The first ever review of Roddy Doyle’s ‘The Commitments’

THIS year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of film version of ‘The Commitments’, directed by Alan Parker and based on the Roddy Doyle book. Here, we republish what is probably the earliest ever review of the book, which appeared in the first edition of Northside People on May 5, 1987.

“BROTHERS and Sisters,” said Joey the Lips. “From New Orleans to Donaghmede, there’ll be dancing in the streets.”

So reads the blurb on the back of ‘The Commitments’, a book by Northside schoolteacher Roddy Doyle, which is rapidly inspiring a cult following with talks of ‘Dublin Soul’ and Kilbarrack Blues’.

‘The Commitments’ is the story of a band on a mission – bringing soul to Dublin, to the Northside in particular.

“No rednecks or Southsiders need apply,” is the message.

Spreading the gospel of soul is a serious business. The Commitments are into real values, the emotion of the working man, and are against heroin, although they can’t spell it.

Joey the Lips Fagan, “a bald little fella on a scooter, as old as Jimmy Rabbitte’s da” and who claims to have once played – or jammed – with James Brown, is obviously the band’s main influence. Roddy Doyle himself borrowed from the wisdom of Joey the Lips for the dedication of the book to his parents. As the flyleaf reads: “Honour thy parents, Brothers and Sisters – they were once hip to the groove too, you know. Parents are soul.”

Other members of the band include bouncer Mickah Wallace, Outspan Foster, Deco Cuffe, Billy Mooney and the Commitmentettes – Natalie, Bernie and Imelda.

The book follows the course of the band through their practice sessions, their own discovery of soul and their first gigs where Mickah threatens the audience into appreciating the group. The band are financed by Outspan’s Ma’s Children’s Allowance money; driven around in Billy Mooney’s van; and driven spare by Deco Cuffe’s vanity.

There is even a mention of Northside’s local paper and a reporter who goes out to interview the band.

At one stage the impression is given, though, that this is not so much about bringing soul to Dublin, but that bringing soul is the prime objective in itself.

‘The Commitments’ is written with the aid of a large measure of four letter words and is definitely not for those who are prone to offence.

Songs are all related to the Northside, including a special adaptation of ‘Night Train’, which goes: “Nigh’ train – goin’ home on the DART. Nigh’ train, layin’ into your mot at the back…”

‘The Commitments’ is a timely book which reflects the growing interest in the rise of community drama and writing groups now flourishing in many parts of North Dublin.

The end is as disappointing as it is inevitable but, with the emergence of soul clearly signaled, ‘The Commitments’ looks set to mark the beginning of a new and exciting series of books dealing specifically with the Northside – not forgetting Kilbarrack, home of the blues.