Review: T With The Maggies
On Tuesday night last (yes, I might be a day or four late with this one), a packed St. Canice's Cathedral audience were treated to what could only be described as a magical performance by some of the country's top traditional Irish musicians.
Coming from a family steeped in trade music, and having seen some of those on stage in various other guises over the years, I could only stand in awe for the time I got to spend at the T With The Maggies, accompanied by Donal Lunny on bozouki and guitar and, in an additional to the original program, Galway's Jim Higgins on bodhrán and percussion.
The 'Maggies need no introduction and certainly live up to their billing as a 'supergroup' when it comes to Irish music. Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Mairéad Ní Dhomhnaill, Altan's Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Clannad's Moya Brennan represent some of the absolute best of Irish music and that shone through by the bucket load on Tuesday evening.
The early part of the performance introduced a lot of older Irish tunes before moving through more current work but the audience were hooked from the get go, a full house happy to oblige Moya Brennan when requested to join in on Down By The Sally Gardens.
Performing as this particular 'supergroup' since early 2009, while having crossed various paths many times over the years, you would swear that they had all been performing together for decades over years, such is the rapport on stage, engagement and respect for each other in the performance.
This gig was another winner on the music strand with St. Cancice's Cathedral really the only venue worthy (in my own opinion) of hosting a performance like this. The blend of piano, harp and fiddle, backed by the bozouki and bodhran, all layered with four of the country's finest female vocals combined to create a really special soundscape in a really special venue. Standout songs for me include the afore-mentioned Down By The Sally Gardens and a soothing rendition of Mother's Song.
Of course, they had to do it all over again the following night by jetting off to L'Orient for the Interceltique Festival.
Let's let the video do the real talking on this one. Enjoy the few clips below. Supergroups don't last forever, so if you get the opportunity to see these four ladies in action, don't pass it up, you won't be disappointed.
You can also get details on upcoming tour dates at TWithTheMaggies.com.
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