If John Doyle and Mike McGoldrick are already recognised as being amongst the established superstars of Irish traditional music, what then to make of the three men who were on stage with them to form Usher's Island? Two generations of outstanding musicians and singers combining to play songs and tunes with a definite Irish identity, but ful of modern twists.
Guitars, bouzoukis, fiddle, whistle, flute, uilleann pipes, harmonica and bodhran all play their part in the mix. Three lead vocalists takes turns, with Donal Lunny's interesting singing in Irish, the excellent John Doyle, and, best of all, Andy Irvine's enduringly distinctive rich tones. All five took their turn in introducing sets and songs, all five able to raise as laugh from the audience, and Irvine showing his renowned abilities as a raconteur.
Faultless musicianship, a sense of joy in playing with each other and a clear love for the tradition they come from all spring across in the performance. And for me it was lovely to hear Andy once again singing The Plains of Kildare, which I first heard from him over four decades ago!
Superb, timeless, and totally Irish.
Another Irish superstar hit the stage after the interval, button accordionist Sharon Shannon backed up by Jack Maher on electric guitar and vocals, Jim Murray on acoustic guitar, and the extraordinary Sean Regan on fiddle, percussion and beatboxing. Shannon has built a stellar career through absorbing musical influences from all around the world and combining them with her grounding in the irish tradition, and this was reflected in the two guest musicians who joined the band.
Seckou Keita is a Senegaleses kora player and percussionist who brought African rhythms into the mix, and demonstrated his virtuosity on the big double necked 22 string kora with a harp-like sound. He has a rich baritone voice too, which he showed off in his rendition of a song from his tradition, complete a with a very irish accompaniment.
Susan O'Neill is an Irish singer/songwriter with a powerful Joplinesque voice who gave us a foot stomping Irish trad-rock version of Dolly Parton's Jolene, like you've never heard it before (and, to these ears, a huge improvement on the original). It's an intoxicating voice, raw and wide ranging, but her biggest surprise was popping back on stage to add a great trumpet solo into a jazzy rip roaring instrumental set.
Never a dull moment, with Shannon an always amusing commentator between numbers, and what can be said of Regan's astonishing beatboxing - the look of wonder on Keita's face during one long solo said it all. And how does he breathe? I couldn't figure it out.
A joyous set, full of musical surprises, and ending up with a fully deserved standing ovation.
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