SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PADDY GOODWIN & THE HOLY GHOSTS – THE CHURCH OF THE HERE AND NOW

Paddy Goodwin & The Holy Ghosts
The Church Of The Here And Now
Independent

The Irish music scene has always been vibrant and diverse. There are many different genres and artists in Ireland as in any other place. And there is a lot of interesting and unique music coming off that island.  Paddy Goodwin & The Holy Ghosts is a case in point. The Church Of The Here And Now is an incredible album that dips its toes in many different genres and in doing so Goodwin and company have come up with a different sounding album full of brilliant songs. The fact that this is the debut album from the Drogheda-based artist/band is even more impressive. Of course, Goodwin and his various bands have been around, recording for a few years but it all comes together with this album.

The album features a sort of supergroup, as it features Anthony Thistlethwaite (The Waterboys and The Saw Doctors), Jim Lockhart (Horslips) and Paul Brady, Shane Power (The Guggenheim Grotto) and Eamon Carr (Horslips), Suzanne Savage, Barry Devlin (Horslips) on vocals and B.J. Cole. Quite an impressive gathering of artists.

The Church Of The Here And Now kicks off in fine style with the powerful title track. This has all the earmarks of classic rock ‘n’ roll mixed with soul. Goodwin’s guitar is relentless. This is followed with the country-tinged “Keep On Rockin’” with some powerful sax blasts from Thistlethwaite. This is the beauty of the album. Goodwin effortlessly slides from one style to the other. It makes for interesting listening and makes for a fascinating album.  For instance, “Calling On The Devil” is a heavy blues song that fits nicely on the album.

The highlights are numerous, but “In The Blue Of The Night” stands out, which features a strong vocal performance from the great Paul Brady. Brady and Goodwin compliment each other and it could be the long lost Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty duet. Equally impressive is the lovely closing song, “The End Of The Day”, a beautiful love song tied into an artist acknowledging mortality. It is a moving and beautiful song and the perfect way to close the album.

Goodwin and company have come up with an incredible album. Quite frankly there is not a weak moment to be found. It moves along and grabs the listener and refuses to let go. The Church Of The Here And Now is just full of great moments that build on each other. Goodwin has given his talented band fantastic songs which they can explore and add their own distinct sound. For Goodwin music is the religion and one in which everyone is welcome to join and enjoy.

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