|
• SawDoctors.com • myspace.com
|
That Takes the Biscuit Bakers Cook and Serve It Hot in Midtown! A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch
In February 2008, The Saw Doctors were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Irish Music Awards ceremony - honoring over twenty years of successful activity in the music business. What's unusual is that their legend and fan base are now surging - not only in America but throughout Europe - and by all accounts the band just hit a musical milestone on their most recent journey to the United States for their annual Spring Tour.
 Davy Carton and Leo Moran have shared the spotlight for over 20 years! "It's nice to be recognized for what we do, a lot of the stuff we do is outside of Ireland, it's like in the States and in Britain, and even sometimes in Europe, so, sometimes we don't get a lot of notice at home," the Docs Leo Moran reported to Kweevak's Rockin' Rich Lynch on the site's radio show. "So, for people to have noticed what we're doing and to give us the Lifetime Achievement Award was very satisfying." Indeed these are satisfying times for co-founders Leo Moran and Dave Carton who met in 1986 and eventually formed The Saw Doctors. These two leading musicians are the singers and songwriters who have served as the driving force for a band that has had various line-up changes in their two-decade plus history. Their at times anthemic music has an Irish flair, born out of punk, and blends folk and rock into vibrant and visual songs with enduring appeal. But their continuing success cannot alone be chalked up to the luck of the Irish. These men have worked hard to get where they are today. "We've built a really loyal and enthusiastic following over the years," Moran related to Lynch on the Podcast describing the work ethic his band has brought to their craft. "This will be our in the region of sixty trips across to the States." "Our website and our E-Letter are probably the primary way that people who are interested in the band can find out where and when we are playing. I suppose it has superseded advertising in music magazines and putting up posters, almost completely," Moran said on the show of the Internet tools that have also helped the band's continued growth. But, they count just as much on their audience, too. "And, a lot of our fan base is based upon word of mouth and people bringing their friends to shows..." Fans from all over the U.S. and Europe have come to love a band that has often been compared to Bruce Springsteen, as many of their compositions incorporate themes that have become staples in Springsteen's stories. The Saw Doctors write about ordinary people, economic woes and Ireland. Many of their songs are sad, but others are feisty and fun and on occasion controversial. They have released six studio albums but, like Springsteen, it is in a live setting where The Saw Doctors really shine. They have built a fervid following in their homeland and beyond with their engaging and energetic concerts. The band also maintains an active MySpace presence and they wrote a hit novelty song about the Irish social networking site Bebo.com (Blog Early Blog Often) called "Bebo" which appears on their new 23-song CD called That Takes The Biscuit - a compelling compilation of rather rare tracks, live and studio recordings, demos and live songs which they are currently on tour to support. The Nokia Theater in New York City was packed to capacity on Saturday, March 15, 2008 and folks were in high spirits this holiday weekend, ready to sing and sway with The Saw Doctors. Taking the stage around nine - the five piece consisting of Leo Moran (guitars & vocals); Davy Carton (guitars and vocals); Kevin Duffy (keys, vocals & guitar); Anthony Thistlethwaite (bass, vocals, sax & harmonica) and Eimhin Cradock (drums) - were animated and tight right from the start. Davy was sporting an I Love NY shirt and it was clear that NY loves The Saw Doctors as the crowd sang along to the enlivening opener "Exhilarating Sadness".
