 2008. Concert impresario Rob Hallett who persuaded the singer and poet out of retirement said he used a show in Dublin two years earlier to win his argument. The promoter and life-long fan persuaded Cohen there was a massive audience waiting to see him on the back of a two-night tribute concert ‘Came So Far for Beauty‘ in The Point Theatre October 4th and 5th 2006.
John Cooper Clarke, punk poet extraordinaire has been a regular visitor to these shores and to the Dave Fanning show. This is a recording of a 1986 visit in which John talks of an upcoming album ‘The Beat Goes Off’. This release has still to see the light of day but you can listen to some of it here. The recording was edited old school hence the occasional jump.
We had a brush with the law recently and thankfully lived to tell the tale. We still wake sweating in the night to the sound of “He can have them all” and visions of backing the Hiace up to the door of Studio 8. Thanks to @irishmammies for the shout out and to @shirtntie for hearing it and tipping us off..
From Glasgow, The Blue Nile need no introduction. This is a recording of an interview on Dave Fanning’s RTE 2FM show circa 1990. All three band members ie Paul Buchanan, Paul Joseph Moore and Robert Bell were present. Dave mentions ‘Hats’ was released a few months earlier leading me to believe this was in early 1990. Paul Buchanan is about to release a solo album ‘Mid Air’ and recently appeared on Stuart Maconie’s BBC6 show to talk about it.
Imelda May was a guest on the Paul McLoone show last night picking 15 of her favourite tunes and a real treat it was too. Imelda is currently #7 in the UK charts following her Graham Norton show appearance (longer version including interview). Here’s what Imelda chose:
Wanda Jackson – Hard Headed Woman
Billy Fury – Gonna Type A Letter
The Stray Cats – Stray Cat Strut (1981)
Laverne Baker – Voodoo Voodoo
Gene Vincent – Bluejean Bop (1956)
The Cure – The Lovecats (1983)
Howlin Wolf – Smoke Stack Lightning (1956)
Johnny Burnette – Train Kept A Rollin (1956)
Santo & Johnny – Sleep Walk (1959)
Johnny Horton – Honky Tonk Man (1956)
Hank Williams – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (1941)
Ike Turner – Matchbox
* Charlie Rich – Behind Closed Doors
Teddy Wilson Orchestra – Blues in C Sharp Minor
Elvis Presley – Trouble
Patsy Cline – Got A Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul (1959)
* Paul McLoone mentioned this but I didn’t hear it
Here’s an early (1980?) interview Dave Fanning did with Phil Lynott on his show, I think it was the first on Dave’s show which is which why Dave takes him right back to the early beginnings of Thin Lizzy.
Power Of Dreams were in 2FM Studio 8 last night where they performed some songs live on the Dan Hegarty show. They also appeared on the Dave Fanning show but I didn’t find out till afterwards, should have checked here or even here. They are midway through their 25th anniversary tour so you can still catch them in Dundalk, Cork or Dublin.
In the absence of an official RTE Fanning Session archive consider this blog a humble starting point. Any musical submissions would be gratefully accepted as are any corrections or recollections... click on the pic to send an email or even better comment on the post in question. We are interested in anything recorded from irish radio or TV in the 1980s and 90s.
From Glasgow, 
The Fanning Sessions Archive 