Ray Cuddihy, the brains behind the Wingnut Records empire, combines his love of Irish music and football to produce a top 5 full of kick
First up, I’m delighted to do a TOP 5 for WE ARE NOISE. I think you are a great blog.
(The cheque’s in the post Mr Nut… – ed.)
And here is the official WINGNUT TOP 5:
1. Put ‘Em Under Pressure (We’re All Part Of Jackie’s Army)
This track has pretty much everything that I adore about music. It has big and hard rocking guitars, but instead of a guitar solo, there is an Uilleann pipe riff that still gives me goosebumps. It has Jack’s almost incoherent coaching clichés in a thick Geordie accent, which I also love. It has an ‘Olé Olé Olé’ bit and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the greatest chorus ever written kicks in.
2. Johnnie B & The Boogie Men – Green Army
I’ve been a great admirer of the Boogie Men for over 2 years now. I think this latest track is a huge leap forward for the group. They are no longer rapping about Lar Corbett and Conor O Mahoney, they are showing more ambition and vision in their themes and lyrics. And it sounds great.
3. Christy Moore – Joxer Goes To Stuttgart
Christy Moore is probably the greatest writer, communicator and performer ever. I spoke with Christy twice. I was pretty awestruck both times. This is one of my favourites of his compositions. It’s all about a fella who drives to Germany with his buddies for the European Championships back in 1988. Their adventure has everything; struggle, music, romance, craic, fighting and ultimate victory over the English.
4. Slim Langan – We’re Ireland
I don’t know who Slim Langan is, but I think that I would get along quite well with him. I was a huge fan of Snow and I usually hate it when people do cover versions of ‘Informer’, but this is really well done. And it’s true what he says, we ARE Ireland, and we ARE going to win the European Championships.
5. The Deadball Specialists – Trapattoni’s Men
I know that this might offend a few people that my own composition is going on my TOP 5. But I don’t have time for the haters. This was recorded in Hob Junker‘s amazing studio in Galway and my buddy Jerry does a great George Hamilton impression. I’m always getting him to do it! Also, Andy Keogh gets a mention. Don’t ask me why.
The third branch of Wingnut Records opened earlier this week in Limerick, located within Moviedrome on Henry Street
