Damien Dempsey - Rocky Road » Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

2nd September 2008

Damien Dempsey - Rocky Road

This post was written by Benji

The last time I wrote about Irish troubadour Damien Dempsey, I received a great deal of flack (and that’s an understatement). What I said then, and I will continue to say now, is that Dempsey is certainly the most talented Damien to come out of Ireland. Dempsey’s remarkably strong voice is so entirely captivating that the musical arrangements are often overshadowed by his vocal prowess. Dempsey combines contemporary folk music with his Irish heritage–when you listen to Dempsey, you don’t feel like you’re listening to the product of record company machinations. Dempsey is genuine in his effort to fuse the past with the present. His new album Rocky Road is perhaps not as ambitious as his excellent To Hell or Barbados, but it nonetheless shows a maturing Dempsey who is becoming even more comfortable with his sound/style.

Everything about Dempsey’s affect reflects is everymaness….that is, except for his voice. Almost unearthly in its crispness and its clarity, it sounds as though his voice almost compels his backing instrumentation to play. But I don’t want to disparage The Dubliners, who add their wonderful native Irish touch (and more than that!). “A Rainy Night in Soho” is a sweet serenade showcasing Dempsey’s Irish brogue. “Kelly from Killan/Teetotaler” is a rolling-prarie of a song, an absolute delight that is sure to go well with a pint of Guinness!

Get a copy of Rocky Road.

Listen to “A Rainy Night in Soho”

Listen to “Kelly from Killan/Teetotaler“

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There are currently 2 responses to “Damien Dempsey - Rocky Road”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

1 On September 5th, 2008, DeadBilly said:
Just thought I’d throw my 2 cents in. I read the drubbing you took for the last post. Personally, I’m a fan of both Damiens, though I’d say Dempsey’s “Seize the day” was better than “To Hell or Barbados”. I could never get past that opening “Massai” tune. Bugged the hell out of me.

Regardless of your like or dislike for Rice, you have the right to your opinion and shouldn’t have been attacked for it.

Keep up the good work, and thanks for the Dempsey tracks.

posted on September 5th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
2 On September 23rd, 2008, coraxx said:
OMG….. met damo the other day!!!……and i have to say i was not disapointed! he was so cool, i broke down and he gave me a hug…haha he was with his whole family brothers and all, i work in a hotel 15 mins away from his family home and they were their for a family christning…his brother kept kissing my hand and shakeing it ha they were all pissed, but later on in the nite he said ” HOWAYA CORA” awwwhh my heart melted haha

posted on September 23rd, 2008 at 9:28 am

Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream
Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream will serve as a blog for me to share my thoughts and musings, with a special emphasis on music. The music that will appear in this blog is for evaluation/sampling purposes only, and is designed to promote up and coming bands. Remember, if you like the artist(s), buy the CD! If you are the owner of a sound file and would like it removed, please contact us and we will kindly take it down.