Songs on a Wall

Songs from “The March Ditch” album by Colum Sands
Illustrated by Colum McEvoy

Songs On A Wall is a unique coming together of two Irish artistes, songwriter, Colum Sands and watercolorist, Colum McEvoy.

Born within a few miles of each other, they grew up in the midst of similar landscapes and events, but they chose different ways to express their experiences and ideas, one through song and the other through painting.

Meeting at each other's concerts and exhibitions, a vague idea was born to “do a show together sometime”, but the idea became more of a reality when Colum McEvoy who was working on a cover painting for Colum Sands’ March Ditch album in 1989, went on to paint a series of pictures based on the ten songs on that album. The result was Songs On A Wall, which consists of an exhibition of the ten original paintings combined with a concert performance of the songs, with a live slide show of paintings, cartoons and illustrations to accentuate the lyrics of the songs on the album.

“Songs On A Wall” was performed at the Ballyshannon, Rostrevor and Belfast Folk Festivals, Clifden Arts Festival and numerous other venues throughout Ireland and met with great critical acclaim.

In March 1990 it was performed at the Andrews Lane Theatre, Dublin and in May 1990, the show went on tour in Belgium and Germany. As well as more Irish dates, there were two TV appearances in the Gerry Kelly Chat Show (UTV) and the Late Late Show (RTE). Such was the success of Songs On A Wall that BBC Northern Ireland produced a documentary on the project, which screened in March of 1991.

Due to popular demand it was once again performed at Rostrevor Folk Festival in August 1991, and in July of 1992 toured Scotland with acclaimed performances in Glasgow and the Isle of Bute Festival. Then in June of the same year, once again Songs On A Wall headed west, this time, America.

With successful appearances in Kerville, Texas, both Colums were then invited to take the show to Philadelphia in the summer of 1993.

Ben Sands (mandolin) and Nuala Tohill (cello) accompany Songs On A Wall when touring.

A treat for the ear and the eye …not to be missed!