Andy Irvine has been labeled as a ' Legend of Irish
music ', over the years and this must be a very heavy weight to carry around
and to record new material under. Though he seems to do so with ease.
Rain on the Roof is a solo album, which up until very recently, was only sold
at his concerts. It is an album of exceptional quality and freshness, that
leaves you wanting more of the atmosphere created on this disc. It is mainly
recorded in one take, just Andy, bouzouki and microphone. It is as close to
a live recording as they come and is a small taste of what you would experience
from his concerts. A small taste, as he has a very large repertoire now. This
album leaves you wishing for more of that repertoire to be recorded in the
same vain. I am not a big fan of people re-recording old tracks, they never
seem to capture the emotion and energy from those first attempts, but there
are very rare exceptions to that and this is definitely one of them.
The first track is prince among men,
I loved the original with Andy and Patrick Street but this version knocks
it flat. The emotion and atmosphere created here and to be honest, on the
whole album is astounding. It reminds me of the feeling I had when I first
heard him play live. Fantastic !
The second Track is Banesas's Green Glade
and I have admit that my first thoughts when reading the track listing was,
why would anyone even try to redo this track. The original is a classic but
somehow the emotion on this recording is spot on. This was originally done
together with Planxty and it asks how would 'Rambling boys of Pleasure', '
Aragon Mills' or a mountain of others sound with this treatment. I have seen
Andy play 'You Rambling boys of Pleasure' live and there wasn’t a dry
eye in the house, magical. Baneasa is following by a balkan tune called Daichevo
Horo, a excellent tune and I love the way this slow emotional track progresses
to the fury of the Balkan melody. I have to say that I prefer the original
combination of Baneasas being followed by Mominsko Horo but that takes nothing
away from this version. I have seen him play Banesas/ Daichevo Horo live and
it is quite breathe taking.
Rain on the Roof/ The Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
Turn this track up to get full effect of the Rain and Didgeredoo. Surprising
really, how well the mandolin works with the didgeredoo Andy has spent so
much time in Australia, that I am surprised he hasn’t recorded more
of it. I love the feeling in this track !
My Hearts tonight in Ireland first appeared
on a compilation album called Common Ground around '96. Again a beautiful
tune played together with Donal Lunny , Rens Van Der Zalm etc. But once again
this version has so much more feeling to it. A tune of remember the good ol’
days back in Ireland and times of Sweeney's’s men. In this version you
can really hear it in his voice. This is sure to be one of those classic Irish
tunes.
Forgotten Hero,
was another track done with Patrick Street, about Michael Davitt. Again this
opens the thoughts of a few more Patrick Street tracks reworked with this
solo treatment. 'Brackagh Hill', 'Springfield road/ monday Blues ' to name
a few.
Pamela’s Ruchenitsa/ Gruncharsko Horo/
Bakers Dozen, I never get tired of hearing Andy playing this
type of Balkan tunes. In the first concert I ever say him play, it was these
type of Balkan music that made me want to play the bouzouki. It still does
!
He Fades Away
is a new track and a wonderful one too. Written by Alaistar Hullett
it paints a grim picture of asbestos miners, through the eyes of they're
wives. It is a very powerful tune and one that Andy sings with his heart.
Come with me over the mountain/ smile in the dark.
A very lively set here, and the mandola here sounding in top form. I will
have to get around to learning the Smile in the Dark. Wonderful. If anyone
out there can play this, send me the tab.
The monument,
the only track on the album that I don't personally like. Maybe this is where
Aragon mills or even Raoul Wallenberg could have been slipped in. A sad song
with a serious not, and still beautifully sung.
Take no Prisoners and Old Brunswick
are brilliantly played here. I get great pleasure listening to these tunes
and even greater pleasure playing them. A really great set of tunes, for the
bouzouki. The Balkan tunes on this album have a real edge to them and this
is something that I would have like to have heard alot more of on East Wind.
A great album with Davy Spillane but Andy is washed out a little too much
in the mix for my taste. I could listen to these tunes all day!
Never Tire of the Road,
first appeared on Andy’s Rude Awakening album. A tune that has over
the years, become Andy's signature tune. I really like the original tune from
the moment I heard it and was singing it for days. The Rain on the Roof version
of this tune is more up beat, faster and is played with a little more aggression
in its attack. A really great choice, for a final track and an incredible
version too.
This is a very impressive rework of some of Andy’s material and presented
together with some wonderful new songs and tunes. I must admit to have grown
a little tired of a lot of albums these days being so over produced and a
lot of the instruments being lost in the mix. While music is being mixed and
produced to the ceiling, I feel so much of the emotion and feeling is falling
through the floor. This album comes across with a fresh, crisp mix and performed
with such emotion that you are sucked in to the atmosphere that is created
in the words sung. I have to say this is my favorite album by Andy Irvine,
and quite possibly my favorite album in my entire cd collection !
by Kieron