There’s only one Mike Denver – that’s the title of the brand new album from the Portumna man, and Mike is very pleased with how it has all turned out. It comes ahead of a busy Christmas schedule and a 22-date concert tour that starts in mid-February.
Mike has no hesitation in selecting two of the tracks from the album that are already generating special interest.
“A Walk In The Irish Rain (which was a sizeable hit for Liam Mannering) is going down a treat at all our shows and there is a big buzz about this song. Morning Sun and Memories, written by Shunie Crampsey from Donegal, is a song I remember from the days when it was out on cassette. I always loved the song and I was a long time talking about recording it.”
The Imelda May song, Kentish Town Waltz, is featured on the album as well.
“Imelda wrote the song – it’s all about her own life. It’s a song I liked since I first heard it. I’ve also included one of The Saw Doctors songs, Tommy K. Viv Brennan, who does a show on Mid West Radio, has been at me for about 10 years to record this song, and I am glad that I now have.”
The song, composed by Padraig Stevens, tells the story of Tommy Kavanagh from Tuam who was the first to have a homemade twin-deck disco in Tuam back in the 1970s. It is a firm favourite with Saw Doctors fans around the world.
An Irish flavour simmers in the mix with the addition of Whiskey in the Jar and The Streets of New York, while Sharon Shannon features on Dance Tonight. I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You is the most traditional country song in this collection, which also features Jesus On The Jailhouse Floor and the Dave Sheriff composition, Best of Friends.
Pop-flavoured numbers include Some Girls Will, Some Girls Won’t, Haunted House, Bossa Nova Baby and the old Beatles classic Yellow Submarine.
“We’ve put our heart and soul into this album. It’s different from a lot of what I’ve done before, but I think it has a good mix of favourites.
“Most of the album was recorded and produced by Peter Maher in Tipperary, while I did two songs, Walk In The Irish Rain and Tommy K, with Seamus Cullinane in Moate.
“Dance Tonight was recorded in The Production Suite in Dublin. I’ve been with Sharpe Music in Dungannon for the last 10 years. We work well with Raymond Stewart.”
Mike is already looking forward to his concert tour which starts in Omagh on 19 February and runs through until 30 March.
“We are doing dates all over the country and my special guests are Sandy Kelly and Marc Roberts. Sandy will feature a selection of Patsy Cline classics which she does so well, and Marc will sing some of the songs made famous by John Denver. He has always been a huge fan of John Denver.”
Before that, Mike Denver and the band will host their own dancing weekend in the Ashtown Park Hotel in Gorey on 10, 11 and 12 January. Among those joining them are Declan Nerney, Ray Lynam, Gene Stuart, Brendan Quinn and Teresa and The Stars.
Between that weekend and the start of the concert tour, Mike hopes to commence work on a new dvd and another album for 2014. And that’s not taking into consideration his busy dance schedule along the way.
However, two days in the year are sacrosanct.
“Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are always spent in the family circle. This year, Liz and myself will travel to her family home in Kilbeggan on Christmas Eve, while Christmas Day will be spent visiting the family around Portumna.
“It is a special time and you just need to switch off, relax and enjoy that peaceful easy feeling.”