Spirit Store Dundalk

[johntheguv]

Got my tickets for the honey and myself - only 12 left - the Spirit Store is like watching Duke play in your front room - cosy and intimate with a bar - can't wait - Iontas next Sat night in 'Blayney :)

[Mrfizzy]

Thanks for the alert johntheguv! - Fizzy radar seriously out of whack to miss this gig on Friday 8th October http://www.spiritstore.ie/

[pinksacha]

i know - by the time I saw it - all the tickets had sold out :-(

[jodieaitken]

8th October? No freakin' way. That's 4 days after my birthday! Why must it be sold out? :'(

[johntheguv]

Nearly missed it myself - I get the gig listings by e-mail from the Spirit Store - he has played there before so the locals would have snapped them up. Some great gigs and artists have appeared there - posted here as soon as I knew there were tickets still available, but like I said there were only 12 left on Friday evening at 7.

[Mrfizzy]

Really looking forward to the Spirit Store - rain forecast but so what.
It will be lovely to see Duke a little bit more rested than of late and in a venue that he has described as one of his favourites :)

[treble99]

Really looking forward to the Spirit Store - rain forecast but so what.
It will be lovely to see Duke a little bit more rested than of late and in a venue that he has described as one of his favourites :)

Mr fizzy,it wouldn't be Ireland if rain wasn't forecast:D
I can't wait for it.Are you and the guys going for a drink before the gig?

[Mrfizzy]

I've never been, but I'm counting on the Spirit Store to be a good place for pre-gig refreshment :)
I don't know if we've just been lucky, but rain hasn't been a problem on many visits to Ireland.

[treble99]

You have definitely been lucky,any day it is not raining here I have to pinch myself:) I haven't been either but a friend of mine that lives in Dundalk says it is good for pre gig beverages.I'm going to try to get there early anyway.

[treed]

It's been keeping me going this past month looking forward to this gig. Do you think it's a solo gig or should we expect Ben & Co also? Though by the sounds of it it's a small venue.

See you all there:)

[Fizzy]

Hi Treed! :)
It's a solo show so no Ben or Chip this time but the venue does sound good.
Looking forward to seeing you there! :) I may also get to see my rocks in a field this time - though it may be a bit wet ;)

[Mrfizzy]

Just had another look at the Spirit Store promotional blurb :

"Duke Special is the ringmaster of a broken down circus, the lead dancer in a forgotton ballroom of ghosts,the loudest singer in a midnight choir and the first on his knees in an old time revival tent."

Whatever spirits they serve there - they must be awfully strong!

[treble99]

Ha ha.I remember seeing this on the website and thinking that somebody was smoking something a little stronger than a fag:D

[Stephen]

Just had another look at the Spirit Store promotional blurb :

"Duke Special is the ringmaster of a broken down circus, the lead dancer in a forgotton ballroom of ghosts,the loudest singer in a midnight choir and the first on his knees in an old time revival tent."

Whatever spirits they serve there - they must be awfully strong!

Ha ha.I remember seeing this on the website and thinking that somebody was smoking something a little stronger than a fag:D

(They got it from the myspace page ;))

[jan]

(They got it from the myspace page ;))

Big silence as everyone scoots over to Myspace......:D
I'll have whatever they're having!
Hope it's a good night in Dundalk.
xx

[Mrfizzy]

Big silence as everyone scoots over to Myspace......:D
I'll have whatever they're having!
Hope it's a good night in Dundalk.
xx

It was a wonderful night at the Spirit Store Jan - Duke was relaxed and full of energy and said how much he enjoyed the venue after many visits. it was obvious that the audience had the same affection for him and we heard lots of excited Duke related comments long before the show. Many would have agreed with the Duke poster we saw in the Castleblayney chipper "Prepare to kneel...." !
quite a few boardies, Treed, Helen, Fizzys, runnerbean, Alice and met treble99 for the first time.

We're still in Dundalk having spent the day at Newgrange (thinking we should maybe change our user names to the "O'Fizzys") but we have some nice pictures and videos more to post when we get home.

