June 22–29, 2000

six pick

Paddy Casey

The busker-to-major recording star myth is so cliché, if they haven’t made a movie about it, they ought to. You could even pencil Paddy Casey into the lead role. The 24-year-old Dubliner had been playing gigs in the streets of his hometown since he was but a wee lad. Shortly after he was discovered, he recorded his debut album, Amen (So Be It) (Columbia Records), which won all kinds of awards across the Atlantic. There’s a Dylan thing going on with Casey’s weary, trebly voice, spare acoustic guitar ruminations and subtle politics. But there’s also a little bit of white hip-hop and electronics — 21st century folk music if you will — mixed in for freshness’ sake. Now Paddy’s preparing to peddle Amen stateside with a three-day residency at in Philly. It could help determine whether his movie’s ending will be happy or sad.

—Brian Howard

Mon., June 26, with Brian Seymour and Butch Ross; Tue., June 27, with Adam Brodsky and Jim Boggia; Wed., June 28, with Milwaukee and Goodbye Academy, The Pontiac, 304 South St., all shows $6, 215-925-4053.