News Release: Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla - new CD

Apr 27, 2008 at 2:31 PM
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News Release: Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla - new CD

News release: From PETE WILLOW

Photographs - Chele Willow

New album and new band line-up for electric fiddle wizard Joe

A new album and an updated line-up are about to go public when Coventry musician, Joe O’Donnell makes four Midlands appearances with his band Shkayla.

Regarded as one of the finest electric fiddle-players playing Celtic music, Joe has been busy for the last year on recording Celtic Cargo. Critics are already describing it as his best recording yet, with eleven tracks of tunes and songs from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany, performed with powerful rock and funk rhythms and arrangements.

The album will be launched at a gig in Coventry’s popular music pub, the Hope & Anchor, Whitefriars Street on Saturday, May 3rd. The music starts at 8.30pm.

Admission is a mere £5 and audience members will be able to pick up copies of the CD at half price - also £5.

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The band also has appearances lined up at the Newbold Comyn Arms, Leamington Spa (Saturday 31st May) and the Crown Inn, Bond Street, Nuneaton (Saturday 7th June).

The afternoon of Sunday 6th July sees them onstage at the Godiva Festival in Coventry’s War Memorial Park.

Limerick-born Joe was a key figure in the 1970s rock scene on both sides of the Irish Sea, performing with Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott and East Of Eden. He moved to Coventry in 1998 and has been a key figure in the city’s folk scene often promoting live music sessions while working with local musicians to establish Shkayla.

He says: ‘Celtic Cargo is the realisation of a long-term dream and I’m really pleased with the end result.’

The album features Martin Barter (keyboards), Mark Fulton (bass), Dave Perry (guitar) and Paul Johnston (drums), although the forthcoming live shows feature new band members, Si Hayden and Brendan J.Rayner on guitar and drums.

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