[Fizzy]

A couple of pics :)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs760.snc4/66016_1529633492653_1589213392_31293195_1370623_n. jpg


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs385.ash2/66336_1529632532629_1589213392_31293187_7910431_n. jpg

Rachel Austin duetting with Duke :)

More pics on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2069769&id=1589213392&l=73a47c2662)

Totally fab evening and nice to see Mrs Special too :D

[alice]

It was indeed a wonderful evening at the Spirit Store, a really appreciative audience, most of them there just to hear Duke and a really great atmosphere. The audience and Duke really fed off one another and there was a tremendous energy to the evening. Great little venue just on the quays at Dundalk – quite isolated in a desolate, windswept kind of way which made the atmosphere inside all the more remarkable.
Lots of variety in the set list with tracks from SftDF, INTTDWC, MC, HF, HM with a bit of Ruby Murray and a couple of brilliant Woody Guthrie covers thrown in. A great selection, with lots of amusing asides and links from Duke who seemed to be enjoying the evening almost as much as we were.
MrF took lots of vids – something to look forward to when he gets a chance to do something about it – just hope they aren’t ruined by dreadful “singalongs” or camera shake caused by the people sitting beside him!
Good to see Treed and Fizzies again and lovely to meet Helen - sorry not to have had much of a chance to chat. Eventually got home in my not very healthy car - numerous phone calls home and to RB's brother and much looking under the bonnet (once I'd figured out how to open the bonnet!). Appears there was nothing much wrong - may just have driven through a puddle.
Thanks for the lovely photos above Fizzy.

[Mrfizzy]

Glad you and runnerbean got home OK Alice - I've just finished compiling the set list which confirms your summing up of the variety of music for the evening very well! "Proverbs" and "Happy Days and Lonely Nights" were my personal favourites of many and we also loved the audience interaction and Dukes's playfuless with one or two '80s classics :)
It was no surprise that the gig was sold out - they love Duke to bits at the Spirit Store

My internet is playing up tonight but I'm sure I'll have a couple of cracking movies for tomorrow.

Sprit Store Set list
01 Slip of a Girl
02 Sweet Sweet Kisses
03 Portrait
04 Those Proverbs We Made in the Winter
05 Happy Days and Lonely Nights
06 Brixton Leaves
07 Yvette's Song
08 Wanda, Darling of the The Jockey Club
09 I Never Thought This Day Would Come
10 Way Over Yonder In a Minor Key (Woody Guthrie/Billy Bragg)
11 Diggin an Early Grave
12 Everybody Wants a Little Something
13 Applejack
14 Freewheel
15 Salvation Tambourine
16 Our Love Goes Deeper Than This
17 Love Will Tear Us Apart
18 Soldier's Song
19 Last Night I Nearly Died
20 Who Will Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet (with Rachael Austin)
21 Mocking Bird
22 You Spin Me Right Round (Like a Record)(Dead or Alive 1985)
23 Jump (Van Halen 1984)
24 No Cover Up

They were very welcoming at the Spirit Store (we were there drinking with Helen and Treed from 5:30pm - not necessarily wise, but fun)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs764.snc4/66441_1531486581417_1662353591_1267809_2963919_n.j pg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs805.snc4/68578_1531487061429_1662353591_1267812_5720042_n.j pg

[helen]

Thanks for the photos and set list Fizzys! :) That was a splendid evening at the Spirit Store. Duke seemed to be in his element and it was excellent to see him playing solo, interacting with the audience a lot and messing about with the songs. The whole set was amazing but I loved some of the covers, especially the Woody Guthrie songs and Spin Me Round (you can't beat the 80s classics!). I'm looking forward to the videos and wonder if we can hear all the out-of-tune singing along? (that wasn't just me I hasten to add!)

[runnerbean]

They were very welcoming at the Spirit Store (we were there drinking with Helen and Treed from 5:30pm - not necessarily wise, but fun)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs764.snc4/66441_1531486581417_1662353591_1267809_2963919_n.j pg

Great photos Mike as usual. Thank you. One of these days I will get the hang of my 'way too technical' camera.

Was that your supply of liquor you were standing beside ;) You did well to be still standing by the end of the night. lol!

[Mrfizzy]

I'm looking forward to the videos and wonder if we can hear all the out-of-tune singing along? (that wasn't just me I hasten to add!)

Can't deny that there were one or two voices with more enthusiasm than musicality (me included sometimes but only when well over-refreshed) and all part of the fun. 80's vids to come - up to the point where Duke decided that playing AxelF was just too OTT! ;)

[Dublinram]

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback of what sounds a wonderful evening. Looking forward to Amsterdam even more.

[loopylolly]

up to the point where Duke decided that playing AxelF was just too OTT! ;)

AxelF?!! Interesting!
Having flashbacks of doing a musical ride to the crazy frog version now!

[Mrfizzy]

AxelF?!! Interesting!
Having flashbacks of doing a musical ride to the crazy frog version now!

Not quite Crazy Frog loopylolly! Sanity prevailed.

What a privilege to see Duke so relaxed and so clearly appreciated by the Spirit Store crowd. Although it was a complete sell out, it still had the feel of a friendly living room gig. Table top Joe does a grand job but it was also a delight to see a little glamour with Mrs Special manning the merch stall! Not surprisingly, both were besieged by fans after the show so we only had time for a few words of thanks, but I can assure them that those of us that travelled from further afield were so happy to have made the trip.

