Reviews | ||
cluas.com - Top Ten, May 1999 Ten Great, But Forgotten, Irish Rock Singles Jubilee All-stars 'By The End Of The Night' When I first played this jewel of 1996 I thought my stereo wasn't plugged it was so lo-fi. It could have been a bad joke - singing seemingly out of key, instruments sounding clumsy and clodded. But something made me play it again. Maybe it was the simple purity of the harmonica at the start. No need for convoluted superlatives here. It just grows with time into some of the most endearing music you could ever here. Eoghan
Eclectic Honey - "The Struggle Continues" - 2005 It feels like The Jubilee Allstars have always been an inherent part of the Irish music scene, but yet never quite made the final hurdle. The excellent and under-rated Lights of the City should have been their breakthrough, but for some reason it never quite took off. Consequently, after a prolonged period in the wilderness The Struggle Continues marks the band’s last foray, with their current line-up at any rate. And it’s only really whilst listening to their final effort that you realise just what a loss their absence will mean. Through the Night opens up with a bluesy Hendrix riff and a Dylanesque folky swagger, Niall McCormack’s vocals unassuming and stoical. Sleepwalker’s swirling melody has the beautiful, narcotic grunginess of The Velvet Underground while Clearcut’s understated plea doesn’t fall on deaf ears. You Took my Side’s wandering riffage and Down on the Street’s whirring organ (a sound that has become synonymous with The Jubilees over the years) make you realise that very few bands can do country-pop balladeering as well. elf-proclaimed as “Neither Popular nor Profitable Since 1993”, The Jubilee Allstars were all about the music, and the fact that the final chapter to their story is a vinyl-only and extremely limited release is rather germane, and perhaps an unintended thank-you to their small but devoted legion of fans. Indeed rather than The Struggle Continues being an optimistic last throw of the dice in the hope of a breakthrough, it’s more about getting the songs out to those who want to hear them. But being the elitist, selfish girl I am, being able to keep The Jubilee Allstars all to myself and 299 other aficionados isn’t too bad a proposition either. Review written by Michelle Dalton
The Lobby - Barry McCormack Former Jubilee Allstar Barry McCormack released his debut solo album We Drank Our Tears in May 2003, to much critical acclaim. An album of songs inspired by the Irish folk tradition- utilising only guitar, voice and harmonica- Hot Press called it 'the finest acoustic album of 2003…timeless and placeless, but at the same time very specifically observed and honestly rendered, universal, local music'. As singer, songwriter and guitarist with Jubilee Allstars, Barry contributed to the three E.P.s and two studio albums the band released between 1996 and 2000. Their Lights of the City album, released in 2000, was described as 'an absolute revelation' by The Guardian, who described them as 'diarists for a Dublin they both despair of and love'. Barry left the band after the release of Lights to pursue a solo career. Although Dublin appears as a backdrop to some of the songs on We Drank Our Tears, the main theme running through the album is how we persevere through our darkest times, with the love of family, the strength of friendship and the grasping of wisdom from moments of great sorrow and duress: 'these tales- ardent love-wishes to an ailing spouse, encouragements to the bereaved and lost and maunderings physical, philosophical and romantic' wrote Kim Porcelli in Hot Press, 'ring as true today as if they were written a hundred years ago'. The songs 'On A May Morning' (inspired by Tommy Makem's 'As I Roved Out') and 'After This Low', appeared on R.T.E's compilation album and television show Other Voices-Songs From A Room respectively. 'An album of contemporary folk songs, rooted in a tradition that goes back generations…a melting pot of Brendan Behan, Bob Dylan and Shane McGowan'. John Walshe - 8.5/10
Dub Links - Barry McCormack
29-October-2003 Barry McCormack is a rare breed of songwriter, a man who takes his marker from The Dubliners and the Clancy Brothers. He writes the kind of slow ballads and loud drinking songs you should hear in a smoky Dublin pub at closing time. Barry McCormack came to prominence in the Dublin music scene in the mid 90s with his group the Jubilee Allstars. Barry formed the group with his brothers Fergus and Niall and the band were quickly signed up by new Dublin label Lakota. The band recorded a debut album with Lakota Sunday Miscellany. But it was to be the band's second album The Lights of the City where Barry was to develop his song writing style with songs such as "Lights of the City", "Pray Loud" and "Lost At Sea". After The Lights of the City was released, Barry decided to leave the band and concentrate on a solo career. Barry recorded We Drank Our Tears with his brother Niall and wanted to keep his vision of folk music simple, just a guitar and a solitary voice. Barry felt that any other musical colouring would have got in the way of what the songs had to say. The album subsequently has a sparse and soulful purity to it. With "On The Evening Of The Epiphany" Barry weaves us in and out of the many back streets and side alleys of Dublin his narratives often stumble along. While songs such as a "A Husband's Prayer", "Don't Be Afraid Anymore" and "The Place Where Fortune Hides" deal with serious issues of loss and bereavement there is ultimately an uplifting feeling to these songs. Barry recently featured on the 'Songs from a Room' program on Network 2 where he sang "After this Low". Barry's song "On A May Morning" appeared on the 'Songs from a Room' compilation album. Barry is very funny performer and is known for his hilarious asides and stories between songs. Barry promises Dub Links 'another strange evening, of story telling folk songs and second hand suits'.
