Next generations lead sell-out tribute to musical maestro
Jimmy McHugh Memorial Concert
Woodside Halls, Glasgow
Rob Adams
AS THE late Jimmy McHugh’s familiar photo looks out from the onstage banner that announces the reason behind what has now become a traditional early January gathering, it’s tempting to wonder what the man himself would make of the event.
He’d be proud, surely, of his sons, Martin and Brendan, the former having recently been ill but taking a show-must-go-on approach to lead off the family band on bodhran, the latter playing fiddle but also having put in a power of work to make this 17th memorial concert a sold-out success. And it’s not difficult to imagine his approval of a night that celebrates the traditional music he nurtured.
It doesn’t go like clockwork and there’s often an ad hoc quality to the performances but that’s part of the charm. If tunes are introduced by their keys, rather than titles, for the accompanist’s benefit, it doesn’t dilute the spirit with which they’re played.
Tunes are just part of the story and this year there was increased emphasis on singing and dancing, with impressive full-on ensembles during the finale and the Foxhunter’s set. As well as the advertised songs from Glasgow-based Kevin Mitchell, with his sweetly turned, melodious ornamentations and compelling narrative style, Jimmy’s grandsons Sean and Connor delivered a wellreceived and very well judged duet of Eric Bogle’s Leaving Nancy.
Compere Arthur Johnstone also added his robust, stirring Dublin City alongside instrumental prowess that included Patsy Moloney’s nimble flute tunes, Seamus Meehan’s fluent piano accordion playing, and keenly expressive, rhythmically assured fiddle sets in duos and trios from Aisling Ni Choisdealbha and company.