Voted by Hot Press magazine as the #14 greatest Irish album of all time, Horsedrawn Wishes should have been Dublin band Rollerskate Skinny’s ticket to the moon.
As it was, a just-about-glorious 1990s petered out into the inevitable break-up before the decade was out, and its four members scurried off to make a series of short-lived but much-loved side-projects and collaborations.
The leader of the pack, Ken Griffin has been there, played that venue, and has a guitar-case brimming with wonderful songs to prove it. Songs so wonderful they would bring the likes of Glen Hansard to his knees.
From The Hippyshakes in the 1980s and Rollerskate Skinny in the 1990s, to American outfits Kid Silver and Favourite Sons in the following decade, Ken Griffin has been keeping busy. And he seems to be particularly proud of his latest transformation, as August Wells, formed in New York with native pianist John Rauchenberger in late 2012.
Playing Greystones’ Hot Spot this coming Friday, July 22nd, we asked Ken to let us know all about the songs that can make him break down and cry…
Nina Simone Suzanne
A cover version of the Leonard Cohen song. It was the first Nina Simone song I ever heard. I was sitting in a bar, I asked the bartender to play it again, and he did. The emotion in her voice is so unforced and touches on a genuine human melancholy.
Duke Ellington African FlowerÂ
Once a year, I put this song up online in the hopes that someone else might be as moved by this perfect melody as I am.
Dion Your Own Backyard
Just a wonderful heartbreaker about trying to get your life back. His voice sounds ancient and lost.
Townes van Zandt If I Needed You
Feels strange to try and explain this one. The title says everything.
Candi Stanton Young Hearts Run Free
This song just makes me stand up , smile, cry and sing.
August Wells plays The Hot Spot Music Club Friday July 22nd. Doors 9pm, admission €10/€8 advance. Details right here.