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few weeks ago I was in Montreal to attend a special event held by the Cine
Gael Montreal Irish Film Studies group at which I got to meet one of my
all time favourite actors, Gabriel Byrne. I sat in the second row
in the DeSeve Cinema at Concordia University’s Library and couldn’t help
but notice a young, long haired man with a guitar case sitting further
down the same row. After the screening of “Into The West” and the
subsequent Q&A with Gabriel Byrne was finished, many of us were fortunate
enough to meet and talk to him. We were all invited out to McKibbin’s
Irish Pub which was conveniently located right around the corner from the
Library and I walked over to it right behind Gabriel Byrne who was talking
with the musician. We walked into the pub and up the stairs together
and I asked the musician about himself and of course as soon as he opened
his mouth I knew he was from Ireland. We chatted and I told Belfast
Andi that if he would like me to review his CD for PartyinKingston.com
that I would be happy to. Of course I had no idea it would be as
wonderful as it is!
Andriù
MacGabhann, also known as Belfast Andi, is actually from Belfast, Northern
Ireland, although he is now a Canadian citizen, and has played key Folk
music festivals throughout Europe from Ireland to the Greek islands.
This well traveled songwriter, guitarist and bodhràn player is now
based in Montreal. He has played numerous Celtic and Folk music festivals
in Quebec and Ontario including the Montreal Celtic Festival, Montreal
Highland Games, Ville Marie Feis, Mémoire Racines and the Brockville
Celtic Festival and I can only hope that he will want to come to Kingston
in the not too distant future to play for our Celtic music fans who will
undoubtedly love his weathered, earthy sound. Andi has also been
featured on CBC Radio One’s St. Patrick Day’s special, Radio Centreville
and Mohawk Radio in Kahnesatake, Quebec as well as made appearances on
Global TV, CFCF, Vision TV and TQS and opened for and played with Irish
super group Clannad’s celebrated vocalist Moya Brennan.
All
That Glitters is a live solo album on which the very cool and friendly
Belfast Andi is accompanied by the eclectic groove of Montreal band Swift
Years. The album isn’t entirely traditionally Celtic but rather “a
raw blend of Irish and North American Folk Roots.” Andi contributes
vocals, acoustic guitar and bodhràn; Patrick Hutchinson adds electric
guitars while Bob Cussen offers his banjo and mandolin and Suzanne Unger
completes the line-up with her bass.
I first
listened to All That Glitters in my friend’s car on the drive home to Kingston
from Montreal and the three of us agreed that it was an exceptionally good
collection of folk songs and if you are a fan of Christy Moore or The Wolfe
Tones you’ll be sure to enjoy Belfast Andi! The generous, 16 song
CD opens with a delightful, short, acapella/bodhràn ditty called
“Have You Got A Penny and is followed by “One Last Cold Kiss”, a lovely,
lamenting folk song accentuated by the banjo and Andi’s Belfast accented,
abounding, throaty vocals. Andi covers Tom Waits’ “Old Shoes (and
picture postcards)” giving it a fine country lilt that is highlighted with
banjo and electric steel guitar and succeeds it with his original title
track “All That Glitters”, an enjoyable up tempo, acoustic country/folk
ballad. Next up is the Viking tune “Irish Ways Irish Laws”, which
boasts another acapella/bodhràn opening that later adds guitar and
banjo and I really love its authentic sound. A favourite track is
the very Irish “There Were Roses” about Catholic and Protestant friends
who bear witness to yet another Irish Troubles tragedy. “Ferryman”
is a charming ode to Dublin’s Liffey River and “Go Move Shift” another
toe-tapping Celtic country/folk limerick.
Another
favourite is Andi’s original storyteller “Grosse Isle” about the coffin
ships bound from Ireland to America during the Great Famine, followed by
Christy Moore’s exultant “St. Patrick Was A Gentleman” and then surprisingly,
a diverse version of The Who’s “Squeeze Box” that’s sure to make you smile.
Andi covers a second Tom Waits’ number called “Hang Down Your Head” and
makes it his own and “Sweet Thames (flows slowly)” is another gem.
All That Glitters ends with the hat trick that is the traditional “Belfast
Mill”, Andi’s own celebratory “Hills of Antrim” and Gerry Rafferty’s “Her
Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway.”
The
personable, charming Belfast Andi is the perfect performer for Kingston’s
Irish pubs, Tir Nan Og or The Toucan, and I am going to personally make
it my mission to have him booked here very soon because I truly believe
our Celtic music lovers will thank me.
www.belfastandi.com
Christine
Bode
c.bode@partyinkingston.com |
