"The Session" with Philip Donnelly as it was recorded back in 1987. It's hard to put an exact year on the age of the tape because its actually a recording of a repeat shown shown some time later on BSkyB. It's circa 1987 anyway.
Even if you've never heard of Donnelly theres a good chance youve heard his music a few times before. If you remember "No. 1", a quiz show RTE had on years ago with two opposing teams answering questions on music. The teams were oftem captained by Gerry Ryan and Dave Fanning with guests like Joe Elliot of Def Leppard regularly appearing. Anyway the theme music was written and recorded by Philip Donnelly and appeared on his Town and Country album. But of course theres much more to him than a cheesey quiz show. The following is an extract from his bio on dublinrecords.ie:
"Philip's professional music career started in his home city of Dublin in the early 1960's, when he joined the Oscar Whifney Quintet. they eventually became the band Portrait which beget one of that era's most popular home grown super bands, Elmer Fudd, who are fondly remembered all over the Country.
His talents were soon noticed by the balladeer Donovan, who at that time enjoyed a huge following worldwide. Thus Philip joined Donovan' s band and turned the page into the seventies. After many moons with Donovan Philip joined the ever popular Gary Moore Band until 1974 when Donovan once again asked him to join the world tour, this time, however they were to be based in America.
Philip spent the next decade in Nashville where he recorded approximately 2,500 songs with various artists who, when listed, read like a fine tapestry of Country music."
Even the thought of country music is usually enough to scare people off, but this is very gentle country music, bordering on other styles. Its worth a listen if only to confirm your disdain for it. He's a supreme musician with a wonderful distinctive guitar playing style. I've included two single songs from the performance and the entire 52 minute performance at the end if your taken with what you hear.
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