音源レビュー：High Up Low Down

The fourth solo album from Gerry O’Connor and High Up Low Down kicks off with Gravel Walk, and a gentle introduction by Tony Byrne on guitar, with Gerry on banjo and also, in the background, on a faint brush of the mandolin. In what might be described as almost trancy; the Hammond organ flutters across the track, as the Gravel Walk moves into the Jolly Tinker, only to fade out in a more relaxed venture than we are used to with Gerry’s solo works. However, speed-freaks never fear, for the next track is his wonderful interpretation of the bluegrass hit, Foggy Mountain Breakdown. As his playing has evolved over the years into a hybrid of trad and bluegrass on the tenor banjo, it is here where we get the full scope of Gerry’s ability to convert 5-string banjo music to the tenor banjo. But, not only on banjo, he also breaks into fiddle, mandolin and guitar, virtually becoming a one man bluegrass band. He did admit that he had to slow it down from the usual bluegrass speed which the tune is used to, but it still possesses a madcap speed, as he must furiously accomplish with four strings what is normally done with five. Conor Brady fits in nicely too with slide guitar.
Songs and singers featured on the album are Mary J, written and sung by Kevin Doherty (Gerry’s partner in Four Men and a Dog), which runs into the American old-timey Sail Away Ladies, and Fran King comes in to sing Colours by Donovan. Mr O’Connor lends his backing vocals to both tracks.
Also featured on tunes are Sharon Shannon, Mick Kinsella, Brendan O’Regan, Tommy Hayes (who even plays jaw’s harp on Jenny’s Wedding) and Michael Buckley.
Overall, a well-packaged album, recorded at Vicar Street Studios by Michael Buckley and at Sombre Reptile Studio in Galway by Brendan O’Regan, with the actual CD emulating the head of Gerry’s banjo: “Why didn’t I think of that earlier?” he recently told IMM.
Derek Copley