Hot Press - Lisdoonvarna '03 BARRY MCCORMACK After a swift pint break and change of venue I find myself in the indoor seated acoustic room in front of a suited and booted ex-Jubilee Allstar, Barry McCormack. Even though hidden behind his acoustic guitar, he’s still a tad paranoid about his attire: “I think I must be the most over-dressed person in the audience, but I thought there might be some show- jumping!”
Hot Press - "We Drank Our Tears" "Despite the litany of miseries that besets McCormack’s characters, the heart of We Drank Our Tears beats with the indomitability of the human spirit and the ever-pervading sense of hope."
Hot Press - Barry McCormack Three chord and the truthDubliner Barry McCormack has been plying his trade for 10 years, the bulk of them with brothers Niall and Fergus as The Jubilee Allstars. Like his work with that acclaimed if largely ignored band, McCormack produces beautifully downbeat country songs. His vocal style is not a million miles away from Bob Dylan's growl and his bittersweet songs recall the Pernice Brothers (that band's Thom Monahan produced the Allstar's second album). Armed with acoustic guitar and an ancient television (a prop for his stage show, it soon transpires) on stage with him, McCormack manages to silence all chatter for 90 minutes thanks to a clutch of gems from his rather excellent solo album, We Drank Our Tears, as well as a few crowd pleasers from his Allstars days. His songs are concerned with the downtrodden and the hardships that everyone encounters throughout their lives. Yet, somehow, this melancholic set seems to celebrate resilience rather than wallow in defeatism. An early song, The Husband's Prayer, is typical. One of the new album's highlights, the song concerns the mixed emotions of a husband whose wife is dying a painful death. On the one hand he wants her to live as long as possible, yet he knows that it is kinder for her to die early. The album is dedicated to McCormack's mother who passed away, so it's easy to assume that the song was inspired by her death. McCormack is careful to vary the tempo of the set, mixing rousing numbers with more languid efforts. The folksy Ballad Of Booze And Bedragglement and Lights Of The City (one of the Jubilee Allstar's best cuts) are just two of the high points on a set that never gets boring. Curmudgeons might have a problem with McCormack's incessant banter between songs, although I think his dry gags are better than the bulk of what passes for humour in most comedy clubs. John Meagher
thumped.com "Jubilee Allstars" I think I know now what the story is... one genre per Road Relish seven-inch, which begs the inevitable question; how far can you go before you run out of genres? Number 1 was post-rock-avant-skronk sort of stuff, number 2, this one, is countrified twanging, number 3 is gonna be bleep-techno, i think, and so number 4 and 5 should probably be thunderous metal and beatless ambient stuff respectively. It'd make sense, anyway. So what do we have? Well, those nice Jubilee Allstars give us "Lamplight", with slightly croaky vocals reminiscent of Belle & Sebastian, although the music seems to be more influenced by bouncy soul music than the usual acoustics-round-the-campfire stuff. The production is what the word 'lo-fi' was invented for, and I still prefer 'Better than I know Myself', but it's still quite a charming little ditty. Dot Creek's "Cast" doesn't actually extol the virtues of John Power's scouse plonkers, but is back in the familiar Beach-Boys-harmonies-with-warm-acoustic-strumming vein that we all know and love them for. Someday, when the world turns and sheds a collective tear at love lost, and thinks about what might have been, this'll be on in the background. -Germ. Hot Press (Release of the Fortnight) The Dublin Event Guide (Single of the Fortnight) Record Collector
Eclectic Honey "Lights Of The City" LIGHTS OF THE CITY Irish band, The Jubilee Allstars, are beginning to become household names on the Irish music scene, with their appearance on the Frames tour EP Come on up to the house, as well as their early EPs and Sunday Miscellany, and it is never too long till you can catch them in their live guise somewhere. Yet they have never seemed to be a heavyweight presence, despite having a growing fanbase. This year's release of their latest album Lights of The City though has sparked a quite a ripple of attention though, in both Irish media and also abroad in the NME amongst others. Their organic sound of country folk mashed up with blues and some inspirational keyboard by John Hegarty breezes through the mass of Radiohead wannabes and American punk surfers, that crowd the already overpopulated stage already. The steady vocals of Mc Cormack compel the listener, making their point without the need to break into outrageous, despairing, falsettos to convey emotion. The anthemic whispers of Pray Loud (and with sorrow) linger throughout the soulful, upbeat let evening bring them home. The latter was originally pencilled in as the version that appeared on the Come on up to the house EP, but unhappy with the mood, they re-recorded it to create one of the centre pieces of the record. Always bringing a piece of a chewed up Dublin debate everywhere they go, Lights of the city and Do you know what it is sir… serve a timely reminder of our changing views and times. In fact, parts of this album are steeped in a feeling of everything that Dublin has become, rather endearing to the listener and gives them a feeling of familiarity they can slip into, when post rock swoonings are too much to handle. Such a complete work is hard to find, without it slipping into repetitive, unoriginal, 'been done before' territory, but the beguiling air of tenderness that seeps through doesn't let the listener entertain that thought for a second. If it is laid back, mellow, heartfelt music you are looking for; you've just reached utopia.
