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Review: Ye Vagabonds, The Mount Without – ‘Gloriously emotive’
As the last notes of the last song gently rose to the cloud dappled roof of The Mount Without a lone voice from the packed audience simply said “wow”. It was a neat summation of this delayed Ye Vagabonds show and the perfect review.
Ye Vagabonds form part of the new wave of Irish folk bands (along with Lankum, John Francis Flynn and Lisa O’Neil to name a few) and they are, in many ways, the most traditional.
Brothers Brian and Diarmuid MacGloinn harmonise across trad songs, furiously strum out danceable rhythms on bouzouki and guitar and write perfect new folk songs that tell of the sea and of loss.
is needed now More than ever
They are joined by cellist Kate Ellis (of new-music collective Crash Ensemble) and harmonium player Alain McFadden who add drones and high-toned chirps.
Of their own songs, two stand out and stand sentinel at either end of the setlist. An Island, taken from their latest album Nine Waves, starts slowly as the brothers bring their voices together.
The darkness of the Irish Sea laps all around, the harmonium drone crashing into the harmonies, until, finally, the voices and the instruments rise and this island is not a dark and lonely place, it’s one with a welcoming community. Bird-song cello arcs across the whole and an Irish lilt becomes a welcoming hug.
Blue is the Eye sits at the other end of the set. It’s gloriously emotive, a rousing celebration to a lost friend, and one that has the whole place singing.
A true folk song, it is one that unites and connects. Ellis’ cello is tender and gentle, while the chorus is lifted amongst guitar and bouzouki.
There is, again, a nod to traditional Irish songcraft and those beautiful Southern Irish voices but this is a song that will roost in your heart, curled around your ventricles.
As all great folk artists do, Ye Vagabonds have more than a couple of traditional tunes up their sleeves. I’m a Rover allows for more “join-y in-y” singing, Bristol’s voices adding to the harmonies from the stage.
There’s nothing drunken about this drinking song, it’s just lovely. Both Willie O’ Winsbury and Lord Gregory are old, old songs but Ye Vagabonds breathe such freshness into them, the characters are given more room, see more light.
The only real difficulty that Ye Vagabonds have tonight is that they have to, somehow, keep a lid on the audience. They are welcomed with such love that all anyone wants to do is sing, dance and clap.
As the calming gentleness of On Yonder Hill gives way to Bacach Shíol Andaí so the whirling and twirling begins. The brothers MacGloinn trade bouzouki phrases and heels are kicked up, whoops raised to that ceiling.
A set of instrumental tunes makes the floor shudder as hundreds of pairs of boots stomp out the rhythm, dancers spinning arm-in-arm. The gleeful release is palpable.
As it is on Hare’s Lament, another hunting song that builds to full, joyous madness. Bouzouki, guitar and cello forcing pan-leaping in the furthest corners of this old church.
There really is just one word for it. Wow. Just wow.
Main photo: Gavin McNamara
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