GIG REVIEW: PAT MCMANUS Plays Belfast Blues Festival

5th July 2019 admin

29 June 2019

Three bands came together this afternoon in Belfast’s Black Box to celebrate the life and music of one of the giants of rock and blues music, as well as a native son, in Rory Gallagher.

Gallagher, who’s musical career started in the late 1960s went on to become a legend and hero to many, and in the process went on to sell over thirty million albums. Unfortunately we lost Rory in 1995 at the young age of only 47 due to complications from a liver transplant that he had received earlier that year. His music will live on and this event proves it with it now in its eleventh year.

Photo by David Stewart https://www.instagram.com/musicphotofactory/

First up was the band BLACKWOOD, which was born out of the band “Taste”. A band which Rory was an original member of in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1996 Sam Davidson would fill the role in the band that was originally Gallagher’s, as guitarist/vocalist. After the band had decided to call it a day, Davidson would later perform as “SAM DAVIDSONS TASTE” along with bassist Albert Mills and drummer Lyn McMullan. This same lineup also going under the name BLACKWOOD.

All three men are more than capable musicians and personally, I found them very quick and easy to get into. I really liked their style of bluesy rock. Davidson has a good voice for blues, backed up by a great blues style on the guitar. A band that I have only seen once before, but certainly hope to see and hear again.

Photo by David Stewart https://www.instagram.com/musicphotofactory/

Up next was THE WILLIE BYRNE BAND. Byrne was a busy boy during Rory Gallagher weekend after playing the previous night at Maddens Bar. Willie has been performing since the late 1970s and you can hear it in his guitar playing that he is certainly by no means a rookie or novice.

Applying his craft over the years with a residency at the Errigle Inn from 1978 to 1980, to opening for Phil Lynott twice during his 1982 solo tour. Belfast’s Willie Byrne has without a doubt become one of the best blues guitar players around and he certainly showed that at the Black Box.

After a short break it was the trio known as the PAT MCMANUS BAND hitting the stage. What really can you say about Pat Mcmanus? An absolute legend, and in this reviewers opinion, one of the finest guitar players their has ever been. Not to mention, the nicest most genuine person you could ever meet.

I have been a Pat McManus fan since back in the mid 1980s when I discovered Mamas Boys. A hard rock outfit which also included his two bothers John and Tommy. Pat would then later form another band with his brother John, called CELTUS, which went in a completely different direction to Mamas Boys, playing what could be described as Celtic new age.

Photo by David Stewart https://www.instagram.com/musicphotofactory/

After John McManus decided to call it a day from not only Celtus, but music in general, Pat went back to playing hard rock, forming his own band, the Pat McManus Band.

I’ve seen the Pat McManus Band on a number of occasions over these past few years, well truth be told, every opportunity that I can get, and they never fail to impress and they never disappoint.

With Paul Faloon on drums and Marty McDermott on bass guitar, Pat has aligned himself with two very talented and impressive musicians making up a three piece that when it comes to blues rock cannot be touched.

Playing a great mix of blues, instrumentals, Mamas Boys classics and a number of originals, yet again Pat and the boys didn’t fail to impress. Playing to pretty much a packed house at the sweat box, sorry, Black Box (yes it was warm. My God was it warm) to a lively audience.

A great afternoon of great music celebrating a legend who left us almost two and a half decades ago, but left a legacy that will always be remembered.

Review and Photos by David Stewart, Music Photo Factory