Parallel Lines, andy irvine and dick gaughan

Parallel lines, is a collaboration of two giants in Celtic music. Dick Gaughan and Andy Irvine. Recorded in Tonstudio Pauler, Germany, this album catches these two artists in there prime. Although Dick and Andy are very different performers, they actually have a lot of similarities and these similarities weave together beautifully on this album. Their choice of songs, on there solo material, could quite possibly be swapped around. I mean, I could see Andy singing ‘ Workers song’, ‘ what you do with what you got’ and Dick singing some of Andy’s songs like ‘Raoul Wallenberg’ ‘Aragon Mills’ or ‘ Forgotten hero’. Funnily enough, both Dick’s ‘ what you do with what you’ve got and Andy’s ‘Aragon Mills’, were written by the wonderful Si Khan.

I am not too sure to what extent these two toured together, and would certainly love to hear from anyone that does. But for sure these two on stage at the same time must have been a very tough act to follow.

Andy’s singing and bouzouki playing on this album are still some of my favorites. But the strange thing is that I have never heard any of these songs live. I thought songs like ‘ Captain Thunderbolt’ would have been a great tune for the live performances. The dexterity of Andy’s playing on this track alone is an incredible achievement for any player and a delight for any ear.

The album starts off with The Creggan White Hare, sung by Andy and with the main body of the melody carried on the harmonica. I think Andy is probably one of the first to combine the Irish bouzouki and the harmonica and he really uses it to such great effect here.

Lads O’ the Fair/ Leith Docks. Sung beautifully here by Dick, with the most wonderful weaving of guitar and bouzouki playing behind. I could listen to this type of playing all night. This playing style is also a huge part of his own style, and you can hear this on any of his many albums. One of my favorite albums of his being, Handful of Earth, and recorded about a year previous to this one. Listen to something like Erin Go Bragh, on that album, and you will never find another’s version to touch it. Even thinking of it makes me want to go put the album on. If you haven’t heard the album check it out.

At Twenty-One. The words in this song, speak for them selves. Andy has worked the treatment of these type of love songs to perfection and what a truly beautiful tune this is.

My Back Pages. This is one of the best versions of a Dlyan song I have ever heard. I really like Dylan a lot, but some of his songs have been covered and recovered to death. This song has a real warm energy about it, that really sucks you in the closer you follow the words. It really has a magical quality about it. I know that there will be other Dylan fans that might not agree but Dick sings it here with real conviction in his voice and really bringing these poetic words to life.

The Dodger song, This song jumps in, in an odd way for me, spoiling the mood you were left with a little after the last track. I guess it worked well when it was on an old record, giving you time soak up the feelings a little longer, while you walked to the record player, picked up the record and turned it over. Now quite ready for the bouncy track in front of you, but on CD ……………a great tune anyway.

Captain ThunderBolt. This is still, to this day, one of my all time favorite Andy Irvine songs. This song is sung by Andy with such a force of conviction and wrapped up in some of the most gorgeous bouzouki counter melody playing that it makes you want to be a singer, and be a bouzouki player. On first listening to this track I could not believe my ears, and had to repeat the track a few times. Incredible. This must have been a fantastic experience to see Andy play this track live with Dick. If anyone reading this has a live recording of this, let me know. The words will bring a smile to your face for sure, if your ears will tear them selves away from what Andy is playing for a second. ‘ Pray tell to me your name, that when my baby it is born I may call it the same. My name is Captain Thunderbolt ….!’ I have the sad image of some poor kid having to go through school with a name like ThunderBolt, I bet he was popular at school! Some great backing here too from Dick, just listen to those chords thundering along on this, all round a fabulous tune.

If the last track wasn’t enough it is followed by a real mandolin classic. Captain Couslton. The story of a ship load of Irish emigrants on their way to the shores of America but before they get there, they spy a pirate ship heading their way. The Irish boys (and girls ) don’t go down with out a fight. There is a great line in it, that goes ‘ we never lost a single man, excepting one or two ‘. Again this track, is a real credit to Andy’s amazing mandolin playing. Beautiful.

Floo,ers o’ the forest. A lovely slow tune from Dick to finish the album. I still to this day have not worked out what the words are but nonetheless, the feeling in this song just makes you want to sit down and listen.

This really is a brilliant album, again, this album is so difficult to get hold of. I would love to know why………….in any case it is an album that both Andy and Dick should be very proud of. Sadly, it was a one off collaboration but it gives you a great insight into both Artists. Dick Gaughan and Andy Irvine have both produced around 20 albums each ( yes each ! ) Two artists that hold and have held the top position in Celtic music for more than 30 years. Parallel lines …………..they surely are !

Kieron