Tim O'Brien Live

Artists: Tim O'Brien And The Crossing
Venue: Hawkswell Theatre
Town: Sligo
Date: 22nd August
Website: http://www.timobrien.net

The inviting interior of the theatre,soft lights and an attentive capacity audience were just the combination needed to make Tim O'Brien's first playing visit to Sligo into one of the most memorable gigs I've been to in quite some time.O'Brien has the gift of intimate connection with an audience,because his material is the stuff of life-emigration,heartbreak,disconnection and humour.These are the themes of the common man,folk music to a "t",whatever clothes it wears.

Mike McGoldrick's spiralling flute work was driven on by the steady propulsive rhythm of Arty McGlynn on guitar as they ripped into I'm Gonna Get There to open proceedings,and from there on it was superlatives all the way as the ensemble bulwarked O'Briens sensitive writing for the guts of two hours,as his touchstones-Tommy Jarrell fiddle tunes ,talking blues about his first visit to the Cavan of his ancestors,and songs from Chicken and Egg ,his latest work,were embroidered into a magical weave.

On it's release some 13 years ago ,The Crossing was hailed as something of a masterpiece,and on one of the tracks-A Mountaineer is Always Free-the motto of his homestate of West Virginia -whistle and mandolin coalesced beautifully with John McCusker's fiddle,with angelic harmony vocals from Heidi Talbot ,whose earlier solo piece,The Music Tree was breathtaking in the extreme providing the finishing touch.This is music of the first water,and if I did wish for more from the above album,it's but a personal cavil that it wasn't performed in it's entirety!Irish ancestry was given it's proper level of respect with instrumental sets such as theKid on The Mountain being propelled along by interplay between the frontline participants being nudged along by the always understated bodhran playing of John Joe Kelly.Anyone who can make goatskin sound like a fretless bass has my undying respect!

In an age where disposable music tends to be the rule rather than the exception,it is gratifying to see and hear music of this standard finding a receptive audience,who rose to their feet as one as the last number "Look Down That Lonesome Road" fade away.We were not to be denied ,though.Two encores -the last being "Lay Down Your Weary Tune",given a new coat by the inclusion of pipes in it's arrangement,sent us home happy on a night which was a total triumph for both music and imaginative programming by the new director.A night to remember,and no mistake.

Oliver P.Sweeney.

Image for illustrative purposes, not taken at gig

Photos:Neil King