Mick Fitzgerald and the Bacha Trio
Album: Streetwise
Label: Mogg
Tracks: 13
Website: www.mickafitzgerald.com/music.htm

For almost four decades now,Mick Fitzgerald has been a central figure in the Dublin songwriting community,but it is only in recent years ,with the release of a series of albums,of which this is the third,that his light has truly begun to shine more brightly further afield.A former journalist,he is a fine wordsmith with an observant ear for character and dialogue,and an ability to write across a range of musical styles. He is also an accomplished guitarist.

Although he deals with contemporary themes,there is very much an old time feel to this album,its economy of expression emerging as a major strength.The opening track is two songs in one,the first-A Letter to Dublin-comprised of six stacked harmonies ,the second,Ballad of Munroe,features beautifully understated banjo and fiddle from Gerry O'Connor,and both set the tone for what is to follow.Falling ,with gorgeous harmonies from Brigid Heffernan is a tale of love gone astray,and its accompanying regrets,in which the personal is generalised effectively.

Place name balladry is a mainstay of the Irish song tradition,and the Pride of Inchicore makes you wonder why anyone would need to stray from the banks of the Camac in search of female pulchritude,while the song which bookends the album, The Last of the Iron Arsed Pub Balladeers is a worthy companion to songs like The Folker and such pieces.Streetwise is an album which will copperfasten the reputation of Mr.Fitz far and wide as a writer of substance,and can be bought for a modest consideration through the Claddagh Records website,Claddaghrecords.com.A fine testament to many things,not least the state of modern Irish songwriting,and best enjoyed with a libation or two

Oliver P. Sweeney