Sarah McQuaid – Haverhub, Haverfordwest, May 2024
“Death is not an event in life: we do not live to experience death. If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present.“
Ludwig Wittgenstein.
“The terrible thing about dying over in Ireland is you miss your own wake. It’s the best day of your life. You’ve paid for everything and you can’t join in. Mind you, if you did you’d be drinking on your own.”
Dave Allen
Ah, the present life. Here I am at a Sarah McQuaid gig in Haverhub, Haverfordwest. It is a life affirming experience. Sure there are songs that deal with death and grief – Sarah has spent many years living in Ireland – though the subjects are approached with an insightful, positive, loving slant, an angle not too acute, never obtuse. Then there are songs that deal with birds, volcanoes, lost love (naturally), deep holes, anxiety, tickling, and haystacks. Covers of Bobby Gentry, Robbie Burns and Radiohead. Originals to make you laugh, to make you cry. Eclectic and electric.
Sarah has a warm smile, an honest and endearing way, and an amazingly varied repertoire. There’s a soupcon of Joni Mitchell, maybe Laura Nyro, or classic Irish chanteuses, but she’s most definitely her own songstress, whether playing guitar, piano, or drum.
Ah yes guitar. Occasionally she plays electric guitar (on an instrument gifted to her by the legendary Michael Chapman who produced her last album before his untimely death) in a most idiosyncratic fashion (I suspect that phrase might be an oxymoron) and she plays one tune, not a song, on that bundle of wire and wood, that is perhaps the most moving, absorbing, and heartfelt of the evening.
Or maybe not. For Sarah’s lyrics, focusing on the particular yet with a universal meaning, are both poignant and witty. The most seemingly mundane experiences give rise to carefully crafted songs of deep import and personal resonance. And always present is Sarah’s embracing sense of humour.
So entertaining. Yes that’s it. Sarah was so entertaining, and for a couple of hours we the audience were transported. Transported by delights. Into the garden of earthly delights.
Haverhub is great community venue, such a variety of spaces, such a varied programme, such lovely people. Check out the website or socials for details of upcoming events – they have shows and activities to suit everyone.
Haverhub.org.uk.
Sarahmcquaid.com.
bbskone 