The Imelda May Show

Overall, this is a very good show. Imelda and Jools was a great combination last week. This week, the Script were excellent too. Christy Dignam looks well enough despite his illness and sings very good too.

Could have left this Derek Ryan out, though. Luke Kelly he most certainly ain't. Better suited to TNG and Glor Tire. We get too much of this tame Irish country and we need more rockabilly, bluegrass, blues and soul instead. It is out there but unfortunately all we get is stuff like 'God's plan', 'On your wedding day', 'Day of my return', 'Hold onto your hat' and so on. I can't see why this fella and Mike Denver have to be paraded in front of us all the time? Soulless, bluesless country music with a foot in the boyband arena produced in a factory. They are very poor when compared to many others out there inclusive of Imelda herself.

Deminiman wrote: »

Its a pity when a show comes on to celebrate the musical talent we have in this country all people like to do is b**ch and moan. If this show didn't exist the people would be crying out for it. When its seen again in 20 years time on 'Reeling in the years' the same people will be asking why it ever ended.

Now are we b**ching and moaning about this show as much as we are b**ching and moaning about the LLS?

I think you'll find the answer is no.

Because it's a much better production than the LLS (although that isn't difficult). It's not without faults, but it certainly has far less of them than the Late Late.

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

I have to say, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if L***s W***h turned up on this show at some point... :rolleyes:

As long as Billy from Aslan is not on again World War 3 could start if both Billy & Louis were on. Why not throw in Linda as well !!

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

A lot of people I met actually say: combine Imelda's show with the Saturday Night Show and there is no need for Tubridy's one.

Imelda and Brendan could make a great double act, come to think of it.

But if their shows were combined, then the depressing items (which, sadly, have become more common on the SNS in recent times) would surely have to be kept to a severe minimum, if not forbidden altogether. Having them on a show co-hosted by Imelda would be very much like trying to mix oil with water.

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

As long as Billy from Aslan is not on again World War 3 could start if both Billy & Louis were on. Why not throw in Linda as well !!

Heck, throw in Tubs too...

genericguy wrote: »

Imelda may is grossly overrated IMO. Very average, and if she had a normal haircut nobody would care less about her.

I have to say, I can't quite believe that the post I'm quoting has been thanked 25 times...

She may not be everyone's cup of tea, but to say that she's "grossly overrated" is slightly harsh.

Blackhorse Slim wrote: »

I like the show, Imelda is doing fine as presenter, but the quality of the music acts needs to improve. It's great that Irish bands are getting more exposure, but it needs to be about more than that. Hudson Taylor were great, the Script sounded very "processed" to me and lacking bite, and I skipped Aslan because I can'tstand them m:-). Country music is not my thing, but it has a place in a show like this.

There are plenty of international acts playing here regularly that would surely jump at the chance to appear on Irish tv. I'm not talking about superstars but established if relatively little known acts such as (for my tastes) Joe Bonamassa. Grant Lee Phillips will be in Dublin next month and would make a great guest. This could make the difference imo between an ok show and a great one.

Inevitably, some of the acts on the show will be better than others. Of course, taste will have a lot to do with this too. Perhaps, the show will get a bigger budget next year and will develop to include international acts.

I like Aslan myself and The Script are ok too. Hudson Taylor are good too. First time I heard them.

I like certain forms of country music but not the modern country and irish version. Acts like Mike Denver have ruined Irish country music imo and the newer crop follow these as role models. Hopefully, better forms of country music will feature on shows like this. There's always Glor Tire for those who love the Mike Denver-types.

Imelda May herself launched an alternative to country and irish and her rockabilly side is just one of the many alternative types of country music genres that exist. Imelda is a great presenter and is enthusiastic and that is what is needed.

In Lonesome Dove wrote: »

I don't know much about Mike Denver to comment on him. I heard of him but that's about it.

It's funny how you mentioned the boyband stuff. I only discovered Derek Ryan last year so it's not like I followed him from his boyband days and truth be told I don't remember the boyband he once belonged in. His debut country album came out in 2010. That was before country music or country-pop music became popular in Ireland, so for Derek Ryan, I don't think it's a bandwagon he's jumping on. I think I would take what you wrote and apply it to Shane Filan. Apparently he turned countryish since last year. He's definately one who found the wagon and jumped on it.

Music is subjective. What appeals to one person wouldn't appeal to another.

D-Side was the band Derek Ryan belonged to. I never heard of them but read now they were very popular in Japan. Had some hits in Ireland too.

I have heard a lot of Derek Ryan's music on TNG and this Hotcountry programme on in the house when I return home. Some family members can't get enough of it !! Also, these Mother's Son, Country Soul and Dreamers & Believers albums are here. Now, I said I'd listen to them one time and hated many of the Irish-written songs on it: plenty country (& irish!) not much soul though.

Songs like The Gathering, It's Friday and God's plan are among the worst things I have ever heard. But all's not lost: in fairness, he does some excellent songs like I can't stop loving you and There stands the glass (he should concentrate on ones like this rather than the above). Love me tonight, turn out the lights is nice too if a little too like the bluegrass standard Stay away from me or Brendan Shine's Catch me if you can.

But that seems to be the thing with all of the country and irish of today: there are good songs on all of their albums but a lot of poor stuff too. A lot of the poor stuff littered across albums by Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, 3 Amigos and others tend to be usually this neo-folksy uptempo Galwaygirl-derivative stuff or else very bland ballads and written in Ireland. The older US covers tend to be far better songs and also I feel the artist is more passionate about these songs too. As if to say the original songs are just there as a tax exemption clause and not much thought is put into singing and writing them.

Beano wrote: »

and plenty dont. She is just unlucky to fall into the group of singers whose voice deteriorates. especially true about singers who arent classically trained. Paul McCartney cant sing for toffee these days and hasnt been able to for quite some time.

Singers' voices deteriorate for many reasons. Some abuse themselves (drink, drugs, etc.), some just don't practice or rehearse anymore, some assume just being the artist they are is enough. Some try and change their style and sing songs not suited to their voices. Etc.