Ireland has its own version of Liberace-- swooning housewives, flashily orchestrated tunes, unusual attire-- except he's legitimately cool. It's Joe Dolan.
Joe has been around for thirty years or so. Carmel's folks listened to him when they were kids out to see the showbands. Last year he released a new album called "Joe's 90's" which covered Pulp and a bunch of other recent chart-topping British bands. Joe's still packing them in.
He's got a tune Carmel's been singing- it comes on the radio and she says, "Oh! That's my song!" - "Oh me, oh my, you make me sigh, You're such a good-lookin' wo-man!" It's a laugh like that, but it grows on you, and becomes something you sing. I picked the album it's on up for her, at Christmas. It's a 1997 compilation called 'More and More.'
I've got to say, regarding the sound. Closing credits music. The closing credits music of some real 80's flick. Some cheesy 80's flick that flopped badly. Starring John Candy.
I had the accidental opportunity to see Joe in concert one night. Carmel and the Choirheads (her mates from St. Philomena's choir) made a night of it out at the Spa Hotel. There was a meal and some drink and then Joe. I missed the first bit but received a call about midnight to play chauffeur. I managed to sneak in (with the help of an attractive young woman) for the end of Joe's set. Granted, everyone else in the hall had a few bevies in them, but between the 10-piece band, the lights and the music, Joe had a whole crowd rockin'. "Make Me An Island," "It's You It's You It's You," "The Most Wanted Man in the USA"--- arms waving, singing along, dancing. Everyone there was having a blast- especially Joe. The thing I remember most about Joe Dolan- more than the white belt and white trousers and white tie, more than the voice or the style- was the grand-slam smile he wore the whole time he was up there. Everyone in the audience could tell, he was legitimately having a great time, and was sharing it all with us.
Well, this album we've got may be dated, but Joe himself's not frozen in time. Like U2, he stays aware and keeps updating his style. And he still belts out the old favorites, never losing a fan. With that, I'm positive he'll be around for a long time to come. Whoever you are, whatever you like, do try to catch this fellow's act when you're in Ireland.
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