Sonny Condell and Leo O'Kelly, aka Tir na n'Og, at the Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath has become a bit of a ritual for me in recent years. The intimate venue sells out each time I've been there and it is such a great place for Tir na n'Og music.
After first seeing them as support for Jethro Tull in 1972 I became a bit of a fan and bought their first three albums and even went to see them in their own right at Digbeth Civic Hall (same night as all-in-wrestling was on elsewhere in the building). So, with the launch of a new studio album (the first since 1973 - what happened to those 42 years!) this concert was a 'must see' but it would have been anyway.
As it happens we have been enjoying many of the tracks of 'The Dark Dance' as they have been introduced to previous sessions so no great surprises were in store just beautiful melodic and mostly melancholic music.
The set list is made up as Sonny and Leo go along with real opportunities for requests but I am just happy to hear anything they want to offer. Although there are only two people in the band it often sounds like there are more.
High points included 'Time is like a promise', 'So Freely', 'Looking Up' and 'Free Ride'. But I could choose several others.
Sonny (seated with eyes closed for extra intensity) and Leo (standing and surrounded by pedals, wires and boxes) harmonise easily and support each other as they alternate lead vocals.
After the well deserving encore we leave refreshed and appreciative of another special night.
Fortunately I can relive it with the new album and 'Live at Sirius'. It's my turn to try and sing along (as long as there is no one else in the car!)
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