? FATEA - Reviews

Reviews

Mark LysaghtMark Lysaght
Album: Collaborations
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 18
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Lysaght-Music/135630469808944

A fixture on the Irish music scene for many years now-and across many genres-Mark Lysaght's playing style is -like the man himself-quiet and understated. On this, his debut album, he has applied himself to the scrutiny of traditional music over a range of instruments and regional accents, with sparkling, sometimes stunning results. Clocking in at a stonking 18 tracks, the album represents not only a wide stylistic variety, but also great value for one's folding stuff.

The opening track, a set of reels played in tandem with piper John O'Brien, fiddler Joe Toolan, and Al Cowan on percussion tears off at a fair old clip, giving notice of things to come. On keyboards, guitar, and bouzouki, Mark's playing, as it does throughout, allows the lead musicians to dictate both tone and pace, but there are some lovely interventions too. That generosity of spirit pervades the album from start to finish with several standout tracks meriting mention. In the first instance, Breanndan Begley's set of polkas are played at breakneck speed, but are lightly supported by Spanish guitar and bouzouki.

Elsewhere, the set of jigs led off by Lisa Conway are possessed of beautiful melodic twists, supported as they are by a trio of instruments from the maestro himself, and sonically assembled because of geographical differences via Google Chrome. ! John Regan's hornpipes-we used to sit together in primary school(!)-are richly chromatic, with just the right measure of support on keys, bouzouki, and mandolin. The immediate family are represented strongly, with two tracks in particular deserving of special mention.

The first of these, a set of two jigs, with his wife Mary Rowsome on concert flute, and one of his sons, Mark Og on uilleann pipes, is a masterclass in ensemble playing, displaying the instinctive interplay of familial bonds. The second, a Carolan waltz, The Fairy Queen, played on flute and piano, by Mary and Mark, is beautifully textured, and belongs, in my view, on a movie soundtrack.

This album, which for good measure includes two songs from Mark, sets new standards for the delicate art of accompanying tunes, deserves to sell by the truckload, and should by rights be on everyone's best of list at year's end. It is certainly well up there on mine! An album of pure joy from beginning to end. Brilliant.

Oliver P Sweeney