Tonight sees the realisation of a dream for both Gráinne Hunt and Jim Murphy. As co-writers of the recently recorded Hibsen album, this premiere launch is everything that both could have been hoping for. Their pairing at an online writing workshop over Covid lockdown has proven to be a match made in the ether as both artists found their collaboration in song to be a joyful and rewarding experience.
Deciding to interpret the fifteen short stories of James Joyce that feature in his 1914 Dubliners novel is a somewhat daunting task. The scale of Joyce’s reputation and writing can only set the most challenging demands of any such collaboration and task. Fortune favours the brave however and it is a testament to the creativity of both artists that the end results are very compelling and a magnificent achievement.
The performance tonight is part of this year’s Bloomsday Festival and with support from the Arts Council, the project is brought to fruition by the performance of all fifteen songs in the beautiful and serene surroundings of the Smock Alley Theatre. Dating back to 1662, when it opened as the Theatre Royal, the history of the venue has witnessed full houses, seven days a week; structural problems over time, intense rivalry from other Dublin theatres, and eventually closure. Recreated as a church in the 19th Century during penal times, the building endured until 2012 when it once again opened as a theatre. It is the perfect setting in which to enjoy the unveiling of this new musical work. Hunt and Murphy are joined by a string quartet which is comprised of the four musicians who also feature on the album; Gerald Peregrine (cello), Beth McNinch (viola), Lynda O’Connor (first violin), and Paul O’Hanlon (second violin).
The remaining musicians on the evening are all members of the Blue Fish Diamond group that was formed by Jim Murphy some years ago and consists of Axel McDonald (electric guitars), Ronan Quinn (bass), Laura Ryder (keyboards), and Shay Sweeney (drums & percussion). Jim Murphy contributes vocals and plays a selection of three guitars on the night and Gráinne Hunt provides all lead vocals. She is the ideal focal point and first lady of song, with a very accomplished performance throughout, displaying an impressive vocal range and a lovely tone in her convincing delivery of the material.
It is by no means an impediment if you have not read the original Joyce stories, as each song is brought to life by the colourful arrangements and melodies, together with the well-crafted lyrics. However, there is the added benefit of selected readings from the novel by Irish journalist Frank McNally as a point of reference every few songs. His spoken delivery adds context and augments the musicians’ interplay across the variety of short stories. Such is the quality of the songs that one finds an instant familiarity with the rhythms and the choruses, almost wanting to join with the performers in song as the fine arrangements play out.
Highlights include Two Gallants, The Boarding House, Clay, and Ivy Day In the Committee Room. The players excel throughout with the string quartet elevating the songs and other musicians rising to the challenge of subtle and sensitive interpretation of the music. The interval break did nothing to interrupt the momentum of the evening and the easy flow of the music built throughout, culminating in a dynamic finalé with the wonderful song The Dead. The intensity of the performance bringing not only an emotional response from Gráinne Hunt but also a cathartic release from the enthusiastic audience that had loved every minute of the performance.
Review and photographs by Paul McGee