Ger Wolfe – an underrated artist of rare talent
Ger Wolfe comes to Róisín Dubh this Saturday, October 15. An artist of exquisite talent, the Cork native is, arguably, one of the most underrated songwriters in the country.
Ger has released seven studio album to date, the most recent being 2013’s I Have Been Loved. His lyrics are poetic in their scope – it’s no stretch to compare him to Leonard Cohen – but it’s Ger’s delivery that makes him unique. His voice always manages to strike a hopeful note, even when the subject matter is melancholic. Take, for example, The Lark of Mayfield, a song written for a sibling who was emigrating to England. It calls the listener home, wherever home may be for them. It also creates a new verb with the lyric; ‘You are the lark of Mayfield, thundelling down the hill'.
Another gem from Ger Wolfe’s back catalogue is The Curra Road, taken from the 2002 album Ragged Ground. If you haven’t heard it yet, seek it out immediately. How is a song like this not part of the Irish folk canon, or at least better known? His talent has been realised by his fellow Corkman John Spillane, who mentions Ger in his song Magical Nights in The Lobby Bar.
Ger Wolfe may not be as well-known as Spillane, but he deserves to be. Get to this gig, especially if you’re new to his music.
■ Doors 9pm, tickets €10.