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Respect La Musique…C’est La Vie, Non?

Eddie Creaney Speaks To Journeyman Gerry “Fiddle” O’Connor About His European Connections And In Particular His Quest Into The Heart Of Breton Culture.

It’s not all about cheese and wine you know. Nor is it the pace of life that rarely exceeds second gear. And though the outstanding scenic views that bejewel the landscape draws many an Irish visitor to the Gallic region of Brittany every year, it’s that intrinsic element of Breton culture that gets the creative juices flowing for some of Irelands top music maestros. Yes folks, Breton music is the new black.

Now for those of you who don’t know their Kantik from their Chanteurs Engages or their Gwerzioù et Sonioù from their Chants de Marins, let me explain something. In every French city, town and village from the industrial north to the sun-ripened south you can’t swing a cat for Breton music enthusiasts. It’s the pride of the nation and heaven help the man who thinks otherwise. I remember well being in the town of Fontainbleau just south of Paris in the mid-nineties and attending a student party at a local bar. Most of the attendees were in their early twenties, full of Kronenbourg and lighting up their Gauloises Blondes. And the music for the night? Pure Breton. Not a Rolling Stones record or Madonna hit single to be heard. Until then I had never really equated hip students with folk music. But there it was. Pulsating. Energetic. Moody. And boy did they react. Songs were sung and dances were danced. It was my introduction to Breton heavyweights such as Alan Stivell and Tri Yann. Legendary names in a legendary arena.

These days, with the help of budget airlines, modern communications and the fact that most of us have a few quid in our pockets, we are never more than a couple of hours from relaxing at a countryside Gite or rustic bistro in one of Brittany’s many quaint towns or villages. Every year we do so in our droves, and the Irish musician is no exception.

One such regular visitor is County Louth man Gerry “Fiddle” O’Connor, he of “Journeyman” fame and the envy of most aspiring fiddle players the breadth of the land. And speaking to him recently I was impressed by the passion and esteem that he held for our Celtic cousin’s music. “As a young lad learning the fiddle I was no different than anyone else, focusing on tunes that were essentially Irish traditional” says O’Connor, “But from time to time something would appear that was quite different, dark, moody, almost mysterious in its message. This was the music of Brittany, and it left an indelible mark. These days it still intrigues me, and I respect it for its subtle nuances, its dark minor sounds.”

And the mean fiddler has indeed left his own mark on the Breton landscape. In Concert is the title of his latest foray, an album of 14 tracks that has fused the Irishman’s Gaelic influence with the Gallic style. And his partner in crime for the project? None other than Gilles Le Bigot, the talented guitarist who is very much in vogue these days with more than a few Irish traditional artists, his musical abilities and production skills a commodity worth more than its weight in gold. And it’s hard to believe that the album is live considering the quality of production by Sir Gilles. Not a pop or fade-off in sight. Trés bien Monsieur. And if you are one of the lucky ones to have purchased the album you’ll already know how addictive the tunes are. Played with an explosive energy it’s obvious that O’Connor hasn’t held back. Who needs a big band when you can fill the gaps yourself? Rosebuds In The Summer, a piece comfortably nestled within track five, is proof enough that the Louth man is something special. Then there’s the upbeat hornpipe Stirling Tom, a real jewel. Le Bigot’s guitar is right on the money when the open-style playing encompasses a handful of carefully chosen jazz-style chords, creating a palette on which Master O’Connor applies his brush strokes. Another notable piece is the strangely titled jig The Boy In His Pants, in which both parties emerge with a more subtle creation, understated yet keenly apt for a lazy summers day.

“We recorded the album live in Gilles hometown of Douarnanez” says O’Connor, “The audience were a delight to play to, and they brought their own energy to the proceedings. We originally had different ideas about the album, which tracks to include and exactly how many. But in the end it was obvious as to which direction we should take.” And he was right. The two hour show recorded in the packed hall that night produced enough little gems that proved to be well paced, expertly played and ultimately worthy of release.

For the former La Lugh and Skylark member In Concert is the latest of many associations with the French region and indeed other parts of mainland Europe. “I was involved in the West Winds project back in 1996 when myself and a few other Irish Traditional musicians participated in a music venture with likewise players from Brittany” says Gerry, “It proved successful in that it formalised the link we have between the Celtic lands. The Breton guys we played with were delighted to welcome us in France and the live shows went down a treat.” And it seems that the music maestro has been bitten by the Euro bug ever since. From the heady days of the widely acclaimed Brighid’s Kiss album at home with Eithne Ni Uallachain and the successful solo effort Journeyman, O’Connor hasn’t rested on his laurels. Associations with Le Bigot in Brittany have been coupled with appearances with Belgian-based band Shantalla, which has kept Gerry busier than ever on the continent. Since he stepped in to fill the shoes of ex-Shantalla fiddle player Kieran Fahy the band, reckoned by some at the time to be the best emerging Trad act on the continent, has opted to take a break. A pity, since appearances in the Lowlands had attracted not only bums-on-seats but also inches-in-columns, with the press raving about their work.

And live work seems to agree with the Dundalk man. Gigs in France and Holland have been timetabled with shows and workshops in Ireland and Canada over the past few months, and the workload doesn’t seem to have taken its toll. Indeed Master O’Connor can’t get enough of it. And as if the punishing travel schedule wasn’t enough, how about a musical challenge…like playing Baroque with Australian concerto and recital soloist Elizabeth Wallfisch at the London Wigmore Hall on November 26th? Impressive indeed. “I love the challenge” says O’Connor, “I find all aspects of violin work intriguing, each style setting its own agenda with subtle gradations.” It’s been a long journey from the days being tutored by mother Rose O’Connor and playing along side Sligo man JJ Gardiner. “These days I’m just as likely to be focusing on fiddle styles from the Middle East.” And it’s this attitude that makes the man from the east coast that little bit special.

So what do you give a man who’s already up to his neck in it? Well, another job of course. As if the creativity of the fiddle master wasn’t already being fought over from all arts and parts, there’s the teaching. And the lucky institution to include the man on their roster is the Dundalk Institute of Technology, a place O’Connor is honoured to be acquainted with. “The Honours Degree Course in Applied Music at DKIT is a labour of love which I am delighted to be associated. The students come from all over Ireland and even as far a field as France and Africa” states O’Connor, “There’s no doubt it’s a challenge, but to bring my own experience and knowledge to the table, in the hope that the students will benefit, is an opportunity I grasp with both hands. Course director Dr. Fintan Vallely has put a great team together there and we are looking forward to our fourth year of operation.” We’ll all keep an eye out for the prodigies.

So what of the near future for Gerry? Well, the Euro quest continues with gigs in France, England and Ireland with Le Bigot and others. A Swiss tour also beckons in mid-Autumn guesting on Kathleen Dineens White Raven project. And look out for something really special in Carlingford at the end of January 2007. The Ceol Chairlinn Festival success in 2006 should return the crowds to the County Louth village for another weekend of workshops, sessions and special events featuring Gerry and guests including whistle favourite Mary Bergin. Fans of Gerry can check out his website at www.gerryoconnor.net.

Eddie Creaney
eddiecreaney@hotmail.com