Damien Dempsey

surfrunner

What are people's views on Damien Dempsey?

bobbysands81

He is an incredible talent.

I understand why some don't get him but imo he is the best singer and songwriter this country has producd.

Colony is an utterly immense song, and without throwing too many superlatives around, it is probably the greatest song I have ever heard.

A stunning musician, seeing him play live with his band is a real joy.

He's the people's champion.

Xavi6

^^^ Jeez a bit OTT

He's average at best. His voice goes through my head, mainly because of his pronunciation. I wouldn't say he's a good singer. He does write the odd decent song but 'best singer and songwriter this country has producd'? Lol gimme a break.

RastaRed

bobbysands81 wrote: »

He is an incredible talent.

I understand why some don't get him but imo he is the best singer and songwriter this country has producd.

Colony is an utterly immense song, and without throwing too many superlatives around, it is probably the greatest song I have ever heard.

A stunning musician, seeing him play live with his band is a real joy.

He's the people's champion.

+1 Damo's a legend, excellent songwriter, this generations Luke kelly or Christy Moore

leprehaungirl

Ledgend .. yeah i can see also why some people don't like him but i think hes quality... He's definatly at his best when hes live. Saw him in Vicer st there in November quality stuff played for a good long time aswell you dont really get that alot nowadays at concerts/gigs.

Dyr

Dempsey doesnt come within an asses roar of christy moore or luke kelly, He's an awful pastiche of both of them, and as for that "dublin" accent he sings with....

godfrey

jaysus...
if I wanted to be shouted at relentlessly I'd get married!!

not for me I'm afraid...

g

muletide

Huge Fan here

It was not untiul I saw him live that I really got hooked, since then I have spent a small fortune following him around the country.

Please reserve judgement until you have seen this man live

He played the closing night of Electric Picnic last year and had the tent hopping and had to have the power cut in order to stop him playing

People complain about manufactured bands and artists, this man is the exact opposite - such an unbelievable piece of homegrown talent that we should be proud of

CSC

Damien is one of the most exciting and orignal artists this country has produced in the last 10 years.
I haven't had the pleasure of seeing him live yet but his live CD is one of my favourites.

neil_hosey

Xavi6 wrote: »

^^^ Jeez a bit OTT

He's average at best. His voice goes through my head, mainly because of his pronunciation. I wouldn't say he's a good singer. He does write the odd decent song but 'best singer and songwriter this country has producd'? Lol gimme a break.

His pronunciation? He's the only dublin singer that actual sings like he's from Dublin, where as the rest of them sing with that american accent, no that does my head in.


Damo is superb, you have to see him live to really appreciate his stuff. For the type of music he sings trad-ish/dublin he has a good variety of songs.

Dyr

neil_hosey wrote: »

His pronunciation? He's the only dublin singer that actual sings like he's from Dublin, where as the rest of them sing with that american accent, no that does my head in.


Damo is superb, you have to see him live to really appreciate his stuff. For the type of music he sings trad-ish/dublin he has a good variety of songs.

He doesnt sing like he's from dublin, he sings like he's putting on some weird overblown dublin/oirish accent. Love the way every lyrics a rhyming couplet that a 12 year old could come up with and all.

flanum

Tbh, i wouldnt really put him in the Trad genre at all, you wouldnt exactly expect someone to sing a Damien Dempsey song at a sesiun?

i think this should be moved to a pop forum!

Green Hornet

Bambi wrote: »

He doesnt sing like he's from dublin, he sings like he's putting on some weird overblown dublin/oirish accent. Love the way every lyrics a rhyming couplet that a 12 year old could come up with and all.

+1.

Puts on the accent. Drive you crazy.

CSC

Flanum - have you heard his latest album of trad/folk songs. Damo is a modern day balladeer - our generation's Luke Kelly.

flanum

i just listened/watched a few stuff of his on youtube.. pop tbh!
although i actually know the flute player in his band (eamon de barra), but seriously, hes not trad, maybe folk, not trad! i wouldnt be expecting to see him on geantrai in between clips of seamus ennis and kilfenora ceili band.

hes folk!!

find the appropriate forum!

