Tempe, Arizona

Arriving in time to catch about the last three songs from the local opening band, my worst fears were already realized. I really hate this venue, not because they don’t have their act together, but because it’s too small for the bands that come through here with big sound systems. Bash on Ash has become one of the more popular club venues in the Phoenix Area since it’s close to ASU. The staff is very nice, they always have their guest list organized and ready, they don’t require photo passes and let you take pictures as long as you don’t use a flash or bother anybody, and they don’t water their drinks. It’s just the size vs. sound system problem. During their set, Young Dubliners had their sound adjusted several times and it was still somewhat distorted and loud enough to leave my ears ringing for 2 days.  

Other than that, what a fabulous show! As I’ve mentioned, I saw the Dubs play five years ago (at a much better venue with a bigger stage and better sound and lighting) and I was anxious to hear them again. Five years worth of touring and recording and touring is bound to affect voices and it has – in a good way. Lead vocalist Keith Roberts has a huskiness to his voice now that adds more drama to their songs. The harmonies are richer, fuller and more understated than before. Chaz Waltz was not part of the last tour I saw and this guy is an absolute wizard with a fiddle, not to mention the other instruments he plays. The whole band gels better, which comes with the kind of experience they’ve gained on the road.  

One note and a dark stage opens their set, then the drums come in, then bass, then you hear the sound of bagpipes and gunshots (?), then electric guitar and fiddle and the lights come up and the band is off into one of their instrumental reels. I believe it was “Unreel” from “Absolutely,” but it could very well have been something else. I don’t know the instrumentals that well. One minute the dance floor was empty, but as soon as the music got going, the famous “jig pit” was in full swing. I think what surprised me the most was how many men were out there dancing. If they couldn’t find a girl to come along they just bounced and danced by themselves. This is NOT the same as the jumping up and down and running around you see in a mosh pit, they’re really dancing! As the evening wore one, a few professional Irish dancers popped in and out, but because of the crowd they mainly stayed out so they didn’t kick somebody.  

After uproarious applause, the next song was “Come On” from their latest album. This song sounded even better from the stage with some awesome harmonies, lots of energy and instrumentals that were drowning out the vocals (sound adjustment #1).  Next up was “Knickers” and this is just a fun song all the way around. Chaz pulled out the harmonica for this one and there were some really great instrumentals. Oh, and the jig pit was back. Every time a song finished everyone vanished from the dance floor (all ages show – no alcohol allowed in the dance floor area) and came running back when a good dance song was played.  

For “Scream,” Keith perched on a stool with an acoustic guitar for the first chorus/verse and it was really beautifully done. Once the band joined in the fiddle and harmonica work from Chaz was really impressive and Bob Boulding’s harmonies were awesome. Next were a couple songs that I don’t know, but several members of the audience seemed to. The first one the band began by singing a cappella, it was a story song and the dancers were out in full force. The other one was for the dancers as well with mandolin and high pitched guitar to accompany them. Both songs were cool and every one was having one hell of a good time!  

Now it was time for a little history with “What Do You Want From Me?” (on both “Alive, Alive O” and “Red”), but it sounded a lot different this time. Great harmonies, a lot more Celtic stylings, more emphasis on the slow part and a sensational fiddle player breathed new life into this song. The ballad “Neverending” from “Red” was next and there were even some slow dancers on the floor, but this song didn’t quite have the hook the rest of them did. Moving into “Low” from “Absolutely,” I have one word – WOW! This is one of my favorites and the band obviously enjoys it as well. The vocals were done a little differently (better), there were more than a few outstanding instrumental bridges with a lot of extra fiddle playing and a LOT of extra emphasis on the guitars this time, which is a little unusual. People went nuts over this song!  

“Salvation,” another song from “Absolutely” was next and was again very awesome live. Then all hell broke loose with the opening notes of “Fisherman’s Blues.” This cover of an old Waterboys song has been a mainstay for the Dubs forever and this is probably the best rendition I’ve heard between all their albums AND their previous live show. Everyone was clapping and dancing (and by this time nearly falling on their behinds half the time – after all Killian’s Irish Red is sponsoring this tour) and the band closed this one with a HUGE flourish! I don’t know what the next song was. It opened with harmonica, sounded like an Irish drinking song and the Jig Pit was going strong once again. To quiet things down a bit was “Don’t You Worry,” a very pretty ballad from “Red” that was giving a major ending to segue into . . .  

“Brown Dog,” THE closest thing to a rowdy, Irish Pub drinking song on “Absolutely.” The dance floor was filled to capacity and more than few folks landed on their butt this time. The band threw in a long instrumental bridge and then all the members were singing the song. What fun! Next up was another Dubs standard and crowd favorite, “Follow Me Up To Carlow.” This one has been around since the “Breathe” album, it’s a story song, it’s very Celtic in nature and everyone loves it. It was also the final song of the set, and Young Dubliners definitely delivered!  

For their Encore songs, I don’t have the names of what the Dubs did. The first one was slow and something about moving to America, which is probably an old song written by Keith, since he credits moving to the States as his inspiration for starting the band back in 1990-1991 in L.A. The other songs were for the dancers, mostly instrumental reels/jigs, although they did sneak “Rocky Road To Dublin” in there. And then it was time to call it a night. The band left the stage to cheers and whistles and crowds waiting by the stage door to get autographs and pictures (Young Dubliners always come out after a show to mix with their fans and do the autograph and picture thing.), while I headed out the front door to see if I could still hear. It was a great night, the Dubs were awesome and if you see they’re coming to your town, plunk down the bucks and check them out. You won’t be sorry. Remember, these guys are a Rock band with a Celtic edge – and man do they ever ROCK!!