POSTS TAGGED : Damien Dempsey

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode 11

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We’re thrilled to share yet another Millions Like Us podcast with you all. It’s great to back with the latest in a series of music podcasts hosted by Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now.

On a bi-weekly basis we aim to please, providing  some lively and entertaining chat and eclectic selection of fabulous music from metro Vancouver and elsewhere. There’s plenty in there, well over an hour in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat.

You can read more on it over here and of course, listen below (and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too). You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

2016 has been good to us so far, so thanks for all the support thus far and once again, thanks for listening! And last but not least, thanks to Caroline for the image.

Episode #11 Tracklist:

Best of 2012: w/ DJ Robbie Coffey

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It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012’, ‘favourite song of 2012’ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Without further ado, here’s Robbie Coffey and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite album of 2012: Killer Mike – ‘R.A.P Music’

Since Barry asked me to do this I’ve been revisiting a lot of great music from the likes of Grimes, Scuba, Kendrick Lemar & El-P but when it came down to it the album that impressed me most this year was R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike. Prior to hearing the album my only experience of Killer Mike had been his guest slot on Outkast’s 2001 hit ‘The Whole World’. When I read that he was releasing an album with El-P on production duties I was intrigued. When I heard the first snippets of the album I was excited. The thing that hit me most on my first few listens to that album was the beats. El-P has had a great year. After a few more listens I realized that, as well as having a great flow, Killer Mike had a lot to say. He demonstrates storytelling ability that even Slick Rick would be proud of on the track ‘JoJo’s Chilllin’. However, for me the standout track is ‘Reagan’ where he breaks down the effects that Reaganomics had and still has on his community. Powerful stuff from start to finish!

Favourite song of 2012: Danny Brown – ‘Grown Up’

My favourite song of 2012 is the rags to riches tale ‘Grown Up’ by Danny Brown. Great story, great lyrics, great beat, great video, free download. Sure it’s only great, get it!

Favourite Irish song of 2012: Damien Dempsey – ‘Born Without Hate’

The standout Irish song of 2012 for me is ‘Born Without Hate’ from Damien Dempsey’s Almighty Love album. Probably not Damo’s strongest album but it has a few gems like this! Features Kate Tempest.

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Damien Dempsey – ‘Almighty Love’

Damien Dempsey makes a welcome return after far too long an absence, it’s hard to believe it’s been five years since To Hell Or Barbados. 

Dempsey is one of those artist who the promise of new material will excite me, regardless of the fact I feel he has never matched the form shown on Seize The Day, which remains a masterpiece to this day and shines as a beacon of what he, and his talent, can achieve. Don’t get me wrong there have been plenty of good songs since then, just not an album of pristine perfection. 

‘Almighty Love’ is the lead track from the album of the same name, it’s a passionate, powerful and positive acoustic number which among others, name checks John Lennon, Rosa Parks and Tony Benn. It may be more of an album track but it certainly whets the appetite for the new record.

If there was ever a time for Damien Dempsey’s poetic and hard-hitting social commentary to come to the fore, it is now. Even though Ireland is falling apart at the seams very few artists have anything worthwhile to say on the matter. Let’s hope Damo has the bit between his teeth again and does what he does best, speaking honestly and profoundly from a street level. 

The new album Almighty Love will be released on 28th September and he’s announced a pile of live dates too.

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