Badisches Tageblatt

Sessions from the Hearth

liven up Traditions from the green island / Irish Folk from fresh young musicians/ Exuberance of a session. Encore! Encore! Audience demand more and more.........

Gaggenau - The Irish are usually sociable, and are usually to be found in the pub. They like to drink! The ' Sessions from the Hearth' kindles an enthusiastic interest in Irish Music. In this case, the Klag served as an ersatz pub, during the session of seven musicians, a singer and a dancer, under the direction of bandleader, Benny O'Carroll.They brought with them a traditional Irish flair, albeit without the hearth !

The surprisingly young group have a heartfelt respect for the culture of their homeland, and show the deepest respect for their music tradition. Some of the best musicians from Ireland are with the party. The new generation of Irish folk, is in spite of its musical maturity, unaffected, and as fresh as warm Irish Summer rain.

When singer, Deirdre Scanlan, raises her voice, melancholy visions of Ireland's meadows and moors come to mind. A voice like Mother Earth floats through the room. Ancient songs, some with Gaelic origin, some love songs, some telling of the dreams and desires of the Irish Emigrant.

Then it's all quiet on stage, as O'Carroll's Guitar and Brown's button accordion encourage a sing song with the audience. Flautis Eamonn de Barra acts out as a sympathetic go-between, aiding and abetting his fellow musicians. Along with fiddler, Malachy Bourke, Enda Skahill ( banjo ) Alan Maguire ( Bouzouki) and Neill Lyons (Bodhran), they embody pure authenticity. A step dance performance was given by Christy Mac Gearailt, sweeping either Deirdre ( singer ) or a broom across the stage.

It is incredible! To experience such unaffected naturalness in music culture through these young people. The audience were fascinated by the exuberance of the session.

Feet trampled, demanding ' Encore, Encore'. It is only a shame that nobody was brave enough to dance. Perhaps in an Irish pub it would have been a little different.