The problem here is, it seems when it comes to Jack Lukeman, I’m preaching to the converted or just talking to myself. Anyone who’s seen the Dublin singer-songwriter is, almost always, instantly converted to a disciple. For those who haven’t, then (sigh): Lukeman is pretty much the ultimate performer. As ever, quite the showman – he appears sporting an umbrella, and tosses flowers into the audience… and then gets down to the serious business of showcasing his massive voice.
With a very capable trio behind him, he delivers what’s really a best-of set. His albums are patchy – ok, that’s perhaps unfair, but there are maybe four on 1999’s Metropolis Blue which are worldbeaters. He does the lot – the swinging ‘Bedsprings’, the swooning, gorgeous ‘Georgie Boy’, a version of ‘Rooftop Lullaby’ which shows off his vocal to great effect, and a nothing-short-of-epic ‘When The Moon Is High’.
For sheer entertainment value a Lukeman show is hard to beat, and ever the showman he milks the audience reaction, as ‘Little Man’ becomes a mass singalong. Conversely, ‘Stardust’ sees the crooner wander through the crowd, a cappella, just one man and his accordian.
With that there’s no question that an encore won’t follow – and Lukeman delivers, with a audacious take on ‘Old Man River’ followed by a honky-tonk version of ‘Jacky’. For sheer variety, never mind quality, what better way to round off the festival?