Celebrating the U.S. release of my new album, entitled “Forward to Reality,” I returned to The States for scheduled stops in Chicago, Joliet, Boston, and Philadelphia. The 5-day ‘Flash Tour’ was a grand success with joyously-inspired performances at prestigious listening venues.

Many of you know that last year, I got together with a talented team of Joliet/Chicago artists and engineers to capture some of my newest songs.  The project was spear-headed by John Condron who produced the album, and also worked closely on some of the song arrangements with me,  The result is a delightful collection of original works, elegantly presented and enhanced by John and his support crew.

The week’s USA tour festivities began with a packed-house evening at Chicago Street Pub in Joliet. Chicago Street is a ‘home away from home’ resulting from the inter-connections between myself and several Irish-American families there with County Donegal roots. I’m always assured a warm reception.  So it was a nice way to kick off the tour. Also to be noted, the pub is one of the most-credible residencies for live, original music in ChicagoLand.

Next, it was to The Abbey Pub in Chicago, a venue famed for over 40 years of contemporary mainstream and indie artist performances. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco cut chops here.  Singer/songwriters from Kris Kristofferson to John Popper, Dan Hicks, and Neko Case were regulars here. And, as The Abbey is owned by a family originally from Counties Clare and Mayo, it’s a ‘go to’ venue for the Chicago North Side Irish community.

At The Abbey, it all carried off brilliantly, with a performance further heightened with an invitation for John Condron to join me onstage. The results were memorable and magical. we traded licks and harmonious vocals most notably on ‘Tragic’ and ‘Border Town,’ both of which are tracks on the new album.

Unexpectedly, due to weather-related flight cancellations, the Boston tour stop was not possible. We had all looked forward to a delightful event hosted by John Fitzgerald at Mr. Dooley’s. If there’s any consolation, we have a standing invitation for the next USA visit. which is increasing looking like June/July time.

So, it was on to Philadelphia and the legendary ‘acoustic listening room’ Tin Angel for the tour finale. The Tin Angel stage has been graced by the likes of Loudon Wainwright, Keb Mo, Donovan, Dar Williams, Chris Smither, and so many other renown artists in the last 20 years. On a Sunday night, myself and John performed again before a raucous capacity crowd specifically there to welcome us. For John Condron especially, it was indeed a homecoming. John’s a Philly-Irish lad, so the cousins, uncles/aunts and friends that hadn’t seen him in many years were out in force. That, mixed up with some of my extended Irish family, and fans, and a nice number of local/regular Tin Angel patrons, proved to be a great mix and this transcended into a fantastic listening core for the gig. And best of all, a full house to end the Tour.

Friends and fans both new and old are already keen for the next tour of America. Hopefully, it will not be too far into the future! An Irish release is hopefully not that far off also and we hope to announce a release date soon, A four-month UK marketing push has just recently begun for the album and so far its been received well, with reviews ranging from, “Refreshing” to “well crafted” and “beautiful”, so far I guess we can say its a hearty ‘thumbs up!’ for “Forward to Reality”.

Slan agus Slainte MJ