…and I was less than impressed.
'Specially since these guys from Donegal have been considered one of the top Irish traditional groups for the last 10-15 years.
Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh (the chick singer) has a nice enough voice, but the two-fiddle frontline makes for a fairly monochromatic experience. And the rhythm section of six-string guitar, bouzouki, and button accordion doesn’t generate a lot of background excitement.
Last year we went to hear Dervish, the seven-man band from Sligo, and they were electrifying. They added a mandolin and percussion (tradional percussion, mainly the bones) to the bouzouki/accordion rhythm, which freed up the guitarist to join a fiddle and a FLUTE in the front. Which made for a lot more drive on the Hot Tunes, and much more color in the leads.
Plus Cathy Morgan sings like a friggin’ ANGEL.
So am I right in thinking that Dervish kicks Altan’s butt? Or am I being seduced by alien rhythms and tones that belie the Stone Truth of Irish traditional music?
What kind of venue was it? I’ve seen them play in a tiny place, and they were anything but monochrome. I can imagine a lot of this would be lost in a larger venue.
I greatly prefer Dervish to Altan, but will freely admit I’m no expert.
Symphony Space, at 95th and Broadway. About the size of a high-school auditorium. Same place we heard Dervish.
Sure, if they were playing in a pub, they’d knock you over. I’ve been in the western counties of Ireland, where two or three (unamplified) musicians are plenty for rocking a pubfull of Guinness drinkers.
I heard Altan al fresco once, at the Prospect Park bandshell in Brooklyn; heavier amplification, obviously, but still quite enjoyable. Of course it was more of an informal thing on my part…picnic dinner, bottle of wine…not sitting in a darkened theater with my hands folded in my lap.
Hate to say it, but Altan came across as a little “New Age-y” last night, compared to Dervish’s more intricate and higher energy bluegrass, Grateful Dead vibe.
Did I mention I’m planning on making Cathy the next Missus Ukulele?
My guess is that Altan tried to adjust their approach to suit a theatre-style venue, and maybe misjudged it. When I saw them it was New Years Day, they were still blind drunk from the night before, and they were anything but new-agey.