Dyr

he aint folk either, he's christy dignum without the heroin and backing band.

Just for balance: I hate ceili bands. :pac:

JerryHandbag

neil_hosey wrote: »

His pronunciation? He's the only dublin singer that actual sings like he's from Dublin, where as the rest of them sing with that american accent, no that does my head in.

Exactly, like that wally from the Thrills, oohing and aahing like he was one of the original Beach Boys, so false :mad: Damo's all right in my book

flanum

am i on the wrong forum?? i thought this was the traditional irish music forum?

Pigletlover

Bambi wrote: »

He doesnt sing like he's from dublin, he sings like he's putting on some weird overblown dublin/oirish accent..

+2 The OTT accent and pronounciation drives me mad. He has a new album out and even hearing the ad makes me want to switch stations.

Bambi wrote: »

Love the way every lyrics a rhyming couplet that a 12 year old could come up with and all.

Mary loves the grouse, hides the bottles round the house,
She watches chat shows and the soaps, broken-hearted but she copes,
Michael's out of work, feels he's sinking in the murk,
He's unshaven and a mess, finds it hard some days to dress
Stevie smashes the delf, 'cos he can't express himself,
He's consumed by rage, like his father at his age,
Rita's little child, has a lovely little smile,
This means nothing to her father, because he's never even seen her.
Joey's off the gear, he's been clean for half a year,
He gets bored out of his mind, but he's tryin' to toe the line
Maggie's in a chair, 'twas joyriding put her there,
She puts the kettle on the boil, and she's always got a smile

Third_Echelon

I was never a huge fan of Damien Dempsey to be honest... I saw him live in a small venue in Philadelphia a few months ago and I have to say he was excellent live...

A great performer and definitely someone who needs to be experienced live to be properly appreciated I think.

Bought the Rocky Road album yesterday and I have to say I really like it. Some classic Irish song on there, which are beautifully arranged... I think this album will go down as a classic.

dublinario

I love Damien Dempsey, although I can understand why other people don't. His voice is a bit marmite-ish, and it's not going to leave too many people on the fence.

Accent and accentuations aside, I think his voice is unique. He isn't note perfect, but does have some vocal gymnastics that are very unusual for a singer of his genre (or any genre outside of a small few e.g. R & . I wish I could achieve some of those tricks with my voice.

As for his accent, I think people are being very unfair to Dempsey on this thread. He stamps his own exaggerations and emphasis on syllables and words. Firstly, so what? Secondly, strip them away and it is undeniably a working-class Dublin accent, and for people here to suggest it isn't is crazy.

Like I said, I understand how his voice and style divide people, but to hone criticism specifically on his accent, when he is one of the only popular artists in Ireland today singing in his own accent, is galling. It goes to show how desensitised and conditioned people are to the generic, pseudo-Americana accent that 90% of English-speaking artists sing in. In a just world, Damien would be lauded (or at least left alone) for having the guts to sing in an accent representing where he is from (most people don't), and it would be the Americana sheep who would be criticised instead.

Rosstafarian

Great songwriter, Sh!te Singer...Just like Bob Dylan.

flanum

this is a waste of a thread! does this guy sing traditional irish songs? why are we talking about him on the traditional irish forum??

flanum

Time to put this thread to bed!!


Damien (non irish traditional guff):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIH5nARLW8Q

.


Irish traditional singing:
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPUO1yEE7Y

stop with the "damien dempsey" on the traditional irish music forum please!

Suaimhneach

Flanum warned for consantly going off topic and reposting.

Remember to stay on topic and dont insult other posters just because you dont agree with their opinion.

This thread can stay here. As the title of the forum says:

Traditional
Traditional, Irish and folk music.

Anyone else posting entirely off topic will also be warned.

Suaimhneach

Flanum warned for consantly going off topic and reposting.

