One of the less positive outcomes of the folk revivals of the fifties and sixties was the image non-folkies had of the performers, with the idea of 'four old guys in chunky pullovers' becoming the standard cliche. Thankfully that notion is pretty well dead and buried, and if you needed further evidence then Lankum are a good place to start. Looking like a heavy metal band that picked up Rasputin's wee brother along the way, they quickly demonstrate that they're the real deal, with a deep knowledge and understanding of Irish traditional music underlying everything they do.
Brothers Ian and Daragh Lynch combine with fiddler Cormac Mac Diarmada and multi-instrumentalist Radie Peat to produce fresh interpretations of Irish standards and Dublin street songs, with a bit of Americana and their own writing thrown into the mix, and all delivered with accomplished and imaginative musicianship, three strong lead vocalists and impressive harmonies, and a lot of humour. Even in singing a lengthy murder ballad, or playing a simple fiddle tune repeated with minor variations in the arrangement, they have the talent to keep the audience interested throughout.
There's no flashiness to the playing, just well conceived arrangements and a common understanding of their craft. It's rare to hear the harmonium played as well as this (by Peat), so that it's much more than just a background noise, and Daragh's guitar added some beautiful single note accompaniments. The siblings aren't just quality musicians and singers, but genuine entertainers, and the stories they tell to introduce each number strike a good balance between information and comedy.
Rousing, irreverent, respectful, funny, Lankum delivered a memorable evening of music and laughter. Highly recommended.
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