BEN
LENNON AND TONY O’CONNELL
Rossinver Braes
Cló Iar-Chonnachta CICD 174; 47 minutes; 2008
DAMIAN
O’BRIEN AND OLIVER LOUGHLIN
The Factory Turn
Own label, no number; 46 minutes; 2007
If proof were ever needed that advancing years and a
diminution in natural ability do not necessarily share the same club card then
look no further than Leitrim’s Ben Lennon. Now enjoying his ninth decade and
still playing, performing and teaching regularly, all of Ben’s enduring ability
and that essential inspirational element of Irish music (which Ben himself
calls ‘nya’) are at the forefront of this rousing album. It certainly assists
the Lennon cause that he’s in cahoots with one of Ireland’s finest concertina
players, Limerick’s Tony O’Connell (who previously recorded a stimulating
eponymous duo album with another Leitrim fiddler, Andy Morrow, back in 2005). 
The album’s title derives from a tune written by Ben’s younger brother Charlie in honour of the village where Ben now resides (and Charlie, alongside Alec Finn on bouzouki and guitarist Jerry McNamara, proves his usual resolute self as a piano accompanist). Despite the fact that many of the tracks here are drawn from the repertoire of the renowned Sligo fiddlers Coleman, Morrison and Killoran (and there’s nowt wrong with that), there’s an essential effervescence in this pair’s playing and a joyful concomitance that overrides any sense of familiarity. There’s also the rarity of a splendid foxtrot (The Fiddler Mick Hoy from the pen of Fermanagh accordionist Jim McGrath), an unusual rendition of The Harvest Home hornpipe and, perhaps finest of all, a scintillating and perfectly syncopated coupling of the jigs Apples in Winter and The King of Pipes which illustrates just how delicious the sound of the fiddle and concertina combination can be when in the hands of maestros such as these.
Also
from Leitrim comes the fiddle/piano accordeon pairing of Damian O’Brien and
Oliver Loughlin who were once part of the Sligo-based band Síona that recorded
the album Launching the Boat back in 1998. The Factory Turn is a
fiery and passionate affair played at sometimes excessive speeds which demand
the best of accompanists Arty McGlynn (guitar), Kevin Brehony (piano) and James
Blennerhasset (bass). Don’t be deterred, however, for the playing here is
sparklingly intelligent and replete with many a nuance. Their repertoire of
tunes remains faithfully based on home territory and, amidst the whirl of jigs
and reels, listeners will discover an endearing waltz in the shape of The
Cherry Blossom and a spring-heeled couple of hornpipes, Lough Gill
and The Locomotive.
Reviewed by Geoff Wallis for fRoots magazine – www.frootsmag.com.
More information about Cló Iar-Chonnachta can be found at www.cic.ie.