Art

FRANCIS BACON
Francis Bacon in Dublin (Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art) This recently closed Dublin show was the most comprehensive exhibition of the artist's visceral and disturbing work in the U.K. or Ireland since his death in 1992. It reunites an artist of international reputation with his home country, and also confirms Dublin's status as a major European cultural center for the new millennium. Bacon spent his youth in Ireland, experiencing the political turmoil of the early-20th century firsthand. Although his work doesn't deal explicitly with Irish subjects, the violence of the 1916 Easter Rebellion and the subsequent Civil War made its mark upon the young artist, contributing to his gruesome style. Bacon was a colorful, bohemian character, who was notorious for working in a chaotic studio that suggested bizarre images to him.

In August '98, the Gallery sent a team to excavate and catalogue the artifacts in Bacon's London home in order to reconstruct his studio as a permanent exhibition beginning this November. The current show includes nearly 50 major works on loan from around the world alongside the meticulously preserved studio debris. In the first gallery, two cases of flat files (that artists and collectors use for storage) are pulled out. Each drawer of curiosities includes various objects, such as books with handwritten notes on the endpapers, cutout arrows, and magazine images of mismatched human body parts re-assembled with paper clips. Numerous photographic reproductions, which the artist has drawn or painted over revealed his experiments in styles and techniques.

This fascinating glimpse into the painter's working-process is ingeniously displayed. It feels pleasantly voyeuris tie, like peering into Bacon's own sublimely disorganized system. The images in the files reappear in the paintings, such as Triptych, June 1973(1973), which may refer to the alcohol and drug overdose of Bacon's lover George Dyer in '71. In a series of three black, olive and maroon panels, the artist depicts a male figure in distorted postures of sickness and agony. This painting is undeniably shocking and troubling, but also captivating in its intensity. Some of Bacon's familiar images of screaming Popes and men in suits are also displayed. Study After Velazquez (1950), a work which was discovered after the artist's death, is an excellent example of Bacon's ability to cobble together imagery from diverse sources, creating his own uniquely troubling vision.

Interestingly, another exhibition of Bacon's work is running concurrently at Dublin's Irish Museum of Modern Art. Although the IMMA show differs from that at the Hugh Lane, a connective tissue binds the two together: both include overpainted photographs, books, and newspaper clippings which are believed to be Bacon's own version of preliminary sketches. These smaller works form a perfect counterpart to the large paintings on view at the Hugh Lane Gallery.--Maggie Williams

Video

JEFF BUCKLEY
Live in Chicago (Columbia Video)

This footage of Jeff Buckley's 1995 tour of the Windy City (promoting his debut album, Grace), posthumously captures rock's warbling enfant terrible at his rawest. Between songs, he is shy and uncertain but as each track unfurls, his cathedral voice (bequeathed to him by his late folk-rocking father, Tim) haunts every crevice of the venue. Such talent isn't adequately transferred to tape--the amateur camerawork and lighting fail to capture the band's professionalism or illuminate the depth of the unique singer's legacy. A pity then that the raw passion and promise evinced here is not matched by the quality of production. That leaves a tape which can only sate the most fervent advocates of one talent now gone (the younger Buckley drowned a couple year ago) who crashed the great session in the sky, far too early.--Nick Kennedy

MUSIC REVIEWS

SINEAD O CONNOR
Faith and Courage (Atlantic)
O'Connor's reappearance, a celebration of her much vaunted sexual awakening and re-assessment of her cultural and spiritual identity, makes for erratic but rather intriguing fare. Though she's not breaking major ground here, her skills as a tunesmith are as sharp as before but she's finetuned her message and mission. If nothing else, Sinead can still shock with her virtues all here in full force. A rich voice, passionate delivery and quirky vision make this return to the spotlight a worthwhile listen. -Brad Balfour

MEAV
Meav (K-Tel/98;Dara/2000)
Branching off from Riverdance choral group Anuna, singer Meav produces a debut performed with ease and precision. Her striking beauty and passion for romance thematically runs through her song selections including "1 Wish My Love was a Red, Red Rose" and "One, T Love." Accompanied by the hodhran, this attractive vocalist explores Gaelic in "Si Do Mhaimeo." "lm A I)oun" provides another example of a world music blend by incorporating beats of conga drums and Spanish flamenco. With a modern twist, fellow members of Anuna introduce Meav in the traditional love ballad "She Moved Through The Fair." Keeping with her Celtic roots, she draws on "Cante's Prayer" from fellow Celt songstress Loreena McKennitt. Echoing the haunting lyrics "please remember me," Meav leaves a striking impression on her audience.--KT

