August 2005:

Whites Tavern concert review by Eamonn P.Keyes (Producer), www.fastfude.com - 18/08/05:

White's is becoming THE place to put on a gig, as it provides an atmos all of it's own, with the retro chic of a 1950s living room kickstarting any gig that verges on the intimate.

Tonight's gig consists of a display by several of Belfast's acoustic tunesmiths,and thankfully they're all way past the minor chord mumble zone.

However, they're not helped by some bright spark who has decided that the best place for the PA speakers is actually behind the performers, leading to a bathroom-type sound as acoustic feedback constantly teeters on the edge of howlround, and no sensible volume can be attained.

As there's always a fair bit of audience talk, that's instantly a problem.

Support is by Declan Doherty and The Only Face, who do quite a good job, with an interesting minimalist approach involving Reason on a laptop and a keyboard as well.

Great last song.

Bill-topper Paddy mc Keown comes on accompanied by multi-partner Ruby Colley on violin.

He's familiar to many in the audience, and it's quite a surprise to hear something well out of the ordinary from song one.

The songs are unpredictable and at times disjointed, but rarely lose my attention.

Excellent arrangements, with instrumental passages involving Ruby in harmony, counterpoint and unison with Paddy, are extremely impressive, and when on a couple of occasions Ruby gets her chance she flies, with excellent playing sometimes close to a metal guitarist shredfest, but never losing balance, poise and melody in her flourishes.

Given a solo slot with a loopstation, she builds up a fascinating collage (no pun intended) of sound.

On Paddy's return, the set picks up again, with Paddy occasionally lost in the music, straining to produce on guitar and voice the sounds he can obviously hear in his head, and whilst still producing individual and interesting music, still has the potential to soar higher and higher as he wins more of the battles.

It's good to see someone doing something filled with personality and left turns, and I'd advise anyone looking for something intimate yet different to check them out.

Not one, but two potential stars.