The promised vids :

Loved this carefully metered delivery of "Happy Days and Lonely nights"
-LTE3NDIj18

Beyond "Wonderful" - no comment required
MqLKN4MmLaY

Stock/Aitken/Waterman territory!
nclqeDHKdPs

Have to include a Power Ballad in an 80's cover set!
tNuIadl2tnc

Duke's Improv is great fun but back to his own songs and the Duke we know and love...
fZPo0GRs5Mg

[johntheguv]

Hello folks - yes a tremendous gig in a brilliant venue (I shall keep the mince pies skinned for any future gigs by Duke at the SS and post asap). We arrived a bit late and so stood at the back at the bar - had a few words with Duke and the Duchess whilst listening to Rachel Austin. Mrs Duchess is a lovely woman and a great salesperson :-)

A request for Mr Fizzy - please please say you have "love will tear us apart" captured on camcorder - was a favorite of mine on the night. My wife Caroline thought that this was the best Duke gig we had been to - loves hearing him solo ... great night

[Mrfizzy]

Sorry to have missed you JTG - No "Love Will Tear Us Apart" I'm afraid. We do try to capture a flavour of the Duke Live magic between us if possible for fans that can't make the gigs but it is often more luck than management and we get as totally wrapped up in the performances as everyone else. So many Duke gigs are a "favourite" for us for different reasons that our only solution is to see as many as possible :)

[treble99]

What a fantastic gig,it was my first time at the spirit store and it definitely won't be my last,it has a unique atmosphere,now we can see why Duke rates it so highly.Great to meet the fizzys for the first time.Had a nice chat with Mike.

[treble99]

Can't deny that there were one or two voices with more enthusiasm than musicality (me included sometimes but only when well over-refreshed) and all part of the fun. 80's vids to come - up to the point where Duke decided that playing AxelF was just too OTT! ;)

I was one of those people with "more enthusiasm than musicality",that was me "singing" out of turn to salvation tambourine although Duke seemed to enjoy it:D

[Dublinram]

Johntheguv - I have a recording Love Will Tear Us Apart from my homegig - I'll upload to youtube for you in the next couple of days.

[johntheguv]

Many thanks and blessings Dublinram - I kinda count LWTUA as a growing up song - we were kids when Joy Division were the darlings of NME and Musical Express - Ian Curtis had such a tragic life and demise. It was a special gig in the Spirit Store last Friday - the Duke truly is a most gifted musician and entertainer and so approachable to his fans. I hope he plays again soon, he seems to love the place so much and the atmosphere is just great - a great venue and a wonderful chance to see and hear the Duke interpreting his and others songs

[jodieaitken]

Love the Jump video! "Oh shit I'm turning into Tim Minchin!" made me laugh a lot more than it should have! Almost as much as Tim's "Your mouth is for food" joke... Won't go further into that.
Wish I could have been there, looks like it was a great night! Thanks for the videos, fizzies and for gig reports and stuff from everyone!

[Dublinram]

Forgot to say thanks to Fizzys for posting vids.

[Dublinram]

Love will tear us apart :

HhxTIFtKR88

[johntheguv]

Got it !!! - thanks Dublinram - obviously a big favorite for the Duke as well. Safely tucked away in my favorites folder - many many thanks.

[treble99]

Definitely a favourite for duke,he performs it regularly,excellent cover.

[Sixmonthsin]

Thank you Fizzys, you're so generous to share with us all. Glad you had a fabulous time, and I have to say what a fabulous set list. I have seen Duke in Dundalk but only at the An Tain Theatre, which I drove past several times before I realised where it was!! :)

The Spirit Store sounds a lovely snug little venue.

[Mrfizzy]

Thank you Fizzys, you're so generous to share with us all. Glad you had a fabulous time, and I have to say what a fabulous set list. I have seen Duke in Dundalk but only at the An Tain Theatre, which I drove past several times before I realised where it was!! :)

The Spirit Store sounds a lovely snug little venue.

Thanks Sixmonthsin - this was yet another fabulous Duke gig for us - he is masterful enough with difficult audiences that don't know him - this crowd was like his extended family and he was in his element! Very funny to see that his "I'm turning into Tim Minchin .. I'm not that funny" comment made it to Tim's forum!
http://angry-feet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1122&start=240 :)

[rajkid]

@ MrFizzy,
I hope you didn't mind me posting that on the TM forum. ;)
I just thought I'd get Duke back to the top of the Off Topic:Media board to see if we could get more recognition for him. As it was the Tim and Duke duet of OLGD which introduced me to Duke.

