The Road West

A prodigiously talented man, this is Mairtin’s fourth solo album in a career that has spanned almost a quarter century, each successive release an advance on its predecessor. The title infers the undertaking of a journey, in this instance one with several twists and turns, but the common threads of invention and mischief are present throughout.

All the tracks are Mairtin’s own, each suggested by a rhythm, event or place-name, something which bestows on the tunes a very individual, separate character. The opening track, ‘The Cuckoo’, draws its character from the brass playing of Ken Edge and Jimmy Higgins Snr., infusing the tune with a real warmth.

Other pieces are shot through with various flavours which suggest some very strange turns of mind indeed, one of which ‘Out To Sea’ has a beautiful vocal arrangement from Maire Breathnach.

Detailed comment on individual tracks would be a lengthy exercise, such is the versatility on display here, but mention of two tunes – ‘Inagh Valley’ written for a theatrical production – and the album’s closing track, ‘The Carna Czardas’ is a must. The former is lush and thoughtful, the latter, by contrast, is ‘just mad, Ted’, as Fr.Dougal might say. Diverse tongues are at work here, and to stunning effect.