This Saturday (August 13th) will see the JJ Harlow’s stage tested to the limit as seven-piece bluegrass band, Pilgrim St, make a welcome return to Roscommon’s prime live music venue.
Strongly influenced by Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Seeger Sessions’, Pilgrim St formed to bring these tunes to the live venues of Navan, Co. Meath and surrounding areas.
Members include seven seasoned musicians in their respective fields having many years experience playing countrywide in various groups and guises.
Peadar and Richie Farrelly, two of the three leading vocalists, who have been playing as a duo for the majority of their music careers, bring their stage presence, vocal style and tight-knit harmonies to the group.
Eugene Donegan on banjo enters the fray as the third lead vocalist. His own career as a singer/songwriter has seen him make close allies such as Declan O’Rourke and Clive Barnes.
Giving the singers a break, come three instrumentalists with a wealth of experience between them. Cathal McQuaid, renowned as a top class fiddle player, adds his fresh twist to the old country style tunes, while Eoin McDonnell fills in the gaps with melodic mandolin licks and tricks, while adding a song or two into the mix. Mark Lynch fills out the sound on slide guitar, adding his own brand of melodic class to the group.
Holding the whole lot together is Francis McGinn on bass as the backbone of the group. Well-known as a solid part of any rhythm ensemble, he lays his steady groove as the foundation for the group.
Rounding off another great weekend of live music at JJ’s will be Strange Brew on Sunday evening. This group are JJ’s’ regulars and will lift those back to work blues with some top class blues of their own!
