Seriously thinking of leaving Ciao now, just too many problems, too often......off by crimbo, you wi...
Seriously thinking of leaving Ciao now, just too many problems, too often......off by crimbo, you will find me on another well known site, same member name.
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Christy Moore - Ride On. 1984.
I have long been a fan of Irish music, and a fan of protest songs, from John Lennon to The Clash, so it is fair to say that I have a fair collection of Irish protest music, some of which has a distinctly anti-British feel.
Before anyone slates me for writing a review of well known IRA sympathisers' songs, many of which are very supportive of the IRA cause, let me say this.
Like it or not, there has been a conflict between the British and Irish for hundreds of years, and the troubles of the 70's and 80's were not new. It was inevitable that songs would be written, and inevitable that whoever wrote them would have a subjective slant.
This album is not just about the IRA by the way, it also chronicles other 'struggles' such as the Spanish Civil War and the El Salvador conflicts.
Moore himself has had brushes with the British law that would seem discriminatory, on one occasion, entering Britain he was held under the anti-terrorism act and questioned over the content of his songs.
Christy Moore is one of the best known musicians in Ireland and has been given the accolade of being 'the greatest musician alive' by RTE (Irish Broadcasting Association), he has also 'come in from the cold' by presenting on Desert Island Discs.
Anyway, on to the music, which is why I am writing the review.
~~~The Tracks~~~
1. The City of Chicago This song is basically about the mass migration of Irish in the 1870's
to America, ostensibly because of the potato famine (which was in part caused by the British), but also to get away from an impoverished and ruled land. What we get with Moore is always him singing in his lilting accent, accompanied by his acoustic guitar. This song is from a long history of folk, singing a tale. It is a very, very beautiful song that has the ability to transport one into a visualisation of the exodus. Great opener. 8/10.
2. Ride On The title song. Gorgeous guitar work with a real Latin feel for the introduction. It is a folk tale of admiration and perhaps jealousy. The story of a peasant looking on to a woman of riches riding on, who he may or may not have had a dalliance with. To me it is very folky and not that strong, but pleasant enough. 6/10.
3. Vive la Quinte Brigada This song is fantastic. Many people may not know that a bunch of Irish Socialists went of to fight in the Spanish Civil War against the Fascists. The 'Fifth International Brigade' is legendary and consisted of many European Socialists and Christians, and the Irish were a large part of this. This song sparked me to go and read up on this, fascinating history. Added to the poignancy of the song, it is actually very good musically with a lovely Spanish feel and a great hook of a chorus. 9/10.
4. Songs of Wandering Aongus Much more of a traditional Irish ballad about this song, again guitar and singer. It is beautiful musically but I can never get on with lyrics like 'and when the moths were on wing'. Pleasant to listen to but a little too folky for me. 5/10.
5. McIlhatton A song written by Bobby Sands, the IRA man that was interned and died on hunger strike. Bobby Sands was an MP, a poet and songwriter as well as being an IRA man, lest we forget. A story about a man who was famed for being a 'character' locally that was well know for brewing poteeen (local brew, spelt various ways). A good strong traditional type song in the tradition of The Dubliners, not a hint of the IRA or protest, just a good rowdy, Irish song. 8/10.
6. Lisdoonvarna Lisdoonvarna is a town in Ireland that is famous for having an annual 'matchmaking' festival. This jolly Irish song is all about that festival and the singers journey to and in the festival, it is infectious, contagious and fun, great fun. We get a bit of fiddles too. 8/10.
7. Among The Wicklow Hills Another song that sounds like it could come from The Dubliners, a nice Irish/folk song, not great but good enough. 5/10.
8. Sonny's Dream Quite a moving song about a lad who is missing his dad (a sailor), lives on a farm, laid back, very sweet, nice chorus. Follows the lad's life till he gets old. The dream in question is of his mother speaking to him. Probably a bit too sweet for someone like Moore, you could imagine someone like The Corrs singing this. 7/10.
9. The Dying Soldier This is a haunting, sad and beautiful song, it is told from the lips of a dying soldier, could be anywhere, but I suspect it was the first World war. This is without doubt my favourite song on the album. "I don't belong here, I don't want to die here, oh no", "stop the shooting, can't you see I'm dying, someone come and say a prayer". The song is not just acoustic and we get some backing vocals, both of which are unlike Moore, and they really fit well. I love this song, always sends shivers up my spine. 10/10.
10. El Salvador As you might guess from the title, another song reflecting on a socialist/fascist conflict. Though in truth, as he alludes to, it was more of a rich/poor conflict, dressed up in politics. This time from the perspective of the 'missing' and exiled in El Salvador, and the summary executions. Very, very powerful, not least because of the quiet way he sings. 9/10.
11. Back Home In Derry There was a mass transportation of Irish 'Criminals' at the turn of the century to Australia, many of whom died on route. Their crimes were mostly petty and it is true that many were deported for being a thorn in the British side. This song is written by Bobby Sands. This is one of the greatest travesties in Irish history (along with the potato famine) told in a haunting, visual song which shies from no horrors. "The sunburn cruel as we dished out the gruel". The chorus is haunting, desperate and sad. The storytelling in this song is quite amazing "Five weeks out to sea, we were now forty three, we buried our comrades each morning". The story concludes with the story of one who 'made it', has served his sentence and still wishes he was back home in Derry. A legend of a song. 10/10.
12. The Least We Can Do The final song. Much more of a contemporary feel about this song, very John Lennon in its feel, and he does in fact refer to Lennon in the lyrics. "Show some love and compassion when people are feeling low, make it not just a fashion that may come and go. Bring an end to oppression, it imprisons the truth". I really like this, a real contrast to his 'hard' songs. 9/10.
~~~Finally~~~ Christy Moore has a unique voice and is a great guitarist. In the tradition of folk and protest songs he stands amongst the best, and this is one of his best albums, no doubt.
If you ever have a hankering for some really poignant, Irish music, I can thoroughly recommend this. This is class.
It cannot be bought on iTunes UK for some reason, though can be bought on Amazon.
Also posted on Dooyoo, same member name.
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