Saw Doctors Dave Carton and Leo Moran at the Nokia Center. Photo by Jack Glacken.
By Jack Glacken
Before a jam-packed crowd at the superb Nokia Center on Times Square in New York City, the Saw Doctors gave another “knock ’em dead” performance.
Manhattan was jumping with excitement in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day as the weekend saw such acts as Celtic Women, The Wolfetones and The Pogues. But despite the heavy competition, the Saw Doctors had no problem packing them in, as they remain an absolute bargain to see in concert. They truly give you everything they have. (You can catch them at the Theater of the Living Arts, aka TLA, on South Street in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 21.)
Backstage after the concert, I told Leo Moran, (vocals, guitar) that the band’s energy reminds me of Bruce Springsteen and his E Street band. “Well he truly is the master at giving performances and yes, we learned a few tricks from the master,” he said. “We are looking forward to playing at the TLA in Philadelphia and since it’s our last performance on this tour, you know we are going all out that night.”
The Saw Doctors sang all their great hits including “N17,” “Exhilarating Sadness” (lead singer Davey Carton’s “favorite”), “Hay Ride,” and of course “Clare Island,” an absolutely beautiful song. Carton, who has a wonderful voice, credits Leo Moran with much of the bands success. “I love working with Leo, everything he writes is so wonderful,” he says. “Our new album has a song, ‘We May Never get to say Goodbye, and it’s just so poignant.”
Davey also promises a great time in Philly. “We usually start our American tour in Philadelphia but this year we are ending the tour there so we are really going to give it all to our Philly faithful next Saturday.”