eclectichoney.com "Which Kind EP" WHICH KIND EP
Eclectic Honey "By The End Of The Night EP" BY THE END OF THE NIGHT EP This is somewhat of a transitional stage for the Jubilees, with many questions to be answered, decisions to be made and a change of record label for the band to contend with. However it doesn't seem to be having too much of a side-effect on their music as the band show how to make meaningful pop songs, that come straight from the heart. The Hefner-esque Without You, sees Fergal take over on lead vocals and the melodic You Might Think has all the credentials to win a place on day time radio, with its mellow country edge. The EP shows promise, more than anything else, which will hopefully be fulfilled in the next EP, or album, that they release. All that's missing is a few finishing touches to some flawed edges. One gets the feeling the Jubilees have not exactly sorted out where they are coming from or where they are going to end up, and until they do the listener will remain in the dark as well. They stick to what they know best, and once again their personal experiences and true emotion win out forming odes that would evoke empathy in any listener. It's a great soundtrack to any lazy summer. Hopefully their next album will be able to transcend the darkest, coldest and bleakest winter night.
Independent Records "Lights Of The City" Jubilee Allstars release a brand new album, Lights Of The City, on Independent Records on 23rd June 2000. Treading a much brighter and more upbeat path than any of their previous releases Lights Of The City catches the band in reflective mode with a series of contemporary vignettes (penned by Barry and Niall) peeking into the lives, loves and longings of you, me and them. Pop, rock, country and all the loveliness in-between. From the sublime and simple genius of "Lamplight" to the naggingly catchy "Let Evening Bring Them Home" Lights Of The City is full of comfort, concern and questions. Equally, it is full of joy and love. Lights Of The City is the Dublin-based 4-piece's second studio album and was produced by Thom Monahon (The Pernice Brothers), featuring John Hegarty on piano and Brian Rice on harmonica. It is the follow up to the band's Lakota records début Sunday Miscellany which was released in 1998. Last year saw the band release a collection of Eps (North Frederick Lane Eps) as well as being included on the mini-album, Come On Up To The House, which accompanied their national tour with The Frames and David Kitt. "The songs of Niall and Barry McCormack are unequalled for their affecting honesty and desire. Lights Of The City is uplifting, candid, hopelessly in love." D'Side Magazine June 2000.
