The OPW Salon Series of concerts has been running for 5 years now. It’s a great series for many reasons. The artists appeal to a wide range of musical tastes, the setting is the ballroom in Farmleigh, and the concerts themselves are free.
The concerts are produced by the Improvised Music Company who describe themselves as “a not for profit organisation for jazz and related music, established by Irish jazz musicians and supporters in 1991. Today, we’re Ireland’s largest specialist music producer and resource with a hands on involvement in many aspects of music making throughout the island from festival programming, concert promotion, touring, recording, education and audience development.”
Before the concert started we were able to examine the ballroom in detail and step out into the conservatory for a glass of wine. Very civilised indeed! If you’d like to see more of Farmleigh but can’t visit just yet, just take the virtual tour.
I’ve been to many concerts organised by the Improvised Music Company and I’ve always been impressed by the range of musical styles represented, the quality of the artists and the price of the tickets. I’ve had less enjoyable nights seeing more popular performers costing a lot more money!
Last Tuesday, 21st July I was at the Julie Feeney concert. This was, without doubt, one of the most enjoyable concerts I’ve been to for some time. The fact that we were in Farmleigh certainly helped. But Julie Feeney could have performed anywhere and mesmerised the audience. She was simply fantastic.
I knew she won the 2005 Choice Music Prize for her album 13 Songs. I also read a very positive review of her new album Pages in the Irish Times. But I’d never heard her music. I went to the concert knowing she was highly regarded but not knowing what to expect. It’s a while since I’ve done that and based on the outcome I think I’ll have to try it again.
I’m not going to try to describe her musical style. Yes, for a brief moment I thought I heard Björk there, and a review I read referenced Joanna Newsom, but I really think she’s an original. Maybe in the future her style will be referred to as feeneyesque or the Julie Feeney Sound, who knows? For me it was exciting, refreshing and totally unexpected. After the concert I bought her two albums. I’ve listened to both of them several times now and I think they’re brilliant.
A lot of credit should also go to the musicians and backing vocalists she had with her. Everything just seemed to naturally fit together. I got the impression that they were really having a good time and I think that always helps to build a true rapport with the audience.
I left Farmleigh feeling great, after a wonderful performance, in a fantastic setting. Thanks OPW, IMC and of course Julie Feeney.
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