Live Review: The Legend Of Luke Kelly

Irish icon. Wild-drinking, hard-times-singing folk frontman. There are many ways to describe Luke Kelly, but one word captures him perfectly; legend. And so, The Legend Of Luke Kelly was born; a show paying tribute to the dearly departed Dubliner.

Perth's Fiona Rea opened with a short set that was warmly received by the fast filling crowd and, with her energetic style, proved a worthy support.

Chris Kavanagh has been touted as delivering near-flawless renditions of songs Kelly wrote and covered. Tonight was Perth's turn to experience Kavanagh's internationally celebrated show.

As he arrived on stage to rapturous applause, it was immediately clear that we were up for a real musical treat. The Wild Rover, Whiskey In The Jar and a stirring Dirty Old Town all featured with the back-up instrumentation a standout, particularly through the latter Ewan MacColl penned track. Kavanagh's soaring vocals and flawless banjo work were paired beautifully with his bandmate on the uilleann pipes.

The stories Kavanagh shared before each track introduced the songs wonderfully, with tales of Kelly's love of a drink and a song. He was known to frequent many a bar along with his Dubliners bandmates and this reviewer's father, a Cork man, recalls once drinking more than a few pints of Guinness with the charismatic Kelly in a dusty Dublin watering hole.

There wasn't a dry eye in the theatre as Kavanagh played an amazing version of Phil Coulter's The Town I Loved So Well; about the author's childhood in Northern Ireland and dealing with The Troubles. Raglan Road was delivered effortlessly and would have made Kelly proud, while the majority of the audience were on their feet and filled the theatre through traded vocals with Kavanagh on favourites Black Velvet Band and The Fields Of Athenry.

An emotional night of songs and stories that summed up the Emerald Isle and the legacy Luke Kelly has left. Kavanagh promised to be back again next year. Terrific stuff.