Jubilee Allstars review - if you hit a rock hard enough and often enough with an iron hammer, some molecules of the rock will go into the hammer and contra wise likewise. As succinct and concise an explication of molecular theory as you'll need. And a plausible explanation for the Country 'n' Southern Allstars Jubilee's desire to lean against the bar in publican's places. Five singles and a million and one worn out plectrum behind them, the brothers McCormack must be at least thirty per cent Gibson 'n' fender. Brother Casey has been so long at the drums he had a perpetual need for a skin full. These boys know what then wrists are for, and their time playing with themselves alone is about over... NO DOGS NO ENGLISH! Not for Jubilee the lie of the media-friendly Bono boho buzzin' doubling-daily Dublin. These gawky alkey archivists tell stories from the drunken dying town whose heart may beat. but in bitter and broken pieces. The sleeves of their three foursongers see the quartet drunk into comers and backed against walls of boarded up windows. Cars carry office workers home, the comer shop closes and somewhere across town a man sighs, gets on his bike and makes his shaky way to the bar with the upstairs room where Jubilee Allstars strum his fate with their fingers... If you think of fragile as a polite apology for weakness, if you think of simplicity as a refuge for the simpleton, then you've been suckered by the pitch-perfect sales. And that's a river Jubilee Allstars won't be sold down: They know where their going, they know how they're going to get there. They're about as naive as Kraftwerk. They sound like they sound by design - there's no such thing as an accident. Jubilee Allstars are waiting to happen. but if it doesn't happen for you first time, worry not. And don't listen too hard. You'll either get it or you won't. "Seemed like the whole idea was to out-hush each other. Decibels treated like daggers. The arranger tiptoeing about, eliminating some percussion here. ticks there. ridding every song of clicks. bings. bips. all things sharp. Doing it with a fervour only matched by Her majesty's Silkworms. And Sinatra makes a joke about all this. 'I haven't sung so soft since I had the laryngitis. Singing so soft, if he sang any softer he'd be lying on his back."
enter.ie - 2000 Lamplight review The featured track 'Lamplight' was originally featured on Road Relish split 7" single No.2 alongside Dot Creek's 'Cast'. It is taken from Jubilee Allstar's forthcoming album produced by Thom Monahan of Pernice Brothers and Lily's fame entitled 'Lights Of The City'. Recorded in ramshackle style in various locations around Dublin this is by far their best recording to date, complete with rocking piano and harmonica courtesy of John Hegarty and Brian Rice. The front cover is a masterful painting of a number of Dublin shop and Pub fronts pieced together onto one fictitious street by Colm Greene, the painting was as long in the making as the album. The band portrait on the back of the sleeve was taken by Lafayette in Dublin, their attempt at homage to Kraftwerk's 'Trans Europe Express' sleeve.
Zeitgeist Magazine - December 9 1999 "Jubilee Allstars feature the collective talents of Dublin’s McCormack brothers (Niall, Barry and Fergus) together with childhood friend Lee Casey. From their formation as Jubilee (the "Allstars" was added after it was realised that a UK band had got to the name first) the band began crafting tortured musical tales of love and longing tempered with equal measures of humour and cynicism. They release their first new material for 2 years in December when they release a new split single, "Lamplight", (with Dot Creek) on the Road Relish label.
"Jubilee Allstars" - Hugh McCabe - Road Records - March 1998 There are three prominent Dublin bands whose names begin with the letters "Ju". Two of them are puerile, over-hyped garbage without an original idea between them. The third is Jubilee Allstars who are probably the most startling addition to the capital's music scene over the last two years. Led by the three (!) McCormack brothers, they do fragile, gorgeous songs that are tempting many to give up their distortion pedals for good. They don't rock much but they are bloody brilliant. In fact they are so good that an enraged NME music journalist recently encouraged the public to try and kill them on sight. He didn't like their new single much. We do, so he's obviously a bit thick (but then he does write for the NME). They have several EP's on Lakota records and some day will release a debut album.
"Keep On Chewin' " - Jubilee Allstars - The Knowledge - October 27 1997 Peel sessions, tours with The High Llamas, it's all happening for The Jubilee Allstars. Formed by Fergus, Niall and Barry (three McCormack brothers) and Lee Casey, they've come up with a little beauty. Harmonica and piano are coupled with a slow melody and sentiments of sadness on Keep on Chewin', which features Niall's roguish vocal tones. Barry, with a clearer, soaring voice, also partakes in some singing turns on About the Past, How Can You Cheat and Foolish Guy. Never mind the chewin', just keep on listening. C.M. - The Knowledge
"Here Comes The Night" - Donal Dineen - Today FM - September 1997 "They're one of the most original acts to come out of this country (Ireland) in a while. Jubilee, a four-some based around the three brothers McCormack, and an outfit who've been picking up excellent notices in the press across the water at present, not that that matters a whole pile, because the music itself sounds rather splendid, which is all that counts really."
"Lakota Records" - Records Labels - The Knowledge - October 1997 Lakota Records was established in Dublin to offer acts an independent alternative. The label is driven by an independent ethos and encourages ongoing artist development. Lakota Records is licensed to SINE (formally LRD). SINE provides label support and access to international markets. Over the past twelve months Lakota has put together a team of media and marketing specialists to promote releases in the UK. Lakota Records has signed two artists to date: The Ultra Montanes and Jubilee Allstars, both acts have generated considerable interest in the music industry.
GEMM - On-line Record Store "One of Irelands best young band, on the LAKOTA label." | ||
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