Mike O’Leary – Vagabond Devil & the Whore EP - No label - 6 tracks – 28.38

Anyone who has attended any of the “open mic” nights locally will be very familiar with the powerful presence that is Mike O’Leary, perhaps most familiar for his own composition, “Politician Blues”. Mike has now produced a beautifully packaged CD featuring six original songs with a very intriguing title.

Mike’s song writing clearly comes from the heart and his songs have a degree of anger flowing through them, whether they be railing against perfidious politicians – we know all about them given the current shenanigans – “Politician Blues”, ruing the passing of the years – “Wild Blue Yonder”, warning the ladies off – “Trouble”, a number that stands out for me as it is a rather slower tempo than the others and features some lovely guitar work, how the World is going to hell – “Model Neighbourhood” and “Dirt City”, the home of cheap beer & whisky and a number from 1997, “Stain” which sees Mike in solo acoustic mode but with some ethereal choral backing, most effective and some gorgeous distorted guitar in the background.

In general the material is very much as described, “Rock n’Blues” and on the heavy edge of that genre and so may be a bit “in your face” for some but with the two aforementioned more laid back tracks, there is certainly some choice here.

Recorded at the Sound Magic Studios by Steve Tsoi and backed by the Missionaries – The Captain on drums, Keith Sargent on lead guitar and John T on bass and BVs – Mike can be proud of this CD. It reflects him and his songwriting well and is a good introduction if you do not know him. For those that do, I am sure they will want a copy to enjoy at their leisure.

5th March 2006. Ashwyn Smyth http://www.digitalblues.co.uk