 Like father, like son - Jimmy and Leo trade licks on "Your Guitar"! "World of Good" and the Irish flavored "Macnas Parade" were exuberant with energized guitar lines and danceable drumming. Dueling guitars dominated for a kick ass version of "Tommy K" - a fan favorite that had the floor rocking. "Same Oul' Town" was a slower song with vivid visuals that captured the characters and spirit of a small town. "Out For A Smoke" from The Cure featured Davy on an acoustic while the keys added a meditative atmosphere to the composition. Another song from that same CD was an early highlight when Leo's son Jimmy took the stage to play a few chords of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Sprit". More famous riffs followed as the band worked their way into "Your Guitar" - proving that the lesson provided in that song written by the elder for the younger Moran has paid off nicely. This was a rare and great rock and roll moment as father and son shared the stage and traded licks with Davy leading the crowd in hand clapping. As with most Saw Doctor's shows, fan participation was a big part of the live experience. Their fervent following knows the words to all the songs - frequently singing, clapping and dancing the best they could on a crowded floor. The energy and enthusiasm of the audience was contagious and fueled the seasoned Saw Doctors to play at the top of their game. Leo summed up Saturday's show mid set stating, "this is fantastic!" Two songs about their homeland riled up the crowd. A rousing version of "Green and Red of Mayo" was followed by "Galway and Mayo" that featured Leo narrating his childhood dream about Gaelic football, wearing the jersey and victory. The story starts off with stark instrumentation, as the dream progresses Leo gets a medal and brings the cup home as the pace of the piece increased. "Share The Darkness" was a demure, dramatic song with the drums and keys leading the way. Other high points of the show were a sassy version of "Bless Me Father", the colorful and contemplative "Clare Island", and of course the classic sing along "N17" which had the crowd at a fever pitch for the set closer that had the band complimenting, "brilliant, thanks a million!" The encore included five more classic crowd pleasers. During one song the band members pulled a musical sham by switching instruments and ended up with Davy on the drums and Leo on keyboards. They did a pretty good job playing each other's parts and later went off on a tangent into The Beastie Boy's "You Got A Right To Party". The fire drill manner of the musical mix up and the cover songs were creative and entertaining additions to the set. The Saw Doctors also did a slightly coordinated guitar sway. The Irish flavored "Joyce County Ceili Band" and the spirited "What A Day" were also exceptional. The band played the pretty "She's Got It" from That Takes The Biscuit and the live version featured echoing vocals and more crowd clapping. The new CD includes early demos such as "Way of the World" and live tracks from December 2002. The album showcases the diversity of the band's influences combined with their own signature sound. Other worthy songs from the compilation include "Good News", an upbeat take on world events; the dark and moody "Villains" featuring an agitated Leo; "Some Hope" with its antagonizing and chiding chorus; and the humorous ode to fast food - "Chips". The Saw Doctors played two nights at the modern Nokia Theater. Saturday's sold-out show's set was a capable and clever mix of crowd connectors and some of their more serious softer songs. The energy level on and off the stage was high - adding to the festive flair of this holiday weekend show. With a successful tour behind them and their interesting retrospective That Takes The Biscuit recently released The Saw Doctors have proven that they are just as fresh and even hotter than when they emerged from the oven over twenty years ago!
MARCH 15, 2008 - SET LIST
 Davy, Jimmy and Leo - two generations of rock and roll on the big stage! Originally Published: 03/00/2008 on Kweevak.com |
• BLOGS: Kweevak | Soundpress
• 10/09/08 - Concert Industry News: Reunions & Comebacks!
• 10/07/08 - Arnel Pineda: From YouTube to the Big Screen!
• 10/07/08 - The Grateful Dead Take a Trip in Egypt!
• 10/06/08 - Book Review: Brand, Buzz & Success
• 09/22/08 - Squeeze Takes Hold of New York City
• 09/15/08 - Music Builds on a Solid Foundation of Rock
• 09/04/08 - Woodstock Lives on at Bethel Woods Arts Center
• 09/03/08 - Journey, Heart & Cheap Trick Trio Triumphs
• 09/02/08 - Nils Lofgren Talks to Kweevak Radio
• 09/01/08 - Concert Review: Journey Still in Progress
• 08/20/08 - King Crimson Celebrates 40 Years in New York
• 08/20/08 - A Brand New Age for Blackmore's Night
• 08/18/08 - Bob Weir Is Still Counting On the Heads
• 08/17/08 - A Storm of RatDog and the Allman Brothers Band
• 08/09/08 - Shaken Alice Cooper Remains Unfazed
• 08/08/08 - Even More Les Paul and Geoff Achison
• 08/06/08 - Hootie & the Blowfish Supply the Goods
• 08/02/08: Bob Dylan - Down the Tracks DVD
• 08/01/08: Night Ranger Blasts a Hole In The Sun
• 07/28/08 - Smokin' Bottle Rockets Fly in Ringwood
• 07/24/08 - Frank Marino's Solid Mahogany Rush
|