DANU
Think Before You Think (Shanachie)
Still in their mid20s, this young Irish septet's sophmore CD illustrates their maturation from the first. Hailing from Gaeltacht, Waterford's Irish-speaking area, lead singer Ciaran O Gealbhain sean-nos (old style) of singing is heard in "An Paistin Fionn" and "Eochaill" adding greater authenticity to their Irish traditional sound. Both "Green Brooms" with rich solo vocals, and its immediately companion--a short upbeat tempo number, "The Humors of Kill Clougher". displays Danu commitment to traditional music. On "The Old Ruined Cottage in the Glen." Tom Doorley begins a slow flute piece (learned from The Chieftains' Mart Molloy). The hodhran and accordion face-off in "Morning Dew." Baltimore native Jesse Smith (son of Cherish The Ladies pianist Donna Long) composed the third reel "Think Before You Think Before You Speak." "The First Month of Spring" rounds out the fierce session. All these tracks demonstrates how effectively this team encompasses the instruments found in traditional Irish music. Danu transformed "The Cameron Highlander" from a Scottish pipe number to a barn dance by pairing it with a reel ("The Blackthorn Stick"). No greater traditional session music can be found than on this album.---KT

MAIRIN FAHY
Mairin (Dolfin)
The featured soloist in Riverdance since 1996 and a member of the traditional group Reeltime, Fahy possesses many talents claiming All Ireland fiddle titles and an All Ireland Champion Dancer award. This self-titled album showcases her 'vivacious fiddle playing' as well as her intense vocals on "The Flower of Magherally," which she dedicated to the peace process in Northern Ireland. The tale of a man scorned by his lover, "Every Circumstance" personifies the contradictions of love. Fahy co-wrote the "Mission Bay" air with her brother Gerard and fellow Riverdancer Brendan Power joins in for a rousing bluegrass solo harmonica in his own tune, "Tip of the Iceberg." The rapid combination of Caribbean and Celtic rhythms flecked with electric guitar and the tambourine on "The Celtic Prancer," offer a reminder of Riverdance. Fahy may be competing with the ranks of other performers as a fiddle player, but her gentle voice stands out beyond compare. Eileen Ivers, eat your heart out!--Kathleen Troy

SUSAN MCKEOWN
Lowlands (Green Linnett)
Raised in Dublin and now a New York resident, McKeown has obviously spent time traveling. Using many rhythmic world sounds as a backdrop, she showcases her ethereal voice on her just-released Lowlarzds. Incorporating such world music into a Celtic sound has become popular recently; McKeown merges her sound as fluidly as the others (such as Afro Celt Sound System) but she stands apart through her rich voice. She explores her Gaelic roots on "An Nighean Dubb / The Dark Haired Girl." McKeown displays a vast range of musical tastes through a song like "Goodbye and Farewell" when she incorporates an upbeat, Latin sound similar to the Gypsy Kings. She also brings other blends in play by interpolating such instruments as an erhu (Chinese fiddle) or the korcl (African guitar). Even without backing music, "Dark Horse on the Wind" utilizes the power and beauty of McKeown's voice-One of the best I've heard in years. -- Kevin Smith

DUSTY WRIGHT
Dust (Big Daddy)
Appropriately enough, Wright claims Dust to be the soundtrack in his head. The slide guitar and country feel peppered throughout recalls old Clint Eastwood westerns. Though not just a country CD, Wright definitely shows its influence filtered through his brand of rock. He demonstrates a wide range of styles for example on "Blossom of Fallen Time" the sound just grooves along. Instrumentals like "Sway" seem like a much cooler version of Jon Bon Jovi's "Young Guns" theme. Dusty lets his guitar do most of the work but guest Jane Hamper adds her robust vocals to "Just Let Go" and "Salvation." Victoria Cuoco lends a hand on "Speed of Life" and "Emma Lee." The prevalent '80s influence doesn't make this a CD of rehashed material. Dusty mixes the best of the '80s with country influences and makes it his own. -- KS

Books

Bake It Like a Man
DAVID BOWERS W/SHARON BOWERS
A Real Marn's Cookbook: Bake It Like a Man
(William Morrow & Co.)

Ladies, wouldn't it be nice if your man felt as comfortable in the kitchen as he did with buddies at the local bar? What if a spatula felt as comfortable :in his hands as a pint of ale? Well, if you want the sound of a sizzling stir-fry to be as euphoric as the clanking of pint glasses, don't enroll your man in cooking school. Instead, give him this book. Bowers redefines men's rights int the kitchen and claims "armed with this book, a man can take on any kitchen and emerge the victor." Bowers, hailing from Dublin, takes a simple approach to cooking: It's a challenge that "must, can, and will be met." The common man, will be transformed to a "real man" after studying the book.

The books 10 informative/ humorous chapters, include, "Men and Hardware," about knives, defining kitchen gadgets and distinguishing functions of different pots and pans. Recipes range from spicy grilled beef ribs, "spaghetti and meatboulders'' to creme brulee, and international dishes such as Korean kimchee, and xnipec, a salsa cruda from Yucatan. Champ, a traditional Irish favorite, is mentioned in the chapter devoted to the spud. So men, take the challenge; put tongs in your tool belt and head for the kitchen. Ladies: sit back, relax and let the real man take over. -Nicole Potenza