Remember to stay on topic and dont insult other posters just because you dont agree with their opinion.

This thread can stay here. As the title of the forum says:

Traditional
Traditional, Irish and folk music.

Anyone else posting entirely off topic will also be warned.

Gina Brel

Damien is feckin' great in my opinion

yomchi

Im a big fan of Dempey.
For those that think his accent is put on, I can tell you it's not!
I went to school with him, we palled around at lunch time and was as Dublin as could be, he sounds exactly the way he does now as when he did then. Even in school he was a deep kind of fella.
His new album is fantastic, he has to be seen live to appreciate his music fully.

leaba

I'm also a huge fan. I think he's at his best on his own with the guitar or accompanied by the flute.

I know a bunch of people who decided they didn't like him and I've convinced them on various occasions to go to a gig. Every one of them now has multiple Damien Dempsey CDs in their collection.

Damien is who he is, and doesn't put anything on. If you can't relate it doesn't mean its put on.

leaba

I forgot to recommend Damien's performace in Dingle for Other Voices which is available on the RTE web site.

With regard to the comment on his simple lyrics, I think intelluctualism does not equal wisdom. I think there's a lot of wisdom and morality in his lyrics and a lot of his songs strike a chord with me.

thusspakeblixa

Is his new album worth getting? His version of ''The Rocky Road To Dublin'' is getting a lot of airplay on Ray D'Arcy lately, and I quite like it
I don't mind him myself, although he can get a bit annoying after over-listening. No more than anyone else though

McConnon

Everyone of his albums truly are powerful pieces of work, which showcase perfectly his gift for searing social commentary about contemporary Dublin, sung in a curious fusion of folk and reggae that works far better in practice than it ever should in theory. An unashamed champion of the working classes, Dempsey's songs burn with a righteous anger -- but his equally keen sense of grace prevents them from descending into bitter rants. G'WAN THE DAMO!!

bobbysands81 wrote: »

He is an incredible talent.

I understand why some don't get him but imo he is the best singer and songwriter this country has producd.

Colony is an utterly immense song, and without throwing too many superlatives around, it is probably the greatest song I have ever heard.

A stunning musician, seeing him play live with his band is a real joy.

He's the people's champion.

+2

flanum wrote: »

hes folk!!

find the appropriate forum!

Boards.ie hasn't got a folk forum

thusspakeblixa wrote: »

Is his new album worth getting? His version of ''The Rocky Road To Dublin'' is getting a lot of airplay on Ray D'Arcy lately, and I quite like it
I don't mind him myself, although he can get a bit annoying after over-listening. No more than anyone else though

I think so, but then I'd say all his albums are worth getting LOL :pac:

Rockee

Bambi wrote: »

he's christy dignum without the heroin and backing band.

Nonsense. For whatever reason some people are very quick to lump Damien Dempsey in with Aslan. Northside of Dublin? Check. Acoustic driven songs? Check.

Rithim

I Bought his new trad album "Rocky Road"with the dubliners behind him.I have to say its not bad.I bought one of his non trad albums 2 years ago,and back then it was just ok.For some reason I was really waiting in anticipation of his new Trad album as I thought he might have the voice for it and the new cd confirms this.I am going to have to find that earlier cd and have another listen to it.I think its the pronounced Dublin accent that makes him a bit different.

yomchi

Dare I say it, Dempsey's version of 'A rainy night in Soho' is better than the original!

Dyr

Rockee wrote: »

Nonsense. For whatever reason some people are very quick to lump Damien Dempsey in with Aslan. Northside of Dublin? Check. Acoustic driven songs? Check.

You just countered your own argument there :pac:

also: dire lyrics. Check

CSC

His new album is well worth getting; I am really enjoying and he must be commended for bringing trad music to a wider (and younger) audience.

Michael Collins

I went to see Damien playing with Christy Moore in the Tripod there last night. It was my first time to see him live, or have a serious listen to his work. I have to say, he was a lot better than I expected - in fact I've since bought his new album.

