Review: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Direct from acclaimed performances in Perth and Castlemaine, it was Melbourne’s turn to experience Irish fiddle master Martin Hayes, accompanied by celebrated New York guitarist and improvisor Kyle Sanna.
Although pre-publicity had suggested the repertoire would be built around the Common Ground Ensemble’s album Peggy’s Dream, the set list on this Australian tour has also delved deep into Hayes catalogue and the reservoir of traditional and obscure Irish music.
A lovely surprise for those arriving early was the sight of Australian-based, County Roscommon-born musician and singer Maggie Carty and band (acoustic guitar and didgeridoo), entertaining the audience in the theatre foyer. Daughter of acclaimed Irish musician John Marty, Maggie’s distinctive traditional Irish vocal, banjo playing and story telling was the perfect choice to settle the crowd into an Irish frame of mind.
Inside the Melbourne Recital Centre, the scene was quite stark with just two chairs, a couple of floor monitors and an amplifier occupying the stage. Walking casually onto the stage, sitting down and tweaking their instruments, Hayes and Sanna then proceeded to ease into The Wild Geese, a tune he later tells us is about the Irish aristocracy. It’s immediately apparent that Hayes’ playing is so pure, gentle and controlled, all signs of a virtuoso musician. During the opener, Sanna’s guitar is barely audible as he felt his way around the music, offering the occasional chord strum to complete Haye’s musical sentences. Seamlessly they blended into Lord Leitrim, followed by the first of many reels for the night, Port An Deoraí and My Mary Ann.
The sound of the Melbourne Recital Centre was so pristine that you could clearly hear the soft heals of Martin’s shoes keeping time as the momentum built on the Irish dance tunes. All the while, Sanna offered up sympathetic notes, listening intently and never impeding the master fiddle player’s path, rather assisting him to arrive smoothly at his musical destination.
Music On The Wind is a song by Lucy Farr, Martin tells us, one that he originally thought must be “ancient’ but discovered that it was a much more modern piece, written in 1972. TG4 is a reel dedicated to the National Irish Language Public Service Broadcaster, which went down particularly well with the Melbourne audience.
Once again Hayes took to the microphone to explain the music they were performing. The emotionally heavy piece, O Carolan’s Farewell to Music was the last tune composed by blind Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan. Hayes’ take on the piece was that it may have been written out of struggle and defiance but with the caveat that he wasn’t there and the motivation of the tune could have been anything, which prompted a giggle from the crowd.
In Martin Hayes’ hands, the fiddle is not merely an instrument but very much a part of his body, the bow an extension of his arm, while his fingers flutter delicately at the other end of the violin’s neck. Together with Kyle Sanna, the pair create beautiful sonic landscapes, visions of the old but given an otherworldly edge. Kyle’s sublime bass notes provide a solid platform from which Hayes can launch his soaring fingerboard runs and reach deep inside our souls.
Martin tells us that the spirit of the blues can be found in Garrett Barry’s Jig, which is further confirmed by a fabulous blues-flavoured guitar solo by Kyle Sanna. The latter stages of the show focussed more on the current album Peggy’s Dream, highlighted by a heartfelt version of the gorgeous The Glen of Aherlow and the pulsating The Longford Tinker, enhanced by some thoughtful guitar patterns from Sanna. Trathan An Taoide was dedicated to a recently passed friend, and contained the heart and soul you’d expect from this compassionate musician, eventually leading into several uplifting reels as is the Irish custom of celebrating fallen friends.
The final medley selection included both The Boyne Water and Ca Bhfuil An Solas from the Peggy’s Dream album. The Boyne Water, the album’s opener features a particularly soulful melody and showcased Hayes’ complete command of his instrument, aided once again by Sanna’s brooding contributions. It wouldn’t be an Irish music concert if it didn’t end with a jig and the staple reel Toss The Feathers together with The Maghera Bán Reel, were an ideal option to see Martin and Kyle off stage. However, the Recital Centre crowd weren’t going to let it end there and greeted the pair enthusiastically as they returned for an encore, playing an incredibly atmospheric piece to leave us in awe of their musical ingenuity.
AUSTRALIAN TOUR REMAINING DATES
Wed 25 The Concourse- Chatswood, Sydney
https://aucentury.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153613
Thu 26 Powerhouse, Brisbane
Martin Hayes tickets | Brisbane Powerhouse | Ticketek Australia
Website: www.martinhayes.com
SET LIST:
The Wild Geese
Lord Leitrim
Port An Deoraí
My Mary Ann
Music On The Wind
Harpsichord Louise
TG 4 Reel
O Carolan’s Farewell to Music
Garrett Barry’s Jig
The Glen of Aherlow
The Longford Tinker
The Road to Cashel
O Rourke’s Reel
Trathan An Taoide
The Golden Castle
Mikey Callaghan’s
Kevin’s Salute
The Boyne Water
Ca Bhfuil An Solas
Toss The Feathers
The Maghera Bán Reel
