Music at Matt Molloy’s
Real World CDRW 26; 68 minutes; 1993
If ever an album affected tourist itineraries
of Ireland, then this is the one. Sure, Matt Molloy’s eponymous bar had been operating
in Westport for some time, but the appearance of this album, recorded live over
one weekend, seemed to operate as a magnet, drawing numerous new visitors to the
Mayo town (especially from across the Atlantic Ocean). That many arrived expecting
Matt himself to be playing, alongside a stellar guest list, is by the by, but this
CD certainly encouraged the expectation that the pub was one of the best places
in Ireland to hear traditional music. Of course, in reality, and like many another
renowned music bar, sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. 
Session recordings are not noted for
their clarity, and this is better than most (thanks to engineer Martin Murray),
but background noise can never be eradicated and it’s at its worst when the bar’s
patrons seem to be pointedly ignoring Iarla Ó Lionáird’s singing of Baile Mhúirne
or Arty McGlynn’s jigs Rocking the Cradle/The Twin.
However, the whole point of this release was to provide snapshots of what a session might be like to somebody who’d never previously encountered one. Obviously, the standard session at Matt’s bar doesn’t see Peter Horan trekking down from Sligo or Paul McGrattan heading west from Dublin, but the average punter isn’t really concerned with the session’s personnel. Rather, it’s the music that matters and there’s plenty hear to enjoy.
Naturally, considering Matt’s Roscommon
upbringing, the album leans heavily towards North Connacht in both personnel and
tune selection. Yet there’s a strong South Connacht presence too, in the shape of
the Smyth family (Breda, Cora and Seán) and melodeon player Tom Doherty (later
to co-found Céide).
Tunes are punctuated by a variety
of songs, including the aforementioned one from Iarla, a fine rendition of Bonny
Wood Green from Mick O’Grady, a somewhat unsynchronised version of Kilkelly
from Pat and Becky Egan, and, best of all, a raucous rendition of The
Millionaire (the tale of a man who dreams he’s won the lottery) from Mick
Lavelle. And the album ends with the sound of step dancers giving their all to
the fiddle of Liam Grealis and the accordion of Pat Friel.
Great fun!
Geoff Wallis
4th May, 2006
Information about the label can be
found at www.realworldrecords.com.