Planxty broke up twenty five years ago, leaving a huge hole in Irish music but since then all four members have maintained a very successful solo career. Like many of you, I followed their solo careers very closely. At the time of falling in love with the sound of Planxty, I never realise Christy was the lead singer and I always saw the lead as both Andy and Christy, so in my mind I was following two powerful lead singers. These two members alone have produced an incredible catalogue of wonderful music.
No one was quite prepared for the news that would hit the streets. Planxty were rumoured to be reforming for a set of gigs in Ireland, and once the news was official the tickets were gone. Sold Out in the first hour!! Additional nights added, Sold Out. Again, additional nights added and again Sold Out. Tickets were like gold dust.
Luckily, for the rest of us the nights were recorded and eventually released on DVD and CD. Like many people I pre-ordered my copy and then waited for it to arrive, and when it did I watched it through a few times. It was great to see the boys back together again.
The DVD contains the concert plus Bonus tracks, Planxty Reunion Documentary
and extended interviews. All of which are very nicely done.
The Good Ship Kangaroo. I have always loved this track, and especially the intro to it. Andy and Donal really sound magic hear together. Christy is really on good form here, after all the hard few years of breakdowns and bad health, he is better than ever. The crowd seem to almost be waiting for Liam’s solo and the roar with delight when he finally comes in. You can see from the start they are enjoying them selves.
Little Musgrave. This is, without a doubt, one of my all time favourite songs from Christy. Almost 10 minutes in length and you are carried through a wonderful journey in that time. Andy’s intro and melodic touches to this track are exquisite. This track holds the beauty of this band, the musicianship and emotion here has transported the entire audience back hundreds of years. Liam’s pipes carry a rush of emotion just where it is need and gone again before a tear has come to your eye. A powerful and wonderful version captured here.
The Clare Jig. Lovely gentle jig, with some lovely touches of bodhran from Christy.
As Andy Roved Out. There has always been a bit of confusion with the track ‘As I roved Out’, as there are two songs by Planxty by the same name. One by Andy, and one by Christy. They have been renamed here as ‘As Andy roved out’ and ‘As Christy Roved Out’. It is quite amazing for me how little Andy’s voice has changed over so many years. I love when Andy sings this track, although I have heard him sing a much better version of this track, still the concert would not be complete without a version of it.
Si Bheag Si Mhor. This track has been copied a thousand times since Planxty recorded but there has never been a version to touch Liam’s version.
As Christy Roved Out. A wonderful song learnt from the singing of John Riley, and dedicated to his memory on the night. Again, Liam’s whistle sets the scene for the tune, and then it is carried on the power of Christy’s voice.
Dark and slender boy. There is something quite magical about the Uilleann pipes, Liam is truly one of the great pipers. Listen to those long wavering notes that give a real tug on the heart strings, just beautiful. When you watch this tune, look closely at the way Liam has to contort his has and wrist to play chords. It has often been said that it is extremely difficult for Uilleann pipers to play chords, and is usually only done by real masters, Liam makes it look so easy.
Arthur Mc Bride. I always like Andy’s version of Arthur Mc Bride.
The Blacksmith. Still one of the best tracks from Planxty, and it has stood the test of time again and again. In fact it sounds as fresh and full of energy today as it did 25 years ago. The mandolin and bouzouki interplay here is just exquisite, I never get tired of hearing this tune and with the roar from the crowd, and I am not the only one. Lovely !
Cliffs of Doneen. This is a real crowd pleaser, and I think everyone one of them finding their voice to sing it tonight. It is actually labelled that The Kildareman's Fancy should come in before this track on the back cover?
Jenny’s wedding, Virginia, Garret Barry’s reel, Thes are not labelled on the back cover? Liam takes off like a Ferrari, joined by the driving chords of Donal, then by Andy’s counter melody, Christy hanging on to his bodhran eager for his moment, then in he comes…….magic. I have always like the way Christy uses his hand to play it. A great set.
True Love Knows No Season. A gentle guitar pulses along, picked up with a wonderful bouzouki riff, then just when you though it couldn’t sound any better, in comes Andy with a long winding counter melody on the mandolin. Andy’s touches to this song are nothing short of genius, beautifully done. This is without a doubt one of Christy’s best songs.
West Coast Of Clare. This track has become one of the Irish classics over the years. Andy singing it with as my emotion as he did when it was first recorded it.
Raggle Taggle Gypsy. I will never forget hearing this track for the first time, tanked up on gallons of cheap wine, and a friend putting the Black album on. The night would not be complete with this tune, for sure. Listen to the roar as Liam comes in at the climax of the track. You can see from their faces that the boys really enjoyed playing this one. Brilliant !
Bonus Tracks.
My Hearts Tonight Ireland. Although not a Planxty track it does fit in well here. It has been recorded by Andy a few times solo and with Mozaik, but a great track and surely a feature classic song for Irish nostalgic songs. The song runs beautifully into a lovely instrumental piece.
Only Our Rivers Run Free. A lovely old song from Christy .
O’Dwyer Of The Glen. A very slow piece to end on, but a very nice piece.
There is already Planxty Gigs booked up for 2005 and that has all come about from the sheer success and excitement of these gigs. No one thought that the gigs would sell out so fast and that after 25 years there would be such a demand to hear Planxty again, but this band have carved their name in the history of Irish music and the hearts of many people, and there is still a demand to hear one of the best Irish Bands of all time. More importantly, it seems the boys are very happy being back playing together, and they have enjoyed these concerts as much as we did. Maybe one of the best Irish bands from the past, will have an exciting future...........
Kieron