Lúnasa

Kirkgate, Cockermouth, Cumbria. From the opening notes of Kevin Crawford on his penny whistle where I jumped onboard the Celtic train of a lilting tunes, driving rhythms and astounding musicianship, right through to the end I was carried along on my idea of the road to heaven. The lineup of five mortal men with the gifts of leprechaun music makers never let up on passing the tune between each other, punctuated by the heavy raindrop beats of Trevor Hutchinson on the double bass and strumming of the guitar the beat was irresistable; the audience was struggling to sit still. I expected at any moment to see dancing in the aisles, but not this time, though it has been known to happen. Perhaps this audience was rather sedate. When Cillian Vallely slid into the tunes on his Uilleann pipes for the set pieces including Unapproved Road and Frutmarket Reels, the tone went up several notches. I'm sure my soul left my body. Fiddle player, Sean Smyth, and guitarist Paul Meehan from the regular line up were replaced for this event but the join was invisible, the strength of the group being, perhaps, more than its parts. (Sorry I don't have the names of those musicians). However, I can't leave unacknowledged the talents of each individual. The least shy of them all is Kevin, who catches the audience by the electricity in their hair and tickles their ribs with amusing accounts of life back home in Ireland, witty observations and encouragement to keep rythmn, clapping, tapping or slapping whatever's handy or takes your fancy. When's their next performance? It is difficult to find a date in England as they tour in USA and Europe, the current Dates showing are in California, and recently they have been in Germany. Come back to Erin, Mavoureen! Or at least, come back to Cumbria, Lunasa!.

Well, only Kevin Crawford could tell Van Morrison to feck off (of course, Van was not really in the the tent by then) - anyway Saturday on Stage 2, a very crowded tent and not only because of the rainstorm, Lunasa were their usual excellent selves - precise and spirited, an all too short set of old favourites and some material from the RTE orchestra collaboration. More or less the same set to close the 50th Cambridge Folk Festival on Sunday in the main tent but more relaxed, almost expansive. Not manic but powerful, appropriate to close a great evenings music. Fifth or sixth time I have seen them and I wouldn't mind seeing them again.