The Long Grazing Acre

It is something of a reflection of the anomalies of the Irish record industry that a man behind some of the key moments in traditional music over the past thirty years should find himself languishing in the world of tiny independent labels and equally tiny budgets. Not that one time Bothy Band lynchpin Paddy Keenan is probably that bothered, having always been a student of the music rather than the hype.

The Long Grazing Acre is, in many ways, an album that could have emerged at any point in Keenan’s illustrious career. Not that it is particularly dated, more that it’s simple approach to performance and recording gives it a timeless quality.

Keenan’s piping is a thing of beauty; a fluid, effortless style that sets him apart from most of his contemporaries. Coupled with long term partner Tommy O’Sullivan, he has produced a record that explores the many styles of traditional music, from the jaunty to the emotive, without ever losing sight of its core values. Offset by O’Sullivan’s driving guitar and a deft rhythm section, the selection of jigs, reels and tunes are given a magical sparkle by all involved.

He may not have the record company clout, but Paddy Keenan has lost none of the soul.