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Dave Flynn (guitar, voice), Liz Coleman (fiddle), Martin Tourish (accordion), Ciarán Swift (guitar), Seán Murphy (banjo)
Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, Co. Kerry
28 September 2008

The aim of the Trad Connections tour was, according to the press release, to bring audiences ‘on an unforgettable journey which will demonstrate how closely linked these musical styles are’. The musical styles referred to were traditional, classical and jazz. Unfortunately, we were not treated to this journey, and the performance on this night would lead the audience to believe the very opposite.

Composer and guitarist Dave Flynn’s performance of Bach’s Partita in B minor, before being joined by Liz Coleman on fiddle for a jig in the same key, was an unsuccessful pairing. With Martin Tourish and Ciarán Swift coming to the stage, we were treated to a slicker and more professional approach, and Tourish’s own composition, ‘The More You Look, The More You See’, was one of the better moments of the concert. There was, however, awkwardness between the performers on stage, and this became ever more magnified by their constant walking on and off stage in between sets of tunes of which they were not a part.

Flynn’s singing of ‘Woodlands’, a song co-written by himself and Pádraig O’Beirne, was pleasant and Tourish added some nice flourishes on the piano accordion. Perhaps they could have added more songs to their set as they worked better than some of the sets of tunes. Flynn’s suite, ‘Omós do Frankie Kennedy’, showed little connection to Donegal music (as was suggested in its introduction) and tended to drag towards the end. There were also problems with tuning, and especially rhythm and timing when the group played ensemble.

The choice of the ensemble sets were very standard (‘The Dublin Reel’, ‘The Foxhunters’, etc.), which is fine, but I had expected to hear more new compositions as well as more interesting arrangements. The only device used by the group as a variation, as such, was a gradual crescendo, which was repeated again and again throughout the night. The highlight of the evening, for me, was the introduction of banjo player Seán Murphy from Abbeyfeale. Joining the group for the final two sets, he injected much needed energy, musicality and style into the performance.

Overall, a disappointing concert. The absence of guitarist Hugh Buckley for this concert may have thrown the performers somewhat, but I have to admit I am not sure how the whole package would have worked in any case.