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THE PACKAGE LIVESCENE REVIEW 05 DEC 2002
JACKY TAR

Bar Bodega
Thursday 21 November

One you get reeling around Bodega's dance floor to a set from Jacky Tar you are a drowned and grinning whisky rat. Jacky Tar undoubtedly makes hip, funky rock n' roll originals out of traditional Irish, Scottish and English folk songs. Their Celtic roots can quench a mead lovers thirst. Moreover they can rap in Gaelic accents. Andy Kerr (guitar,vocals) ,Nick Swan (banjo), Mo (drums), Manu Scott (bass) and Grant Shearer (Oileann pipes, whistles, Scottish bagpipes) have returned from touring Europe, performing tunes from their recently released second album 'Defenestration.' (The title means to throw something out the window assuming it will improve matters.) At the gig the crowd danced and drank to great hits like 'Felling come on''Barry' (chorus line beginning 'You boozer, you loser') and fantastic 'Arooh Arooh' which has excerpts from Lanigans Ball, Yeha!

The band also played 'Uisce Beatha' a true whisky drinking song. 'What Comes Next?' and 'River Ran Joe.' The songs involve great vocal harmonies, funny lyrics and a hypnotic Celtic sound. Jacky Tar freely jammed throughout songs. Making it look easy deserves merit. The band deserve their reputation of giving brilliant, spirited performances, reigning in good times at local watering holes. You can catch Jacky Tar for a glorious jig at Molly Malones on New Years Eve.

(Jess Alridge)

-ooOoo-

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