Internationally acclaimed vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Clive Barnes who lives locally, returns to the live circuit for September and October as an artist at the top of his game. Along with him comes The Ghost Country, Barnes new album.
With The Ghost Country tour having started in Galway on Monday September 13, Clive takes to the stage at Cleere's on Saturday night (September 26 ) following performances in Lahinch, Cork, Galway, Dublin and more.
The Ghost Country elevates Barnes to a truly unique sound having forged his style and delivery over years of touring the US and Europe with the likes of Eric Bibb, Taj Mahal, Jeff Beck, Alison Krauss, Seasick Steve, The Blind Boys of Alabama and many more.
As a musician, Barnes is highly regarded as one of the finest performers on the roots circuit, a reputation solidified by the lyrical and songwriting prowess on this new collection of songs.
Recorded at Silverwood Studios with well known producer Gavin Ralston, the twelve track offering includes appearances from William McGlynn, Dave Hingerty, Joe Ryan and Siobhan O'Brien.
From the rip-roaring banjo-fuelled opener of Shotgun Grin to the big sky foreboding title track of the album, right through to the closing track of Borderlines, this recording is populated with stories of characters running and returning, longing and dreaming, down on their luck and finally finding peace, characters so thick with realism you could feel them move right through you.
RTE's Harry Guiren noted in a review of Clive Barnes performing at Vicar Street, Dublin, "Clive is a guitarist who can make one acoustic sound like six. Barnes transported the entire, hushed venue across the Atlantic to where the paths taken by the Delta Blues, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen all led to his own special territory."
Clive continues around the country this coming week with dates in Clonmel (tonight, Wednesday ), The Bailey, Enniscorthy ( Thursday 24 ), Whelan's in Dublin on the 25th and Cleere's on Saturday night. Travelling right around the country through September and October, full dates are available by visiting myspace.com/clivebarnesmusic Tickets for this weekend's gig are available from Cleere's and priced at €15.
The Ghost Country was released Friday (September 11 ) and is available to buy and download via iTunes, Amazon, and all good music stores. The album can be bought in Kilkenny from Rollercoaster Records on Kieran Street.