A Rainy Night In Soho is excellent, he sings it in a very delicate way which really suits the song. (The Pogues version is quite different, so I'm not going to comment on which I think is better!).

I previously would have quite disliked his singing accent. I considerd it too forced or something - I mean I have nothing wrong with people singing in their own accent, in fact I'd encourage it, but not when it's an over-the-top parody of an accent. However, last night, whether he's mellowed it a bit or I've just become used to it I found it quite easy on the ears. And I've come to realize that perhaps it's not forced at all...

So I'd have to agree with leaba and anyone else who says go to one of his gigs, then decide.

You just countered your own argument there

also: dire lyrics. Check

No, I think you made his point for him. If you're saying that just being from the north of Dublin and having an acoustic style is critera enough to consider him and Aslan one and the same...

session savage

Jon wrote: »

Dare I say it, Dempsey's version of 'A rainy night in Soho' is better than the original!

tut tut... disgracefull comment



Personally I absolutely HATE Damien Dempsey... god when he sings 'one two tree four foiave'... a jaysus,.. it, it makes me weep.

yomchi

No need to hate the guy over that

session savage

lol yeah, hate is a strong word but he does really irritate me.

fitz0

He really irritates me. Never liked his music mainly because I could never really understand what the **** he was saying! But now I dont mind him so much after living in Dublin for a while I can understand it now. Still not a fan though and ouldnt really consider him Traditional or folk. More pop

johnmahon010186

fitz0 wrote: »

Still not a fan though and ouldnt really consider him Traditional or folk. More pop

Listen to his new album , The Rocky Road To Dublin, and see if you still think he's pop. He's done some really good cover's of songs like rocky road to dublin, hot asphalt, night visiting song and kelly from killan. Theres even a bit of trad irish music tied into them songs like the teetotaler and monaghan jig.

fitz0

I would consider this album more of a crossover into traditional music froma pop artist than a traditional artist exploring his roots. I do like some of his songs, just not many of them. Rocky Road to Dublin is a good song but its getting way too muchairtime from Ray Darcy.

I appreciate that DD is getting this music out to a younger audience who would never have considered it before and I admire what hes doing.

KrazeeEyezKilla

Haven't heard his new stuff but his other albums seem more trad influenced than traditional, but still generally good. Maybe his new album goes more into it.

One Cold Hand

fitz0 wrote: »

He really irritates me. Never liked his music mainly because I could never really understand what the **** he was saying! But now I dont mind him so much after living in Dublin for a while I can understand it now. Still not a fan though and ouldnt really consider him Traditional or folk. More pop

Yeah Pop, good one. He's there with Westlife and Boyzone. What are you on about?

fitz0

Every band and singer is there with Westlife and Boyzone in being classed as popular music. I dont consider him a traditional musician. Even with his new album Id say he's experimenting with traditional music. Perhaps I was too hasty to say he's not a folk musician. He is. But he fits into the pop category as well.
"Folk music can also describe a particular kind of popular music which is based on traditional music" Taken straight from wikipedia

johnmahon010186

fitz0 wrote: »

"Folk music can also describe a particular kind of popular music which is based on traditional music" Taken straight from wikipedia

"Damien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk stylism with contemporary lyrics to making social comment on the positive and negative aspects arising from Ireland's Celtic Tiger society."

Thats also taken from wikipedia.

fitz0

I suppose we'll just have to keep our own differing opinions. Ill admit he is a folk singer but also a pop singer. However I dont count him as a traditional singer even though some do. End

One Cold Hand

I shouldn't have raised this whole genre thing. I don't really give a sh1t about genres. I listen to Dempsey and I think he's brilliant, I don't care if people classify him as Trad or Folk, or Pop, or Death Metal.

PS Gamer

I think Damo is an absolute legend. When experienced live something magical happens. Saw him in Clonmel last Thursday. The atmosphere and energy was something else. Was at the Morrissey gig in Kilmainham last night and he sang a few lines from a Damo song.