By Ken Ebbens on Flash Radio
Dry ice flowing cross a sparse stage all bar five musicians and a video backdrop, minimal but effective lighting and you are transported back to the atmospheric smoky bars of Dublin.
Hindus, Buddhists and Ancient Greeks believe(d) in reincarnation (or rebirth) as part of their spiritual development. At the Guildhall I witnessed a modern-day reincarnation/rebirth, the Dubliners Encore, not a tribute band, but five handpicked exceptional musicians who fully resurrected the essence and splendour of Ireland’s foremost folk band, controversial (politics) in their early days, but beloved over 50 years and more, named by original member Luke Kelly after the book Dubliners by James Joyce.
This theatrical-like show was a delight throughout, a great mix of iconic songs and video, a documentary of the Dubliners’ history, narrated by singer Imelda May, a perfect choice, coproduced/codirected by (last remaining original band member) John Sheahan and his daughter Ceoladh. You could just feel the love, respect and devotion to the music.
It took two years to assemble the modern rebirth, namely Kilian O’Flanagan (Ronnie Drew), James Gallagher (Luke Kelly), Adam Holohan (Barney McKenna), Jeremy Jenkinson (Ciarán Bourke) and Aidan Connolly (John Sheahan), and boy did they succeed in honouring the music they clearly adore, supported by videos of their heroes over 50 years ago.
A very good Sunday audience listened respectfully at first, immersed in their memories, being on their feet jigging around by the end; some might feel their bones in the morning.
A chronological trip through the history and music of the Dubliners lasted over two hours and 30 songs and tunes interspersed with video interviews of John Sheahan, archive of other members and film footage of their hard living, hard drinking early days “punks before punk was invented” said Imelda. All the tunes were stories of drinking, misbehaving, exotic love lives and battles with the establishment, Irish and British, mixed with various energetic Irish jigs.
The musicianship was high class from the banjos of James and Adam, the fiddle of Aidan, the guitar and tin whistle of Jeremy to the vocals of James and Kilian (and guitar), Kilian’s amazing voice in particular, so similar to Ronnie Drew’s.
All the favourites and others were played, standouts being Whiskey in the Jar, Leaving of Liverpool, Dirty Old Town, the riotous (banned but also the first “music video”) Seven Drunken Nights, The Town I Loved So Well, Raglan Road (excellent vocals James), South Australia (booming vocals from Adam), McAlpine’s Fusiliers (Kilian at his best), a great acapella The Old Triangle, then the must-have Irish Rover, I’ll Tell My Ma and Wild Rover.
The pre-encore Home Boys Home saw one member of the band leave in turn to applause, Aidan playing a beautiful lament on the fiddle with John Sheahan on video paying homage to his late friends, so poignant.
Highly recommended, beautifully created, it was as if I was listening to and had heard the original Dubliners, very authentic and infectious.
Ken Ebbens, Presenter on Flash radio
Photo by Natalie Grays