For a variety of reasons, most live music on television just doesn't work very well. The Other Voices Series on RTE, however, has been a welcome exception. Presumably it's all down to the setting - acts perform in the rarified surroundings of a 200-year-old church in Dingle, the most westerly point of Europe. The line-up for this third series has been particularly strong, with an eclectic mix of veterans (Donovan, Sonny Condell, Gavin Friday), the cooler end of the Irish indie scene (Republic of Loose, Declan O'Rourke, Paddy Casey) and a smattering of international stars who were happy to make the trip (Eddi Reader, Cowboy Junkies, Mark Lanegan Band). With just about everyone sounding as if they're giving their best, and an obviously appreciative crowd, this is about as good as live albums get - although it might just be worth waiting for the DVD instead.
