Despite yapping audience Arty McGlynn went down a treat
Live review by Kernan Andrews

It says a lot about Arty McGlynn, the renowned Irish guitarist, that so many musicians would travel from all over to play at his recent Galway concert, but not a lot for those in the audience who wouldn't keep quiet for long enough to listen to him.

Put a pint in some people's hands, or tell them it's a traditional music concert, and they suddenlly think it's fine to talk while the artist is up on stage. That might have been acceptable in the 1970s, but for a major Galway Arts Festival concert in the Radisson it was inconsiderate.

While Arty and Co were given three standing ovations (all deserved), many in the crowd couldn't shut up yapping while the musicians were playing. Several times during each set people had to go "SSSHHH!" in order to hear what the musicians were saying or else to get a bit of quiet for them to sing their song. Some, like Sean Keane tried to make light of it: "Don't mind me," he said, "continue talking among yourselves." Frankie Gavin also dealt with the matter humorously, but was annoyed by the yapping. "Can you hear me?" he asked. "Yes" the audience replied. "I can hear you as well," he said.

It was only a minority of the audience, but it was inconsiderate to those who came to listen and to the musicians themselves, many of whom, like John Prine and Maura O'Connell, had travelled specially to be at the gig.

"We had the bar closed early to keep the noise down, but it is in the nature of some of these events that people talk," said a spokesperson for the arts festival. "Thankfully the quality of the musicians won out on the night and we only had a few complaints about the talking. Most people were saying how much they enjoyed the show."

And so they should have for there were so many moments of magic on the night; Matt Molloy and McGlynn worked wonders with some lively trad, Sean Keane and Frankie Gavin were in top form, Andy Irvine brought a dose of humour to his performance of 'Martinmas Time', John Prine was a suprise guest (and pity he didn't play longer), Liam O'Flynn and McGlynn together created sheer magic with their majestic, beautiful, music, and Paul Brady's set, including a powerful solo rendition of 'Follow On', was one of the highlights of the night.

Throughout, Arty preferred to remain in the background as (the always superb) rhythm guitarist. However it was great to see him playing lead guitar on the night, and he took advantage of the opportunity to highlight, but never overdo, his improvisational skills. Despite the yapping it was a great event and where else would you get to see all these legends together on the same night?

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

Irish Music Magazine - Jan / Feb 2004

Arty McGlynn is one of the most respected musicians in Irish Music today and could even lay claim to being the most influential Irish guitarist in traditional music. Versatile and adaptable, his performing and recording credits read like a musical history of Ireland. Irish Music magazine's Ita Kelly sum's up Arty's attitude to traditional music in one simple motto: "If you're going to do it, do it well."

Now Arty's name is spoken reverently, always the consummate professional and gentleman to the tips of his musical fingertips, is much respected and in demand. At the Galway Arts Festival in July 2003 Arty was honoured with a special tribute concert. It was easily one of the most special and entertaining star-studded events of the year. Two MCs, John Kelly and Davy Hammond introduced guests who included, John Prine, Paul Brady, Andy Irvine, Sean Keane, Alan Kelly, Liam O'Flynn, Frankie Gavin and Nollaig Casey. One surprise on the night was the appearance of Maura O'Connell whose performance was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening. "We imported Arty to Nashville," she declared before delivering a stunning version of 'Down By The Sally Gardens' followed by 'Summerfly'. "She rang me up," says Arty "and said she was coming, we didn't realise she was in the country." Throughout the concert, Arty took side stage. "I always see myself as a side man more than a front man" he told me beforehand, but his presence meant a cool organised flow of events, because quietly he was directing the entire performance. It was a long day, rehearsing from eleven in the morning, but as he said himself afterwards "if I had been sitting around all day thinking about it...." Everyone had good things to say, memories to relate, and whenever Arty gets round to listening to the tapes, I'm sure he'll smile at it all.

Excerpt from an interview with Arty McGlynn
www.taramusic.com/features/artyint.htm