INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed singer-songwriter Don Mescall is about to release his first studio album in 12 years. He brings an extraordinary lineup to University Concert Hall for the hometown launch of ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ on Tuesday November 6.
The Ahane native will bring his eight piece band to the Concert Hall where he will be joined on the night by some amazing guests including Paul Brady, Stella Parton, Christy Dignam (of Aslan), Brian Kennedy, Dutch recording artist Desray, Eleanor Shanley, Na Fianna, Lisa McHugh, Shay Healy and The Mount Sion Choir together with recently announced guest, Sharon Corr!
“There was a lot of people trying to sway me to do it (this show) in Dublin. I’d rather not do it at all if I am doing it in Dublin! Not that I don’t like Dublin, but I am not from Dublin.”
Don Mescall is on the phone from his studio in London chatting to Limerick Post about this upcoming show with a host of exciting guests. And, fair play to Don – he stuck to his guns and insisted that this concert happened in his hometown of Limerick.
The songwriter has an impressive CV, over 400 songs written. His compositions have sold more than 10 million records and over 16 million fans and counting have seen Don Mescall songs on You Tube.
Frances Black, Cliff Richard, Rascal Flatts, Aslan, Lulu, Geri Halliwell, The Backstreet Boys, Sharon Corr, Richie Havens, Neal McCoy and Brian Kennedy have all recorded his work.
Don Mescall has not made an album under his own name since 2006, preferring to concentrate on co-writes and writing for other artists. He admits that his experience back then nearly put him off the music business entirely, and he did not have full creative control over the process.
That has all changed now! In 2017, with a bunch of new songs to share, Don got back onstage playing some live gigs and loved the experience working the crowd. He began recording his new album ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ in his new London studios.
He called on artists he had worked with to share the vocal duties and he got a terrific response. The songs on ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ are not duets in the traditional sense.
“They are not like the old fashioned duet where singers would each take parts. I wanted them to bring something of themselves to the songs.”
Sharon Corr, Nathan Carter, Stella Parton (Dolly’s sister), Brian Kennedy, Frances Black, Paul Brady, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Maura O’Connell and Christy Dignam all recorded with Don at his studio in Greenwich, a converted building from 1814 close to the River Thames and London City airport.
The first single from the album is ‘Love Me Right Now’ featuring Stella Parton who recorded her parts while on TV work in London.
“Stella was doing ‘Celebrity Masterchef’. She had one of my songs on her iPod. We completely clicked, similar background, coming from a big family.”
One of Don’s favourite interpretations of his songs is Aslan’s ‘Too Late For Hallelujah’. The track made the Number One slot and Don has been a fan of Christy Dignam since his teenage years.
“Christy has the ability to interpret somebody else’s song and to make it his own and that is such a skill, he is such a great songwriter himself.”
“When I was 17 my cousin was working the door on the old Savoy theatre for an Aslan concert, I got in at halftime and I got in to see Aslan.
“I think it had a big effect on me because Christy at that stage was THE rock star he was just killing it.”
Don imagined getting a track played by Aslan, and 25 years later, that dream came true.
“Other people have cut that song, but f*ck it, laughs, ‘Too Late ‘by Aslan – that’s the version you know.”
Don admits that not all cover versions of his songs have the x-factor and some leave him a bit bewildered…but he is way too sound and business savvy to name and shame these interpretations for this interview.
“Some of them would send me to sleep! Laughs. “I wonder, have they any idea what the song is about at all.”
The upcoming show will feature one of Don’s favourites Na Fianna, (“they have great energy”), and his good buddy Shay Healy.
It promises to be a choc full show with 10 guests announced and two choirs and Don’s backing band.
Don Mescall performs at University Concert Hall on Tuesday November 6. www.uch.ie
