"...Dervish which was chosen as it related to any group of spiritual people who become enraptured by music."

The Spin

Brian McDonagh - Mandola
Liam Kelly - Flute and whistles
Tom Morrow - Fiddle
Shane Mitchell - Accordion
Cathy Jordan - Vocals, bodhrán and bones
Michael Holmes - Bouzouki

From the Great Wall of China to packed auditoriums in the Holy Land and more recently being the first Irish band to perform at the greatest music festival in the world, "Rock in Rio" on front of an estimate audience of two hundred and forty thousand people, Dervish have come a long way in seventeen years

Formed in 1989 by a group of five musicians, Liam Kelly, Shane Mitchell, Martin Mc Ginley, Brian Mc Donagh and Michael Holmes who came together to record an album of local music which was released as The Boys of Sligo. Inspired by the project they decided to develop this informal gathering into a working band under the name Dervish which was chosen as it related to any group of spiritual people who become enraptured by music.

Its artistry, musicianship and maturity won outstanding praise from the media placing Dervish to the forefront of the bands working on traditional Irish music. Substantial TV and radio exposure for the band and the album began to open all kind of doors. Dervish soon became one of the most sought after acts on the live music circuit worldwide and have continued to remain so over the years.

The enormous work load and the constant touring made it difficult for the band to work in the studio, but the following year their keenly awaited second album was released. "Playing with Fire" was released in 1994, and so again, began the band¹s worldwide travels to satisfy the demand created by both albums. The album reached number 1 in the Irish Folk Music Charts and World/Roots music charts internationally and stayed on top for several months.

In 1996 Dervish released "At the End of the Day", which firmly established the band as a major force in world music, winning them the Hot Press Folk Album of the Year Award. Dervish concert performances are a myriad of tones and moods ranging from high energy tunes, played with fluidity and intuitiveness, to beautifully measured songs, from charming lyrics of life and love, to inspiring melodies that lift audiences from their seats. All the elements are drawn together by Cathy Jordan¹s masterful stage-presence.
To celebrate ten years together, Dervish released "Decade" in March 2001. "Decade" is a compilation of some of the finest tracks from their five highly acclaimed albums of Irish traditional music recorded over the last ten years.

In this year Dervish had their proudest moment to date when Sligo City Council bestowed the freedom of the borough of Sligo on the band. This award was for their international artistic achievements and their dedication and promotion of their local heritage.
In Early 2006 The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Mr Bertie Ahern invited Dervish to accompany (almost the entire Irish Government) on the countries biggest ever trade mission which was to China. Dervish performed to a gathering from the Chinese government on this trip further confirming the band as a national jewel of Ireland

It's now nearly 18 years since first coming together and with four of the original members still at the helm,Dervish are more in demand than ever. Their colorful career has taken them to every corner of the globe and has seen them share centre stage with such names as James Brown, The Buena Vista Social Club, Oasis, Sting, REM, Beck and many more. View a brief promo intro to the band here

The Singers
 
Yet again here I am finding myself trying to defend Celtic music, smashing folk full of fun, personal perspectives, instruments allowing free rein, more fun. And I'm sure Dervish have this coming out of their Oiresoles. Unfortunately they ain't shown it as part of their Eurosong experience yet. The song they have produced for us is anodine drivel, but there's a cherry on the over-sugared cake. From Lissadel (a town), to Latvia (a nation), the lead singer's voice has annoyed thousands of punters. Cathy has an incredibly awful twang, a noise which seems to stop about two feet after it comes out of her mouth and promptly falls to the ground like a bag of rotten tomatoes. tripe of the foulest strength.

The Past
  
The self-proclaimed "Home of "Eurovision", the Irish, not unlike the Americans, clearly lack a sense of irony.
If I was to get pettily serious about this, it is in fact the UK who have on average the most points per contest as well as the highest placing per contest. But I won't, so instead I'll say well done to the Oirish for their record 7 wins in relatively few appearances. And without any sarcasm, may I take this opportunity to also thank them for giving the world the creative force of Michael Flately & his Riverdaaance.

 
  The Song
 
I'm running out of ways to be good-natured about Irish Eurosongs. At least 2005's song was tongue in cheek, even if it was like walking across a field of cow dung & tall grass. This year's track on the other hand is back to the well-worn Catholic guilt fest. It's so typically sentimental, so offensively reverent it has scientifically been proven to make the Rev Ian Paisley blush. And yet...and yet...as Terry has said again and again, "I have a terrible feeling".
 

Overall

So turd of the most moist sugary kind, the "national jewel of Ireland" deserves to float out of Helsinki on a dry-ice cloud of scorn. However I forsee a number of important factors working in their favour, factors which haven't been picked up by many of my fellow Eurogeeks who have been lambasting this as much as me. 1. there maybe a backlash against the satanic horror of 2006. 2. they are of course guaranteed douzepoints from the UK (why do we do it, why?!?!?). 3. the draw position of number four isn't as bad as others suggest. 4. they're an accomplisdhed act (if you can impress the Chinese, you can impress anyone). 5. they've got instrument s aplenty. It won't win of course, but you can't ignore it because a man in a big white beard is watching.

In a Nutshell
"Ten points and Twelve hail marys"

the philosophers say

"Baroco" Name given by medieval logicians to a categorical syllogism whose standard form is AOO-2.
Example: "All professional singers are in tune, but some Irish chanteuses are not tuneful, so some Irish chanteuses are not professional singers."
This is another of the fifteen forms in which syllogisms are always valid.

They can't stop the spring

The curtain has been raised
The wall no longer stands
And from Lisadell to Latvia
We're singing as one clan

The curtain has been raised
And Europe's all one stage
And the archipelagic icicles
Have melted like the cage

We don't need no party
Just a party band
A continental choir
Singing hand in hand

They might scare the blackbird
But they cannot stop him sing
They may steal the honey
But they'll never steal the sting
They may crush the flowers
Trample every living thing
But they can't stop the spring

They might scare the blackbird
But they cannot stop him sing
They may steal the honey
But they'll never steal the sting
They may crush the flowers
Trample every living thing
But they can't stop the spring

They might scare the blackbird
But they cannot stop him sing
They may steal the honey
But they'll never steal the sting
They may crush the flowers
Trample every living thing
But they can't stop the spring

Prediction Semi Final -
Final 15th