Bewley's Cafe. The cream at the top

If you haven't guessed already. I can't get enough of Eleanor McEvoy. So when I found out that I had an extra day off this week. I was straight on the Ryan Air site, booked a hotel (please I hope it's OK) Then waited for the day to arrive.
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Eleanor McEvoy,
Bewley's Cafe Theatre,
Dublin,
1st March 2007.

I was up early leaving the house in the capable hands of Plasterers. I headed to Bristol Airport, via Temple Meads.
Travelling light, and with my on-line boarding pass in hand, I sailed (or should that be flew) through. Everything on time. (even the train) I was in Dublin City centre in no time.

And I can honestly say that the Hotel Issac in Store St. was excellent. Bit of a shabby area, the city Dart ran just outside my window.
But the Staff there, the Cleanliness, and Character of the place, made it a good choice. And it's ideally situated between O'Connell Street and tonight's venue.
An afternoon of Guinness tasting then ensued. (one is never enough) washed down with a bowl of Irish Stew. I felt relaxed, as I waited for the evening with eager anticipation.

The Venue tonight, situated in Dublin's Main Shopping thoroughfare, Grafton Street. Bewley's Cafe. This “Oriental” coffee house was first opened in 1927 and has become part of the fabric of the capital city’s cultural and political history, famed as a meeting place for poets, writers and alike. With a cafe/ bistro downstairs & a Restaurant on the first floor and on the 2nd floor was the Bewley's Cafe Theatre
I bought another pint of the "Black Stuff" and went upstairs early, as I needed a ticket. I was met by the promoter/sound engineer for the night. I had e-mailed Keiron Black prior to traveling, so when I said who I was, and where I'd come from. He invited me in early. In to a very intimate and cosy room, with a dozen candle lit tables, and maximum capacity of 50.

With the support act was just finishing his sound check.
Eleanor passed through. She was naturally surprised to see me.
We had a quick chat about her forth coming Australia tour and of course her visit to Taunton in May (get your ticket here)
After she'd gone, I had to return down stairs for a refill. As a drinker, I did find a couple of drawbacks of the venue. No.1. The Guinness pump is on the 1st floor, secondly the loo is in the basement, and of course NO SMOKING. outside for us social pariahs. But I guess that's something I'll have to get use to, when England's smoking ban comes in to effect on July 1st.

With the room two thirds full. Robin James Hurt. The support act sauntered to the stage at 8:40. Singing songs reflecting his Scottish Homeland. With the cappo fixed permanently down the neck of the Guitar. His finger work was superb. along with clever lyrics. he had the audience spell bound.
Click the link and listen to 'Spiders Legs' and Hexamshire Lass.
A real joy, and a really nice fellow to boot. I could of listened to Robin all night.
His six songs tonight.

1. All The Way Down
2. Dowie Dens of Yarrow
3. Bogey's Bonnie Belle
4. O' Raging Fortune
5. Spiders Legs
6. Hexamshire lass
(dedicated to former Hexhamshire lad Pete Doherty)

But of course I was really only here for the main act.
So after a trip once more into the bowls of the building.
I was ready for Eleanor McEvoy.

We were treated to twenty-one songs of of flawless quality.
(with a small break mid way) As usual most of the numbers were there from 'Out There' and 'Early Hours.' The recent albums.
The ease at which she switches between the instruments on the small stage, is amazing. Tonight, we had a Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin, and Fiddle.
There were a couple of surprises tonight. Half way through the first set she launched in to 'I'm happy just to dance with you'
a Lennon/McCartney number which fitted in perfectly within the set.

At the start of the second set Eleanor did mention about this chap who follows her, and had been to many gigs in England. And he's here tonight. So yours truly had to take a bow.

Back to the music. Eleanor has also recently been doing other covers, namely Joni Mitchell's 'Cary' and Bob Dylan's 'I'll be your baby tonight' For these two numbers announced that with the small audience it would be better if I was down with you. So bringing her Guitar down, she sat next to me in the middle of the room. It was spine tingly perfect. We all joined in with "Baby Tonight"
It was music as it should be.
Back on stage we had couple of Reels on fiddle to finish. Leaving the stage to gushing praise and applause from the small, but appreciative audience.

After wishing her Bon Voyage. She's off to Australia on Sunday.
(If you're reading this in the Antipodes, you're in for a treat and
Upcoming Shows can be found at the MySpace site) I made made my way back to the Hotel, in the knowledge that her next gig on the British Isles will be in my home town.
A wonderful night. treated to two fine artist. in an excellent venue.
My house was plastered, I was plastered, but deliriously happy.

The Set List

Little Look
Easy in Love
Fields of Dublin 4
Quote Unquote
Mercy Mercy Me
I’m Happy Just To Dance With You
Territory of Poets
I'll be Willing
The Way You Wear Your Troubles
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Suffer So Well
Days Roll By
Whisper a Prayer to the Moon
Did You Tell Him
Non Smoking Single Female
Only A Woman’s Heart
Isn't it a Little Late
Cary
I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
Wrong So Wrong
Paddy Cathy's Reel
plus one other Reel that
even Eleanor forgot the title
So we'll just call it a Reel in 'D'