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Comprised of vocalist and guitarist Hannon, bassist John McCullagh, and drummer Kevin Traynor, the earliest carnation of The Divine Comedy was a guitar led indie rock group in a similar vein to R.E.M. The band’s debut EP “Fanfare for the Comic Muse” was released in 1990 and was supported by a modest tour, including an opening slot for My Bloody Valentine. With the addition of vocalist John Allen in 1991, which led to the release of a couple EPs “Timewatch” and “Europop”, the band moved to London, England, where they would commonly be the support act for Suede at club gigs.
Subsequent to the commercial flop of “Europop” the band split up, however Hannon decided to move back to Londonderry and continue The Divine Comedy name as a solo act. Hannon’s debut album “Liberation” was distinctively British, and undeniably art pop, and features strong influences by F. Scott Fitzgerald, playwright Anton Chekhov and William Wordsworth. The album earned positive critical response, making a number of year-end lists, despite the lack of commercial sales.
The Divine Comedy’s sophomore album “Promenade”, released in 1994, highlighted a development of Hannon’s songwriting and musical compositon, heavily influenced by Michael Nyman's classical style. The concept album about a day of two lovers made the indie rock genre more acceptable in the UK, alongside the likes of Oasis and Pulp, however chart and commercial success proved ever elusive.
This trend seemed to be withering out with the release of the Divine Comedy’s third studio album “Casanova” released in early 1996. Again earning warm words from the musical press, the album led to the swelling of Hannon’s fan base with the entrance into mainstream media with an appearance on Chris Evans’ TFI Friday television show. The song he performed on the show “Something for the Weekend” later entered the charts at No. 14, followed by “Becoming More Like Alfie” which peaked at No. 27.
Hannon is also known for his soundtrack work, having written and performed the theme music for the sitcom “Father Ted”, the BBC technology show “Tomorrow’s World” and the comedy series “The IT Crowd”. “A Short Album About Love”, released to coincide with Valentine’s Day 1997, had the strongest initial sales success of any previous album and again featured a strong string presence. To celebrate 10 years of existence the album “A Secret History” was released as Hannon made contributions to Tom Jones’ “Reload” and Ute Lemper’s “Punishing Kiss”.
At the wake of the new millennium, Hannon, along with his seven strong band, signed a record deal with Parlophone and released the album “Regeneration”. In a wish to play down their tongue-in-cheek and suave image, Hannon ditched his notable suit and the band hired famous producer Nigel Godrich. Like The Divine Comedy’s early albums “Regeneration” became respected and revered by music critics but again lacked significant commercial response. The band soon split up, however after only a year, Hannon was back on the road touring the U.S., the UK and Ireland, with The Divine Comedy and Ben Folds.
In 2004, The Divine Comedy, again a solo project of Hannon’s, released the album “Absent Friends”, which again became critically acclaimed. Subsequently The Divine Comedy released their ninth studio album “Victory for the Comic Muse” in 2006, featuring 28 other musicians, and “Bang Goes the Knighthood” in 2010.
Críticas en vivo
The name of the band, 'The Divine Comedy' could be taken a couple of ways. It could be taken as a light name to allude to songwriter Neil Hannon's sense of humour. Comedy. What else would you expect from the band that penned the theme tune to channel 4 comedy 'Father Ted',? Or had a hit in a song celebrating transport, called 'The National Express'?
The Divine Comedy is also, of course, the name of an epic medieval poem by 'Dante Alighieri', wherein the poet describes visions of heaven and hell. This much loftier allusion demonstrates the band's cleverness. It serves as a good analogy for Hannon's songwriting. His witty, well-crafted poetry presents visions of the heaven and hell in everyday life and experience. Who'd have thunk that the Father Ted theme has, in fact, a very beautiful set of lyrics, in the full recording titled 'Songs of Love'? Well, those who've been to see the Divine Comedy would, that's who. The Divine Comedy have performed with many different arrangements, from simple acoustic sets to big orchestral numbers, but however they do it, they bring soulfulness, some jazz touches, wit, and beautiful songs.
If you check out Hannon and The Divine Comedy performing you'll witness some superb musicianship and songs that are as enchanting and clever with their music as they are with their poetry and humour. Even if you don't know the hits, you'll go away from a show with fantastic sounds in your head, and a shopping list with their albums on it. Not one to be missed.
rob-carlile
Neil Hannon is a witty lyricist who has been producing the same kind of stuff for many years now. A bit like Marmite you either like or loathe however his talent is not in question.
He has been off doing other projects for quite a few years but here he was back with his band doing what he says is his creative freedom with no-one to restrain his flow.
I was a little uncertain when I saw the band on TV as a 4 piece just prior to this tour but was not disappointed by this gig. As when I last saw the band at the Royal Albert Hall many years back Mr Hannon has lost non of his raconteurish wit or incisive view of life.
The gig started with a lot of back catalogue songs and a costume change into a Napoleonic uniform which garnered a humorous exchange with the crowd.
After a rendition of Count Grassi's Passage Over Piedmont Hannon decided he was as thirsty as the people dashing to the bar and proceeded to open a globe drinks cabinet and swerve his band with a variety of drinks.on stage. Whizzing through the back catalogue eventually playing stuff from the new album foreverland in a varied set with an able bunch of musicians who also seemed to be having a good laugh.
National Express seemed to go down the best (not one of my favourites but hey ho)
Set contained 26 songs
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-divine-comedy/2016/the-sage-gateshead-england-5bfd4bfc.html
Short video of Hannon as barmaid
https://instagram.com/p/BLsZq7JAeCpXdgPrKORWCg0xzXfqcfMqgGK4hA0/
alec-major
Neil Hannon has been one of my favourite songwriters for over two decades so it was a particular pleasure to finally get to see him perform live and I was not disappointed! I adore his latest album Foreverland and he played a small selection from that and truly some of his greatest other compositions. And WHAT an accomplished back catalogue this is. Genre defying tunes, switching deftly from one song to the next which is always something entirely different to the last. His band are all extremely able musicians and as a group we're very tight so every song was a pleasure to hear. But what was a particular highlight was his amusing and self-deprecating banter. He feared he went on too long, and he didn't. I'm sure many of us would have sat happily and laughed along to his anecdotes half the night. I will remember this gig fondly for years to come.
dawn-cotton-fuge
Wednesday's Leamington show was fabulous !!! Had me dancing which is a mAjor achievement ...
The only disappointment was the lack of songs from Foreverland but that is just me being picky.....
Already looking forward to Neil's next projects....is it possible to hear the opera anywhere ? is the Swallows musical available ??
Jesse Hughes
Shrewsbury
julie-hughes-1
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