| CD Reviews Christy Moore: Burning
Times
By Malcolm Rogers
“That’s the business, isn’t it. Just a goatskin and a finger.”
That is what Christy Moore said after his bodhran solo captivated the
crowd at a Glastonbury appearance. But then his live performances have always
been exemplary — he can hold an audience in the Albert Hall with just his
guitar and three chords.
What is slightly more debatable is his ability to spot a song. This used
to be an unerring gift of Christy’s — he single-handedly introduced a whole
raft of old songs into the Irish canon.
But with this collection, well if you’re a Christy Moore fan you’ll love
it. But if Christy doesn’t turn your crank, this album will be unlikely
to convert you.
The binary simplicity of the lyrics in America I Love You (by Morrissey)
is all too predictable while Motherland is little short of a dirge. Things
take a decided turn for the better with the Richard Thompson song Beeswing.
An impeccable songwriter, this song sees the Englishman in whimsical mood,
and Christy in jaunty voice.
However, The Magdalene Laundries (Joni Mitchell) is predictably somber,
and the Bob Dylan offering The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll takes the
body count ever higher. The album finishes with some predictable New Age
gobbledygook about the goddess Isis.
Christy seems to have taken himself more and more seriously over the
years, and as this collection confirms seems to head him evermore in this
direction. As someone said not too long ago: “The trouble with Christy Moore
is he thinks he’s Christy Moore.”
Hungry Grass: The Rough Cut
By Malcolm Rogers
In folk music you don’t need to re-invent the wheel; you just have to
make it run smoothly. All you need for a good traditional band is a first-class
singer and some exceptional musicians.
Fortunately for Hungry Grass they are blessed in both departments, with
Offaly singer Peter Coughlan meting out full justice to Kelly From Killane
and the Galtee Mountain Boy, and squeezing every ounce of emotion and poignancy
out of The Travelling People. Drama with a capital D.
Tunes there are aplenty as well. Hungry Grass are a five-piece outfit
and together they race impeccably through reels, process triumphantly through
hornpipes and skip effortlessly through jigs.
My only tiny quibble with this album — indeed with any traditional album
these days — is that it’s too note perfect. Coming from the old school I
enjoy that slight variation in tuning you get at live sessions.
Now I’m not talking about a horrible disparity, just a slight wavering
of notes producing that wonderful vibrato of a kicking session. Indeed I’ve
even known fiddlers who tune slightly sharp so there instrument can be picked
out more easily — ‘playing bright’ they call it.
But these devils in Hungry Grass are not only smack bang in tune, their
timing is impeccable as well.
A small complaint I know, because if Hungry Grass continue to produce
albums of this calibre they are going to end up, as they say in Offaly,
fierce popular.
Various Artistes: R&B Party
By Phil Savva
Time to dust off the party gear and look ahead to the big build up to
festive fun.
Yep, as the Christmas period rapidly approaches so will the collections
to go with it.
This particular collection of 42 R&B licks is another combination of
past and present and if you love your R&B than there’s a lot to smile about
here.
So let’s start with the oldies but goldies and you have to tip your hat
to the magnificent Salt ’N’ Pepa with Push It, Luniz with the classic I
Got 5 On It, Shaggy’s Oh Carolina and the highly-infectious Jump Around
from House Of Pain.
For those who are more into the modern R&B scene there’s a double offering
from Kelis (Trick Me and Milkshake), Jamelia’s Superstar and Nelly’s N Dey
Say.
Not immediately associated with R&B are the recent hits from Liberty
X (Song For Lovers), Gorillaz (Dare) and Simon Webbe (Lay Your Hands) but
it all adds up to a fine collection.
|
