Nicky WoulffeThe People’s Museum Of Limerick was the latest stop for acclaimed Celtic singer/songwriter Donovan Leitch on his Tale Of The Gael Tour. Last Friday night the 15th of May saw Donovan rewind the clock with his many hits at this lovely and intimate venue. A crowd of about 90 people sat in the Coach House which is a small enough venue to create a wonderful atmosphere for a gig and it did.
An Intimate Night of Memories
Donovan took to the stage at 8.15pm and opened with a serious of stories about his year in 1965 before opening with his big hit from that year the wonderful “Catch The Wind”. The singer now celebrating his 80th year still has the voice to deliver his fantastic array of hit songs. Initially dubbed the British version of Bob Dylan he enjoyed massive fame on both side of the Atlantic in the Flower Power years of the late 1960s.
After reciting a number of memories from that time he played the wonderful “Colours” and the then followed up with “Turquoise”. The crowd were of course there to hear all his most famous hits but he did intersperse with a number of album tracks including the rather brilliant cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie‘s “Universal Soldier” and “Whats Bin Did And Whats Bin Hid”.
He cited his meeting with Paul McCartney and the writing of “Yellow Submarine” which of course got a huge response and about the many people he shared musical moments with.
The last half hour of the gig saw Donovan go into full flow as he turned our hits like “Sunshine Superman” and “Jennifer Juniper” which the audience loved. In the final 20 minutes of the gig he was letting it rip with songs like “Atlantis” and the wonderful “Hurdy Gurdy Man”. As expected he had the audience baying for more as he played “Mellow Yellow” with an extended version and wonderful sing along by the crowd who knew all the words as expected.
A Night to Remember
Donovan maybe 80 but he rewound the clock with some aplomb and took a bow The People’s Museum Of Limerick for putting on this wonderful show. It was a night of nostalgic hits and memories from a wonderful singer and songwriter, and a well deserved standing ovation from a very appreciative audience.
all photos courtesy to Keith Kelly
