Blending the ballad traditions of The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners with the folk/rock influences of Paul Brady, rising four-piece Na Fianna have their eyes on a big prize: modernising the soul of Irish folk music. Add the energy of The Pogues, the expat swagger of New York-based Black 47 and the mischievous humour of The Saw Doctors and you have a properly 21st century take on a tradition that goes back long before any of the members of Na Fianna were born.
Opening with a version of Brady’s angry emigrant tale ‘Nothing But The Same Old Story’, they immediately impress with their ability to get to the heart of the song, the vocals particularly shining through. The instruments are mainly acoustic – banjo, guitar, accordion and bodhran – with the addition of a rhythm section and the occasional electric guitar.
It’s not all rousing ballads and raucous anthems; ‘Earth Song’ (not the Michael Jackson one) is an environmentally aware slow-burner that showcases a more serious side to the group; and a rendition of ‘Lakes Of Ponchertrain’ (also covered by Brady) is another highlight.
The emigrant theme is strong throughout: ‘Working On A Building’ is a heady rush of a song and recent single ‘Toora Loora Lay’ a jaunty, toe-tapping, less serious ditty that will likely appeal to Irish Americans.
Along with their traditional and contemporary covers, Na Fianna collaborate with Don Mescal on several originals, including an intriguing ‘The Ballad Of Oisin’ and the anthemic ‘Irish Man’.
With Bill Shanley at the console, the production values are exceptional and the arrangements well thought out, serving the songs, rather than opting for crowd pleasing buck-stepping and endless solo-ing. These guys sound like the real deal...