The Michael McGoldrick Band and Dòchas

Aros Centre, Portree, Skye - 6th April 2005

The Michael McGoldrick Band and Dòchas were touring Scotland as part of the Scottish Arts Council's 'Tune Up' programme, and the Skye date fell midway through. It was a tour that travelled all over Scotland in just over a week, so by Wednesday evening, many miles had already been covered and both bands should have been tired. However from their performances nobody could have known.

The Aros Centre is a new building on the outskirts of Portree, part of which includes a tiny 150-seat theatre with a wooden gallery and very comfortable seats! You were reminded of how small the venue was when Michael McGoldrick came on and started his set by reading out the number of a car that had left its lights on!

Dòchas came on first. The band come from different parts of Scotland, and originally were a five piece all girl band, but now have the addition of an amazing bodhran player called Martin O'Neill. They also have the very talented Julie Fowlis, whose solo album is definitely worth getting! Dòchas were well received and got the audience warmed up for what was to come with tracks from their recent album. Julie Fowlis has an amazing voice, and sings Puirt-a-beul [mouth music] so easily and effortlessly that the hairs on your arms stand up. All the girls sing in Gaelic, play a variety of instruments, including accordion, pipes, whistles, fiddle, clàrsach and synth, and for such a young band were very professional and hugely enjoyable.

Michael McGoldrick started his set as a three piece, with Flook members Ed Boyd on guitar and John Joe Kelly on bodhran, before being joined on stage by the rest of the band; childhood friend Dezi Donnelly on fiddle; Ewan Vernal, bass guitar; Donald Shaw, keyboards and James Mackintosh on percussion and drums. All of these men are truly great musicians; award winning, well respected and much sought after. All creative individuals, who, in this band, become fused as one. Michael McGoldrick is in control of his band at all times, and yet, there seems to be no control at all, just an effortless fluidity to it. The entire band move with and to the music, like some live organic thing, swaying, rocking and tapping their feet.

Michael looks like an ordinary bloke. The kind you see whistling on a building site, a carpenter's belt around his waist. The kind you see out on a Saturday night with his mates. That was certainly my first impression when I saw him, and is probably half the appeal. This man doesn't fit any musical stereotype at all, let alone a folk one. Until you hear him play, and it blows you away. Literally. When he plays, his eyes closed, he's completely lost in his music, moving in time as the sound builds and swirls around him, having to, needing to go where the music takes him. Changing tempo, oblivious entirely to everything but the passion of the moment.

The band played stand out tracks, Watermans and Hip Agus Hop, from Fused- Michael's 2000 album- as well as tracks from collaborations with other people he has worked with. The Mary Bergin track, 'The girl with the long brown hair' (?) was awesome. A slow beautifully tender tune, Michael played to a silent awed audience, taking them with him as he let the sound build up, the other members of the band joining in, and the music evolving, becoming more vibrant, faster and livelier, until when it ended, minutes later, it was hard to believe it had started so softly.

Talented Martin O'Neill from Dòchas, joined John Joe Kelly, bodhran player extraordinaire, and while the rest of the band left the stage, these two took control, playing together to much foot tapping, and appreciative whoops from the audience. John Joe Kelly is one of the most entertaining musicians you're likely to see, and it's impossible not to get caught up by his infectious rhythms and big grin.

Then Julie Fowlis was invited onto the stage to sing 'Ogainachuir a rinn m' fhagail', a spinning song from her native North Uist. Michael joined her on low whistles. The title of her solo album is taken from this lovely infectious song.

As an encore, both bands returned to the stage. No mean feat as there wasn't much room to fit thirteen people, never mind a drum kit, harp and assorted instruments! The mix of skills on stage worked really well, with Dòchas proving they were well worthy of supporting the mighty McGoldrick Band.

And as both the music and the evening reach their climax, you know that it's the love for his music, and the passion with which he plays it, that makes an evening with the Michael McGoldrick Band so magical.