Tipperary–born Redmond “Red” Peters, who passed away in 2012, was a stalwart on the thriving Dublin blues scene particularly in the 1970s and 1980s. He had residencies at The Harcourt Hotel, The Meeting Place, Moran’s Hotel, The Purty Loft and elsewhere. This collection of live recordings extends back to 1968, when Peters lets fly on an electrifying version of Dylan’s ‘Don’t Think Twice (It’s Alright)’ at Slattery’s on Capel Street. Accompanying him was the Magic Cana Band that included Alec Finn, Johnny Morrison and Niall Fennell.
Recordings of Randy Newman’s ‘Guilty’ and ‘Ain’t No More Cane’ are among several tracks laid down at Midleton’s Meeting Place in 1984; later recordings include a storming ‘Caldonia’ with Pat Farrell on guitar, James Delaney on keyboards, the late Declan McNeilis on bass and Noel Bridgeman on drums. He’s joined by Jimmy Faulkner and Fran Breen on a 1988 version of ‘It’s Not The Spotlight’ at the Purty Loft. A bonus disc features an hour-long RTÉ radio special from 1981, presented by PJ Curtis. Highlights include J J Cale’s ‘Same Old Blues’, Dylan’s ‘Meet Me In The Morning’ and ‘Like A Road Leading Home’. A 44-page booklet includes memories from musicians and friends Fran Breen, Chris Meehan, PJ Curtis, Kevin Conneff, Gerry Doyle, Ed Deane, Pat Farrell, Johnny Moynihan, Matt Walsh and Jack Lynch. While the recording quality varies considerably, Peters’ power as a singer and a performer cuts through.

Key Track: 'Like A Road Leading Home'