How it’s New York: Irish Arts Center on 11th Avenue
How it’s Irish: Declan O’Rourke is an Irish singer/songwriter, and now, author
Declan O’Rourke appeared onstage at Irish Arts Center last night to a backdrop of a grand piano and multiple guitars. He moved between the instruments while singing songs from his new album, ‘Arrivals‘, including ‘The Harbour’, ‘Have you Heard the War is over’ and ‘The Stars over Kinvara’, as well as among others, old favorites, ‘Gallileo‘ and ‘Whatever else Happens‘, finishing up with ‘We didn’t Mean to go to Sea‘. He performs from a deep place and last night got better and better as the evening progressed, connecting with, and bringing the audience along with him on the journey as he invited singalongs and comments here and there.
He has a set list at his feet, and a guitar ‘whisperer’, Warren Malone, helping him out. At times though, he went rogue from the list when he seemed to read the room and decide a different song was needed. He always seemed to get it right.
“He embodies the music and the notes in such a way that you feel swept away to the realm he is on – connected to something bigger and truer than our day to day lives.”
He has also recently written a book, ‘The Pawn Brokers Reward‘, which was the second highest selling book in Ireland. He is signing copies after the show!
He is in town this weekend only, and I would highly recommend dumping the Netflix remote this evening, Sunday July 17th, and getting down to 11th Avenue and 51st Street to have the power of a truly great live performer awaken your spirit.
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