Album Review: Christie Hennessy, The Last Goodbye

Since his untimely demise in 2007, Christie Hennessy’s stock and stature have risen, and this CD of his recordings, taken to another place by the addition of the 45-piece RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Moloney, is the fitting tribute the Tralee-born singer-songwriter deserves.

Indeed, having his songs recorded with an orchestra was a long-held ambition of Hennessy’s, and thanks to his orchestrator son Tim, that dream has now become reality with The Last Goodbye. Under the baton of Gavin Moloney, the orchestra wraps ten gems from the Hennessy catalogue in its warm and loving embrace.

Christie’s approach to recording was generally that less is more, meaning the orchestra naturally complement the material – the arrangements enhance rather than overwhelm the original recordings. The soft-spoken Kerryman’s growing legion of fans will know that a generous nod of thanks must also go to daughter Hermione, no slouch herself in the music department, who has dedicated much of her life since her Dad’s death to keeping the flame of his memory well stoked.

During his late-blossoming career, Christie enjoyed numerous hits in his own right, whilst also supplying other artists with substantial successes, most notably Christy Moore with ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’ and Frances Black with ‘All The Lies That You Told Me’.

Not only was Hennessy’s voice unmistakeable in its honest vulnerability, his melodies were irrestibe. His lyrics, meanwhile, were sharply observed depictions of real life, including several that were gestated during his exile in England. Indeed, some of his songs – including the aforementioned ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’ – could serve as starting points for new students of the Irish emigrant experience. ‘Soho Square’ (named for the London location and included here) has the singer saying a touching goodbye to a lost love, whilst life carries on in the city streets below.

But the man’s back catalogue also includes many true-to-life love songs, which make up the bulk of The Last Goodbye – a particular standout being the affecting ‘Oh Jealous Heart’. Elsewhere, on the upbeat ‘Messenger Boy’ – inspired by his first job – the RTE band pull out all the stops; ‘Every Time A Star Falls’ features Hermione’s compelling voice and Hennessy Senior briefly explaining the draw of the stage; and Hermione also brings much joy and spirit to her duet on ‘If You Were To Fall (And I Was To Fall In Love With You)’. A triumph in its own right, The Last Goodbye should also encourage us to again explore Christie Hennessy’s treasure trove of songs.

8/10