[Mrfizzy]

@ MrFizzy,
I hope you didn't mind me posting that on the TM forum. ;)
I just thought I'd get Duke back to the top of the Off Topic:Media board to see if we could get more recognition for him. As it was the Tim and Duke duet of OLGD which introduced me to Duke.

Quite the opposite rajkid! - all for spreading the good word - like many people, we've seen Tim on TV and he is great - but quite difficult to see him live these days though unless you're very quick of the mark - must get more organised. We found wickedlibrarian to be a huge TM fan and we know several more that appreciate both :)

[rajkid]

@MrFizzy
Yeah, meeting up with Jodie at Newcastle when Tim plays the Arena. I get tickets the hour they go on sale for whoever I'm planning on seeing.
Saw him last year at City Hall and was amazed at the speed of his piano playing.

[pinksacha]

I have only just got round to watching the videos from this gig. WOWSER- he was on top form! funny , relaxed, comfortable, playful - a joy to watch! thanks for posting. sorry to have missed it.
Duke to me looked as relaxed as he was on the last night of mother courage- happy times.:D
He's going to have to put some 80's medleys in all gigs now - well the 80's would've been a great time for him (I should know as it was for me and we are after all birthday twins!):p

[helen]

Thanks for posting the videos MrF - those are brilliant! especially the "Spin Me Round" one - that's glorious :). Watching them has made me feel incredibly happy and really sad at the same time (only cos I'm not sure when my next Duke gig will be!).

[runnerbean]

Thanks for posting the videos MrF - those are brilliant! especially the "Spin Me Round" one - that's glorious :). Watching them has made me feel incredibly happy and really sad at the same time (only cos I'm not sure when my next Duke gig will be!).


I know the feeling Helen. Here's hoping, on the release of the Ruby Murray Project there will be something 'Special' in Belfast. :)

[Mrfizzy]

I know the feeling Helen. Here's hoping, on the release of the Ruby Murray Project there will be something 'Special' in Belfast. :)

I've a feeling that you two aren't the only ones with a Duke-dependency...

We're are all on the look out for an early Christmas present :)

[Delly]

I'm so so jealous of all the Spirit Store attendees!! It looks like a fab gig, Dukester looks so happy and relaxed :) MrF the vids are wonderful. Thank you!

[Mrfizzy]

I'm so so jealous of all the Spirit Store attendees!! It looks like a fab gig, Dukester looks so happy and relaxed :) MrF the vids are wonderful. Thank you!

Think of the vids as Duke methadone Delly - to keep you going until you can see the real thing!

[treble99]

I've a feeling that you two aren't the only ones with a Duke-dependency...

We're are all on the look out for an early Christmas present :)

Definitely not the only ones,I think I'm suffering from the withdrawals and it's not even a week since the spirit store gig! I'd love to go to the Amsterdam gig but I don't think I'll be going to any of the european tour due to finances:( Itching to find out when I'll be able to get my next fix...

[jodieaitken]

@MrFizzy
Saw him last year at City Hall and was amazed at the speed of his piano playing.

I've tried learning the Peace Anthem for Palestine on piano. I can play the intro now, but now I know how many notes there are in that, I'm even more amazed at how quickly he can play. It's not too difficult to learn, but to play at the speeds he does...

Back on topic!
If (when) I ever get over to Ireland (some day, I hope!) I'd love to see a gig at the Spirit Store, Duke or not! Preferably Duke, but it just seems like such a perfect wee venue. One to go to at least once! Mega jealous of everyone who was there.

[treble99]

I've tried learning the Peace Anthem for Palestine on piano. I can play the intro now, but now I know how many notes there are in that, I'm even more amazed at how quickly he can play. It's not too difficult to learn, but to play at the speeds he does...

Back on topic!
If (when) I ever get over to Ireland (some day, I hope!) I'd love to see a gig at the Spirit Store, Duke or not! Preferably Duke, but it just seems like such a perfect wee venue. One to go to at least once! Mega jealous of everyone who was there.

Definitely worth a visit,it's a really nice small venue with a unique atmosphere.

[alice]

Great venue certainly, I know of a few others who would love it and will be dragged along next time Duke plays there.

Wonderful videos from Mr Fizzy - and you can't hear me singing in any of them!

[Mrfizzy]

Great venue certainly, I know of a few others who would love it and will be dragged along next time Duke plays there.

Wonderful videos from Mr Fizzy - and you can't hear me singing in any of them!

I think Duke will have to perform at least two gigs the next time he's at the Spirit Store to allow for an invasion of travelling boardies- we don't want to upset his local fans who "love him so" ! :)

[treble99]

Two gigs? He's so in demand around that area that he could do something similar to the 5 nights at the empire:D