Flannery captivates Bog Lane audience

Providing the perfect antidote to the X-Factor and Jedward garbage that abounds, it was standing room only for Mick Flannery at the “cosy” (his appropriate description) Bog Lane Theatre, Ballymahon, last Friday, where the Cork troubadour played a captivating solo set. Opening with “Safety Rope”, he held the audience’s attention to the very end with his tales of angst and break-ups. Most of his material is slow tempo and perhaps a little too similar but gems such as “When I’ve Had A Dollar”, “Grace’s Waltz” and “California” mean he can carry the night. Add in a sizzling “Tomorrow’s Paper” plus choice covers of Bob Dylan’s “Love in Vain” and Tom Waits’ “Martha”, he could have continued all night. His chat in-between songs has greatly improved and he quickly put those at ease who had braved a foul midlands night by dividing two cases of 'Miller’ among the attendance! Mick featured interesting new material, including some songs upbeat in both tempo and lyrical content! Flannery played mainly on piano, but also plied some tasty guitar especially on a beautiful Gretsch model. An eagerly awaited third album will surely bring the unique talents of this self-deprecating Corkonian to a much wider audience.