Have just purchased Altan’s CD “The Blue Idol.” It’s the usual scintillating mix of great songs (and singing) and driving tunes. But they have imported a guest bodhran player, who appears on the majority of tracks. Of all the modern Irish bands I’d have thought that Altan needed a bodhran player the least. Worse, this guy is one of those who attempt to “play tunes” up and down the scale, not content just to provide subtle rhythmic backing. Alcatraz would be too good for this guy. He is particularly intrusive on tracks 5, 8 and 13. I saw them live at Sidmouth in 2003 - superb by the way - and there was none of this nonsense then. Sheesh.
I had my second Bodhran class on Tuesday evening. Very interesting, the teacher is very good and has a plan for each lesson, hands out the sheets beforehand, and if I don’t end up at least semi-competent it will be my own fault for not practising. We’ve already started incorporating rimshots and left-hand slaps (if you play right handed).
She mentioned the image of a session with one or two melody players and six bodhran players, and I resisted the suggestion that five of them put their instruments down and go to the bar. She is good at getting across the need to be able to provide a good, simple rhythmic accompaniment (which is by no means easy to keep going for a long time), above all the fancy pants stuff.
I agree completely. Tommy Hayes is a great player, and that flute/bodhran or whistle/bodhran combination is wonderful. Years ago I played the drum a few times alongside Tony Dixon on his flute or whistle at our folk club in Bude. But I don’t recall Tommy Hayes making a noise with his drum reminiscent of that pouring-water-from-a-bottle imitation you do by patting your cheek while opening and closing your mouth. The cheek on your face. Duh. Aaargh!
Well, there is that didgeridoo that Altan used, I think on Runaway Sunday. I seem to recall it on their Gaelic version of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore. And there is a bodhran on that track.
Now that I come to think of it, there was harmonica on Blackwater…I didn’t think that that was especially in keeping. But they are achingly good, aren’t they? And in spite of novel inclusions on some of their recordings, they’re a long way from “doing a Chieftains!”
Of all the post Planxty, post Bothy Band bands, they’re my favorite, and they were a big part of getting me started. Seeing them live in 1998 or so was one of the greatest concert experiences ever. Mairead Ni M has to be seen on stage to be believed: a great performer.
