If you’re part of the Dublin music scene, chances are, you’ve had the pleasure of working with Gavin Glass.
From his own solo and band releases – the most recent being last year’s critically acclaimed Sunday Songs – to his work with everyone from (deep breath) Lisa Hannigan, Clarence Clemons, Garth Hudson and Paul Brady to Mundy, The Bastard Sons of Sun and – bejiggers – Chas & Dave, Gavin Glass is everywhere, man. And now, thanks to his growing reputation as one of Ireland’s finest producers, through his Orphan Recording Studios in sunny Dublin, the man is helping a whole new generation find their mojo.
From his own solo and band releases – the most recent being last year’s critically acclaimed Sunday Songs – to his work with everyone from (deep breath) Lisa Hannigan, Clarence Clemons, Garth Hudson and Paul Brady to Mundy, The Bastard Sons of Sun and – bejiggers – Chas & Dave, Gavin Glass is everywhere, man. And now, thanks to his growing reputation as one of Ireland’s finest producers, through his 
How much does this man love his music? He called his beloved alsatian – that’s him on the Orphan logo – Danko, after the one and only Rick Danko from The Band. That’s how much.
Gavin – real name, Mary Mulcahy – will be bringing his backing band, The Shakers, to The Harbour Bar on Saturday, August 27th, as part of the Harbour To Hot Spot Roots Revival Festival, and we were lucky enough to grab the man for 15 minutes, to find out about those songs that can make him, yep, break down and cry…
You can find out more about young Mr. Glass on his Facebook page here, and on his Orphan Recording Studios page here.
The Blue Nile Family Life
This is a song that always gets a lump in my throat. Paul Buchanan’s vocal performance is incredible and is the beautiful sparse piano. It’s from an 1996 album called Peace at Last.
John Martyn Small Hours
Hard to pick a John Martyn one, but this is a tune I find myself sticking on when at Stupid O’Clock when one may be a little tired and emotional. The atmosphere created by the guitar and echoplex is just perfect for the track. Apparently to create more echo they stuck an amp on the shore of a lake and recorded the audio back bouncing of the water’s edge. That’s where those seabirds noises come from on the track!
Roberta Flack Ballad of The Sad Young Men
I was living with one of my best buddies for a while, a fellow musician. Both of us were going through pretty brutal break-ups. He turned me on to this song. There was a lot of red wine drank, plenty of tears and friendly wrestles to this song.
Glen Campbell Witchita Lineman
For so many reasons. One of the greatest songs of all time.
The Band Whispering Pines
My favourite band of all time. This song just breaks my heart. Richard Mauel’s falsetto at it’s finest. You could always hear so much tenderness and pain in his voice. The world was not made for a sensitive soul like him.
Elvis Presley, aka The King of Rock N’ Roll If I Can Dream
I often weep uncontrollably to Elvis. This song especially. He was just a redneck kid who loved his mama maybe a little too much, he gave us rock n’ roll and we crucified him.
Jeff Buckley If You See Her Say Hello
An incredible version of His Royal Bobness’ relationship hindsight song. Every guy who let a good one good one go can relate to this song.
Joni Mitchell A Case Of You
I can’t even talk about this song without welling up. So let’s just leave it here.
Jackson Browne These Days
Always make me super sentimental, this song. Written by a 16-year-old Jackson and with lines like ‘Don’t confront me with my failures, for I’ve not forgotten them‘ it makes you wonder what could be worrying about? Failing algebra? French? Not passing his driving test?
Kate Bush You’re The One
Literally can’t handle it. Written about breaking up her partner/bass player Del Palmer.
More Gavin Glass love here. More Tracks Of My Years love here.