The Chieftains
March 6, 1998
Cincinnati, Ohio
By Jessica Jacobs
Last night, March 6, I had the luck to get to attend a Chieftains concert. I wasn't too sure what to expect having never been to one of their shows before, but I knew it had to be good since the show sold out! All I was familiar with really was the music, but that was enough. Despite a little wonderment at the beginning, I was right at home after the first 10 minutes.
After 36 years, The Chieftains haven't lost their touch in performing old music with a new and vibrant feel. Paddy Moloney is a great songwriter (and one helluva tin whistler and piper!) and really brings the show alive with his silly quips at the other guys on stage. The Celtic music scene is lucky to have somebody like him among them. Put him with the other Chieftains and you've got an Irish music storm! By the time the night was over The Chieftains have people dancing in the aisles, and it was no exception in their performace in Cincinnati.
At the show they began with an O'Carolan piece as one member after the other came out by himself and joined the song. Soon followed wonderful traditional music at it's best. The audience members were very pleased! I can say I was. Before the intermission they performed songs from their new soundtrack Long Journey Home. Even though the "stars" from the CD (like Van Morrison and Mary Black) weren't there to perform I think it sounded better with The Chieftains singing (except Shenandoah. Van Morrison isn't my favorite person but the choir that was singing wasn't the best either). Kevin Conneff did a fantastic rendition of Paddy's Lamentation. They played a few more songs off the CD and then there was a long break.
Their second half was one of the more interesting parts with everyone really getting worked up. It included people like a guitarist named Jesse Cook I believe he was from Canada and his friend playing Spanish guitars to the songs from Santiago, one of the best CDs The Chieftains have put out. They performed a Spanish number and then they launched into Maneo from the CD. A Spanish singer, whose name I don't remember, performed Guadalupe and did some funny little Spanish "dancing" if you could even call little steps in circles and swining hips dancing. It was kind of like she was mock flamenco dancing. And later on they performed a Van Morrison number, and Derek Bell cracked the whole audience up by coming on the keyboard with the electric guitar. They're full of humor and that makes the show exciting.
Through many parts of the show Kara Butler and Donny Golden danced. They were pretty good but the costumes were sad. The first dress she had on was rather nice (it was the one she wore in Gael Force) and Donny looked alright too. Then she was donning shiny green and purple stuff that was not very nice. For a long time I was wondering why they couldn't have just put her in a traditional solo dress like her sister Jean wore in An Irish Evening. The dancing was still good though even though the costumes were not to love. And the dancing itself is what matters anyway. Right?In the last 3 songs of the show, The Chieftains had two local guys, one on bodhran and one on harmonica, playing with them. The 3 songs were reels and everyone was going wild clapping with the beat. At one point Paddy Moloney shouted "everybody dance!" Someone on the right side of the theater jumped out of his seat and was doing just that, up and down the aisle. Eventually the music was way too much for me and after clambering over the legs of the other people in my row I got myself out into the aisle and danced a lively reel there. It was great fun listening to the magic of The Chieftains and dancing along to it. I never thought I would get to do that but I did!
I must mention my backstage experience. The Chieftains were all kind of in a hurry to get their stuff and get out of there afterwards because they were leaving early the next day to do another show. We passed Derek Bell going in as he went out and Paddy Moloney was going by with hands full (I talked with him for a few moments). The only Chieftain who seemed relaxed at all was my favorite player Kevin Conneff. He was walking around this big room drinking a Coke, chatting with people and shaking their hands. Since I think he is the best one and my very favorite I had to go and talk to him. So I did. I have a picture of The Chieftains now, signed by the wonderful Mr. Conneff. And he's more my favorite now than ever!
It was a wonderful night, The Chieftains living up to everyone's expectations of the quality of their performances. I highly encourage you to get a hold of a Chieftains CD if you can and by all means see them in concert if they come to your town! It's well worth the $35 or so per ticket. You can't spend that much money on any other show and have it be worth it so much than if you saw them. The Chieftains are magicians of music and are truly one of the best names in Irish music.