TADHG MAC DHONNAGÁIN: “Raifteirí San Underground” (Cló lar Chonnachta)

RAIFTEIRÍ WAS a legendary 18th century poet and musician who was banished from his native Mayo. He apparently spent the rest of his life gigging all over the west in the big houses, never returning to his home village. Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin reckons were he alive today, Raifteirí would be busking on the London Underground and dreaming of returning home – hence the strange title!

This is the second album from RTE broadcaster and musician Tadgh Mac Dhonnagáin and it’s a pretty impressive work. With lyrics sung mainly in Gaelic over an acoustic setting he confidently mixes folk, country and bluegrass styles with a poise and assurance not normally associated with Irish language music.

You might have heard the whimsical `Tá Mamaí Sa Chistin’ on the radio which is a good laugh in itself and is described by its author as “a piece of semi-detached erotica”, but the rest of the album is more profound in its influences.

Drawing inspiration from cinematic sources like Paris, Texas and Distant Voices, Still Lives as well from more personal observations and themes like the shrine at Knock, he blends some lovely textural strands into the songs, giving them depth and gravity.

Highlights include ‘Dara’ an affectionate love song to a three year old, ‘Marilyn’ based on a photo of the movie star and ‘Bithbhuan’ which means ‘Rolling Home’ – but every track on the album contains musical and lyrical delights and the production is crisp and dynamic.Helped out by a stellar cast of Ireland’s top musicians including Steve Cooney, Keith Donald, Eleanor McEvoy and produced by Garvan Gallagher (from Mary Black’s band) Raifteirí san Underground is definitely worth checking out.

• Colm O’Hare