IrishMusicInfo
The Sunday Tribune Weekly Traditional Music Column by Fintan Vallely
990404
Altan were guests at the tenth anniversary bash in Dublin for Gallagher's Boxty House last month. This spot uniquely uses Traditional music as its aural wallpaper, decor is the stressed pine of the new-age 'ye olde' pub, and the food too attempts empathy with native fodder. The formula appears in Irish bars world-wide - a cult image that music and musicians both help construct and benefit from. Whether it is the theatrical music-shows of Bunratty Castle, Knappogue, Co. Clare, Jury's cabaret in Dublin, Brœ Borœ in Cashel or the National Folk Theatre of Siamsa T’re in Tralee, consumer Irishness can now be turned on seasonally, nightly, or on the hour like a Star Wars hologram visit to an idealised past that is more satisfying to tourists than the Drumcree- and scandal-driven present. These direct and are driven by a relentless commercialism in Traditional music which re-introduces a merit-scale we have not had since before the days of recorded music. All-Ireland fleadh standards are no longer the only yardstick for estimation of worth and talent. Has 'the revival', consolidated by such as piper Leo Rowsome, then been a success? Last year's TnaG award indeed underlined that sensitivity, taste, style and authenticity are organic to a Traditional music 'community' - but while being conditioned by public approval, they depend on individual talents. The concluding recitals of the Harcourt hotel's (under-25) young musician prize last month demonstrates too that competition can take place in a pub and still come up with the goods. Witnessing the playing there of such as winner Desi Donnelly indicates the consolidation of a new 'top line' whose baton Traditional music will be. This Tyrone-background, Manchester player challenges too the notion of 'thus far and no further', for he exhilaratingly pushes out the parameters from within the genre. He will undoubtedly inspire and influence others, as have Martin Hayes and Liz Carroll in recent time. While membership of organisations has nothing to do with it, still however the Harcourt's platform had no-one who hasn't benefited CCƒ merit structures. Among them were Co. Galway fiddler Liz Kane who has her all-Ireland comfortably under her belt, Ois’n MacDiarmada too, and Meath concertina player . As an institution the all-Ireland fleadh remains hugely important to Traditional music community, and its non-commercial competition a major guarantee of independence from Popular music's market-driven excesses.
*On Feb. 28th we reported that Clement Mac suibhne, President of CCƒ, had said that Senator Labhr‡s î Murchò was a member of CCƒ's submission-making delegation to the Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language in November last. Mr. Mac Suibhne has informed us however that he confused that meeting with one with the Arts Council some time previously, and that, in fact, the senator was not a part of the November delegation.
©Fintan Vallely, IrishMusicInfo.com
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