Andy Irvine

★★★

Old Dog Long Road Vol. 2 AK-9. CD/DL

Rewarding ramble through the back pages of an Irish master.

Sweeney’s Men, Planxty, Patrick Street, Mozaic… Andy Irvine’s extensive CV encompasses so much of enduring significance in Irish music over the last half century it’s easy to overlook what an informally masterful solo performer he has always been. Greater profile focuses on contemporaries like Christy Moore, but Irvine’s intimate lyrical style, plaintive narratives and dexterous instrumentals make him a unique figure. This 23-track 2-CD set stretches back to 1961, and while the sound quality understandably varies, it monitors a fascinating journey from Woody Guthrie imitator to great ballads and tales of unsung heroes to jigs, reels and a beautiful blast of Greek music too. Mostly solo, it’s less well trodden than Vol. 1 and is better for it, whether featuring Chrysoula Kechagioglou on The Snows, singing with Planxty on a mesmerising live version of As I Roved Out, or his own 1969 take on You Fascists Bound To Lose. A classic troubadour.