FOLLOWING THE release of their very fine new album, The Hare's Lament, folk/trad duo Ye Vagabonds - Carlow brothers Brían and Diarmuid MacGloinn - return to the Róisín Dubh.
Over the last four years, Ye Vagabonds have steadily built a following and a fair measure of respect, culminating in their nomination for a 2018 BBC Folk Award on the strength of their self-released debut album. Their second album, The Hare's Lament, was released via River Lea, an imprint of Geoff Travis's highly respected Rough Trade label - a further mark of how far the MacGloinns have come.
The MacGloinn's warm vocal harmonies, which allow space for vulnerability, are beguiling to the ear, witness their take on AL Lloyd's 'The Foggy Dew', the second track on The Hare's Lament. Their dextrous bouzouki, mandolin, and guitar work displayed to great effect on 'The Hare's Lament/Ocogovska Oro' is technically accomplished, without descending into muso self-indulgence - and is a clear doffing of the cap to the mighty Planxty. They also have a strong sense of how to create atmosphere as revealed on 'Seven Little Gypses'.
The great English singer-songwriter Roy Harper said of them: "They remind me of my first days at ‘Les Cousins’ in Soho in 1965...Ye Vagabonds are a modern expression of a tradition that is truly robust and important to these islands.”
The concert is on Saturday April 20 at 8pm. Tickets are available from www.roisindubh.net; the Ticket Desk at OMG@Zhivago, Shop Street; and The Róisín Dubh.