Planxty - Live 2004

Gawd bless you Squire! In other words thank goodness for the invention of computers and DVD players that make reviewers jobs just that tad more interesting. For in my hot, sweaty hands I now have the latest release from our friends at Sony a visual presentation of the much-vaunted performance by Ireland's legendary Planxty. Rumours had been flying around for quite a while about the re-formation of the band and early in 2004 the main protagonists Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine and Liam O'Flynn took their seats to regale an ever appreciative audience for a brief trip down memory lane. Now it must be said that the visual media is definitely the way forward in enhancing a performance particularly of 'folk' performers who have a natural flair with their desperate digits. It also gives the photographer some real meat to get his teeth into without having to utilise the Top Of The Pops or MTV format of rushing in and out which, let's face it has now all become something of a cliché. From the outset the established bright white light (so much a statement of the first Planxty record sleeve) picking out the silhouettes draws the viewer in by cutting through the darkness of the stage. Carston Panduro (organiser of the Tonde Folk Festival) once told me that musicians were not worthy of audience attention if they did not stand up to deliver the goods so that everyone could see what you were doing (and he was talking about De Dannan at the time!) and I had to agree with him. But as you get older you're views change and in the case of these elder statesmen (he said - tongue stuck firmly in cheek) it doesn't matter for the viewing public as the camera angles take care of all that for you. From a musical point of view these boys certainly know how to create a sense of electricity. Firstly there is the airbrushed delicacy of a brace of bouzoukis and the gently evocative sound of keyboard played by Christy (and yes I count myself among those of you who didn't realise he played that instrument either) led by the lead line of Liam's whistle. You can see the reverential awe of the audience leading to full blown grins as the band gear up to the second tune with Liam helming the pipes and the audience whooping with delight. Ah yes, it's as if the band had never been away. The "hits" come thick and fast 'Good Ship Kangaroo', 'The Blacksmith', 'Raggle Taggle Gypsy' and the brilliant 'Little Musgrave' to name but four. In addition to the concert there is a documentary and extended interviews that would be worth the cost of the DVD alone. I've only recently reviewed the CD but the experience of 'watching' the band in full flow is worth the price of anybody's money. Hearty congratulations to producer Philip King and all at Hummingbird for such a sumptuous and near perfect presentation.

PETE FYFE