Brian Kelly
BK
Records CD001; 49 minutes; 2001
The banjo is pretty low down the pecking order of
Irish traditional instruments. As the old chestnut goes, "What’s the
definition of perfect pitch? Tossing an accordion into a skip and hearing it
smash a banjo." Yet, despite such potential disparagement, London
continues to nurture fine exponents of the instrument and Brian Kelly is one of
the latest in a long line that includes Mick O'Connor, John Carty and Bernie
Conneely (formerly of The London Lasses). Like many a young London-Irish
musician, Brian took lessons from the influential Brendan Mulkere and went on
to win All-Ireland titles on both the banjo and mandolin. 
Brian Kelly has been a familiar face on London's
Irish circuit for some time now, thanks in part to a four-year residency with
guitarist Paddy Gallagher at The Stag's Head on Camden Road (where the sessions
have now ended), and his shock of ginger hair (sadly not visible on the CD's
liner). This debut album was launched at last year's Return to Camden
Town festival, but, like many an independent release, has barely been
mentioned since and more's the pity. Accompanied by Paddy Gallagher and
with additional assistance from Brian's sister Martina on fiddle and John Blake
(now of Téada) on flute and piano, Brian's banjo ripples through a series of
eleven tracks with disarming ease. There's none of the excessive
elaboration to which some banjo-mongers are prone, for this man knows an
ornament when he sees one and, more importantly, when and where to play
it.
His tune is wide-ranging, encompassing both
session favourites (Moving Cloud, Tom Billy's, Eddie Kelly's) alongside
less familiar tunes such as Lump of Pudding and Crib of Purchase.
There's also room for one of his own compositions, the auspicious and eponymous
Brian Kelly's No.1, but what's ultimately inspirational about this album
is the joyous tone of Brian's banjo and the sheer clarity of his playing, both
of which are more than sufficient to quell the doubts of anyone unimpressed by
previous banjo albums (pace Gerry O'Connor!).
This review was written by Geoff Wallis for Musical
Traditions – www.mustrad.org.uk.
The CD is available directly from Brian Kelly –
www.brian-kelly.com.