Young Dubliners - Red

Red

In 1999, lead guitarist Randy Wolford announced his retirement from touring and left the band. He was replaced by Southern California native Bob Boulding, who joined the band during the summer tour of that year. After the conclusion of that national tour, drummer Jon Mattox followed suit and also gave notice that he would leave the band. However, Mattox stayed on as a studio musician for the production of their next album, Red. Red was the Young Dubliner’s first release for their new record label, Higher Octave and was produced by Thom Pununzio. At the request of the label, many of the songs on Red were new, studio-recorded versions of the songs from Alive Alive’O. Included was the live barnstormer medley “Rising / Change The World.” Additionally, four new originals were featured, including the instrumental “Bodhran” (named after the Irish drum which starts out the track), and the title track “Red”, cowritten with Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin.

After the recording of the album, it was time to fill drummer Jon Mattox’s shoes; after a brief run with former Lord of the Dance drummer Gary Sullivan, the order was filled when the band enlisted David Ingraham, formerly of Bruce Dickinson's band and Tribe of Gypsys. Soon, the Young Dubliners were touring in support of Red which was released in June, 2000.

Starting in June, the group was booked as the support act for Jethro Tull on their summer tour of the United States. Early on it became apparent that the Young Dubs’ blend of hard rock and Celtic styles was a perfect compliment to Tull’s style of progressive rock, and band gathered many new fans during the tour. Later that summer the group played dates opening for John Hiatt and the Goners. This drove sales of Red to the highest in the band’s career.