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Welcome to Ronnie’s world

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Eileen Murphy

RONNIE, WE HARDLY KNEW YE, a concert/theatrical performance starring Ronnie Drew, with Mike Hanrahan. At Rory Dolan’s, Yonkers, on Thursday, June 9, and Cryan’s, Metuchen, N.J., on June 10.

It’s been 15 years since Ronnie Drew, the gravel-voiced founder of The Dubliners, last played in the U.S. Judging from the enthusiastic reaction to his solo show, "Ronnie, We Hardly Knew Ye," absence has, indeed, made the hearts of his fans grow fonder.

Drew, who left the Dubliners five years ago to pursue a solo career, has mounted an impressively simple show that is rich in stories, poetry and song. A born storyteller, he drove the audience to fits of laughter with stories of his exploits with old friends Brendan Behan and Patrick Kavanagh. Yet with a just few words, he also brought tears to the eye recalling Kavanagh’s shabby dignity, Behan’s untimely death.

The show began with a poem by Percy French, "Says She," which he described as Dublin waiter’s account of a speech made by Queen Victoria. Drew possesses that peculiarly Dublin talent for skewering the pompous, and he uses it to great effect in this piece — he described the queen as "a little aul wan," dressed all in black and "looking like a tea cozy." The recitation is straightforward, the Dub accent exaggerated for effect, the eyebrows ever so slightly raised.

The stories led smoothly into songs, giving the whole evening an informal feel. Standout numbers included "McAlpine’s Fuseliers," an old chestnut that Drew dusts off and infuses with a sarcastic bite, noting that the builder was knighted by Queen Victoria, "Probably because of all the Paddies he killed on his sites."

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Drew sang "The Old Triangle," after telling a story about Behan’s exploits in Spain. "I have come for the funeral of General Franco," Brendan told horrified Spanish police, who informed him that the generalissimo was not yet dead. "I’ll wait," said Behan, before being unceremoniously deported. Reminiscences about Kavanagh led to a beautiful rendition of "Raglan Road," though Drew insists that his former bandmate, the late Luke Kelly, had recorded the "definitive" version. "But I like it, so I’m singing it," he said with a short bark of laughter.

Drew’s voice, best described as a deep growl, is unique, and lends an unexpected depth to familiar songs like "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda," "Now I’m Easy" and "Nora." The absolute highlight of the show was his performance of Shane MacGowan’s Famine dirge, "Dunes."

Former Stockton’s Wing frontman Mike Hanrahan provided guitar accompaniment and backup vocals. He also did a short solo set, performing his Wing’s hit, "Beautiful Affair," as well as a new song, "No One Lives Here Anymore." He also wrote and performed a duet with Drew called "We Had It All."

Drew ended the show with two old favorites: "Dicey Reilly" and "The Monto." With a wry twinkle in his eye, he described Reilly as "a lady who sold things you couldn’t get in shops — at least, not in Dublin." As for the deliciously risqué "Monto" — "There’s a clappy-handy bit for ye," he grinned.

Drew’s riveting stage presence and irresistibly craggy voice made "Ronnie, We Hardly Knew Ye," a must-see show in Ireland and throughout Europe. His all-too-brief tour in the States gives a glimpse of what America’s been missing, and whets the appetite for more of Drew’s special blend of story and song. It’s been far too long since he’s crossed the Atlantic – sure, we hardly knew him.

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