SINEAD O’CONNOR, THERAPY? and a reformed Undertones were amongst the performers who played in DUBLIN’s ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME last night (May 29) as part of BBC’s MUSIC LIVE Series of events.
The acts, who at one time have appeared on the cover of Irish magazine Hot Press, each performed tracks from other Irish stars who have shared the same honour. It was billed as a celebration of 30 years of Irish music.
Sinead O’Connor caused a stir with her decision to cover Shane MacGowan’s ‘Song With No Name’ and then dedicate it to the ex-Pogues leader. Just months ago the self-proclaimed maverick Catholic arch deacon’s tip-off had led to McGowan, who she last night called her “close friend”, being arrested for alleged heroin use.
Meanwhile The Undertones, with Derry singer Paul McAloon replacing original frontman Fergal Sharkey, covered Van Morrison‘s orginal outfit Them‘s track ‘I Can Only Give You Everything’. A blast through their classic ‘Teenage Kicks’ recieved such a warm reception that they returned later for a brief greatest hits set.
Resurgent punk-metallers Therapy? opted for a cover of ‘Big Time’ by Rudy – a Northern Irish punk band who enjoyed considerable success at home, but limited further afield – and also unveiled a new track called ‘Bad Karma’.
As part of Music Live‘s UK and Ireland-wide rendition of ‘Perfect Day’, Ronan Keating, Paul Brady and Paddy Maloney from traditional Irish band The Chieftans were joined via satellite by Lou Reed from New York. But however well intentioned the idea behind the recording – the track is due to pressed and ready for release within two days to benefit the People In Need charity – the performance was somewhat under-rehearsed and ramshackle.
U2‘s mooted appearence failed to materialise. Recording commitments were blamed. However, The Chieftains flew the fourpiece’s flag with a cover of ‘Tryin’ To Throw Your Arms Around The World’ from their ‘Achtung Baby’ album.